Winners of the 2024 Canadian Country Music Awards

Winner for the 2024 Canadian Country Music Awards were announced on September 13 at an Industry Gala Dinner and a televised event on Saturday, September 14.

Below is a complete list of winner. Local musicians are bolded.

• Drummer of the Year: Rich DaSilva (Cambridge)
• Entertainer of the Year : Josh Ross (Waterdown)
• Fiddle Player of the Year: Linsey Beckett (Brantford)
• Innovative Campaign of the Year : “Blinding Lights” Case Study (Tebey - Burlington)
• Male Artist of the Year: Josh Ross (Waterdown)
• Musical Collaboration of the Year: Honky Tonkin’ About – The Reklaws (Cambridge), Drake Milligan
  
  
  
  Links: Reklaws, More Reklaws Stories, Drake Milligan, Video above courtesy of The Reklaws
  
  
• Radio Station of the Year (Medium or Small Market): CFWC-FM (Brantford, ON)
• Single of the Year: Trouble – Josh Ross (Waterdown)
  
  
  
  Links: Josh Ross, More Josh Ross Stories, Video above courtesy of JOSH ROSS
  
  
• Specialty Instrument Player of the Year: Shane Guse (Western Swing Authority) (Waterloo)
• Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year: Complicated – Josh Ross
• Album of the Year: Do It Anyway – Jade Eagleson
• Alternative Country Album of the Year: The Compass Project: West Album – Brett Kissel
• Bass Player of the Year: Lisa Jacobs
• Booking Agency of the Year: Paquin Entertainment Group
• Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year: Owen Riegling
• Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame® Inductees: Gilles Godard & k.d. lang 
• Country Club of the Year: King Eddy (Calgary, AB)
• Country Festival, Fair or Exhibition of the Year: Boots and Hearts Music Festival (Oro-Medonte, ON)
• Country Music Program or Special of the Year: Boomers Canadian Club (Rogers Sports & Media)
• Country Radio Personality(ies) of the Year: Jackie Rae Greening (CFCW)
• Creative Team or Designer of the Year: Design Team: Bronwin Parks (Feisty Creative)
• Fans’ Choice: James Barker Band
• Female Artist of the Year: MacKenzie Porter
• Group or Duo of the Year: James Barker Band
• Guitar Player of the Year (Tie): Chris Bray, Brennan Wall
• Humanitarian Award: Lindsay Ell
• Industry Person of the Year: Lindsay Hyslop (BBR Music Group)
• Keyboard Player of the Year: Brendan Waters
• Management Company of the Year: The Core Entertainment
• Music Publishing Company of the Year: Big Loud Publishing
• Radio Station of the Year (Large Market): CKGY-FM (Red Deer, AB)
• Record Company of the Year: Big Loud Records
• Recording Studio of the Year: MCC Recording Studio (Calgary, AB)
• Record Producer(s) of the Year: Joey Moi
• Retailer or Commercial Platform of the Year: Apple Music
• Songwriter(s) of the Year: Old Dirt Roads - Owen Riegling
• Steel Guitar Player of the Year: Matt McKay
• Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year: Brooke Dunford (Republic Live)
• Top Selling Album of the Year: One Thing At A Time – Morgan Wallen
• Video Director of the Year: Ryan Nolan
• Video of the Year: Chasing Tornadoes – MacKenzie Porter
  
  
  
  Links: Mackenzie Porter, More Mackenzie Porter Stories, Video above courtesy of MacKenzie Porter

Links: Canadian Country Music Association, More CCMA Stories

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2024 Opening Night Juno Winners

A number of Junos were handed out at a streamed gala on March 23, 2024. Unfortunately, no local artists won but there were lots of talented winners. The televised gala on Sunday, March 24, 2024 (on CBC at 8pm) will feature more incredible artists receiving Junos.

Local musicians Georgie Fab of the Rockets, Greg "Fritz" Heinz of Helix & Robbie Robertson of the Band were honoured at the "In Memoriam" section while Begonia sang Butterfly. Click their names at the beginning of this paragraph to go directly to their section.

Below is a video of the amazing event.

Links: Juno Awards, More Juno Stories, Video above courtesy of CBC Music

Click here for the televised winners.

Below is a complete of winner from the gala:

• ADULT ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Multitudes by Feist 
• ALBUM ARTWORK OF THE YEAR: RIOPELLE SYMPHONIQUE – Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal 
  - Nicolas Lemieux (Art Director)
  - Mykaël Nelson (Designer & Illustrator)
  - Albert Zablit (Photographer)
• ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Here and Now by Aysanabee 
• ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Tate McRae
• BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Scream, Holler & Howl by Blue Moon Marquee 
• BREAKTHROUGH GROUP OF THE YEAR: New West 
• CHILDREN’S ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Welcome to the Flea Circus by The Swinging Belles
• CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (LARGE ENSEMBLE): Maxime Goulet: Symphonie de la tempête de verglas Orchestre classique de Montréal, conducted by Jacques Lacombe 
• CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SMALL ENSEMBLE): Il Ponte di Leonardo By Constantinople 
• CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SOLO ARTIST): Nielsen: Violin Concerto, Symphony No. 4 by James Ehnes
• CLASSICAL COMPOSITION OF THE YEAR: Don’t Throw Your Head in Your Hands by Nicole Lizée
• COMEDY ALBUM OF THE YEAR: A Lylebility by Kyle Brownrigg 
• CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN | GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Arrow by K-Anthony
• CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR: Elisapie 
• CONTEMPORARY R&B RECORDING OF THE YEAR: Never Enough by Daniel Caesar
• CONTEMPORARY ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Stand in the Joy by William Prince
• COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Ahead Of Our Time by James Barker Band 
• DANCE RECORDING OF THE YEAR: Need Your Love by Felix Cartal & Karen Harding 
• ELECTRONIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR: INFINITY CLUB by Bambii 
• FRANCOPHONE ALBUM OF THE YEAR: En concert avec l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal by Les Cowboys Fringants
• GLOBAL MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Okantomi by OKAN
• INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: When we were that what wept for the sea by Colin Stetson
• INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: SOS by SZA 
• JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR (GROUP): Cry Me A River by Hilario Duran and His Latin Jazz Big Band 
• JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SOLO): Day Moon by Christine Jensen 
• METAL/HARD MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR: As Gomorrah Burns by Cryptopsy 
• MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Demons by  Allison Russell (Ethan Tobman - Director)
  
  
  
  Links: Allison Russel, More Allison Russel Stories, Video above courtesy of Allison Russell
  
  
• POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR: 99 Nights by Charlotte Cardin 
• PRODUCER OF THE YEAR: Shawn Everett
• RAP ALBUM/EP OF THE YEAR: PANIC by TOBi
• RAP SINGLE OF THE YEAR: Someone I Knew  by TOBi 
• RECORDING ENGINEER OF THE YEAR: Shawn Everett
• REGGAE RECORDING OF THE YEAR: Dread by Kirk Diamond & Finn
• ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Blame My Ex by The Beaches 
• SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR: Aysanabee
• SPECIAL ACIEVEMENT AWARD: Chip Sutherland
• TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR: Joel Wood
• TRADITIONAL R&B/SOUL RECORDING OF THE YEAR: Hello by Aqyila
• TRADITIONAL ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR: The Breath Between by David Francey
• UNDERGROUND DANCE SINGLE OF THE YEAR: Call My Name by BLOND:ISH 
• VOCAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Our Roots Run Deep by Dominique Fils-Aimé 

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CONGRATS! 2020 Canadian Country Music Award Winners

Unfortunately, no local artists won the 2020 CCMA Awards. Nevertheless, Canada's incredible Country music scene received a great online gala on September 27.

Alberta's Brett Kissel was the big winner with 4 awards to his name.

Links: Brett Kissel, More Brett Kissel Stories, Video above courtesy of Brett Kissel

Below is a complete list of winners.

• Fan's Choice: Brett Kissel
• Male Artist: Brett Kissel
• Album: Now Or Never – Brett Kissel
• Creative Director(s): Design Team: Brett Kissel, Connor Schefler, Album: Now Or Never (Artist: Brett Kissel)
• Entertainer: Dallas Smith
• Group or Duo: The Washboard Union
• Female Artist: Tenille Townes
• Songwriter(s): Tenille Townes - Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking) (co-written w Tina Parol, Gordie Sampson)
• Video: Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking) – Tenille Townes
  
  
  
  Links: Tenille Townes, More Tenille Townes Stories, Video above courtesy of Tenille Townes
  
  
• Guitar Player: Matt McKay
• Drummer: Ben Bradley
• Steel Guitar Player: Mitch Jay
• Specialty Instrument Player: Mitch Jay
• Fiddle Player: Tyler Vollrath
• Rising Star: Tenille Arts
• Roots Album: Everbound – The Washboard Union
• Interactive Artist or Group: Lindsay Ell
• Single: Keep It Simple – James Barker Band
  
  
  
  Links: James Barker Band, More James Barker Stories, Video above courtesy of James Barker Band
  
  
• Bass Player: Lisa Dodd/Justin Kudding (tie)
• Keyboard Player: Brendan Waters
• Radio Music Director (Large Market): Amanda Kingsland – CKBY-FM – Ottawa, ON
• Radio Music Director (Medium/Small Market): Shilo Bellis – CJXL-FM – Moncton, NB
• Recording Studio: Noble Street Studios – Toronto, ON
• Country Personality: Shannon Ella – Pure Country
• Radio Station (Large Market): CKRY-FM – Calgary, AB
• Radio Station (Small/Medium Market): CJXL-FX – Moncton, NB
• Booking Agency: Sakamoto Agency
• Country Club: King Eddy – Calgary, AB
• Country Festival: Boots And Hearts Music Festival – Oro-Medonte, ON
• Country Music Program: Canada Together: In Concert – Corus Entertainment
• Management Company: Invictus Entertainment Group
• Music Publishing Company: Warner Chappell Music Canada
• Record Company: Warner Music Canada
• Industry Person: Mike Denney – MDM Recordings Inc – President
• Record Producer (s): Scott Moffatt
• Retailer: Apple Music
• Talent Buyer or Promoter: Paul Biro – Sakamoto Agency
• Video Director: Ben Knechtel

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Links: Canadian Country Music Association, More CCMA Stories

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Happy Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day! Videos by Golden Beaver, Cory Mercer, Reklaws ft. James Barker Band

Links: Golden Beaver, More Golden Beaver Stories, Video above courtesy of Killin' Time



Links: Cory Mercer, More Cory Mercer Stories, Video above courtesy of Cory Mercer - Topic



Links: Reklaws, More Reklaws Stories, James Barker Band, More James Barker Stories, Video above courtesy of The Reklaws

More 'Country Music Song Titles Day' Videos

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CONGRATS! Waterloo's Shane Guse Wins Canadian Country Music Award + Complete Winners List

Shane Guse with Stacey Lee Guse at the CCMA's 

Waterloo's Shane Guse (Western Swing Authority) has added another trophy to his shelf. He won the Special Instrument Player of the Year award (for his mandolin work) on September 9, 2018 at the Gala Award dinner of the 2018 Canadian Country Music Awards in Hamilton!



Links: Roger Schmidt, Western Swing Authority, More WSA Stories, Video above courtesy of Furch/Stonebridge Guitars

The awards were a major success for Hammertown (so much that they are hosting it again in 2020).

The big winner was host Shania Twain, who took home 4 awards.



Links: Shania Twain, More Shania Twain Stories, Video above courtesy of Shania Twain

Click here for the Hamilton Spectator story on the event.

Here's a complete list of winners:

Main Awards (September 9)

• Top Selling Album: Shania Twain: Now
• Top Selling Canadian Album: Shania Twain: Now
• Fans' Choice Award: Shania Twain
• Generation Award: Shania Twain
• Album: Jess Moskaluke: Past the Past
• Female Artist: Meghan Patrick
• Group or Duo: Washboard Union
• Male Artist: Dallas Smith
• Rising Star: Reklaws
• Single: James Barker Band: Chills

Gala Dinner (September 8)

• Special Instrument Player: Shane Guse (Western Swing Authority) (mandolin)
• Video: Dallas Smith: Sky Stays This Blue
  
  
  
  Links: Dallas Smith, More Dallas Smith Stories, Video above courtesy of Dallas Smith
  
  
• Interactive Artist : Brett Kissel
• Roots Artist or Group: Washboard Union
• Songwriter(s) : Aaron Goodvin: Lonely Drum (co-written by Alexander Black, Cathy Gravitt)
• Top Selling Single: James Barker Band: Chills
• Guitar Player: Matt McKay
• Keyboard Player: Bart McKay
• Radio Station (Large Market) CISN-FM - Edmonton, Alberta
• Radio Station (Medium or Small Market): CHCQ-FM - Belleville, Ontario
• Music Publishing Company: ole
• Record Company: Warner Music Canada
• Industry Person: Steve Coady, Warner Music Canada
• Talent Buyer or Promoter: Jim Cressman, Invictus Entertainment Group

Industry Lunch (September 7)

• Bass Player: Travis Switzer
• Drummer: Ben Bradley
• Fiddle Player: Tyler Vollrath
• Steel Guitar Player: Mitch Jay
• Video Director: Stephano Barberis
• Music Director (Large Market): Amanda Kingsland (CKBY-FM, Ottawa)
• Music Director (Medium/Small Market): Paul Ferguson (CHCQ-FM, Belleville, ON)
• On-Air Personality(ies) (Large Market): KX Morning Ride with Ellis and Archer (CJKX-FM) Oshawa, Ontario
• On-Air Personality(ies) (Medium or Small Market): Jason, Jack and Carey Morning Show (CICX-FM) Orillia, Ontario
• Booking Agency: The Feldman Agency
• Country Club: Ranchman's Cookhouse and Dancehall, Calgary
• Country Festival, Fair or Exhibition: Cavendish Beach Music Festival, Cavendish, P.E.I.
• Country Music Program or Special: Jess Moskaluke: Home Movie
• Management Company: Invictus Entertainment Group
• Creative Team: Jess Moskaluke: Past The Past (album)
• Recording Studio: Bart McKay Productions, Saskatoon, Sask.
• Record Producer(s) : Jeff Dalziel (Washboard Union: What We’re Made Of)
• Retailer: Spotify Canada Inc.

Links: Canadian Country Music Association, More CCMA Stories

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GOOD LUCK! Local Country Music Association of Ontario Award Nominees

Many of our incredible area musicians will be heading down to London for the Country Music Association of Ontario Awards on June 3, 2018. There were quite a few local nominees and hopefully they'll pick up some hardware.

Hamilton boasts a few nominees: Blue Rodeo (which has Hamilton's Colin Cripps in its current lineup) and radio station KX 94.7 FM are up for awards.



Links: Blue Rodeo, More Blue Rodeo Stories, Video above courtesy of Blue Rodeo

The Halton region also has a few artists in the running: Burlington's Tianna Woods and Tebey along with Oakville's Nicole Rayy.



Links: Tianna Woods, More Tianna Woods Stories, Video above courtesy of Tianna Woods



Links: Tebey, More Tebey Stories, Video above courtesy of Tebey



Links: Nicole Rayy, More Nicole Rayy Stories, Video above courtesy of Nicole Rayy

As for Niagara, there's St. Catherines Country superstar Tim Hicks and CKYY Country 89 (Welland).



Links: Tim Hicks, More Tim Hicks Stories, Video above courtesy of TimHicksVEVO

Other local artists include The Western Swing Authority and Jason Barry from Waterloo, Shae Dupuy (Cambridge).



Links: Western Swing Authority, More WSA Stories, Video above courtesy of TheWSAMusic



Links: Shae Dupuy, More Shae Dupuy Stories, Video above courtesy of Shae Dupuy

GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY!

Leading the pack with nominations is the James Barker Band with 6.

Below is a complete list of nominees.

Single

• Tim Hicks: Slide Over
• Jason Blaine: Born To Love 
• James Barker Band: Chills
• Meghan Patrick: Country Music Made Me Do It
• Genevieve Fisher: You Me We

Female Artist

• Tianna Woods
• Dani Strong
• Genevieve Fisher
• Jessica Mitchell
• Meghan Patrick

Male Artist

• Tebey
• Tim Hicks
• Andrew Hyatt
• Anthony Tullo
• Jason Blaine

Group/Duo

• Blue Rodeo (ft Hamilton's Colin Cripps)
• Cold Creek County
• James Barker Band
• Runaway Angel
• The Lovelocks
• Andrew Hyatt

Roots Artist/Group

• The Western Swing Authority
• Jessica Mitchell
• Lindi Ortega
• The Abrams
• The Lovelocks

Rising Star

• Shae Dupuy
• Nicole Rayy
• Andrew Hyatt
• Eric Ethridge
• Andrew Hyatt

Music Video

• Tim Hicks: Slide Over
• James Barker Band: Chills
• Meghan Patrick: Country Music Made Me Do It
• The Road Hammers: Haulin’ Ass
• Cold Creek County: Homemade
• River Town Saints: Woke Up Like This

Fan's Choice

• Tim Hicks
• James Barker Band
• Meghan Patrick
• River Town Saints
• The Road Hammers

Songwriter (s)

• Justin Moore: Somebody Else Will (written by Kelly Archer, Adam Hambrick, Tebey)
• The Road Hammers: Crazy About You (written by Clayton Bellamy, Chris Byrne, Jason McCoy)
• Meghan Patrick: Country Music Made Me Do It (co-written by Dan Isbell, Jeremy Stover)
• James Barker Band: Chills, (co-written by Gavin Slate, Travis Wood, Donovan Woods)
• Jessica Mitchell: Don’t Love Me (co-written by Matthew Tishler)

Record Producer(s)

• Jason Barry (Runaway Angel, Western Swing Authority, Dean Brody)
• David “Dwave” Thomson (Jason Blaine)
• Jeff Dalziel (Washboard Union, Dan Davidson; River Town Saints)
• Karen Kosowski (Jessica Mitchell, Madeline Merlo)
• Scott Cooke, Doug Oliver (Cold Creek County)
• The Agenda (Justine Chantale)

Radio Station (Large Market)

• KX 94.7 FM (Hamilton)
• Country 104 FM (Woodstock)
• CJBX BX 93 (London)
• CJKX KX96 (Oshawa)
• CKBY County 101.1 (Ottawa)

Radio Station (Small Market)

• CKYY Country 89 (Welland)
• CHAW Country 103 (Little Current)
• CICX KICX 106 (Orillia)
• CJDL-FM Country 107.3 (Tillsonburg)
• CKAT, Country 600 (North Bay)
• CKYC Country 93 (Owen Sound)

Album

• James Barker Band: Game On
• Cold Creek County: Homemade
• Andrew Hyatt: Iron and Ashes
• River Town Saints: River Town Saints
• The Road Hammers: The Squeeze

Industry Person

• Amanda Kingsland (County 101.1)
• Anya Wilson (Anya Wilson Promotion and Publicity)
• Mike Denney (MDM Recordings)
• Ron Kitchener (RGK Entertainment)
• Steve Coady (Warner Music Canada)

Radio Station (Medium Market)

• CFCO Country 92.9 (Chatham)
• CHCQ-FM Cool 100.1 FM (Belleville)
• CICS KICX 91.7 (Sudbury)
• CKQM Country 105 (Peterborough)
• CKXC Country 93.5 (Kingston).

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Links: Country Music Association of Ontario, More CMAO Stories

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CONGRATS! David Braid and Rezz Earn Early 2018 Junos

Hamilton Jazzman David Braid and Niagara Falls electronic musician Rezz brought home Junos during the untelevised portion of the awards ceremony on Saturday, March 24, 2018.



Links: David Braid, More David Braid Stories, Video above courtesy of Boe Larsen

Links: Rezz, More Rezz Stories, Video above courtesy of mau5trap

Also of note, two releases from Waterdown's True North Records (Bruce Cockburn/Buffy Sainte-Marie) also won.



Links: Bruce Cockburn, More Bruce Cockburn Stories, Video above courtesy of The Indie Folk Music Channel



Links: Buffy Sainte-Marie, More Buffy Sainte-Marie Stories, Video above courtesy of The Indie Folk Music Channel

CONGRATS!

We are still keeping our fingers crossed for the Arkells and Walk Off The Earth who are both up for the Fan's Choice award on Sunday!

Below is a complete list of Saturday's winners. Local acts are bolded.

• Jazz Album (Group): David Braid, Mike Murley, Anders Mogensen and Johnny Aman: The North
• Electronic Album: Rezz: Mass Manipulation
• Contemporary Roots Album of the Year: Bruce Cockburn: Bone on Bone (released on Waterdown's True North Records)
• Indigenous Music Album: Buffy Sainte-Marie: Medicine Songs (released on Waterdown's True North Records)
• International Achievement Award: Arcade Fire
• Single: Shawn Mendes: There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back
• Video: Grimes: Venus Fly
• Blues Album: MonkeyJunk: Time to Roll
• Adult Alternative Album: Gord Downie: Introduce Yerself
• Adult Contemporary Album: Michael Bublé: Nobody But Me
• Alternative Album: Alvvays: Antisocialites
• Country Album: James Barker Band: Game On
• Jazz Album (Solo): Mike Downes: Root Structure
• Recording Engineer: Riley Bell (Daniel Caesar)
• International Album: Kendrick Lamar: DAMN
• Group: A Tribe Called Red
• Breakthrough Group: The Beaches
• Songwriter (s): Gord Downie and Kevin Drew
• Traditional Roots Album: The Dead South: Illusion and Doubt
• Pop Album: Lights: Skin and Earth
• Rock Album: The Glorious Sons: Young Beauties and Fools
• Vocal Jazz Album: Diana Krall: Turn Up the Quiet
• Instrumental Album: Do Make Say Think: Stubborn Persistent Illusions
• Francophone Album of the Year: Daniel Bélanger: Paloma
• Children's Album: Fred Penner: Hear the Music
• Classical Album (Solo or Chamber): Janina Fialkowska: Chopin Recital 3
• Classical Album (Large Ensemble): Jan Lisiecki with NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester: Chopin: Works for Piano and Orchestra
• Classical Album (Vocal or Choral): Barbara Hannigan w Ludwig Orchestra: Crazy Girl Crazy
• Classical Composition: Jocelyn Morlock: My Name is Amanda Todd
• Dance Recording: Nick Fiorucci: Closer ft. Laurell
• Reggae Recording: Kirk Diamond: Greater
• Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album: The Color: First Day of My Life
• World Music Album: Kobo Town: Where the Galleon Sank
• Producer(s): Diana Krall
• Album Artwork: Do Make Say Think: Stubborn Persistent Illusions
• Metal/Hard Music Album: Anciients: Voice of the Void
• Comedy Album: Ivan Decker: I Wanted To Be A Dinosaur

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Links: Juno Awards, More Juno Stories

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GOOD LUCK! Local Finalists in the 2017 International Songwriting Competition. Vote! Deadline is April 3

Soon, a number of local artists will be judged by Tom Waits, Perry Ferrell (Jane's Addiction), Lorde, Ziggy Marley, Tommy Chong, Walter Trout, Booker T Jones and more in the 2017 International Songwriting Competition. They'll choose the top three in each genre category.

There's also People's Voice award in almost every category that's voted on by the public so here's your change to help out some area artists. Deadline is April 3, 2018.

Local nominees include:

• Maggie Szabo (Dundas)
• Taabu (Dundas)
• Ariana Gillis (Vineland)
• Spencer Mackenzie (Fort Erie)
• Mikalyn Hay (Guelph)
• Wes Mason (Rockwood)

There were also a number of talented area semi-finalists who didn't get to move on to the next round:

Click here for the complete list of semi-finalists.

• Yiannis (Hamilton)
• Kathleen Kovacs (Oakville)
• Kirsten Rea (Oakville)
• KVN (St. Catharines)
• Brad Battle (Niagara)
• Shae Dupuy (Cambridge)

Below is a full list of all the Canadian nominees (local musicians are bolded). Click here for  complete list. Click the category to vote.

Adult Contemporary

• Wes Mason: Worth it 
  
  
  
  Links: Wes Mason, More Wes Mason Stories, Video above courtesy of Wes Mason
  
  
• Gus McMillan: Roses (co-written by Robyn Dell'Unto)

Blues

• Spencer Mackenzie: Move on Down the Track (co-written by Rich Mackenzie)
  
  
  
  Links: Spencer Mackenzie, More Spencer Mackenzie Stories, Video above courtesy of Frank Muggianu
  
  
• The Jimmy Zee Band: Backroads
• Debra Power: Temptation

Children's Music

• Sing Along Tim and the Pacifiers: Booger Song
• Autorickshaw: Eleven
• Rockin' Robin and the Magical Tree: Firetruck Firetruck
• Darrelle London: Sheep

Christian

• Aaron Buchholz: Beautiful Thing (co-written by Ian Eskelin)
• Jordan St. Cyr: Lay It Down (co-written by Jaylene Johnson, Ben Calhoun, Taylor Watson)
• Jaylene Johnson: This Little Light

Comedy/Novelty

• Troy Kokol: a Flat Miner
• Red Butts: The Pee Song

Country

• James Barker Band: Chills (co-written by Donovan Woods, Travis Wood, Gavin Slate)
• Powell Peebles: Good Thing Go (co-written by Brett Sheroky, Andy Wills)
• Johnny Simmen: Tequila (co-written by Hunter Leath, Matt McGinn)

Electronic Dance Music

• Taabu ft Spence Holden: Ask Too Much
  
  
  
  Links: Taabu, Video above courtesy of TrapStep Station

Folk/Singer-Songwriter

• Ariana Gillis: Freedom
  
  
  
  Links: Ariana Gillis, More Ariana Gillis Stories , Video above courtesy of Ariana Gillis
  
  
• Kat Goldman: Baby, I Understand

Instrumental

• Roman Smirnov: Ciento Viente
• Manteca: Lowdown

Jazz

• Cat Toren's Humankind: Sanctuary City

Latin

• Ness El Digital: Nostros

Love Song
No public voting

• David Leask: Can't Make it Back Home (co-written by Patrick Bouchard, Lora Ryan)
• Sly Valentyne: Just Heatin' Up
• Big Little Lions: Kind

Lyrics Only

• Paula Eve Kirman: Summer

Music Video

• King Dylan: Untouchable

Performance

• Luca Fogale: I Don't Want to Lose You
• David Leask: When You Think No One Loves You (co-written by Daryl Burgess)

Pop/Top 40

• Maggie Szabo: Don't Give Up (co-written by Stefan Lit, Chaz Mason)
  
  
  
  Links: Maggie Szabo, More Maggie Szabo Stories, Video above courtesy of Maggie Szabo
  
  
• Faouzia: My Heart's Grave

RnB/Hip Hop

• Soul: Ambition

Rock

• Don Oriolo: House on Fire (co-written by Jason Gleed, Chris Bolger)
• The Royal Foundry: Never Have Time

Screen Shot (Music for TV/Movies/etc) 
No public voting

• Wes Mason: Worth it 
• Aaron Buchholz: Beautiful Thing (co-written by Ian Eskelin)

Teen

• Xtro and Mikalyn Hay: Fall in Love Again
• Richard Tichelman: Gamblin Man
• Faouzia: Knock on My Door
• Faouzia: My Heart's Grave
• Sean Thomas: What a Boy's Gotta Do

Unpublished

• Faouzia: Knock on My Door
• Sara Diamond: Unsure (co-written by Austin Tecks, Noah Barer)
• King Dylan: Untouchable

World

• Sultans Of String: Sing for Kwanzaa

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Links: International Songwriting Competition, More ISC Stories

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News Roundup, Part 2 (End of the Year Lists and Charts)

Local artists are bolded. Click titles for complete lists

WMHB Top 100 Blues Chart 2017

Top 3

1. Eliza Neals: 10,000 Feet Below
2. Thorbjorn Risager and The Black Tornado: Change My Game
3. Annee 2Cu Blues Band: This Time, Cap'n

Locals on List

• 14. TG Swampbusters: Swamp Rock Country Blues
  
  
  
  Links: Tim Gibbons, More Tim Gibbons Stories, Video above courtesy of BOYDWILSONFILMS
  
  
• 18. Godboogie: Play Music and Dance (ft Kitchener's Shawn Kellerman on Guitar)
  
  
  
  Links: Jerome Godboo, More Jerome Godboo Stories, Video above courtesy of Jerome Godboo

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FYI Music News

Canada's Top Songs by Radio Format

Country

1. James Barker Band: Chills
6. Tim Hicks: Slide Over



Links: Tim Hicks, More Tim Hicks Stories, Video above courtesy of TimHicksVEVO

7. Tim Hicks: Slow Burn

Modern Rock

1. Arkells: Knocking at the Door

Links: Arkells, More Arkells Stories, Video above courtesy of ArkellsVEVO

Mainstream Rock

1. Arkells: Knocking at the Door

Hot Adult Contemporary

1. Alessia Cara: Scars To Your Beautiful
8. Walk Off the Earth: Fire in My Soul

Top Stories (by Month)

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CBC Music

CBC Radio 2 Top 20

Top 5

1. Arcade Fire: Everything Now
2. Ria Mae: Bend
3. Scott Helman: Kinda Complicated
4. Walk Off the Earth: Fire in My Soul
   
   
   
   Links: Walk Off The Earth, More WOTE Stories,  Video above courtesy of Walk Off the Earth
   
   
5. Beck: Up All Night

Favourite Live Performances

• Whitehorse: Die Alone
  
  
  
  Links: Whitehorse, More Whitehorse Stories, Video above courtesy of CBC Music

Favourite Stories of 2017

Top 3

1. The real reason musicians are dropping out of music schools
2. Here are your 20 favourite Canadian songs
3. Watch k.d. lang's unforgettable cover of Neil Young's 'Helpless'

Best Cover Songs

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Misc.

Top Country Moments of 2017

• Tim Hicks Awarded Two Gold Records at Niagara Show

No Depression's Top Albums of 2017

Top 3

1. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit: The Nashville Sound
2. Margo Price: All American Made
3. Chris Stapleton: From a Room: Vol. 1

MORE NEWS ROUNDUPS

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