The Country Music Association of Ontario
Announces Winners of the
2025 CMAOntario Awards
presented by Cowbell Brewing Co.
Owen Riegling Received Five Awards
June 1, 2025 (HAMILTON) The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) is proud to announce the winners of the 13th Annual CMAOntario Awards, presented by Cowbell Brewing Co., which took place on Sunday, June 1 at The Music Hall in Hamilton. Owen Riegling came out on top with five CMAOntario trophies.
After 12 years as the charismatic host of the CMAOntario Awards Show, Jason McCoy of The Road Hammers and Pure Country Radio took the stage for the final time this year. To mark this milestone and celebrate his enduring contributions, the CMAOntario Awards proudly introduced the inaugural Real McCoy Award, sponsored by Slaight Music. Created to honour an individual who truly represents the spirit of Ontario’s country music community, the Real McCoy Award celebrates compassion, integrity, and a deep commitment to the craft—qualities that Jason McCoy exemplifies.
In a further tribute to McCoy’s legacy, the Slaight Family Foundation will donate $5,000 to a charity of his choosing, underscoring the meaningful impact he continues to make both on and off the stage.
"We are honoured to be participating in this inaugural award presented to Jason McCoy,” said Derrick Ross, President of Slaight Music. “Jason’s compassion and dedication to the Ontario music community has been unwavering from the very beginning of his musical career. This, along with the charitable work he has done to improve the lives of others, will hopefully inspire others to emulate his path and one day be awarded The Real McCoy Award.”
The evening wrapped with a surprise tribute performance in Jason’s honour by Tim Hicks and Clayton Bellamy, Jason’s fellow Road Hammer bandmate. The celebration culminated with McCoy joining them on stage for a powerful performance of his Top 10 hit, “I Feel a Sin Comin’ On.”
“We thank Jason for stewarding this wild, 12 year ride across the province, and for creating so many memories for artists, industry, and audiences alike,” says Patrick Duffy, Chair, CMAOntario. “With the support of Slaight Music and the Slaight Family Foundation, we are honoured to add this namesake award to our roster.”
The CMAOntario Awards Show also included exciting performances by Andrew Hyatt, Sacha, Nate Haller, Robyn Ottolini, Mackenzie Leigh Meyer, Amanda & James, Alexa Goldie, Mitch Jean, and the CMAOntario house band The Western Swing Authority.
The Winners of the 13th Annual CMAOntario Awards:
SINGLE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Pure Country
Moonshines by Owen Riegling
ALBUM/EP OF THE YEAR sponsored by Country 106.7
Bruce County – From the Beginning by Owen Riegling
SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR sponsored by Cowbell Brewing Co.
Owen Riegling, Daryl Scott, Jesse Slack (Moonshines)
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by IBEW Local 353
Robyn Ottolini
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by IBEW Local 353
Owen Riegling
GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR sponsored by CHAW Country 103
The Redhill Valleys
RECORD PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Adam Newcomb (Sacha, Elyse Saunders, Riley Taylor)
ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Mackenzie Leigh Meyer
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by C to C Music Insider
Sully Burrows
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR sponsored by Jim Dunlop Productions
Never Have I Ever by Elyse Saunders
INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEAR sponsored by Manrkē
Samantha Pickard, Strut Entertainment
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR sponsored by Cithara Guitars
Jeff Brown (Kelsi Mayne, Washboard Union, Jason Blaine)
ARTISTE OU GROUPE FRANCOPHONE DE L’ANNÉE/FRANCOPHONE ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Kristine St-Pierre
FANS’ CHOICE sponsored by Tourism Hamilton
Owen Riegling
COMPASS AWARD
Josh Ross
THE REAL MCCOY AWARD sponsored by Slaight Music
Jason McCoy
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (LARGE MARKET) sponsored by Fielding Estate Winery
KX94.7 (CHKX-FM, Hamilton)
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (MEDIUM MARKET) sponsored by Lucknow’s Music in the Fields
Hot Country 93.9 (CFWC-FM, Brantford)
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (SMALL MARKET) sponsored by Cowbell Brewing Co.
Pure Country 106 (CICX-FM, Orillia)
The CMAOntario Awards closed out the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend May 30-June 1, which included the Song and Stories concert at The Textile Building, hosted by Beverley Mahood, with Tyler Lorette, Callie McCullough, Rosewood Ave, Robyn Ottolini, The Redhill Valleys, and Jesse Slack; and the Bonfireconcert at The Music Hall featuring performances by Sacha, Alexa Goldie, Carson Janik, Dayna Reid, and Drew Taylor. The CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend also included open mic stages, and the R2I Conference.
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Media Contact: Damien Nelson, damien@wantandable.ca
CMAOntario winners are available for interviews
Photos:
http://www.orderphotos.ca/CMAO2025
Password: CMAO2025
www.cmaontario.ca
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram: @theCMAOntario
#CMAOntario
About CMAOntario: In 2007, Rob MacArthur and founding patron Linda Wright, together with a number of key industry professionals, founded the Country Music Association of Ontario. The Association’s mandate is to foster the growth and development of Ontario’s country music and its industry – provincially, nationally and internationally.
Cowbell Brewing Co. is Canada’s destination craft brewery, renowned for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and exceptional guest experiences. Located in picturesque Blyth, Ontario, Cowbell features a state-of-the-art brewing facility designed with environmental responsibility at its core. Beyond brewing, Cowbell offers a welcoming, family-friendly restaurant serving delicious local fare, spacious indoor and outdoor seating, a retail store, and vibrant entertainment spaces. Guests can enjoy premium Cowbell-made craft beers, ciders, and ready-to-drink cocktails created with passion and craftsmanship. Cowbell’s award-winning beverages are widely available across the province at LCBO, grocery stores, and The Beer Store, making it easy for Ontarians to bring a taste of Cowbell home. Visit www.cowbellbrewing.com or follow Cowbell Brewing Co. on social media @CowbellBrewing.
Tourism Hamilton promotes Hamilton as a top Canadian destination, celebrated for its world-class attractions, vibrant tourism districts, captivating nature, and diverse festivals and cultural events. As the city’s official Destination Management Organization, Tourism Hamilton attracts leisure and business travelers through sales activities and marketing campaigns to drive economic impact, while celebrating the city’s unique character as it undergoes an exciting renewal. Hamilton welcomes more than six million visitors annually, who spend more than $800 million in the city. Visit tourismhamilton.com.
