CMAO Award Nights Winners and Performers

The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) is excited to announce the winners of the 12th Annual CMAOntario Awards, presented by Slaight Music, which took place on Sunday, June 2 in Hammerson Hall at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga. Jason BlaineOwen Riegling, and James Barker Band each took home two CMAOntario trophies.

Hosted by Pure Country Radio’s Jason McCoy and country TikTok sensation Teigen Gayse, the CMAOntario Awards acknowledged the talent and achievements of Ontario’s country music industry across 17 categories plus special awards. The show included special performances by 2024 CMAOntarioaward winners Owen Riegling, Jason BlaineNicole Rayy, and Elyse Saunders, and nominees Karli JuneGriffen PalmerRiver Town SaintsSugar Crush, Callie McCulloughRyan Langdon, and The Western Swing Authority.

Photos by Orest Dorosh

The Winners of the 12th Annual CMAOntario Awards are:


SINGLE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Pure Country
The Road that Raised You Up – Jason Blaine
 
ALBUM OF THE YEAR sponsored by Country 106.7 Kitchener
Greatest Show on Dirt – Meghan Patrick
 
SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR sponsored by SOCAN
Jason Blaine, The Road the Raised You Up, recorded by Jason Blaine
 
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by IBEW Local 353
Elyse Saunders
 
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by IBEW Local 353
Owen Riegling
 
GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR sponsored by Country 103
James Barker Band
 

RECORD PRODUCER(S) OF THE YEAR
Shawn Moore
 
ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Mackenzie Leigh Meyer
 
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by Slaight Music
Owen Riegling
 
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR sponsored by Jim Dunlop Productions
Honky Tonkin About – The Reklaws ft. Drake Milligan
Dirty – Nicole Rayy
(Tied)
 
INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEAR sponsored by Manrkē
Dave Woods
 
FRANCOPHONE ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Reney Ray
 
FANS’ CHOICE sponsored by Visit Mississauga
Tim Hicks
 
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR sponsored by Cithara Guitars
Shane Guse
 
COMPASS AWARD
James Barker Band

HOLLY & STEVE KASSAY GENEROUS SPIRIT AWARD
Walter Nowakowski

IMPACT AWARD
Charlie Major
 
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (LARGE MARKET) sponsored by Fielding Estate Winery
KX 94.7, Hamilton
 
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (MEDIUM MARKET) sponsored by Lucknow’s Music in the Fields
Hot Country 93.9, Brantford
 
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (SMALL MARKET)
Pure Country 106, Orillia

The CMAOntario Award Show was preceded by a weekend of activities in Mississauga as part of the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend, May 31-June 2, 2024. The CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend included Songs & Stories: Songwriters in the Round, R2i TuneUp Conference, Street Fair, Bonfire and Tailgate Party. The CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend will return to Mississauga in 2026.