The CMAOntario Awards brought emerging artists to the forefront and celebrated excellence and outstanding professional achievement by Ontario country music artists and songwriters.
This inimitable live event featured appearances and performances by Ontario's brightest talents
Three days of live country music, songwriter stories, industry connection, and unforgettable performances took over the Port Credit waterfront at the 14th Annual CMAOntario Festival & Awards in Port May 29–31, 2026. From intimate acoustic rounds and free live music along The Trail, to the Road to Independence Conference to the CMAOntario Awards, this weekend celebrated the incredible talent and community shaping country music in Ontario and beyond.
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THE TRAIL (PASSPORT TO COUNTRY)May 29 @ 6:30 pm - 11:30 pm Two nights of live music and discovery! This event guided attendees through multiple key waterfront venues, offered intimate, free live performances at each stop to encourage our industry and community to discover new talent. Every stop offered a new mix of performances, cold drinks, and lively crowd energy. You could collect your “passport stamps” along the way and experience a one-of-a-kind journey through the future of country music. Presented by IBEW & Port Credit BIA. With Support from Ontario Creates. Sponsored by C TO C, Hot Country 93.9 & 88.5, The Ranch 100.1, Country 89, KX Country, Rogers\ Festivalgoers strolled the waterfront and discovered emerging artists, CMAOntario nominees, and fan favourites performed at participating locations including The Crooked Cue, The Donegal Arms, Pump House Grille Co., Roc’n Docs, Shore Grill & Grotto, and more4 R2I TUNEUP CONFERENCEMay 30 @ 9:30 am - 3:30 pm Kickstarted a path to success in the music industry with expert insights, practical tools, and proven strategies. This conference was designed to equip you with the knowledge and resources to confidently navigate the fast-paced music business and lay the foundation for a sustainable, thriving career. Saturday
9:30 AM – 10:45 AM Getting Your Music on Screen: Sync Licensing (75 minutes) Ever wonder how songs end up in TV shows, movies, ads, and video games? Sync licensing is one of the most powerful ways to earn income and reach new audiences — but breaking in takes more than luck. This interactive session, music supervisors, sync agents, and artists with real sync success shared exactly what they look for, how to prepare your catalogue, and how to pitch effectively. You learned how to make your music sync-ready, understand key contract terms, and avoid rookie mistakes that can cost you opportunities. Whether new to sync or already pitching, this session gave you insider knowledge and practical strategies to help you land placements and get your music on screen. By the end of this session, participants were able to:
Audience: Artists, songwriters, producers, and managers interested in sync licensing Panelists:
10:55 AM – 12:25 PM Understanding Royalties — There’s Money Waiting for You (90 minutes) Are you leaving money on the table? As an artist, songwriter, or performer, royalties are one of the most important income streams — but only if you know how to claim them. This interactive workshop dymensified SOCAN, SoundExchange/CMRRA, ARTISTI, SOPROQ, and more, showing you exactly how to register, collect, and track the royalties you’re entitled to. Through real-world examples, hands-on activities, and practical tools, you learned how to uncover hidden income, organize your royalty streams, and make sure you get paid for your work. Walking away with a clear action plan, a royalty tracking checklist, and the confidence to manage your earnings like a pro. By the end of this workshop, participants were able to:
Audience: Artists, songwriters, performers, and music industry professionals Facilitator:
Panelists:
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM AGM & Town Hall (90 minutes) 2026 CMAOntario Annual General Meeting and Town Hall — your opportunity to help shape the future of the association. This session gave members a platform to share ideas, perspectives, and priorities, ensuring the association understands and reflects the needs of its community. By participating in discussions and providing input, members played a direct role in guiding strategic plans, setting priorities, and influencing initiatives that align with CMAOntario’s shared vision and goals. Got to contribute, connect, and help chart the path forward for Ontario’s country music community.
2:10 PM – 3:25 PM Songwriting Masterclass – Insights & Collaboration (75 minutes) What does it actually look like when professional songwriters sit down to build a song for an emerging artist? This masterclass pulled back the curtain on the modern co-writing room — live, unscripted, and in real time. Veteran producer and songwriter Douglas Romanow (Don Amero, Rebecca Rain, Jade Hilton, Nicole Rayy) brought together Nashville topliner Chrystal Grainger and rising country-pop artist Parker Graye for an interactive workshop and live co-write demonstration. The session was designed to give attendees three things in one afternoon: fresh creative tools and inspiration from the artists themselves, a front-row seat to a professional writing session happening in the room, and practical industry knowledge for building a sustainable career around their craft. By the end of the session, participants left with:
This was the writing room — no filter. Audience: Artists, songwriters, producers Featuring:
 BONFIREMay 30 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm 20.00 CMAOntario’s Bonfire showcased some of Ontario’s brightest emerging talents. Experienced a night filled with passion, creativity, and unforgettable performances as these rising stars lit up the stage for an amazing evening of live music. From soulful melodies to high-energy beats, this was a celebration of Ontario’s diverse musical landscape. This was a chance to witness the future of music! Road to Independence (R2i) TuneUp ConferenceSaturday, May 30 & Sunday, May 31 | Credit Room at Port Credit Memorial Arena Designed for artists, songwriters, and music industry professionals, the R2i TuneUp Conference offers two days of networking, education, and career development. Sessions include music licensing, royalties, songwriting collaboration, touring, music marketing, vocal development, and industry roundtables — all focused on helping independent artists grow their careers and build meaningful industry connections. R2I TUNEUP CONFERENCEMay 31 @ 9:30 am - 2:30 pm Your path to success in the music industry with expert insights, practical tools, and proven strategies kicked off May 31 930am. This conference was designed to equip you with the knowledge and resources to confidently navigate the fast-paced music business and lay the foundation for a sustainable, thriving career. Sunday
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM Career Connections: Industry Roundtables (90 minutes) Stepped into a dynamic, interactive session designed to fast-track your music industry relationships. Over 90 minutes, you rotated through curated roundtables featuring managers, agents, labels, radio, talent buyers, and publicists/marketing professionals—gaining insider insights while building meaningful connections. Each table offered a focused discussion on key topics, from career development to touring strategies and audience growth. Shared your questions, your experiences, and received feedback from both industry experts and peers in an engaging, collaborative environment. Unlike traditional networking mixers, this format ensured every participant had a chance to connect with a wide range of professionals, making each conversation purposeful and actionable. Discovered new opportunities for collaboration, sparked ideas, and left with a stronger, more diverse network to support your career growth. Audience: Artists, songwriters, producers, managers and industry professionals Facilitator: Logan & Jenna Panelists:
11:10 AM – 12:25 PM Voice Matters: Real-World Vocal Tools for Country Artists (75 minutes) Led by Amanda Kind, Artist/Songwriter/Commercial Music Voice Teacher In country music, your voice isn’t just an instrument — it’s your identity. Whether you’re in the studio or on stage night after night, consistency, authenticity, and vocal stamina are everything. This 75-minute interactive workshop was designed specifically for artists who record and perform live. It offered fast-paced, practical overview of the most important tools and concepts you need to keep your voice performance-ready under real-world demands. Moved through a range of essential topics from efficient warm-ups and targeted technical exercises (breath management, belt, stamina, agility, range) to using “primal” sounds to unlock power, tone, and stylistic options. Touched on common vocal myths that can hold singers back, replacing them with a clear, functional understanding of how the voice actually works. At the heart of this session was the understanding that great performances come from the integration of voice, body, and mind. Country music demands emotional truth and connection, and how you feel directly impacts how you sound. Because of the condensed format, this session was designed to introduce and explore key ideas rather than go deeply into any one area, giving participants a strong foundation and practical tools they can begin applying immediately. By the end of the session, participants:
This workshop created a supportive, artist-focused space to explore tools that help you show up consistently and confidently. Participants left with a clearer understanding of their voice, practical exercises to support it, and a roadmap for building vocal strength, flexibility, and longevity over time. 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM Touring Locally & Internationally: Expanding Your Reach Beyond Borders (45 minutes) Practical strategies for booking venues, routing tours, maximizing show income, and using radio and industry exposure to expand into international markets. Touring is one of the most powerful ways for independent artists to grow their audience and build a sustainable career. This workshop guided artists through the process of planning and booking their own tours across Canada without the support of an agent or tour manager. Participants learned how to research and route tours, approach venues professionally, promote shows effectively, and maximize income through ticket sales, merchandise, and alternative performance opportunities such as house concerts. The session also explored how radio exposure and international industry connections can open doors to touring opportunities beyond Canada. Participants:
1:20 PM – 2:05 PM Modern Music Marketing Discover how to build a profitable music career using direct-to-consumer marketing and digital sales funnels. This workshop broke down how to turn casual listeners into paying fans, grow and own your audience, and created consistent revenue without relying on streams, algorithms, or record deals. Learned the exact systems independent artists are using to sell their music, scale their fanbase, and build long-term, sustainable success Facilitator: Patrick James Clark, Artist/Songwriter/Author
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The CMAOntario Awards acknowledge the talent and achievements of Ontario's country music industry across 21 categories.
The Fans’ Choice Award - The eight (8) contenders for the Fans’ Choice Award was be determined by cumulative air-play on Canadian radio within the eligibility period and verified by the CMAOntario Awards & Balloting Committee. Air-play data was compiled by Nielsen BDS. For CMAOntario member voting, the five (5) contenders appeared as “Nominees” on the Second (Final) Ballot. For public voting, there was an online ballot coordinated with the Second (Final) ballot. The public and member vote tallies combined for a total number of votes to determine the winner of the Fans’ Choice Award.
CMAOntario Impact Award – this recipient was voted on and determined by the Country Music Association of Ontario Board of Directors.
The Compass Award - This recipient is based on a combination of Nielsen Audio On-Demand Streams, Album Sales, Digital Song down-loads and Airplay Spins metrics along with statistics for Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The artist, group or duo with the largest outcome of said metrics during the applicable period was deemed the recipient.
The Holly & Steve Kassay Generous Spirit Award - This award recognizes a person who has dedicated their time and efforts above and beyond the call of duty. It acknowledges that demonstrated passion and dedication plays an integral role in the continued development of the organization and its initiatives. The recipient of this award was determined by award’s Sponsors in consultation with the CMAOntario Board of Directors. This award may or may not be presented annually.
The Real McCoy Award - This award, following its inaugural recipient being Jason McCoy, recognizes a member of the Ontario country music community who has exemplified the generosity of humanitarian service and support of charities and socially just causes, while projecting an image of integrity, hard work and dedication to their craft. Like Jason, the recipient will have earned positive recognition in Ontario and nationally, for their grit and determination to make the world a better place. Members of the Association can submit their recommendations on the CMAOntario website. The recipient of this award was determined by the CMAOntario Board of Directors. This award may or may not be presented annually.
Hosted by multi-CMAOntario, CCMA, and SOCAN Award winner Jason Blaine and Country Nights host Sam McDaid, the CMAOntario Awards Showd close out the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend from May 29-31, 2026. The CMAOntario Awards celebrated the talent and achievements of Ontario’s country music industry, honoring artists and industry professionals across 17 categories, along with special awards.
The WINNERS of the 14th Annual CMAOntario Awards are in RED:
SINGLE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Pure Country
- James Barker Band – “You Didn’t Hear it from Me”
- Jessica Sevier – “Good to Drive”
- Nate Haller – “Backfire” with Tenille Townes
- Owen Riegling – “Taillight this Town”
- Robyn Ottolini – “Airplane Bottle”
- Sully Burrows – “Rally Around”
ALBUM/EP OF THE YEAR sponsored by Country 106.7
- Andrew Hyatt – Andrew Hyatt & the Ten Year War
- Bradley Hale – County Line 5
- James Barker Band – One of Us
- Olivia Mae Graham – Nobody0
- Sacha – Woman in the Mirror
- Sully Burrows – Somewhere in a Small Town
SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR
- Bree Taylor, Jesse Slack – “I Regret You”
- Jason Blaine, Josh Stumpf, Dave Thomson – “Highway Money”
- Jessica Sevier, Robyn Ottolini, Derek Hoffman – “Good to Drive”
- Nate Haller, Tenille Townes, James Shelley, Stuart Walker, Michael August – “Backfire”
- Owen Riegling, Kyle Sturrock, James Bell – “Taillight this Town”
- Sully Burrows, Parker Graye, Derek Hoffman – “Rally Around”
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by IBEW Local 353
- Angelica Appelman
- Elyse Saunders
- Jessica Sevier
- Olivia Mae Graham
- Paige Rutledge
- Sacha
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by IBEW Local 353
- Nate Haller
- Owen Riegling
- Ryan Langdon
- Sully Burrows
- Tim Hicks
- Tyler Lorette
GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR sponsored by CHAW Country 103
- Amanda and James
- James Barker Band
- Rosewood Ave.
- School House
- The Reklaws
- The Western Swing Authority
RECORD PRODUCER(S) OF THE YEAR
- Adam Newcomb – I Ain’t Thinkin’ (Tyler Lorette)
- Jay Allan, Aaron Murray – Nobody (Olivia Mae Graham)
- Matthew Koebel – Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right (Amanda & James)
- Ron Lopata – Motel (Jessica Sevier)
- Tebey and Danick Dupelle – Smooth Like Vinyl (Tebey)
- The Agenda, Beverley Mahood, Mac Shepherd – Better than Blue (Dayna Reid)
ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Callie McCullough
- Mackenzie Leigh Meyer
- Rosewood Ave.
- School House
- The Redhill Valleys
- The Western Swing Authority
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR TIE sponsored by C to C Music Inside
* Angelica Appelman
- Jade Hilton
- Jessica Sevier
- Olivia Mae Graham
- Paige Rutledge
- Tyler Lorette
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- Cory Marks – “Whiskey River”
- Elyse Saunders – “Heartbreak Rodeo”
- Nate Haller – “Backfire” with Tenille Townes
- Olivia Mae Graham – “Nobody”
- Ryan Langdon – “Crushin’ Cans”
- Sully Burrows – “Rally Around”
INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEAR sponsored by Manrkē
- Alex Maciel, Starseed Entertainment
- Christine Wiley & Christine Stevens, C to C Music Insider
- Dave Woods, In the Country
- Jill Snell, Jayward Artist Group
- Nick Marinac, Elliott Deseure, Adaptive Media
- Samantha Pickard, Strut Entertainment
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR sponsored by Cithara Guitars
- Adrian Juras
- Mackenzie Leigh Meyer
- Matt Koebel
- Nolan Gibson
- Ryan Cassar
- Shane Guse
- Kristine St-Pierre
- Les Rats d’Swompe
- Mitch Jean
- Reney Ray
- Sugar Crush
- Vincent Bishop
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (LARGE MARKET) sponsored by Fielding Estate Winery
- CFXJ-FM (New Country 93.5), Toronto
- CHKX (KX 94.7), Hamilton
- CIKZ (Country 106.7), Kitchener
- CJBX (PURE COUNTRY 93), London
- CJKX (KX96), Oshawa
- CKKL (Pure Country 94), Ottawa
RADIO STATION OF YEAR (MEDIUM MARKET) sponsored Lucknow’s Music in Fields
- CFCO (Country 92.9), Chatham-Kent
- CFWC (HOT COUNTRY 93.9), Brantford
- CHCQ-FM (Cool 100.1 FM), Belleville
- CICS (PURE COUNTRY 91.7), Sudbury
- CKDX (Hot Country 88.5, Newmarket
- CKXP-FM (KX 105), Peterborough
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (SMALL MARKET)
- CFDC (COUNTRY 105), Shelburne
- CHAW (Country 103), Manitoulin
- CHLP-FM (The Ranch 100.1), Listowel
- CHVR (Pure Country 96.7), Pembroke
- CICX (PURE COUNTRY 106), Orillia
- CJDL-FM (Country 107.3), Tillsonburg
- CKYY (Country 89), Welland
FANS’ CHOICE sponsored by Visit Mississauga
- James Barker Band
- Nate Haller
- Owen Riegling
- Robyn Ottolini
- Sacha
- Sully Burrows
- The Reklaws
- Tim Hicks
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