Just like a book, every story has a beginning, middle and end. Purple Hill Country Music Hall in London, Ontario is where it all began with the Legacy Show to kick off the CMA Ontario; several Country music icons such as The Good Brothers, Charlie Major, Larry Mercey, Marie Bottrell and Wendell Ferguson performed, sharing the stage with current country sensations Genevieve Fisher and Kiley Joe Masson. An up-close and personal experience sharing stories, music, and laughter.
Friday night, a charity soft-ball game was held at Labatt Memorial Park, where the country music stars were up against London media; making for an entertaining game before the post game concert where Leah Daniels, Genevieve Fisher, & The Abrams performed.
Road 2 Independence conferences were being held during the day, on Saturday and Sunday at the Delta Armouries followed by the new faces showcase on Saturday night at Convent Garden Market and the awards show on the Sunday at Centennial Hall.
Saturday night at the Convent Garden Market, the new faces showcase show hit the stage; with performers Amanda Jordan, Ben Hudson, Brea Lawrenson, Sacha, and Steve Rivers. These talented artists are on their way up in the country music world. The night went out with bang with performances by Eric Ethridge and Rivertown Saints.
The weekend came to an end with the awards show and performances by Aaron Pritchett, Cold Creek County, Deric Ruttan, Genevieve Fisher, James Barker Band, Jason Blaine, Jessica Mitchell, Meghan Patrick, River Town Saints, The Abrams and Tim Hicks at Centennial Hall; with the exceptional house band The Western Swing Authority backing all these talented artists.
A weekend full of up-coming artists storming into the light, and those who are music icons of the country music scene. It was a privilege to be a part of capturing the CMA Ontario in my hometown city of London, Ontario. I had the honour of briefly speaking to Genevieve Fisher, who was up for Female Artist of the Year;
MJ: How do you feel to have been nominated for this award?
GF: It feels pretty awesome to be nominated, especially with some of my favourite female singers and inspirations. It’s really exciting to be just be nominated and to be recognized is really great. I’m not really expecting anything tonight, just here to have a great time with friends.
MJ: So on that, you were saying some of your favourite female singers and inspirations, what are some of your inspirations?
GF: I am in love with Meghan Patrick, she is awesome; super down to earth and just a really amazing artist. I love her writing, and her music. Outside of Canada I’m really loving Maren Morris; I love her music, I love her vibe, she just seems really cool and I want to be friends with her.
MJ: Do you find these are some of the artists that inspire your work?
GF: Definitely. I’m really finding that people are slowly getting back into the more country sounding music, I love that about Meghan.
MJ: Where do you find country music is going into 2017 and the future of the scene.
GF: I definitely think we are going to hear a lot more traditional aspects coming back into the music; which I think is so important. Even with my music; although I will 100% say that it definitely has more of a pop feel to it, I always will have my country roots in there. It is super important to stay true to who you are as an artist.
MJ: Last question for you today, how does it feel being a part of the females who are storming into the country scene?
GF: It feels pretty amazing, I’ve been involved in the industry for quite some time now, so to finally be recognized and have a song that has made top 20 on country radio here in Canada, it feels pretty awesome to just be recognized and be in that grouping.
MJ: You deserve it, and good luck tonight at this evenings awards! Thanks for chatting with me today.
Jason McCoy made for an entertaining host from start to finish. The 15 awards that were presented should leave the nominees and winners proud of all their hard work and accomplishments. Meghan Patrick up for 7 nominations, won 4 of the awards including female artist of the year, album of the year, rising star and music video of the year and it was such an honour to see Blue Rodeo taking home the Impact award to finish off an amazing evening. All artists performed one last song together on stage, making for a successful end to the CMA Ontario awards.
The winners of each award should be proud of the hard work and dedication put forth;
Single of the Year: Cherry Bomb; River Town Saints
Album of the Year: Grace and Grit: Meghan Patrick
Songwriter(s) of the Year: Deric Ruttan, Craig Wiseman – “Came Here to Forget” performed by Blake Shelton
Female Artist of the Year: Meghan Patrick
Male Artist of the Year: Tim Hicks
Group or Duo of the Year: Cold Creek County
Roots Artist or Group of the Year: The Abrams
Rising Star Award: Meghan Patrick
Fan’s Choice: James Barker Band
Music Video of the Year: “Bow Chicka Wow Wow” – Meghan Patrick
Record Producer(s) of the Year: Jason Barry (Dean Brody, Genevieve Fisher, The Western Swing Authority, Tianna Woods)
Industry Person of the Year: Steve Coady, Warner Music Canada
Radio Station of the Year (Large Market): CJBX-FM (BX 93) London
Radio Station of the Year (Medium Market): CHCQ-FM (Cool 100.1 FM) Belleville
Radio Station of the Year (Small Market): CICX-FM (KICX 106) Orillia
All photos by Melissa Price
©2017. Please DO NOT copy or use without permission.
Legacy Show – June 8, 2017:
Charity Softball Game – Labatt Memorial Park – June 9, 2017:
New Faces Showcase – Convent Garden Market – June 10, 2017:
Convent Garden Market – June 10, 2017:
CMA Ontario Awards Show – Red Carpet – Centennial Hall – June 11, 2017:
CMA Ontario Awards Show – Centennial Hall – June 11, 2017:
