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FYI

Meghan Patrick, Tim Hicks, Robyn Ottolini Head CMAO Awards Noms

Two established Ontario country stars and a fast-emerging artist top the Awards nominations list, with five nods apiece. Presented by Slaight Music, the show is scheduled to be held on May 30, as a drive-in style event in Hamilton.

Meghan Patrick, Tim Hicks, Robyn Ottolini Head CMAO Awards Noms

By FYI Staff

Meghan Patrick, Tim Hicks, and Robyn Ottolini head the just-announced nominations list for the 2021 CMAOntario (Country Music Association of Ontario) Awards, with five nods apiece.


Other notable artists featured in the list include The Reklaws, The Good Brothers, Jade Eagleson, Western Swing Authority, Owen Barney, The Abrams, Andrew Hyatt, and Kelly Prescott.

Presented by Slaight Music, the 9th Annual CMAOntario Awards are scheduled to be held on May 30, as a drive-in style event at the Ancaster Fairgrounds in Hamilton, ON, though this is dependent on the province’s Covid-19 protocols. Hosted by Jason McCoy and Beverley Mahood, the award show will close out the CMAOntario Festival & Awards weekend, May 28-30.

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Voting across 18 categories is restricted to CMAOntario members, with the exception of the Fans' Choice award, which is open to both public and membership voting. Eligible members will have the opportunity to vote on the final ballot from now until April 19. Music fans can cast their votes here for the Fans' Choice award beginning on April 19 until May 7. 

Awards show tickets go on sale on April 19. Performers, ticket details, and additional events from the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend will be announced in the coming weeks.

See a full list of nominees here.

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Executive of the Week: Justin West of Secret City Records on the Secrets of Independent Music Success​
FYI

Executive of the Week: Justin West of Secret City Records on the Secrets of Independent Music Success​

The man behind one of Canada's most successful indie labels talks about the late-blooming success of French-language streaming record-holder Patrick Watson, why he builds long-term relationships with artists, and why it's important for the indie sector to work together.

Justin West is a leader and advocate in Canada’s independent music scene, but he didn’t plan it out that way. When he started his record label Secret City Records in Montreal in the mid-2000s, it was out of necessity. He had met an artist he loved and wanted to build a career with, and the label was a means to do it. That artist was Patrick Watson, and 20 years later he — and Secret City — are more successful than ever.

West — a multiple time Billboard Canada Power Player – leads one of the biggest indie labels in Canada while also advocating for the sector on multiple boards both locally and internationally. When we speak to him for this Executive of the Week interview, he’s just returned from Banff for the National Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Culture, and is a central figure in discussions around the Online Streaming Act and collective negotiations with online streaming platforms.

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