More downtown events planned for country music award celebrations

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London’s core will be alive with music and family fun when the country music awards comes to town in June.

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The Country Music Association of Ontario has announced two days of events downtown and a legacy revival show at Purple Hill Country Hall in Thorndale that will feature country icon and star Michelle Wright.

More announcements are expected in the coming weeks, including activities planned for June 3.

Downtown the events include a free street fair at Dundas Place June 4, from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. and June 5 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., with carnival rides, food and game vendors, a kids zone, and a series of free afternoon and evening concerts featuring Ontario’s country music stars.

“We are thrilled to welcome back the CMA Ontario festival and awards to London UNESCO City of Music this June,” said Cory Crossman, the city’s music industry development officer, in a news release.

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“(They) bring an expanded format of programming with more exciting ways for the community to enjoy. The CMA Ontario’s return is part of London’s commitment to supporting a robust music ecosystem, bringing employment opportunities, artist performances and (activities) for Londoners to enjoy.”

The revival show, aimed at celebrating pioneers of Canada’s country music industry, will be hosted by Jamie Warren and Gary Taylor and feature performances by Wright (an inductee of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame), seven-time Canadian Country Music Association award winner Thomas Wade, Juno-nominated country trio Lace, Canadian Songwriters’ Hall of Fame inductee Robert Paquette and 10-time CCMA nominee Diane Chase.

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The Bonfire concert (formerly New Faces showcase) on Dundas Place at 7 p.m. June 4 will feature up-and-coming artists, including Brian John Harwood, whose latest releases include the single Savin’ Up For Friday; Dustin Bird, named one of nine Canadian country artists to watch in 2022 by Front Porch Music; Gabrielle Goulet, nominated for CMA Ontario’s francophone artist of the year; Karli June, who recently released her EP Where You Come From; emerging artist Roslyn Witter; Nate Haller, nominated for the rising star award; and, Tebey, nominated for four 2022 CMA Ontario awards, who will headline the event.

On Sunday, June 5 at 1 p.m., the tailgate party will kick off the awards celebrations with a pre-show concert at Dundas Place featuring award nominees Alli Walker, David Boyd Janes, Graham Scott Fleming and Mackenzie Leigh Meyer.

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The awards show will be held at Centennial Hall June 5 at 7 p.m., hosted by Jason McCoy and Robyn Ottolini and featuring performances by Tebey, Tim Hicks, Genevieve Fisher, Sacha, Cory Marks, Jason Blaine, Kristine St-Pierre, Nate Haller, River Town Saints, and The Western Swing Authority that will double as the house band at the awards.

At the awards show, there also will be a tribute to country star Carroll Baker, recipient of the impact award, featuring Michelle Wright, Beverley Mahood and Patricia Conroy.

jbelanger@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/JoeBatLFPress

If you go

What: Country Music Association Ontario awards show and various events

When: June 2-5, with the awards show June 5 at 7 p.m.

Where: Downtown and the awards at Centennial Hall, 550 Wellington St.

Tickets: Most events are free. Tickets for the awards show are $70 to $260 (plus taxes and service charges) available online at centennialhall.london.ca, at the box office or by calling 519-672-1967.