CMAOntario Awards Head to Port Credit: A Major Moment for Ontario’s Country Music Scene

By Anne Connor | The Sound Cafe Journal

The CMAOntario Awards are set to arrive in Port Credit, ON, marking a landmark celebration for the province’s country music community in one of its most vibrant lakeside districts.

Home to The Sound Cafe Journal, Port Credit will soon take centre stage as artists, industry professionals, and fans gather to honour excellence in Canadian country music. The arrival of the CMAOntario Awards brings added national attention to a community already rich in culture, creativity, and musical heritage.

This year’s event not only celebrates the achievements of Ontario’s country artists, but also shines a spotlight on Port Credit’s growing reputation as a hub for arts, culture, and storytelling, a fitting backdrop for a night dedicated to music that connects deeply with audiences across the province and beyond.

The Country Music Association of Ontario(CMAOntario) is proud to announce the nominees for the 14th annual CMAOntario Awards, taking place Sunday, May 31, 2026 at Port Credit Memorial Arena in Mississauga. 

Sully Burrows leads with six nominations followed by Nate Haller with five nominations, Olivia Mae Graham with four nominations, and Jessica Sevier,Owen Riegling, Sacha, James Barker Band, and Robyn Ottolini with three nominations each.

Hosted by multi CMAOntario, CCMA, and SOCAN Award winner Jason Blaine and Country Nights host Sam McDaid, the CMAOntario Awards Show will close out the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend from May 29-31, 2026. The CMAOntario Awards celebrate the talent and achievements of Ontario’s country music industry, honouring artists and industry professionals across 17 categories, along with special awards.

The Nominees for the 14th Annual CMAOntario Awards are:

SINGLE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Pure Country 

James Barker Band - “You Didn't Hear it from Me”

Jessica Sevier - “Good to Drive”

Nate Haller - “Backfire” with Tenille Townes

Owen Riegling - “Taillight this Town”

Robyn Ottolini - “Airplane Bottle”

Sully Burrows - “Rally Around”

ALBUM/EP OF THE YEAR sponsored by Country 106.7

Andrew Hyatt - Andrew Hyatt & the Ten Year War

Bradley Hale - County Line 5

James Barker Band - One of Us

Olivia Mae Graham - Nobody

Sacha - Woman in the Mirror

Sully Burrows - Somewhere in a Small Town

SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR

Bree Taylor, Jesse Slack - “I Regret You”

Jason Blaine, Josh Stumpf, Dave Thomson - “Highway Money”

Jessica Sevier, Robyn Ottolini, Derek Hoffman - “Good to Drive”

Nate Haller, Tenille Townes, James Shelley, Stuart Walker, Michael August, Michael Walton - “Backfire”

Owen Riegling, Kyle Sturrock, James Bell - “Taillight this Town”

Sully Burrows, Parker Graye, Derek Hoffman - “Rally Around”

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by IBEW Local 353

Angelica Appelman

Elyse Saunders

Jessica Sevier

Olivia Mae Graham

Paige Rutledge

Sacha

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by IBEW Local 353

Nate Haller

Owen Riegling

Ryan Langdon

Sully Burrows

Tim Hicks

Tyler Lorette

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR sponsored by CHAW Country 103

Amanda and James

James Barker Band

Rosewood Ave.

School House

The Reklaws

The Western Swing Authority

RECORD PRODUCER(S) OF THE YEAR

Adam Newcomb - I Ain’t Thinkin’ (Tyler Lorette)

Jay Allan, Aaron Murray – Nobody (Olivia Mae Graham)

Matthew Koebel – Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right (Amanda & James)

Ron Lopata - Motel (Jessica Sevier)

Tebey and Danick Dupelle – Smooth Like Vinyl (Tebey)

The Agenda, Beverley Mahood, Mac Shepherd – Better than Blue (Dayna Reid)

ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

Callie McCullough

Mackenzie Leigh Meyer

Rosewood Ave.

School House

The Redhill Valleys

The Western Swing Authority

BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by C to C Music Insider

Angelica Appelman

Jade Hilton

Jessica Sevier

Olivia Mae Graham

Paige Rutledge

Tyler Lorette

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Cory Marks - “Whiskey River”

Elyse Saunders - “Heartbreak Rodeo”

Nate Haller - “Backfire” with Tenille Townes

Olivia Mae Graham - “Nobody”

Ryan Langdon - “Crushin' Cans”

Sully Burrows - “Rally Around”

INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEAR sponsored by Manrkē

Alex Maciel, Starseed Entertainment

Christine Wiley & Christine Stevens, C to C Music Insider

Dave Woods, In the Country

Jill Snell, Jayward Artist Group

Nick Marinac, Elliott Deseure, Adaptive Media

Samantha Pickard, Strut Entertainment

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR sponsored by Cithara Guitars

Adrian Juras

Mackenzie Leigh Meyer

Matt Koebel

Nolan Gibson

Ryan Cassar

Shane Guse

ARTISTE OU GROUPE FRANCOPHONE DE L'ANNÉEFRANCOPHONE ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

Kristine St-Pierre

Les Rats d'Swompe

Mitch Jean

Reney RaySugar Crush

Vincent Bishop

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (LARGE MARKET) sponsored by Fielding Estate Winery

CFXJ-FM (New Country 93.5), Toronto

CHKX (KX 94.7), Hamilton

CIKZ (Country 106.7), Kitchener

CJBX (PURE COUNTRY 93), London

CJKX (KX96), OshawaCKKL (Pure Country 94), Ottawa

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (MEDIUM MARKET) sponsored by Lucknow’s Music in the Fields

CFCO (Country 92.9), Chatham-Kent

CFWC (HOT COUNTRY 93.9), Brantford

CHCQ-FM (Cool 100.1 FM), Belleville

CICS (PURE COUNTRY 91.7), Sudbury

CKDX (Hot Country 88.5, Newmarket

CKXP-FM (KX 105), Peterborough

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (SMALL MARKET)CFDC (COUNTRY 105), ShelburneCHAW (Country 103), Manitoulin

CHLP-FM (The Ranch 100.1), Listowel

CHVR (Pure Country 96.7), Pembroke

CICX (PURE COUNTRY 106), Orillia

CJDL-FM (Country 107.3), Tillsonburg

CKYY (Country 89), Welland

FANS’ CHOICE sponsored by Visit Mississauga

James Barker Band

Nate Haller

Owen Riegling

Robyn Ottolini

Sacha

Sully Burrows

The Reklaws

Tim Hicks

Additional performers and details will be announced in the coming weeks.

2026 CMAOntario Festival and Awards

May 29-31, 2026Various Venues in Mississauga

14th annual CMAOntario Awards

May 31, 2026 at 7pmPort Credit Memorial Arena

Diamond VIP $199.00

Gold Reserved $140.00Silver

Reserved $79.00

General Admission $35.00

Tickets https://cmaontario.ca/events/