Review – 4th Annual Country Music Association of Ontario Awards

TORONTO, ON – The spotlight was on Ontario’s thriving country music community Monday night, May 30th, as the Country Music Association of Ontario handed out the 4th Annual CMAO Awards. A standing-room-only crowd joined host Jason McCoy at the Flato Markham Theatre in Markham for an evening of accolades and performances by some of Ontario’s best and brightest stars. Presented by Slaight Music, with support from the Ontario Media Development Corporation, the award show recognized honorees in 14 categories spanning talent and industry.

Cold Creek County – Winners of Group or Duo of the Year, Rising Star and Fans’ Choice Awards

Multiple winners included Jason Blaine and newcomers Cold Creek County who walked away with three awards a piece. Blaine shared his Songwriter of the Year win alongside Deric Ruttan for their penning of the single “Country Side” which also took the honours for Music Video of the Year. Among their wins, the Brighton, Ontario five-piece counted the inaugural and coveted Fans’ Choice award, made possible by the Ontario Media Development Corporation through the Ontario Music Fund. For a full listing of all category winners, see below.

Jason Blaine – Winner of Male Artist of the Year plus, Music Video and Songwriter(s) of the Year (with Deric Ruttan) for “Countryside”

The audience was treated to a stellar lineup of performances from 13 of Ontario’s hottest country stars including 2016 CMAO winners Tebey (Single of the Year), and Leah Daniels (Female Artist of the Year) as well as multi-nominees Runaway Angel and Autumn Hill. The Road Hammers closed out the evening with a roaring rendition of “One Horse Town” featuring special guest Tim Hicks.

Leah Daniels – Female Artist of the Year

Iconic Canadian country roots band Prairie Oyster were recognized for their enduring influence and positive footprint on the landscape of country music in Ontario with the 2016 CMAO Impact Award.

Jason Barry – Record Producer of the Year

The 2016 CMAO Awards capped off the third edition of the CMAO R2I (Road to Independence) Spring Tune Up Conference – an intensive weekend of learning and networking with professionals in Ontario’s country music industry. Presented by Slaight Music and supported by Ontario Media Development Corporation, the 2-day confab brought together industry experts, artists and aspiring entrepreneurs to discuss the latest issues and trends in the business, and featured the New Faces Showcase that shone the light on six of Ontario’s emerging new artists.

The complete list of 2016 CMAO award winners are:

SINGLE OF THE YEAR (sponsored by KICX 106)
“When the Buzz Wears Off” – Tebey

ALBUM OF THE YEAR (sponsored by hmv Canada)
What Love Is All About – Johnny Reid

SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR (sponsored by SOCAN)
Jason Blaine, Deric Ruttan – “Country Side” performed by Jason Blaine

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Spring Tree Farm)
Leah Daniels

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Havelock Country Jamboree)
Jason Blaine

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR (sponsored by The Remington Group)
Cold Creek County

ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Skelton Truck Lines Ltd.)
The Good Family

RISING STAR AWARD (sponsored by Slaight Music)
Cold Creek County

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Kylemore Communities)
“Country Side” – Jason Blaine

FANS’ CHOICE (sponsored by Ontario Media Development Corporation)
Cold Creek County

RECORD PRODUCER(S) OF THE YEAR (sponsored by MetalWorks Studios)
Jason Barry – Run Angel Run by Runaway Angel; Now Playing and Sweet Harriet by The Western Swing Authority; Boomerang by Genevieve Fisher; Toes by Scotty James

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (MAJOR MARKET) (sponsored by Canadian Country Spotlight)
CHKX-FM (KX 94.7), Hamilton

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (SECONDARY MARKET) (sponsored by Lucknow’s Music in the Fields)
CJDL-FM (Country 107.3), Tillsonburg

IMPACT AWARD
Prairie Oyster

For more photos of the night’s event, by Nicole Wolfe, please click here.

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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.