Countdown to the CMAO Awards – Q&A with Beverley Mahood

By: Jenna Melanson

Only four days remaining until the CMAO Awards, but have no fear the awesome interviews with many of Canada’s biggest Country stars are not over yet. You have read about Michelle Wright,  Runaway Angel, and Tebey…but now it’s time to learn more about Beverley Mahood.

Do you recognize the songs, “This Girl”, “Hope and Gasoline” “I Can’t Outrun You”, if you said yes, then you have already heard of this multi-talented Canadian, she’s a huge Country singer/songwriter, but also a television host, and we are honored to have had the chance to ask Beverley a selection of questions in correspondence with the upcoming CMAO Awards in Toronto!

As a country musician, being nominated at the CMAO awards is such a huge accomplishment, how did you feel when you found out you were nominated?

Very happy! It is always great to get recognized for anything when you are in the country music business.

There’s a CMAO Conference Showcase on Sunday, May 24th called “The ‘New Faces, Going Places’ Showcase”, which is to help new Ontario talent get noticed, can you suggest an up & coming country star that you think we should all check out?

So much great new talent out there right now. Leah Daniels is the next big female deal in country. The whole package!

Another exciting conference panel taking place is “The Write Stuff – A Songwriters Super Session”, can you give us the scoop on your songwriting sessions? What is your songwriting process like? 

Preparation is the key for me … If I come prepared, we get a better tune. You can wing it sometimes, but often average is the result.

If you were asked to give a rising Country artist some advice, what would that advice be?

Write your own songs towards developing your own sound. Don’t be afraid to be a bit different.

One thing that is a major marketing innovation these days is social media, making it possible for artists to connect with their fans by a simple touch of the keyboard. Do you feel this is a vital tool that all artists should partake in?

As a vital marketing tool … Yes, definitely, but great songs and great performance is still the key to a great country career. Social media is amazing in telling the story.

There are many exciting performances taking place this year at the CMAO Awards Show, which are you most looking forward to? Are you excited about performing? (Current line-up includes: Autumn Hill, Deric Ruttan Jason Blaine Jason McCoy, Leah Daniels, Lindsay Broughton, Russell DeCarle, Tebey, The Western Swing Authority and Tim Hicks)

It is always exciting to be on-stage. Performing will be special for me this year. I will be joined by my partners in “Lace”, Stacey Lee and Giselle. I just love singing with them … It has been too long!

Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?

The most important thing in any artist’s career is having an audience there to listen to listen them. Fans, never underestimate how important you are to us.

Jenna Melanson

I’m Jenna, the founder and editor of Canadian Beats. I have had a strong love for Canadian music, which started many years ago. I have a passion for promoting these talented Canadian bands and artists, and that’s how Canadian Beats came to be.

Canadian Beats has grown to become more than media, and what a journey it’s been.