Final Showcase Line-Up Announced for the CCMA Songwriters’ Series: Road to Halifax

June 24, 2015 (Toronto, ON) – The Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®), in association with Music Nova Scotia and the Country Music Week 2015 Halifax Host Committee, announced today that the final showcase in the Road to Halifax, CCMA Songwriters’ Series, headlined by multi-CCMA Award winner, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, will feature multi-ECMA Award winner Bruce Guthro, as well as local artists/songwriters The Ryan Sisters and Jordan Musycsyn.

Tickets for the Tuesday, July 28 showcase, taking place at the Membertou Trade & Convention Centre, go on sale this Friday, June 26 at 10:00 a.m. AT. Ticket prices are $33 (includes all taxes and fees) in advance, and $38 (includes all taxes and fees) at the door; and can be purchased via the Membertou Trade & Convention Centre box office online (CLICK HERE), by phone (902-539-2300) or in-person (50 Maillard Street). Box office hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Doors for the Membertou showcase open at 7:00 p.m. on July 28, with the event commencing at 7:30 p.m.

The Road to Halifax showcase taking place in Yarmouth, featuring Michelle Wright, Mark Cameron, Samantha Power and Jason Price takes place this Saturday, July 27 at the Th’YARC Playhouse and Arts Centre. Tickets are still available. For additional showcase and ticket information, CLICK HERE or visit ccma.org.  

Profiles on the artists/songwriters taking the stage in Membertou:

Carolyn Dawn Johnson (Hometown: Deadwood, Alberta)
Carolyn Dawn Johnson remains a staple in the country music industry nearly 20 years after setting out to pursue her dreams in Nashville. Johnson scored her first chart-topping hit as a songwriter when Chely Wright took “Single White Female” all the way to No. 1. The success then led to publishing deals and cuts with many other notable artists. Her critically-acclaimed debut album, Room with a View, spawned the Top 5 smash, “Complicated”, as well as other hit singles such as “Georgia” and the Top 10, “I Don’t Want You to Go”. During that time, Johnson criss-crossed the country on many high-profile tours as the opening act for the likes of Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban. Her albums to follow included Dress Rehearsal in 2004, her independently released Love & Negotiation in 2006 and Love Rules in 2010. Besides laying down vocals for her own albums, Johnson’s angelic voice can also be heard on several outside projects with Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Jana Kramer, Johnny Reid, Blake Shelton, Dan+Shay, Kenny Rogers, Loretta Lynn, and Patty Loveless. Johnson’s unique way of expressing words has made her a writer in Nashville that aspiring newcomers hope to shape their own careers after. Through it all, the multi-talented Johnson continues to chip away at her own craft, while spending time throughout the year on the road singing background vocals for Miranda Lambert on her Platinum tour, in between doing her own headlining dates within the U.S. and Canada.

Facebook: Carolyn Dawn Johnson | Twitter: cdjmusic | Instagram: cdjinthehouse |Website: cdj.com

Bruce Guthro (Hometown: Cape Breton, Nova Scotia)
Bruce Guthro is an artist who has captivated audiences around the world with his honest, straight-to-the-heart songwriting and live performances that are as engaging and personal as the man himself. Troubadour and storyteller, Guthro's music gets to the heart of the matter, and his success can be attributed to his ability to connect with his audience. His songs cross the boundaries of pop, folk, and jazz and showcase the vast abilities of the songwriter to put into words many diverse experiences, as though he has lived them all. On top of being a gifted musician, Guthro has been seen by national audiences on CBC-TV, acting as host of Songwriters' Circle. After all his achievements, Guthro remains as down-to-earth as when he first appeared on the Canadian music scene, writing truthfully and passionately about the world around him while leaving his audiences always wanting more.
Facebook: Bruce Guthro | Twitter: BruceGuthro | Website: bruceguthro.com

The Ryan Sisters (Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia)
The Ryan Sisters have been impressing people with their heartfelt performances for many years. Maria and Lauretta have opened up for America's #1 Success Coach and best-selling author of the Chicken Soup For The Soul series, Jack Canfield, at the Success Symposium in Moncton, NB; have sang at the VIP reception for Dr. Wayne Dyer at his I Can See Clearly Now event in Halifax, NS and were the opening act for Oprah’s Law of Attraction expert Michael Losier. The Ryan Sisters just completed their full length CD entitled, I Can Breathe, which takes listeners on an inspiring journey of songs written by the sisters on the power of love, forgiveness and living your best life. The title track to the album, “I Can Breathe”, was co-written by Country superstar Johnny Reid.
Facebook: Ryan Sisters | Twitter: ryan_sisters  | Website: theryansisters.com

Jordan Musycsyn  (Hometown: Cape Breton, Nova Scotia)
Jordan Musycsyn’s debut album, The Pitch, released earlier this year, was highly anticipated by the East Coast music community. A masterful storyteller, Musycsyn writes songs about life and love with humour and pathos. Whether drawing on his own life experience through humour, or reflecting on the human condition with songs of love and loss, Musycsyn moves his audience from laughter to tears and back again. His band consists of Mike LeLievre of Slowcoaster, Glen Bourgeois, Jordan Bruleigh and Cape Breton picker PJ Confiant on guitar. Musycsyn’s old school brand of folk-country has been compared to the likes of Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty and John Prine.
Facebook: Jordan Musycsyn band | Twitter: JordanMusycsyn | Website: jordanmusycsyn.com

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About the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA):
Established in 1976, the CCMA is a membership-based, not-for-profit organization committed to the promotion and recognition of Canadian country music. Built upon the foundation to educate, elevate and celebrate Canadian talent, the CCMA progressively heralds the spirit, community and creativity that country music fosters through year-round initiatives, culminating every fall with Country Music Week and the Canadian Country Music Association Awards. Sponsors of Country Music Week and the 2015 CCMA Awards include FACTOR, Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters and The Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage’s “Canada Music Fund” and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Radio Starmaker Fund, the Province of Nova Scotia, the City of Halifax and Destination Halifax.

About Music Nova Scotia:
Music Nova Scotia is a non-profit organization that has worked since 1989 with a mandate to encourage the creation, development, growth and promotion of Nova Scotia’s music industry. Music Nova Scotia exists to grow and nurture the Nova Scotia music industry, to retain Nova Scotia’s natural resource and promote investment, by providing education, information and resources to members; acting as the advocate for the industry to all levels of government and private enterprise; and supporting membership in the promotion of the export of Nova Scotia music regionally, nationally and internationally.

Media Contact:
Michele Charlton
Halifax Host Committee, Country Music Week 2015
micheleelizabethcharlton@gmail.com
902-403-5628

 

Sponsors of Country Music Week and the 2015 CCMA Awards include FACTOR, Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters and The Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage’s “Canada Music Fund” and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Radio Starmaker Fund, the Province of Nova Scotia, the City of Halifax and Destination Halifax.