FRESH FACE FRIDAY

Our pick this week for “FRESH FACE FRIDAY” Featured Artists are The Martin Boys! 

The duo’s names are Macauley and Micah and they are from Woodstock, New Brunswick. Not only do they just happen to be brothers but they are best friends that share the stage and their passion for country music. It’s rare to see one without the other! Their blood harmony is irreplaceable!

From dance recitals at a young age, to singing in church with their mom around the age of 6 and 9 years old, they started out early in music. Both sons also took piano lessons when they hit grade 1, and started guitar lessons together at ages 8 and 11. They had lead acting roles in drama productions, music festivals and a myriad of other musical performances, they are no strangers to the stage. They both received awards in High School for excellence in theatre.

In 2019, they won a local county-wide contest “Carleton County Idol”. In addition, the duo captured the title at one Battle of the Bands competitions that were open to multiple genres. Congratulations! They also have something big (competition-wise) coming in the Spring, however, they’re not allowed to disclose anything more about that yet. Thanks for letting us know and our followers, that you heard it here first! 

Some artists they look up to are traditional country singers; Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Johnny Cash, and currently Zach Top, as he has a very traditional sound and vibe. 

When we asked why they picked the country genre over other genres,  their response was - ‘We’ve always loved country, it’s what we grew up on and what we love to play and write.’

If given the opportunity they would love to collaborate with either Brooks & Dunn or Zach Top.

They have had the privilege of performing on the New Brunswick Country Showcase many times and have recently become members. They are active in their community and love to showcase their talent at as many fundraising events as possible around the province. They were born to entertain!

Outside of their love of music, they love hunting, fishing, spending time outdoors, and enjoy time spent with friends and family. 

They’ve  recorded music in Nashville, with the help and guidance of producer Dean Miller, and their 4 song EP released is called -“Live Like This” which includes three singles, “Live Like This”, “Where I'm From”, and “When You're Gone”, plus a re-recorded and "Nashvilleified" version of their first single, “Miracle Cure”, available on streaming platforms! 

“We are so happy to finally have all of this material out for everyone to hear! Recording and releasing these songs has been an experience of a lifetime, and a huge learning curve as well. We feel like, within this EP, we have so many different vibes and styles of country music, that all of our listeners will be able to find 'their song' and enjoy this music as much as we enjoyed making it!" - The Martin Boys.

They also shared that they will be releasing another EP this year. Very exciting news and something to look forward to from the duo! 

We came across these talented brothers through their social media posts and were pleasantly impressed with their music, and the amazing harmonies that speak for themselves, combined with their energized stage performances, these brothers have it all going for them and what it takes to go far in the music industry.

If you haven’t heard of The Martin Boys, we highly encourage everyone to check out their music, and videos on YouTube & Instagram and give them a follow on their social media pages! You’re going to love them as much as we do if not more!  This duo is the future of Canadian country music! Just wait and see!

Our pick this week for “FRESH FACE FRIDAY” Featured Artist is Tilly Grace Music! 

Meet Tilly, an independent singer-songwriter from Sudbury, Ontario whose passion for storytelling shines through in every note.Her first recall of interest in music was at the young age of 4 or 5. Then fast forward to 24 years of age, when she decided to dive head first into the music scene, making music her priority. 

Tilly was into pop and punk rock growing up and that all changed in her teens, when she realized that Country music really spoke to her and told more of a story that resonated with her. After many years of dreaming it, at age 24 she took action by delving into what the music world had to offer. That was when connected with Shawn Moore, her producer and the  Country Music Association of Ontario’s Producer of the year for 2024! He was the one who gave her that extra push of confidence she needed to get started. We’re so happy he did! 

“We booked a write shortly after meeting, and it wasn't long after I recorded my first single "Summertime Cliché", and released it on October 20, 2023”.  It soared to success with over 17,000+ streams. Its relatable lyrics and catchy melody resonated with listeners worldwide. Her next release was “Pretty, Girl”. 

Today is a big day as Tilly released her new song - “Lennon’s Song” (Gonna Be)! It’s available on streaming platforms everywhere today. Make sure you check it out and add all her music to your playlists! 

A few artists that inspire Tilly and whom she continuously looks up to are; Kelsea Ballerini, Carrie Underwood and LeAnn Rimes. Tilly shared the reasons why she looks up to these three women. “Kelsea Ballerini - She is honest, kind and humble. Everything I love about a person. Even through the tough times she knows how to make the light shine through, and connect with others who have felt the same way. To me, she seems like someone who never takes life for granted, and takes any opportunity when offered.” 

“Carrie Underwood - She is original, bold and extra. What draws me to her is the fact that she is so down to earth, humble, and also is a Christian. Faith is a huge part of my life, and knowing that one of my favourite artists' path aligns the same way it reminds me to stay true. She doesn't hide it, and won't allow the rest of the world to discredit His work. Her style, voice and character is what makes her so bold and extra. I love her outfits, vocal style and attitude.”

“LeAnn Rimes - Growing up my all time favourite movie, and still is, "Coyote Ugly". I mean, side note; probably shouldn't have watched this movie so young, but it was kind of the first thing that introduced me to music.  LeAnn’s song "Can't fight the moonlight" is one song that will always be my go-to karaoke song. I have been singing this song since forever. It gives me the inspiration I need to keep writing. Just like Violet, I will never take no for an answer, I will always find another way to show my creativity.”

“In today's world, I think it is so cool that some artists create country music with a twist of pop or punk rock, allowing it to be authentically them. Though, the original country music genre will always be what made me fall in love with country music.” She has participated in CMAO's annual music week and award show. Which is a great starting point and highly recommended to attend and support! 

If the opportunity presents itself, her top two artists she’d love to collaborate with would be Hardy and/or Kelsea Ballerini. Their styles are so different, but both resonate in a similar way. Both are extraordinary storyteller’s whose unique gifts make them stand out and connect with audiences everywhere and are taking country music to the next level. 

Tilly shared that outside her passion for music - “I am also a Believer, a Mother and a Wife. Being in each role has allowed me to be diversified and challenged in so many different areas. I couldn't be more thankful for the Lord allowing me to journey on this path. Like many, I enjoy travelling and reading a good book. When life becomes chaotic, I like to slow down and take time to read about new adventures.This also helps me feel inspired when writing music alone, or collaborating.”

Please be sure to check out all of Tilly’s other releases, as well as, today’s new release “Lennon's song (Gonna Be”), which were told is the first of many other releases that are planned for 2025. With her unique voice and heartwarming lyrics, Tilly Grace is captivating hearts and leaving listeners eagerly anticipating what's next for her, and we’re right there as well, we can’t wait! Best of luck!

Our pick this week for "FRESH FACE FRIDAY" Featured Artist is Hayley Isabel Music!

Hayley was born in 2011 and is a singer /songwriter from Alberta. Not only can this young lady sing, she is already a multi-instrumentalist playing the guitar, piano, ukulele! 

She has always loved music and has been singing as far back as she can remember, and wrote her first song at the age of 9. Wow! Her musical journey officially began at her 10th birthday bash at Sorso in Airdrie. That was where she sang at her very first open mic hosted by the one and only Steve Jevne, and he is her guitar teacher now (whom she met that very night!). And from that moment on, she was hooked!

A singing sensation with a heart of gold and a voice that'll knock your socks off! This pint-sized powerhouse is making waves in the Country Music scene, scooping up awards like the 2024 Alberta Country Music Youth Horizon Award (18 and under), 2024 Global Country Canada Junior Category (13-17 years old) 1st Place, and Airdrie Mayor’s Night of the Arts 2024 Emerging Artist. That's not all! Hayley has had nominations at the 2024 YYC Music Awards and the Josie Music Awards in Nashville. Very exciting news! Congratulations!

With a knack for connecting with her audience and a repertoire as vast as the prairie sky, Hayley quickly became a regular at open mics and local markets, charming folks with her music and infectious energy. Soon, she was playing her own gigs at cozy cafes and bustling restaurants from Airdrie to Calgary.

She has been busy! From rubbing elbows with the stars at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards to rocking the Calgary Stampede WOW stage, Big Valley Jamboree Horizon Stage, and other notable music festivals and events. Hayley's opened shows for big names such as Kyle McKearney’s A Travellers Lament album release at the Ironwood and new music releases for Steve Jevne at the King Eddy. 

She has also been dropping her own original hits like "Colour Changing", "Camouflage" and "Fly High" (complete with music videos you can find on youtube!). All of Hayley's music is available wherever you buy your music and on all streaming platforms. 

Inspired by the likes of Taylor Swift, Lainey Wilson and Jackson Dean and fueled by a passion for music that's as big as her smile. We met Hayley and heard her sing for the first time at the George Hamilton during the  CCMA's in Hamilton. We were blown away by her talent which is way bigger than she is tall. We were so impressed with her stage presence and the songs she performed, she really did knock it out of the park! We knew we were in the midst of a big country star in the making! She's already a  real force to be reckoned with in the Canadian country music scene. We can't wait to watch her career skyrocket! We're rooting for her!   

So, if you haven't heard of Hayley Isabel yet, you better hop on the bandwagon quick – she’s definitely one to watch - one catchy tune at a time!

Our pick this week for “FRESH FACE FRIDAY” Featured Artist is Tyler Salsman! 

This 16-year-old rising star, is a singer/songwriter from Chester Rd. Windsor, Nova Scotia! 

Tyler discovered his love of Country music during weekend drives with his grandfather, listening to the classics on the backroads. 

When asked how Tyler got his start in music, it was shared that in Grade 3 Tyler brought home a recorder and his parents were surprised when he played Alan Jackson by ear! That year his parents were approached by the school to put him in vocal lessons and unfortunately at that time, they couldn't make it happen. It didn’t stop there, in Grade 4 the music teacher practically begged them to get Tyler into vocal lessons and they were able to make that happen! 

Tyler was 11 when he picked up an old guitar and taught himself. He was determined! He never stopped practicing and on his 13th birthday, his parents took him to a music store and told him to ‘pick' his guitar and he's been pursuing his dream in music ever since. 

Some of his early influences included Keith Whitley, Alan Jackson, and Tom T Hall, and today, he’s equally inspired by Zach Top and Cody Johnson. Although that’s several different generational country influences, they all seem to work together in the background, in helping Tyler create and inspire his own music. 

Standing over 6 feet tall with his Country stage presence and natural charisma, Tyler is connecting with his audiences big or small, and receiving comments that compare him to George Canyon, George Strait, and Toby Keith. That’s not a bad group of amazing artists to be associated with! It’s not surprising to us, as he has a very classic country sound with a lot of soul in his music. 

He has shared the stage with several artists like Leona Williams, and he has opened for Canada's Queen of Country, Carol Baker, at the Hank Snow Tribute. That must have been a memorable experience for him. 

Tyler had the opportunity to perform Dolly Parton's “Hard Candy Christmas” live on CTV’s Christmas Daddies telethon. That must have been pretty cool and fun to be on TV. In 2024, Tyler’s songs has made it onto the East Coast Top 30 and their Top 100 for the year. Kudos! 

Recently, Tyler participated and placed First in the East Coast Country Music Association Star Search youth category. Congratulations! We’re certain that will be the first of many more wins to come in the future! 

This year, Tyler will be performing solo at Trunk 7 Music Festival and, with his band “The Classics”, at the Fox Mountain Country Music Festival. Make sure to check out the dates for those events so that you can enjoy a few nights out with a young talent and entertainer! 

Tyler is releasing his song “Go Back” today! The song is the result of a football injury that required knee surgery. Tyler was still 15 when he wrote ‘Go Back’ and it is based on emotions of his reality at the time and the transition from youth. It’s available on all streaming platforms today! 

Tyler knows country music like other kids know Hockey Cards! He truly appreciates music for the stories that he hears from the songs and the artists behind them. With the talent he has, we feel this is the start of an amazing career in country music. You’re going to hear his name for many years to come!   Good luck Tyler!

Our pick this week for “FRESH FACE FRIDAY” Featured Artist is Chase Heaslip! 

Chase is a singer-songwriter originally from Guelph but lives in London, Ontario. 

Chase discovered his passion for music rather young and began piano at the age 4. His love of performance and songwriting led him to pursue formal training - Music Industry Arts Program at Fanshawe College in London. 

Some of his music influences include Morgan Wallen, whose style and lyrics inspire him, as well as, Mitchell Tenpenny, Dylan Marlowe and Billie Eilish. Although there is a hint of their influence in his music, he’s created his own unique sound that fits right into the Country Pop genre, quite nicely.

As a songwriter, he initially focused on creating songs for others but eventually decided to start recording and sharing his own music. His talent and commitment quickly earned him acclaim including the prestigious MIA’s Sony Songwriter of the Year and Pop Song of the Year Awards. 

Chase's music is deeply rooted in personal experiences, exploring themes of relationships, heartbreak, new love, and self-discovery. His single, "Never Leave” resonated deeply with audiences playlisting across Spotify and Apple Music and accumulating over 45,000 streams + worldwide. This growing popularity reflects his ability to authentically connect with listeners through heartfelt lyrics and captivating melodies. Which is what every artist wants and he’s obviously very good at it!

Beyond the numbers, Chase strives to create music that serves as a relatable and comforting companion through life's ups and downs. His songs provide a unique perspective on widely experienced situations, aiming to resonate deeply with his audience with solace and understanding.

Chase’s latest single was just released titled “Better with You”. It explores the familiar theme of finding love when you least expect it. We heard that the idea for this new song “Better with You” came to him while working on “Never Leave,” and he felt so inspired, that he completed the song in a single night. 

As he continues to build his fanbase and hone his craft, Chase emerges as a promising voice in contemporary country, poised to leave a lasting impression with his emotive storytelling and sincere musicality. Make sure to stream his music and catch him live at his next show,  we’re sure you won’t want to miss it!

Our pick this week for “FRESH FACE FRIDAY” Featured Artist is Jasmine Frances! 

Jasmine Frances was originally born in England, and moved to Canada at only eight years old to pursue a career in Country Music. 

Jasmine released her first single "You Owe a Life" when she was 15 years old. Jasmine continued on to open for Grammy award winning artists, and went on to release  her debut album "Just a Girl and Her guitar" at seventeen years old in 2022. 

Jasmine took a year break afterwards, but in the meantime pulled together a fabulous band, and started writing and recorded her single "Now I Take My Coffee Black", which reached Canadian radio, and was nominated for "Songwriter of the year", and " Roots artist of the year" in 2023 through Country Music Alberta and is 4 time nominee. Congrats! 

Jasmine continues to write and record hits, while performing live as the "Jasmine Frances Band". The members of “The Jasmine Frances Band”  have come together with a vast variety of experience between them all, covering more than the country genre, which includes  rock, and metal background. The band members are Skyler Okemaysim( guitar), Owen Pitcher (drummer), and Alex Willey (bass player). The Jasmine Frances Band  are well known for powerful soulful sets that bring the audience to their feet every time! Jasmine Frances really can do it all, from an intimate acoustic session to a full on concert. Some of her band members toured across Canada, and opened for various artists such as "80s rockers", and "LA guns". She’s officially signed with HayseedCo.

Jasmine had her Canadian Country Music Association showcase debut this year in Edmonton! Very exciting experience for her! She also made it into the Semi Finalists at Ranchman’s Rising Star Competition! Her latest release is out today and we’re thrilled to share that with all of you called  “In Tennessee”! Make sure you go and have a listen! It’s available everywhere! 

Our pick this week for “FRESH FACE FRIDAY” Featured Artist is Cameron Whitcomb! 

Cameron’s latest release is zooming up the charts and is Gold record worthy too! He was born in Peace River, Alberta, and was raised in Nanaimo, BC.

You might recognize his latest release “Medusa” as we sure do! We hear it all the time on the local radio stations Country 89 and KX 94.7. With good reason, it’s rather catchy!  That isn’t the only reason his name sounds familiar, he was on American Idol and made it into the Top 20 back in 2022. Although he didn’t make it as a Finalist, he did learn a lot from being on the show and have grown a lot since, in his songwriting and he learned how to play guitar. He also gained quite a few followers on TikTok which is never a bad thing in the music industry. 

Cameron brings a unique perspective to songwriting, where his songs are deeply influenced by his own life experiences, including his battles with drugs and alcohol, on his life journey. He has turned his life around and his approach to songwriting, reflects a raw and authentic narrative style, drawing listeners into his world through vivid storytelling and emotional honesty. Cameron’s ability to weave personal tales into compelling musical narratives sets him apart in the songwriting landscape, resonating with listeners who find solace and understanding in his words. That’s definitely what it’s all about, making people feel something, connect and relate to in their own lives.

Whitcomb has released  an album titled - “Quitter” with 5 songs, as well as, some emotionally invested  releases like “Rocking Chair” with his grandpa in mind and latest release “Medusa”. 

We have yet to see Cameron perform live, however, the videos he posts are a clear indication that his performances are high energy, and he looks like he’s truly in his element and is having a blast, which means we will too! He has tour dates in Southern Ontario in the New Year so keep an eye on his socials for dates and tickets! All of his music is available on all platforms. The future is looking very bright for this young man and we believe this won’t be the only gold record he earns, there’s going to be many more! Good luck in your music journey!  

Our pick this week for “FRESH FACE FRIDAY” Featured Artist is Miles Canyon. 

Miles is a songwriter and country artist new to Alberta from Saskatchewan. Although his surroundings are new, he isn’t new to the music scene. Throughout Canyon's music career he has shared the stage with an abundance of talented artists, performed countless shows across the country and has hundreds of song writing credits under his belt. He’s dabbled some in almost every genre from metal, hard rock, to funk and country but likes the storytelling aspect that country music is known for. He’s earned his stripes along the way and most of his band have been together from day one. 

Canyon's country music began as a side writing project from an already existing band that has been recording and touring together for over a decade. What started out as writing a country song as a fun challenge during the pandemic, has now turned into a passion for writing country music. He wrote his first song at 13 and sold his first song at 15! That’s amazing! He learned to play guitar at age 12 and he decided he wanted to be a musician he hasn’t  looked back. He’s made a great living as a singer/songwriter and performer across  North America. Canyon plans on writing and performing for as long as he can. 

He participated in the Ranchman’s Rising Star Competition. He was a part of the Canadian Country Music Association -  “Country Crawl” and “Diamonds in the Rough” in Edmonton this year!  His debut release is “Country Girls”  is a fast paced, rockin’ country tune that will get you up dancing and we’re sure you have it on your playlist on repeat! Check it out!  It’s available on all streaming platforms! 

Miles says he’s written at least 20 songs that are ready to be recorded so there is more music coming in the New Year that we have to look forward to. We wish him continued success in his country music journey and hopefully our paths will cross sometime soon!

Our pick this week for “FRESH FACE FRIDAY” Featured Artist Martina Dawn! 

This young woman was born and raised in Alberta. “Growing up in this province has given me the opportunity to be surrounded by country music. I am a fourth generation musician, following in the footsteps of my great grandparents band, my grandparents band, and my own mama, is a country artist herself. I’ve been so fortunate to be surrounded by music, and my love for what I do, runs in my blood.” Now that’s an amazing story and real family connection to the country music that we all love! 

With her power house vocals Martina has been pouring her heart and soul into her music even before she was a teenager and she has no plans of stopping anytime soon!

Some of her music career highlights include being honoured as the 2021 CMAB Horizon Youth Award Winner and was Nominated for the 2022 CMAB Horizon Female Artist of the year. She also was the Global Country Star Search Winner in 2020. 

You may find this surprising but she writes a song every day. Now that’s dedication and passion! 

“What I love about writing, is that you can touch people’s hearts, that is my favourite part about music in general, it brings so many people together in ways you’d never think we’re possible!”

One of her goals as she advances in her music career, is that she continues to grow her fan base through connections providing energetic live performances, as well as through Digital platforms. We think she’s doing pretty good! She is grateful to have over 250K streams across streaming platforms, plus 5K monthly listeners on Spotify! There’s nothing wrong with those numbers! Her latest release is called ‘“Love On Them”. Her goal was to write a song that tells a story that makes people feel something like real country music songs do, that they can relate to and be inspired to live by. We feel she covered all that in “Love On Them”. 

If you haven’t seen Martina before then make sure you check out her website, give her music a listen, as it’s available everywhere you buy or stream your music. 

Besides music Martina enjoyed figure skating the most out of sports and still watches the competitions on TV. She has said that it was a challenging sport that has helped her grow a good spine, required at times to maneuver through the music industry. 

We very excited to see what she has in store for us next and we hope there is new music coming soon! Her motto - “ITS ALWAYS WORTH IT TO TAKE YOUR TIME AND GO THE EXTRA MILE…” and we couldn’t agree more but we also want more new music!

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