2015 COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

For Immediate Release:
April 15, 2015

TORONTO, ON - The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) is pleased to announce the much-anticipated list of nominees for its 3rd Annual CMAO Awards Show. This year's star-studded event will once again be hosted by Jason McCoy of the Road Hammers, and will be held Monday, May 25, 2015, at the Flato Markham Theatre.

Peterborough country star Tebey leads the pack of 2015 CMAO Awards nominees with a grand total of six nominations, including Single and Album of the Year. St. Catharines native Tim Hicks follows close behind with five nominations and Jason Blaine, Runaway Angel and Small Town Pistols each come in with four nominations apiece. See the full listing of 2015 CMAO nominees below.

The 2015 CMAO Awards, presented by Slaight Music,will feature performances by: Jason Blaine, Leah Daniels, Tim Hicks, Russell deCarle and Deric Ruttan with additional performers to be announced. The Western Swing Authority will return to the awards as the event's house band. The CMAO Awards weekend will include the second annual CMAO Conference on Sunday, May 24th and Monday, May 25th at the Markham Delta.

This year the CMAO Impact Award will be presented to Paula Chopik and Ed Leslie, producers of Havelock Country Jamboree, Canada's largest live country music and camping festival. The CMAO Impact Award recognizes an artist, group, industry personality or company/organization that has left an enduring and indelibly positive footprint on the landscape of country music in Ontario. Last years' Impact Award recipient was the legendary Gordon Lightfoot.

The 2015 CMAO Nominees are:

Single of the Year: Jason Blaine - Layin' Your Love On Me (eOne Music Canada) Tim Hicks - Here Comes The Thunder (Open Road Recordings) Beverley Mahood - Sunday I'm An Angel (Spin Music) Runaway Angel - Our Story (Southbound Records) Small Town Pistols - I Only Smoke When I Drink (604 Records) Tebey - Now I Do (Road Angel Entertainment)

Album of the Year: Lindsay Broughton - Take Me There (Curve Music) Tim Hicks - 5:01 (Open Road Recordings) Kira Isabella - Caffeine & Big Dreams (Sony Music Canada) Lindi Ortega - Tin Star (Last Gang Entertainment) Tebey - Two (Road Angel Entertainment) The Lovelocks - The Lovelocks (MDM Recordings Inc.)

Songwriter(s) of the Year: Jason Blaine/Deric Ruttan (Layin' Your Love On Me - Jason Blaine) Leah Daniels/Beverley Mahood/Bruce Wallace (Go Back - Leah Daniels) Todd Clark/Tim Hicks/Gavin Slate (Here Comes The Thunder - Tim Hicks) Ann Chaplin/Cadence Grace/Stacy Zegers (Our Story - Runaway Angel) Alyssa Bonagura/Patricia Conroy/ Amanda Wilkinson/Tyler Wilkinson (I Only Smoke When I Drink - Small Town Pistols) Patricia Conroy/Danick Dupelle/Tebey (Now I Do - Tebey)

Female Artist of the Year: Genevieve Fisher (Independent) Kira Isabella (Sony Music Canada) Brea Lawrenson (Independent) Beverley Mahood (Spin Music) Tianna Woods (Independent) Michelle Wright (Savannah Music)

Male Artist of the Year: Jason Blaine (eOne Music Canada) Marshall Dane (Awesome Country) Tim Hicks (Open Road Recordings) Jason McCoy (Open Road Recordings) Deric Ruttan (Black T Records) Tebey (Road Angel Entertainment)

Group or Duo of the Year: Autumn Hill (Wax Records) Blackwell (Eating Crow Records) Runaway Angel (Southbound Records) Small Town Pistols (604 Records) The Stellas (Universal Music Canada) The Western Swing Authority (eOne Music Canada)

Roots Artist or Group of the Year: Lindi Ortega (Last Gang Entertainment) The Abrams Brothers (Independent) The Good Family (Latent Recordings) The Heartbroken (Universal Music Canada) The Lovelocks (MDM Recordings Inc.) The Western Swing Authority (eOne Music Canada)

Rising Star Award: Leah Daniels (Spin Music) Riki Knox (Independent) Brea Lawrenson (Independent) Northern Roads (Independent) Brooklyn Roebuck (Independent) Runaway Angel (Southbound Records) Tianna Woods (Independent)

Music Video of the Year: Jason Blaine - Layin' Your Love On Me (eOne Music Canada) Lindsay Broughton - Take Me There (Curve Music) Tim Hicks - She Don't Drink Whiskey Anymore (Open Road Recordings) Kira Isabella - Quarterback (Sony Music Canada) Small Town Pistols - I Only Smoke When I Drink (604 Records) Tebey - Now I Do (Road Angel Entertainment)

Record Producer of the Year: Carey Blackwell/Joe Turner for Redneck Style by Blackwell (single) Sam Ellis for Go Backby Leah Daniels (single) Jason Barry for Night In Night Outby Genevieve Fisher (single) and One Of Us Is Lying by The Western Swing Authority (single) Bob Funk/Beverley Mahood for Sunday I'm An Angel by Beverley Mahood (album) Danick Dupelle/Tebey for Two by Tebey (album) Peter Linseman for Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Kate Todd (single)

Radio Station of the Year (Major Market): CHKX - KX 94.7 FM - Hamilton CICX -  KICX 106 FM - Orillia CJKX - KX 96 FM - Oshawa CKBY - Country 101.1 FM - Ottawa CKDK - Country 104 FM - London/Woodstock CKXC - Country 93.5 FM - Kingston

Radio Station of the Year (Secondary Market): CFCO - Country 92.9 FM - Chatham CFRM - The Island FM - Manitoulin CJDL - Country 107.3 FM - Tillsonburg CKAT - Country 600 - North Bay CKNX - AM 920 - Wingham CKYC - Country 93 FM - Owen Sound

Tickets are on sale now for the 2015 CMAO Awards at the Flato Markham Theatre on Monday, May 25, 2015. Ticket price is $59.95. For more ticket information visit: www.ticketbreak.com.

Website: www.cmaontario.ca
Twitter: @TheCMAO
Instagram: @TheCMAO
Facebook: www.facebook.com/countrymusicassociationofontario

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About The CMAO: The CMAO was formed in 2007 by Rob MacArthur, founding patron Linda Wright and a number of interested and enthusiastic individuals who thought it was time to have a voice for country music in Ontario. The Association brings together the talent and the industry professionals. Its mandate is to foster and support the growth and development of Ontario's country music and its industry, provincially, nationally and internationally. The CMAO has now hosted two annual Awards Shows with the assistance of presenting sponsor Slaight Music.

TASMAN JUDE KICK-OFF CROSS-CANADA TOUR STARTING ON APRIL 17th

For Immediate Release:

(Vancouver, BC) - Alberta reggae band Tasman Jude just returned from a 3-month long tour of Australia and they're already set to hit the road all over again - this time across Canada! Tasman Jude are kicking off an extensive Cross-Canada starting this Friday, April 17th in their hometown of Grande Prairie, AB. The tour boasts nearly 40 tour dates and sees the band on the road until July. See below for a full listing of tour dates.

Tasman Jude is one of the hardest working bands out there! The band independently released their debut album 'Green' on October 7th, 2014, and toured across Canada in support of the release throughout October and November. After wrapping up the Canadian Tour, the band kept the momentum going with tour dates in the Caribbean (lead singer Caleb Hart is originally from Trinidad-Tobago) and then on to Australia in early 2015 for a tour that included the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Forest Edge Music festival and 'Easterfest' in Toowoomba on April 2nd. Watch Tasman Jude's live performance of brand new track 'La Isla' at Easterfest HERE.

Spending so much time on the road has been well worth it for Tasman Jude,  earning the band a very loyal fan base here in Canada and beyond. Says Caleb Hart,  “We don’t have fans, we have family members!" Tasman Jude have played 350 shows over the past 2 years and that number will just continue to grow throughout the remainder of 2015.

The town of Grande Prairie, Alberta, may seem like the last place you'd find a killer reggae band but that's exactly where Tasman Jude was formed. The band's latest album 'Green' debuted at #1 on iTunes Reggae Charts upon it's release in October 2014 and is the first in a series of 3 concept albums. The 2nd album ‘Gold’, due out this fall, will have a bit more of an island pop vibe (including new track 'La Isla') than the rootsy, earthy sounds of ‘Green'. The 3rd album 'Red' will take on the more ska/aggresive side of reggae music. These 3 combined albums will provide Tasman Jude's full take on reggae - going back to roots of reggae music which teaches of God, peace, love, joy, truth, freedom, justice, unity and serenity.

Look for the Tasman Jude on their Cross-Canada Tour starting on April 17th. Please visit tasmanjude.com for the most up-to-date tour listings.

Tasman Jude is: Caleb Hart (lead vocals, djembe)  // Al Peterson (guitar) // Derek Wilder (bass) // Bethanie Earle (percussion)

 TASMAN JUDE UPCOMING CANADIAN TOUR DATES: April 17 – Grande Prairie, AB – Better Than Fred’s April 18 – Grande Prairie, AB – YMCA Fundraiser April 22 - Jasper, AB – Jasper Legion April 24 - Vancouver, BC - Calabash April 26 - Vernon, BC – Gallery Vertigo April 30 – Revelstoke, BC - The Last Drop May 2 – Calgary, AB – Tropical Corner May 3 – Edmonton, AB - Mercury Room May 6 - Regina, SK - McNally's May 7 - Winnipeg, MB - Maw’s Eatery May 8 - Thunder Bay, ON - The Foundry May 9  – Sault Ste. Marie. ON - Lolops May 14 - Hamilton, ON - Stonewalls May 15 - North Bay, ON - Fox & Fiddle May 16 - Toronto, ON - 3030 May 17 - Ottawa, ON - Mercury Lounge May 21 - Fredricton, NB - The Capital Bar May 22 - St. Andrew’s, NB - The Red Herring May 23 - St.John, NB - Peppers Pub May 24 - Moncton, NB - Plan B Lounge May 26 - Charlottetown, PEI - Baba’s May 28 - Halifax, NS - The Carleton May 29 - Montreal, QC - L’Escogriffe Cafe Bar May 30 - Montreal, QC - Club Lambi June 4 - Kenora, ON - Bijou Steakhouse June 5 - Brandon, MB - Double Decker June 6 - Saskatoon, SK - The Capitol Club June 7 - Canmore. AB - Good Earth Cafe June 9 - Lethbridge, AB - House Show June 10 - Sherwood Park, AB - Heatland Alliance June 11 - Red Deer, AB - Fratters June 12 - Revelstoke, BC - The Last Drop June 13 - Revelstoke, BC - The Last Drop June 19 - Nanaimo, BC - The Cambie June 20 - Qualicum Beach, BC - CFC Church June 21 - Port Alberni, BC - Char's Landing July 1 - Parksville, BC - Canada Day Celebrations July 2 - Victoria, BC - Victoria Ska Fest July 3 - Osoyoos, BC - Spirit Beach Cantina July 4 - Osoyoos, BC - Spirit Beach Cantina

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 FOR MORE INFO: www.tasmanjude.com facebook.com/tasmanjude twitter.com/tasmanjude

MEDIA TOOLS CLICK HERE - for bio, high-res pics & album art. CLICK HERE - to watch/post the Tasman Jude 'La Isla' live video CLICK HERE - to watch/post the Tasman Jude 'Every Breath' lyric video CLICK HERE - to listen/post the Tasman Jude track 'Every Breath' (via soundcloud)

SASKATOON’S JEN LANE + JOHN ANTONIUK TOUR ONTARIO + QUEBEC IN MAY

For Immediate Release:April 10, 2015

WATCH/POST JEN & JOHN VIDEO - 'THE WAY HOME':

(Saskatoon, SK) - The couple that sings together, stays together. At least that's what Saskatoon musicians Jen Lane and John Antoniuk have set out to prove. Both are singer-songwriters with careers of their own but they combined forces last year, releasing the critically acclaimed duets album, 'Jen + John'. Since 2013, Jen and John have been frequenting the infamous Toronto venue The Cameron House doing a May/November residency and they're doing it again next month, along with a string of tour dates in the Ontario and Quebec area starting on May 5th. See below for full tour details.

Think of Robert Plant and Allison Krauss, or Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons, and you get a good idea of where these two Saskatoon singer-songwriters are coming from. They complement one another beautifully as they perform each other's music. John Antoniuk comes from the indie/roots side of life and Jen Lane has a bit more country/folk in her repertoire. Together, they create straight ahead rhythms and harmonies that complete the musical package. They have performed many times on a National stage showcasing at Breakout West, Canadian Music Week, North by Northeast and Prairie Scene, and achieved International recognition at Folk Alliance in Kansas City, MO, SXSW in Austin, Texas, and through SaskMusic’s Export Showcase in Los Angeles, CA.

John Antoniuk and Jen Lane have always kept their projects separate. John has recorded albums as Smokekiller and the recent more rootsy, eponymous, Always With You, and Jen has taken 3 out of her 4 releases to nominations for Album of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards. More recently, Jen Lane finished recording a new album with producer John Ellis (Jeremy Fisher, Be Good Tanyas, Leeroy Stagger) with plans to release the record in Spring 2016. 'Jen & John' was independently released in August 2014 and was a co-production effort by the duo. The album features 3 new songs written by John, 2 new songs written by Jen, and a couple covers for a special treat including 'Oh My Sweet Carolina' by Ryan Adams which was the first song the musical couple sang together when they met and began jamming. Click here to stream the album 'Jen & John'.

Look for Jen Lane and John Antoniuk on tour in Ontario and Quebec this May! The tour kicks-off in Toronto on May 5th at The Cameron House beginning a month-long residency for Jen and John. For the most up-to-date tour listings, please visit: www.jenlane.com or www.smokekiller.com

Jen Lane and John Antoniuk Ontario + Quebec Tour Dates May 5 - Toronto, ON @ Cameron House - front room, 8pm-10pm May 10 - Toronto, ON @ Opera Bob's w/ Ole Fashion May 12 - Toronto, ON @ Cameron House - front room, 8pm-10pm May 13 - Oakville, ON @ Moonshine Cafe - Songbirds Showcase May 16 - Toronto, ON @ PH8 (Fate) House Concert May 17 - Toronto, ON @ Opera Bob's, w/ Ole Fashion May 19 - Toronto, ON @ Cameron House - front room, 8pm-10pm May 21 - Peterborough, ON @ The Spill May 22 - Ottawa, ON @ Raw Sugar w/ Jasper Bridge May 23 - Montreal, QC @ Grumpy's May 25 - Montreal, QC @ Grumpy's - Chick Pickin' Mondays May 26 - Toronto, ON @ Cameron House - front room, 8pm-10pm

“An intimate collection of originals and covers, the duo’s first true collaboration shows off their easy rapport, rich vocal harmonies, and strong songwriting. It leaves the impression that Lane and Antoniuk have written some of the best songs of their careers, and are having a lot of fun playing them.”- Verb Magazine

The only flaw here is that the album is just 7 songs long and clocks in around a half an hour. There's a lot more territory to explore here and I hope these two collaborate more in the future. - Earshot

 For more info: www.jenlane.com / www.smokekiller.com

MEDIA TOOLS WATCH/POST performance video for 'The Way Home' HERE (via Southern Souls) STREAM Jen Lane and John Antoniuk, 'Jen & John' HERE CLICK HERE for album art and promo photos

LEEROY STAGGER SET TO RELEASE 10th STUDIO ALBUM ON MAY 12th // CANADIAN TOUR DATES STARTING ON MAY 27th

For Immediate Release:April 9, 2015

 LISTEN TO/POST ' SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL':

(Vancouver, BC) - Alberta-based singer/songwriter Leeroy Stagger is set to independently release his tenth studio album, 'Dream It All Away', through his own Rebeltone record label on Tuesday, May 12th. Canadian tour dates in support of the album kick-off in Red Deer on May 27th. Full tour details are listed below.

Songwriters are the fortunate ones. They go on the same emotional road trips we all go on, often taking advantage of moments of solitude to distill their memories into stories with cathartic rhymes that convey barriers - real and imagined - possibly identifying with others through various truths about themselves. On Leeroy Stagger’s new album, 'Dream It All Away', there’s a quest for revealing personal truths while simply being able to lay down one’s thoughts on the whole deal.

Produced by Russell Broom (Sam Roberts, Julian Lennon) and recorded in Calgary and Lethbridge, Alberta, Stagger’s tenth studio record begins with a mood setting soundscape that drops into a four on the floor, rock ‘n’ roll heartbeat. Swaggering guitars backed with the fearless rhythm section of Pat Seward (Bryan Adams, The Odds) and Mike Lent (kd lang, Jann Arden) provide the bedrock for Stagger’s raw lyrics delivered with his signature never-wavering vocals.

The album features rough and tumble tracks like 'New Music Biz Blues' which has all the buzz and fury of an instant classic, documenting his 10 year career starting off in the punk dive bars of Vancouver. On 'Poison The Well,' we understand that we are firmly in the heart and guts and of an album that has come knocking on the door with knowledge and attitude. The first single, 'Something Beautiful,' measures out the manic ups and downs of an artistic life in transit between youth and responsibility while 'Living In America' is a chilling portrait of a place that knows how to hold on to its darkness.

 'Dream It All Away' is the sound of a songwriter entering his 12th year of truly relentless recording, touring, discovering and documenting the good, bad, happy, and sad - the true joy and chore of the troubadour. Don't miss out on your chance to see the man in action! Catch Leeroy Stagger live on tour this May and June in support of his new album out on May 12th. For more information and the most up-to-date tour information, please visit: www.leeroystagger.com 

Leeroy Stagger - 'Dream It All Away' Tracklisting Release Date: May 12, 2015 (Rebeltone) 1.  Something Beautiful 2.  Perfect Wave 3.  Happy Too 4.  Living In America 5.  Feel It All 6.  New Music Biz Blues 7.  Poison The Well 8.  Dream 9.  Ten Long Years 10. Angry Young Man

Leeroy Stagger Upcoming Canadian Tour Dates May 27 - Red Deer, AB @ Fratters Speakeasy May 28 - Edmonton, AB @ Mercury Room May 29 - Calgary, AB @ The Ironwood May 30 - Lethbridge, AB @ Geomattic Attic June 4 - Abbotsford, BC @ The Tractorgrease Cafe June 5 - Vancouver, BC @ Skinny Fat Jacks June 6 - Brentwood Bay (Victoria), BC @ Concerts in the Park (afternoon show) June 11 - Halifax,  NS @ The Carleton June 12 - Moncton, NB @ Plan B June 13 - Mt Stewart, PEI @ The Trailside Cafe June 17 - St Catherines, ON @ Mahtay Cafe June 18 - Toronto, ON @ The Dakota (Early Show) June 19 - Wakefield, QC @ The Blacksheep June 20 - Wentworth Nord, QC @ Rickks Room June 21 - Montreal, QC @ Festival Folk de Montreal Sur le Canal * More dates to be announced!

 FOR MORE INFO: www.leeroystagger.com

“There has always been a swagger about Stagger, a slightly cocky self-confidence that’s actually quite endearing. His sound and vocals have a somewhat loose and ragged feel that brings Paul Westerberg to mind, and there’s an open and honest feel to his unaffected voice. This is arguably his best work yet.” – Exclaim (Radiant Land)

“From start to finish, it feels like Stagger put every ounce of himself into each melodies and each couplet. It’s sad but it’s honest, which is something lacking from music and life these days.” – Herohill (Little Victories)

MEDIA TOOLS LISTEN / POST Leeroy Stagger - ' Something Beautiful' HERE (via SoundCloud) CLICK HERE for high-res press photo (Photo Credit: David Guenther) CLICK HERE for high-res 'Dream It All Away' album art

LOVECOAST RELEASE NEW MUSIC VIDEO // TOUR KICKS OFF ON MAY 8th

For Immediate Release:April 8, 2015

WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR LOVECOAST - 'HELP YOU' ON EXCLAIM!

(Vancouver, BC) - Vancouver indie R&B/soul pop group Lovecoast are excited to announce the release of a new music video for their song “Help You” directed by Nanaimo’s Knight Studio Productions. Lovecoast will celebrate the release of the music video with a string of Western Canadian Tour Dates, starting with two hometown shows in Squamish at MATCH Eatery & Public House May 8th & 9th. See below for full listing of tour dates.

Lovecoast is a young band with old soul, creating West Coast inspired Indie R&B/Soul Pop. Formed in 2013, Lovecoast’s four members came together through unanticipated fate years after their University graduation. Now based out of Vancouver BC the band has cultivated a live show that is dance driven and highly energetic, garnering comparisons to acts such as Hey Ocean! and Lake Street Dive.

In 2014, Lovecoast raised over $5,000 via Indiegogo to release their Debut EP ‘Chasing Tides’ produced by Juno Nominated producer/engineer Tom Dobrzanski of The Zolas (Hey Ocean!, Shad, We Are The City, Said The Whale) at Monarch Studios. They also took the stage at the World Ski & Snowboard Festival, won a spot at Tall Tree Music Festival, made the Regional top 10 in CBC’s Searchlight and shared the stage and line-up with acts such as Five Alarm Funk, The Dudes, Dan Mangan, Close Talker and many more. 2015 is shaping up to be quite the year for Lovecoast as they are already set to play Wapiti Music Festival and Surrey’s Party for the Planet.

The band's passion lies in their love for music, artistry, and community. With their eyes set firmly on the horizon, Lovecoast is an up and coming band to watch. Don't miss out on your chance to see Lovecoast performing live this May! And check out Lovecoast's new music video for ‘Help You’ on Exclaim!. For more information and the most up-to-date tour schedule, please visit: lovecoastmusic.com

LOVECOAST WESTERN CANADIAN TOUR DATES May 8 - Squamish, BC @ Match Public Eatery & Public House May 9 - Squamish, BC @ Match Public Eatery & Public House May 15 - Grinrod, BC @ Riverfront Pub May 16 - Banff, AB @ Elk & Oarsman May 18  - Saskatoon, SK @ Capitol Music Club May 19  - Lloydminster, AB @ The Root May 20  - Edmonton, AB @ Brixx Bar & Grill May 21 - Lethbridge, AB @ The Slice May 22 - Calgary, AB @ The Palomino Smokehouse May 23  - Kelowna, BC @ Streaming Cafe May 29 - Vancouver, BC @ Electric Owl Social Club May 30  - Squamish, BC @ Howe Sound Brewing Co. June 4 - Victoria, BC @ Lucky Bar June 5  - Salt Spring, BC @ Moby's Pub

FOR MORE INFO: www.lovecoastmusic.com

MEDIA TOOLS CLICK HERE - to watch/post the Lovecoast video 'Help You’ CLICK HERE - for high-res photos (Photo Credit: Matt Lineker) CLICK HERE - for high-res tour promo posters