
Owen Riegling & Sacha. Photo: Grant Martin
Country Music Association of Ontario hosted its 14th annual awards on Sunday (May 31) at Port Credit Memorial Arena.
Owen Riegling came out on top with three trophies, while Sacha, Jessica Sevier and James Baker Band secured two wins each. For the first time in CMAOntario history, there was a tie for Breakthrough Artist of the Year with Tyler Lorette and Sevier sharing the title.
Hosted by multi-CMAOntario, CCMA, and SOCAN Award winner Jason Blaine and Country Nights host Sam McDaid, the CMAOntario Awards Show closed out the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend with performances by Riegling, Sully Burrows, Olivia Mae Graham, Sevier, Elyse Saunders, School House, Lorette, Cory Marks, Les Rats d’Swompe and the CMAOntario house band The Western Swing Authority.
2026 CMAOntario Awards Winners:
SINGLE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Pure Country
Owen Riegling – “Taillight this Town”
ALBUM/EP OF THE YEAR sponsored by Country 106.7
Sacha – Woman in the Mirror
SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR sponsored by In the Country with Dave Woods
Jessica Sevier, Robyn Ottolini, Derek Hoffman – “Good to Drive”
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by IBEW Local 353
Sacha
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by IBEW Local 353
Owen Riegling
GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR sponsored by CHAW Country 103
James Barker Band
RECORD PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Adam Newcomb – I Ain’t Thinkin’ (Tyler Lorette)
ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR sponsored by The Country Frands
School House
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by C to C Music Insider
Jessica Sevier
Tyler Lorette
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR sponsored by New Country 93.5
Sully Burrows – “Rally Around”
INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEAR sponsored by Manrkē
Christine Wiley & Christine Stevens, C to C Music Insider
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR sponsored by Cithara Guitars
Ryan Cassar
FRANCOPHONE ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Kristine St-Pierre
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (LARGE MARKET) sponsored by Fielding Estate Winery
CHKX (KX 94.7), Hamilton
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (MEDIUM MARKET) sponsored by Lucknow’s Music in the Fields
CFWC (HOT COUNTRY 93.9), Brantford
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (SMALL MARKET)
CKYY (Country 89), Welland
HOLLY & STEVE KASSAY GENEROUS SPIRIT AWARD
Laurie Tiggelman
COMPASS AWARD
James Barker Band
FANS’ CHOICE sponsored by Visit Mississauga
Owen Riegling