Countdown to the 2016 CMAO Awards – Jason McCoy

The Country Music Association of Ontario Conference and Awards are just around the corner. May 28th and 29th, is a two-day conference filled with informative panels at the Edward Village Hotel in Markham. Monday May 30th is the awards show, held at the Flato Markham Theatre. This will be the 4th annual event and is sure to be an exciting time.

We have had to the opportunity to connect with several of the artists for a quick one-on-one interview. Jason McCoy can well be described as one of the most entertaining hosts for any award show.  He certainly shines in hosting duties for the CMAO Awards. Here is our chat with him…..

Jason McCoy

Congratulations on your CMAO Awards hosting duties for the third year in a row! What has been the highlight of hosting in the past? Any surprise moments or glitches that stand out? You have a crazy sense of humour. Do you have any surprises or pranks planned for this year’s show?

It’s a blast hosting, and a complete honour to be asked back! We had a lot of requests to do more of the artist ‘if they had a baby’ photo mash ups, so you bet we’ll be doing that. Pranks?….hmm, maybe!?….whatever it is, it’s always fun, country artists all seem to share a sense of humour, it’s a great group of folks!

If you were asked to giving a rising Canadian country star some advice, what would that advice be?

It may sound trite, but it’s true…be yourself! Nobody can be you, so be the best you possible, take the music seriously, but don’t take anything else too seriously. Enjoy every minute and awkward phase.

Ontario has a huge population of talented Country artists, whom have you been listening to and is there an up and coming artist that you think we should check out?

I’m happy for Autumn Hill, JUNO nomination this year, great music. More than once I’ve had their songs catch my ear in situations where music was way in the background…that’s the sign of a good thing! Tim Hicks rocks every time, Cold Creek County….this list is long, and Ontario Country Music has never been stronger, it’s awesome.

Is there a certain performance that you’re most pumped for during the CMAO awards?

Well, the Road Hammers are coming in to play our “One Horse Town” single with Tim Hicks…so that’s going to rock pretty heavy. I’m pumped about the whole night, I’m a very small part of it really, it’s all about the artists, it’ll be a great show!

The summer concert season is heating up. What’s up next for you after the excitement of the CMAO’s?

The Road Hammers have a busy summer on the books, looking forward to all of the festival shows coast to coast, so many great folks out there.

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

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Not just for supporting my music, but for supporting Ontario Canadian Country in general. If it weren’t for ya’ll, there wouldn’t be a CMAO!!

Jason with fellow Road Hammer, Chris Byrne.

Connect with Jason McCoy:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube

Connect with the CMAO:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Linda Heldman

Hello everyone! My name is Linda and I have been a fan of Canadian Music for as long as I can remember. That counts for way too many decades than I want to admit to! I have three primary passions in my life, music, photography and writing. When I can combine them all, I feel I am right where I should be. Though I can appreciate all genres of music, my particular favourite is Country. Canadian Country is moving in leaps and bounds. I love how it is progressing and I’m thankful that I can be a small part of it.