2015 COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO AWARDS

Last night, The Flato Markham Theatre was graced with amazing Canadian talent for the 3rd annual Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) Awards, presented by Slaight Music. Hosted by Jason McCoy for the 2nd year in a row, the sold-out theatre was entertained by a great night of country music, and awards.

The night started off with a performance by Beverly Mahood opening with her hit single “Atmosphere” and Jason McCoy introducing the show. Then the night proceeded with incredible performances by Deric Ruttan, Jason Blaine, Lindsay Broughton, Tebey, Tim Hicks and Leah Daniels. 

Some of the big winners of the night were The Small Town Pistols who took home 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 the Year. Tim Hicks who won both Album of the Year and Male Artist of the Year awards. When we asked Hicks backstage how he felt about the night and if he was nervous about his performance, he quotes, “I’ve been doing this since I can remember, every time I have a performance, it’s like a horse ready to be let out on the track.”

We also caught up with Rising Star Award winner, Leah Daniels backstage. When asked about future plans she tells us, ” I have a brand new single out right now, it’s called ‘Dream Without You’ and we just shot the music video, it’s out now. You could check it out on YouTube and it’s on CMT.  I’m looking forward to pushing that song now.” Working harder than ever, Daniels’ also mentions what steps she takes to go the Xtra Mile, ” It’s by being involved in the process. For me, when I think of ‘Dream Without You’ the music video, I was a part of making that happen. If you see in the video there’s a grand piano we had to move. My family, I have three brothers and they all helped moved that grand piano. We had to move it twice. Just having the support of my family and just really being involved in any part that I can be, I try to that.”

Another act we caught up backstage is Canadian country music singer and multi-genre songwriter Tebey. When asked about what fans can expect in the future, he tells us,  “We have a show next week in Toronto at the Pheonix with Eli Young band, we’ve done a full summer of touring. We’re looking forward to getting on the road, and then we’re going on tour in the Fall.” Tebey currently resides in Nashville, and has been living there for ten years. He mentions that his last single “Wake Me Up” has been getting a lot of airplay in the US because of Sirius XM. Though living in the States, Tebey tries to keep his Canadian roots by staying a Leafs fan. He tells us, ” I go the Xtra Mile by staying a Leafs fan. That’s very challenging.”

After a long and eventful night of performances, the night continued with an after party filled with food and drinks.

See the full list of winners below!

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