2020 has been a bumpy year …
BUT, with all the cancellations taking place in the world of music, it was so nice to have the CMAOntario Awards take place this year!
The awards typically take place every year in late Spring. But because of all the stuff going on the awards were postponed to the Fall.
This year’s event became the first ever drive-in award show. It took place on Sunday October 4, 2020 at the Western Fair District Race Track in London. Fan-favourite Jason McCoy was back hosting the event. There were so many great performances this year too!
Performances From The 2020 CMAOntario Awards In London
Meghan Patrick and The Reklaws are both lead the pack with 6 nominations each.
The Country Music Association of Ontario Awards, presented by Slaight Music with support from Ontario Creates, is an annual celebration of all the great artists and country music professionals. There are 19 categories.
These awards are always really exciting, but they felt a little extra special this year with all the madness in the world. It’s the promise of a return to normality… and it was the perfect weekend.
Below are all the nominees and winners for the 2020 CMAOntario Awards. The winners are in bold.
Nominees And Winners for the 2020 CMAOntario Awards.
SINGLE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Pure Country 106
“If You Met Me First” – Eric Ethridge
“Keep it Simple” – James Barker Band
“Old Country Soul” – The Reklaws
“What A Song Should Do” – Tim Hicks
“Wild As Me” – Meghan Patrick
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Big Deal – The Western Swing Authority
Cain – Andrew Hyatt
Freshman Year – The Reklaws
Singles Only – James Barker Band
Wild As Me – Meghan Patrick
SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR sponsored by SOCAN’
Jessica Mitchell – “Somebody Gonna Get Hurt”, recorded by Jessica Mitchell ft. Tim Hicks
Meghan Patrick, Jordan Rager, Michael Whitworth – “Wild As Me”, recorded by Meghan Patrick
Stuart Walker, Jenna Walker, Brad Rempel, Ben Stennis – “I Do Too”, recorded by The Reklaws
Tebey Ottoh, Kylie Sackley, Matt Rogers – “The Good Ones”, recorded by Tebey & Marie Mai
Tim Hicks, Emma-Lee, Karen Kosowski – “What A Song Should Do”, recorded by Tim Hicks
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by Spring Tree Farm
Genevieve Fisher
Jessica Mitchell
Leah Daniels
Meghan Patrick
Nicole Rayy
Tianna Woods
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by ECAO/IBEW
Aaron Allen
Andrew Hyatt
Eric Ethridge
Jade Eagleson
Jim Cuddy
Tim Hicks
GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR sponsored by Country 103
James Barker Band
Jess and Tay
The Abrams
The Reklaws
The Western Swing Authority
ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR sponsored by Skelton Truck Lines
Jessica Mitchell
Kelly Prescott
The Abrams
The Redhill Valleys
The Western Swing Authority
FRANCOPHONE ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR sponsored by Desjardins
Edouard Landry
Kristine St-Pierre
Les Rats D’Swompe
Reney Ray
Stef Paquette
RISING STAR AWARD sponsored by Slaight Music
Aaron Allen
Alli Walker
David Boyd Janes
Dustin Bird
Kelsi Mayne
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR sponsored by MNP
“Feels Like That” – The Reklaws
“If You Met Me First” – Eric Ethridge
“Keep It Simple” – James Barker Band
“The Good Ones” – Tebey & Marie Mai
“ToGetHer” – Leah Daniels
“Wild as Me” – Meghan Patrick
FANS’ CHOICE sponsored by Ontario Creates
Jade Eagleson
James Barker Band
Meghan Patrick
Tebey
The Reklaws
Tim Hicks
RECORD PRODUCER(S) OF THE YEAR sponsored by Metalworks Recording Studios
J.R. Hutt – Giselle Sanderson, Jamie Warren, Rebekah Stevens, Sean Hogan, Tianna Woods
Jason Barry – Amanda Jordan, Charlie Major, Josh David, Western Swing Authority, Billy Ray Cyrus
Jeff Dalziel – Aaron Allen, The Abrams, Dan Davidson, Chris Labelle, Ryan Langdon
Mark Schroor & Erik Fintelman – David Boyd Janes, Robyn Ottolini, Emily Clair
Tebey Ottoh & Danick Dupelle – Tebey & Marie Mai
INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEAR sponsored by Seeds CPA
Dave Woods, In the Country
Johnathan Smalley, Rock N Horse
KT Timmermans, Country 103/Manitoulin Country Fest
Ron Kitchener, RGK Entertainment
Shannon Ella, Pure Country/Complete Country
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (LARGE MARKET)
CHKX KX 947, Hamilton
CJBX Pure Country 93, London
CJKX KX96, Oshawa
CKBY Country 101.1, Ottawa
CKDK NEW Country 104, Woodstock
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (MEDIUM MARKET) sponsored by Lucknow’s Music in the Fields
CFCO Country 92.9, Chatham
CHCQ-FM Cool 100.1 FM, Belleville
CICS Pure Country 91.7, Sudbury
CJQM-FM Country 104.3, Sault Ste Marie
CKXC Country 93.5, Kingston
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (SMALL MARKET)
CHAW Country 103, Little Current
CICX Pure Country 106, Orillia
CJDL-FM Country 107.3, Tillsonburg
CKYC Country 93, Owen Sound
CKYY Country 89, Welland
NIELSON COMPASS AWARD
Tim Hicks
2020 Recipient of the Impact Award: Carroll Baker
As part of the evening’s honours, Carroll Baker, an ambassador of Canadian country music, will receive the 2020 Impact Award.
Every year, the CMAOntario Impact Award recognizes an artist, group, industry personality or company/organization that has left an enduring and indelibly positive footprint on the landscape of country music in Ontario. Previous recipients include The Good Brothers, Michelle Wright, Blue Rodeo, Prairie Oyster, Paula Chopik and Ed Leslie (producers of Havelock Country Jamboree) and Gordon Lightfoot.
“The CMAOntario is thrilled to be honouring Carroll,” said CMAOntario President Steve Kassay. “Her presence and career achievements have helped pave the way for country singers in this country. It’s about time Carroll’s career takes the centre stage spotlight.”
In country music, the Front Porch has long been a place of reflection. A place where you can look at the life you have inside that front door. A place where time almost seems to stand still, where you can get away. It’s also a place where you can go to observe the world as it passes by you. To think about your place out there beyond the driveway.
