The Country Music Association of Ontario has announced the nominees for the 11th Annual CMAOntario Awards, and the competition is fierce. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton, Ontario.
Leading the pack with five nominations apiece are Josh Ross, Tebey, and Robyn Ottolini. Following closely behind is Tim Hicks, with four nominations, and Karli June and Nate Haller with three nominations each.
RELATED: Get your tickets for the 2023 CMAOntario Awards in Hamilton …
The CMAOntario Awards, presented by Slaight Music, will acknowledge the talent and achievements of Ontario’s country music industry across 19 categories. This is a great opportunity for artists to showcase their talent and receive recognition for their hard work.
This year’s event will be hosted by Jason McCoy and Shannon Ella from Pure Country Radio.
The CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend will take place from June 2-4, 2023. The festival will feature live music performances, interactive experiences, and industry seminars, providing attendees with an immersive country music experience.
Tickets for the CMAOntario Awards Show are on sale now, so be sure to grab yours before they sell out. It’s sure to be a night filled with incredible performances and memorable moments as the best and brightest in Ontario’s country music industry are honoured for their achievements.
The Nominees for the 11th Annual CMAOntario Awards are:
The list of nominees are below, and the category winners are bolded below.
SINGLE OF THE YEAR – sponsored by Pure Country 93
“First Taste Of Gone” – Josh Ross
“Say It” – Robyn Ottolini
“She Don’t Know” – Jade Eagleson
“We Did” – Sacha
“What Was I Drinking” – Tebey
ALBUM OF THE YEAR – sponsored by Country 106.7
Cloud 9 – Kelly Prescott
Diamonds in the Desert – Jason Blaine
Party in the Back – Nate Haller
Talk to Time – Tim Hicks
Where You Come From – Karli June
SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR – sponsored by SOCAN
Deric Ruttan, Tim Hicks, Monty Criswell – Whiskey Does (recorded by Tim Hicks)
Josh Ross, Grady Block, Mason Thornley – On a Different Night (recorded by Josh Ross)
Karli June, Karen Kosowski, Tori Tullier – Makes You Pretty (recorded by Karli June)
Robyn Ottolini, Nate Miles, Emily Falvey – Say It (recorded by Robyn Ottolini)
Steven Lee Olsen, Brandon Day – Nashville or Nothing (recorded by Steven Lee Olsen)
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Elyse Saunders
Genevieve Fisher
Nicole Rayy
Robyn Ottolini
Sacha
RELATED: Catch our Women In Country Music spotlight every month …
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR – sponsored by IBEW Local 353
Andrew Hyatt
Josh Ross
Nate Haller
Tebey
Tim Hicks
GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR – sponsored by Country 103
James Barker Band
River Town Saints
Rosewood Ave.
The Reklaws
The Western Swing Authority
ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Callie McCullough
Julian Taylor
Mackenzie Leigh Meyer
The Abrams
The Western Swing Authority
FRANCOPHONE ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Gabrielle Goulet
Kristine St. Pierre
Les Rats d’Swompe
Reney Ray
Vincent Bishop
RISING STAR AWARD – sponsored by Slaight Music
Amanda Jordan
Graham Scott Fleming
Josh Ross
Karli June
Owen Riegling
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR – sponsored by Jim Dunlop Productions
“Busy” – Robyn Ottolini
“Country Like You” – Ryan Langdon
“Genes” – Elyse Saunders
“Sink With The Sun” – Tebey
“Somedays” – Graham Scott Fleming
FANS’ CHOICE – sponsored by Tourism Hamilton
Jade Eagleson
James Barker Band
Josh Ross
Meghan Patrick
Nate Haller
Robyn Ottolini
Steven Lee Olsen
Tebey
The Reklaws
Tim Hicks
RECORD PRODUCER(S) OF THE YEAR
Jeff Dalziel – New Moon Junction
Karen Kosowski – Karli June
Mark Schroor & Erik Fintelman – Robyn Ottolini
Tebey and Danick Dupelle – Tebey
The Agenda – Graham Scott Fleming
MUSIC INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEAR – sponsored by Manrkē
Aj Astle, Roadhouse Productions
Dave Woods, In The Country
Jill Snell, Jayward Artist Group
Samantha Pickard, Strut Entertainment
Steve Coady, Warner Music Canada
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.
