While rising country star Owen Riegling from Bruce County dominated the 13th Annual Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) Awards with five wins, three country music artists from the Kawarthas were also recognized — including two Peterborough musicians who helped Riegling write his award-winning single from his award-winning album.
Daryl Scott from Douro and Jesse Slack from Peterborough won the Songwriter(s) of the Year award along with Riegling for their work on “Moonshines,” the lead single from Riegling’s album Bruce County (From the Beginning), at The Music Hall in Hamilton on Sunday night (June 1).
“Moonshines” also won Single of the Year, with Bruce County (From the Beginning) winning Album/EP of the Year and Riegling chosen as Male Artist of the Year and Fans’ Choice.
Elyse Saunders from Peterborough — who was up for four awards including Female Artist of the Year (which she won in 2024), Single of the Year (for “Never Have I Ever”), Songwriter of the Year (with Jason Blaine for “Never Have I Ever”), and Music Video of the Year (for “Never Have I Ever”) — won for Music Video of the Year. Uxbridge’s Robyn Ottolini picked up the award for Female Artist of the Year.
Two other country music artists in the Kawarthas region who had multiple nominations walked away empty-handed on Sunday night.
Sacha (Sacha Visagie) from Warkworth had received nominations for Single of the Year (“Hey Mom I Made It”), Female Artist of the Year, and Fans’ Choice. Tebey (Tebey Solomon Ottoh) from Peterborough was nominated for Single of the Year (“Blinding Lights (Country Version)”), Songwriter of the Year (with G. Palmer, S. Walker, and D. Dupelle for “Hangover at My Place”), Music Video of the Year (for “Blinding Lights (Country Version)”), and Fans’ Choice.
The other CMAOntario Award winners are listed below.
- 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 – Sully Burrows
- Industry Person of the Year – Samantha Pickard, Strut Entertainment
- Musician of the Year – 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
- Compass Award – Josh Ross
- Holly & Steve Kassay Generous Spirit Award – Laurie Tiggelman
- The Real Mccoy Award – Jason McCoy
- Radio Station of the Year (Large Market) – KX94.7 (CHKX-FM, Hamilton)
- Radio Station of the Year (Medium Market) – Hot Country 93.9 (CFWC-FM, Brantford)
- Radio Station of the Year (Small Market) – Pure Country 106 (CICX-FM, Orillia)
VIDEO: “Moonshines” – Owen Riegling (written with Daryl Scott and Jesse Slack)
