I was thrilled to be asked to return as host of the 2021 OMA Awards at the Biltmore Theatre in Oshawa, and was honoured to win the 2021 OMA for Songwriter of the Year award. If you missed the big show, you can catch the replay here on YouTube.
Planks and Marietta, was also nominated for Durham Song of the Year, and can be found on my new EP I Will Stand, out now!
Excited to announce that I will be the Host for the 2021 OMA Nominee Announcement, proudly presented by the Durham Region Economic Development and Tourism (@durhamtourism, @investdurham).
The 2021 OMA Nominee Announcement event will be a virtual broadcast available to watch on the OMAs’ YouTube channel on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 11 am EST. Viewers can head over to the official Facebook event page for full updates, links, and exclusive sneak peaks before the announcement.
photo credit: Tracy Walker @tracywalkerphoto
So grateful for all of the support the kind folks at Eat North have shown to all of the new music so far! Check out the write up and save the playlist on Spotify to enjoy homegrown talent in the comfort of your home!
“Produced by Hill Kourkoutis, the ballad commands your attention from the get-go and leaves you hypnotized by Joy’s vocals paired with a cinematic and dramatic sound.” – Eat North
When Alan Cross gives you a list of 5 Songs You Must Hear This Week, you listen! Well… ‘Blink’ was one of those songs this week. And it’s going to take me a YEAR to recover from this one. (see the full list)
Incredibly astounding to believe that “Blink” was welcomed with open arms to American Songwriter, and included in their Daily Discovery column. I will be forever grateful for all who believed in this song and helped it into being.
One more sleep till “Blink” is available worldwide on all streaming platforms! In the meantime a HUGE thank you to Americana UK for the lovely review and the exclusive premiere of the song and video!
Back in early March, food blog Eat North gave me the opportunity to shout out a few of the local businesses I love so much in my hometown of Uxbridge, Ontario. Now that we are once again in a state of ‘lockdown’ in this province, I encourage you to support these businesses by ordering take out, or curb-side pick up during this challenging time. Our local establishments need us more than ever! Check out the write up here
Last week host Colin MacDonald premiered ‘The Drought’ across the pond on release day, adding it to the Folkal Point set list.
The programme is also re-transmitted (globally!) online three times a week on its Essential Channel by Blues and Roots Radio from Canada.
You can catch the replay Monday, March 1st at 8am on Blues & Roots Radio.
FOLKAL POINT 475 – FEBRUARY 25 – is curated by producer-presenter Colin MacDonald at Raidió Coharra in rural Co Armagh (*American artistes) and the web page www.folkalpoint.scot is sponsored by Robin Campbell – Music.
REWRITING HISTORY – Clay DuBose*
TAKE THIS DANCE – Misty River* featuring (lead vocal) Carmen Phelan
TODAY, TOMORROW AND FOREVER – Norman Collins & The Tumblers*
YE JACOBITES BY NAME – Screaming Orphans (Eire)
WAVES GONNA COME – Dave Spector* featuring (lead vocal) Sarah Marie Young*
COMPASSES – Ian David Green (Albion) with members of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (Scotia)
TELL THE TRUTH (And Shame The Devil) – Becky Buller*
BURNING TIMES – Gaelforce (Albion)
SEA OF HEARTBREAK – Rosanne Cash* with Bruce Springsteen*
RADIO KEEPS ME ON THE GROUND – James Combs* of Great Willow* with I See Hawks In LA*
THE DROUGHT – Tania Joy (Canada)
TROUBLE AND DESIRE – The Hoth Brothers*
THE LAST CHANCE FARM – Ben de la Cour* with (harmony vocals) Andrina Turenne (Canada)
FOR THE ROSES – instrumental – Fiona Joy (Australia)
DIAMOND HEEL BLUES – Townes Van Zandt*
ALREADY MADE – Yvonne Lyon (Scotia)
READY TO BE BRAVE – Jeffery Straker (Canada)
YELLOW ON THE BROOM – Elena Piras (Albion/ Sardinia)
THIS AIN’T FUNNY ANY MORE – Clay DuBose*
DEPARTMENT OF THE WEST – Deborah Crooks*
CAN’T BE SATISFIED – HowellDevine*
I’LL STILL WAIT – Janet Martin*
BORN UNDER A NORTHERN LIGHT – Ian David Green (Albion)
I’LL BE ALL SMILES TONIGHT – instrumental – Kenny Baker* & Josh Graves*
WE’VE GOT IT ALL – Peter James Millson (Albion)
WHAT’S IT GONNA TAKE? – Anya Hinkle* with (banjo) Graham Sharp* of the Steep Canyon Rangers
STIR CRAZY – Defrance*
IN THE TIME OF SNOW – Beulah’s Boneyard (Albion)
MY SWEET SUZANNE – instrumental – Steve Mayone*
February 16, 2021 By Will McGuirk
Here in the confines of Shwarawk City we are planning the Durham Region music awards, the OMAs. Lots to plan, lots to share, but for now lets take a listen to some tunes being put out by the very rad folks with roots in the Region. Robyn was among the 2020 OMA nominees and since then her star is rising rapidly. Great to see. Her fellow Uxbridge scenester Tania has a poignant take on a very personal issue and our old pals in Beams also get personal in these very individual times. Read more…