Owen Riegling Dominates The CMAO Awards
June 3, 2025 10:30 amThe Country Music Association of Ontario held its 13th Annual CMAOntario Awards, presented by Cowbell Brewing Co., on Sunday, June 1 at The Music Hall in Hamilton.
Owen Riegling came out on top with five CMAOntario trophies, taking home Single of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for Monshines, Album of the Year for Bruce County, Male Artist of the Year, and Fan’s Choice.
After 12 years as the charismatic host of the Awards Show, Jason McCoy of The Road Hammers 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.
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.”
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 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
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
HOLLY & STEVE KASSAY GENEROUS SPIRIT AWARD
Laurie Tiggelman
THE REAL MCCOY AWARD sponsored by Slaight Music
Jason McCoy
Categorised in: Country Music News
This post was written by Cheryl Johnstone