Q&A with Tim Hicks, The Reklaws, Andrew Hyatt, The Lovelocks, Dani Strong, and Brad James

The 2018 Country Music Association of Ontario awards will be handed out in London, ON on June 3, ending a weekend full of awesome festivities celebrating country music in the province.

Artists, industry members, and fans will find themselves busy all weekend long, from the Charity Softball Challenge on Friday to the awards show on Sunday. There will be laughs and cheers and acknowledgements of success and accomplishments. And there will be chances for the artists to hang out and catch up during a brief weekend together in the middle of their busy schedules.

This year’s award show is going to be a great time with Jason McCoy returning as host, and Michelle Wright, Meghan Patrick, Tebey, Tim Hicks, Cold Creek County, The Western Swing Authority and more ready to take the stage to entertain their peers and the fans in the crowd at Centennial Hall.

And as the awards get closer, we want to extend our wishes of congratulations and good luck to all of the nominees who have put in a ton of hard work and deserve all of the recognition that they are receiving this year.

We caught up with some of the artists headed to London for the CMAO weekend to ask them about their favourite parts of the weekend, top memories, Ontario country music influences and more. Check it out now and leave a comment with your favourite Ontario country artist now, and of all-time!

2018 CMAO Awards Preview Q&A

Q) Where in Ontario did you grow up?

The Lovelocks) We both grew up in the Greater Toronto Area. Ali is from Mississauga, and Zoe is from Oakville.

The Reklaws) We grew up in Cambridge ON, close to Hamilton! On a farm, on which we learnt to entertain and work hard as our family owned an adventure farm – Yee Haw Adventure Farm.

Andrew Hyatt) Sudbury; the Nickel!

Dani Strong) I was born in Ontario and attended Morning Glory Public School in Pefferlaw until Grade 3. Then I moved out to BC with my mom and siblings and completed all my schooling in Salmon Arm, BC but always spending my summers on Lake Simcoe with my Dad. After graduation, I moved back to Ontario to attend York University for Jazz trombone. 🙂

Lake Simcoe has been then only constant home to me my whole life. But I’m pretty good at making a “home” wherever I end up.

Brad James) I was born in Kingston, but have spent the last while in Hamilton. I went to Mohawk College in Hamilton to study music. They have a great music program there. Have been playing as a full-time musician ever since!

Tim Hicks) I grew up in Niagara Falls on the western edge of town near Thorold.

Q) Which Ontario country artist(s) would you say most influence you as an artist?

Tim Hicks) I would say that Blue Rodeo has had the biggest influence on me as an artist. I love that they’re from Toronto and that they ride the rock/country line. Such great songs, such great singers and players, and it’s classic Canadian music as far as I’m concerned! If I can leave one-tenth the mark that they have left on music in Ontario and Canada, I’d be a happy man.

The Reklaws) The Ontario country artists that most influence us are actually all of them. The Ontario artists contribute so much to the Canadian Country Music scene, we are always learning from our fellow artists as they are paving the way and creating a playlist on the radio that we continue to look up to.

Andrew Hyatt) To be honest, my influences don’t really fall heavily into country music, but I have a ton of respect for the artists here at home and all across the country.

Dani Strong) After some thought I would have to say, and this might sound cheesy, but my band (not me… the boys I play with). My husband/drummer Grant Taylor, guitar player Mike Bowell, bassist Steve Gotlib. I am honoured to have had the same band for the past 10 years. I have learned a TON from them. They even introduced me to rock band The Police (apparently I lived a sheltered life). First of all, they are ALL RIDICULOUSLY talented musicians, and I truly feel it pushes me to be better musician every time I’m on stage with them.

I would love to say that it was Jason McCoy (he’s been very gracious to me through my career)… but when it comes to MOST influence to me as an artist… definitely… my band.

Brad James) I have many musical influences across many genres. But if picking someone specifically from Ontario I’d have to say, Tim Hicks. I think we share a similar path when it comes to paying your dues. He spent time honing his craft and art and building a solid foundation from which to build a long and successful career. Realizing that there is no such thing as an “overnight success”, that it takes many years and miles and a great team to build a winning combination in the music business.

The Lovelocks) Shania Twain was a huge star when we were growing up, and she is definitely somebody we really look up to as an artist and as a fellow Ontarian. Shania made country music accessible to suburban kids like us, who listened to the radio but didn’t grow up in a rural environment!

Q) What is your favourite thing about the CMAO weekend and award show?

The Reklaws) This will be the first time that we will be spending the weekend attending all of the CMAO activities which makes us really excited! As far as the awards show goes, I mean we have been driving to watch this show for years! So to be asked to be a part of it is the biggest compliment! The weekend is going to be so awesome! We cannot wait to spend it with fans and friends!

The Lovelocks) Seeing all of our fellow artists and friends in the industry! It’s a great weekend to get together and celebrate the year’s accomplishments and all the good music that is coming out of Ontario! Being nominated is amazing as well, and something we don’t take for granted, but being a part of such a fantastic country music community is the real reason we love it!

Dani Strong) ha ha ha… I’m not sure I should answer that. 🙂 There are so many things that I love about this weekend… but #1 is definitely the camaraderie that is in country music scene… especially at the CMAO weekend! It’s always just like a family reunion.

Brad James) My favourite part I’m looking forward to at the CMAO festivities this year is the annual baseball game. My 2 passions in life are sports and music, so I love that I get to combine the two together in the same weekend!

Tim Hicks) My favourite thing is the “hang” of it. I love getting to see and catch up with everyone. It’s a great excuse to celebrate country music in Ontario. Plus, I’m super pumped about the softball game, I’ve been training for weeks…

Andrew Hyatt) I love that it’s an opportunity to see the people I consider family in this industry. We are all so busy throughout the year, it’s nice to pause and have a beer.

Q) What do you see as the importance of the Country Music Association of Ontario?

Andrew Hyatt) I think it’s a key element in fostering and growing talent in our province and subsequently across the country.

The Lovelocks) It’s important to be reminded of where you come from. Getting together to celebrate each year with the CMAO community is such a great moment to reflect and be grateful for all the year’s accomplishments. Being in this industry can be a bit of a blur – it all goes by so fast! So, taking stock each year at the CMAO Awards weekend and having a chance to smell the roses with other people who are on a similar journey, is truly a gift!

Tim Hicks) I think it’s important for two reasons. The first would be that up-and-coming performers have a chance to network and be exposed to the industry in Ontario. There’s a great opportunity for everyone to meet people that may help get an artist to the next step so to speak. The second is that the CMA of Ontario Awards shines a light on all the amazing talent we have here in the province. This is really important because we have a great scene for music here in Ontario and we need to get the word out about it!

Dani Strong) It ties us ALL together… no isolating different labels, or even labels from indies… we’re all a part of the same thing no matter what level or affiliation… The CMAO provides us with that unified platform.

Brad James) I think the CMAO is an ever increasingly important association. It fosters up and coming talent from across the province, allows fans to get up close and personal access to their favourite artists and bands, and nurtures the necessary networking connections for aspiring and established acts. As well as providing a platform for their music to be played live throughout the weekend.

The Reklaws) The importance of the CMAOs is the fact that they are taking the time to recognize the amount of talent that this province has! This reminder is such a beautiful way to appreciate everyone that has a part in the process and the success of Country Music in Ontario and Canada!

Q) Do you have any favourite moments or experiences from past CMAO weekends?

The Lovelocks) Probably meeting Gordon Lightfoot a few years ago when he was given a special CMAO award. That was a pretty special moment! My (Ali’s) dad still talks about it! We have both studied, listened to and played his music for years.

Tim Hicks) Haha, yeah. Last year I was changing for my performance when I won Male Artist of the Year and had to come running to the podium half-dressed to accept my award. That was super embarrassing and exciting all rolled into one great moment.

Brad James) This will be my first year attending the whole CMAO weekend, so I’m looking forward to making many new and exciting memories!

Andrew Hyatt) Last year, some friends and I snuck onto the roof of the hotel and cracked a few beers. We just took a minute away from everything to quietly chill out and catch up.

The Reklaws) We think our favourite moments would have to be the awards show! It really is a spectacular night because it feels like a group of friends getting together to enjoy one another and our mutual love for Canadian music! Of course, the whole weekend will be one for the books!

Dani Strong) YEP… last year I did one of my little “bathroom sessions” (Facebook Live from a bathroom to perform music live)… and I had about 10 other CMAO artists squished into my hotel bathroom with me as we sang a few songs together on Facebook Live… the video ended with us being kicked out… that was the first of many rooms we got kicked out of that night… SO FUN! 🙂

Q) London has become one of Ontario’s country music hot spots, hosting the CMAOs and CCMAs in recent years. What do you think it is about the city that allows for country music to thrive?

Dani Strong) LONDON IS AMAZING! it’s actually my “musically hometown” as I like to call it. I have recorded all of my music in London at EMAC Recording Studios with my good friend and very talented producer Dan Brodbeck. Also, before I started recording MY music… I was in London a lot for when my husband’s old band, The Salads were playing or recording their records. They also used EMAC and Dan Brodbeck!

The Lovelocks) London is definitely a city that loves country music! With multiple country radio stations taking over the airwaves, and with great festivals, concert venues and country bars, London has always been an amazing supporter of country music. That and the fact that there are so many university students in the area who can’t get enough of country music. We always love coming to London!

Tim Hicks) Not exactly sure, but I love it! I think maybe the fact that London is surrounded by so many little country-communities has something to do with it. Maybe it has something to do with having not one, but two major country radio stations. Either way, it’s one of my favourite cities to play and to visit, such a great energy in London!

The Reklaws) London is a great place to see all of these shows! I think it is because of the culture in that town that it does so well! There are many music festivals as well that are very successful, which means the people that reside in London have a love of music and good times! Which is why having the CMAO’s there will be nothing but a success.

Andrew Hyatt) I think having two great radio stations and a community that embraces the music is the key!

Brad James) I think London has numerous things that are allowing country music to thrive and prosper.

It has a large population base that is fanatic about the country music genre. It’s also close to many other cities that make it an easy drive to attend. Toronto, Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Kitchener/Waterloo, Guelph, Cambridge are amongst many many other towns/areas that allow people to make London an easy destination to get to.

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Joshua Murray

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