Deric Rutta
Toronto, ON – The Flato Markham Theatre was the scene of an electrifying night of country music on Monday evening for the 3rd Annual Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) Awards, presented by Slaight Music. The Awards Show was hosted by the Road Hammers’ Jason McCoy for the 2nd year in a row and he skillfully entertained the sold-out room, packed to the rafters with the best country music talent in Ontario!
The Small Town Pistols were the big winners last night, snagging three Awards including Single of the Year for “I Only Smoke When I Drink.” 2015 CMAO Awards Show house band The Western Swing Authority received two Awards – Group or Duo of the Year and Roots Artist or Group of theYear. Tim Hicks was thrilled to accept both Album of the Year and Male Artist of the Year awards and legendary performer Michelle Wright was named Female Artist of the Year! For a full listing of all category winners, see below.
The 2015 CMAO Awards included incredible performances from 12 of the 2015 CMAO Awards nominees, including Beverley Mahood and Lace, Deric Ruttan, Jason Blaine, Lindsay Broughton, Tebey, and 2015 Rising Star Award winner Leah Daniels.
The 2015 Awards Show wrapped up an action-packed two days for the CMAO which also included the Road To Independence (R2I) Spring Tune-Up Conference, presented by Slaight Music and supported by Ontario Media Development Corporation, on Sunday, May 24th and Monday, May 25th. The two day conference featured knowledgeable industry panelists and keynote speakers,including the incredible ‘New Faces, Going Places’ Industry Showcase on Sunday night, hosted by 2015 Female Artist of the Year, Michelle Wright and Ted Roop (Larche Communications). The Conference also featured a Keynote Interview with industry heavyweight, Derrick Ross of Slaight Music.
SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by: Boots and Hearts Music Festival)
Small Town Pistols – “I Only Smoke When I Drink”
ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by: hmv)
Tim Hicks – 5:01
SONGWRITERS OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by: SOCAN)
Alyssa Bonagura “I Only Smoke When I Drink” – Small Town Pistols
Patricia Conroy
Amanda Wilkinson
Tyler Wilkinson
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by: Spring Tree Farm Garden Centre)
Michelle Wright
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by: TicketBreak)
Tim Hicks
GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by: The Remington Group)
The Western Swing Authority
ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by: Skelton Truck Lines Ltd.)
The Western Swing Authority
RISING STAR AWARD (Sponsored by: Slaight Music)
Leah Daniels
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by: CMT)
Small Town Pistols – “I Only Smoke When I Drink”
RECORD PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by: Metal Works Studio)
Jason Barry Single – “Night In Night Out” by Genevieve Fisher
Single – “One Of Us Is Lying” by The Western Swing Authority
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (MAJOR MARKET) (Sponsored by: Canadian Country Spotlight)
CHKX – KX94.7 FM – HAMILTON
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (SECONDARY MARKET) (Sponsored by: Lucknow’s Music in the Fields)
CJDL – COUNTRY 107.3 FM – TILLSONBURG
IMPACT AWARD
Paula Chopik & Ed Leslie – Havelock Country Jamboree
Photos by Barry Roden / Grant Martin.
