Country music wasn’t the style Jamie Fontaine usually wrote before his self-titled compilation.
However, his evolution to it through years of songwriting and performing is bringing the Cape Breton-born singer-songwriter a lot of recognition.
“Jamie Fontaine” is an EP (extended play) and not a full-length album. Its success has proven that his evolution from rock to country was the right one.
“I have always loved it. I just didn’t really play or write it,” said the 46-year-old about country music, noting he did perform some covers live throughout the years.
Released in 2024, two songs on “Jamie Fontaine” charted on the Indie Canadian Country Chart (Olivia, Long Live Cool) and the EP garnered a 2025 Music Nova Scotia Award nomination for Jamie.
“Long Live Cool” is an ode to his father, John Fontaine, who is a musician himself. From a young age, Jamie saw his father on stage singing and playing guitar, which inspired him.