2025 Winners of the Country Music Association of Ontario Awards

Owen Riegling. Photo by Curtis Martin

The Country Music Association of Ontario announced the winners of the 13th Annual CMAOntario Awards 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, the CMAOntario Awards 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.

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 evening wrapped with a surprise tribute performance in Jason McCoy’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.”

The Winners of the 13th Annual CMAOntario Awards:

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Moonshines by Owen Riegling

ALBUM/EP OF THE YEAR
Bruce County - From the Beginning by Owen Riegling

SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR
Owen Riegling, Daryl Scott, Jesse Slack (Moonshines)

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Robyn Ottolini

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Owen Riegling

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
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
Sully Burrows

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Never Have I Ever by Elyse Saunders

INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEAR
Samantha Pickard, Strut Entertainment 

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
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
Owen Riegling 

COMPASS AWARD
Josh Ross

HOLLY & STEVE KASSAY GENEROUS SPIRIT AWARD
Laurie Tiggelman

THE REAL MCCOY AWARD
Jason McCoy