Two country music artists from the Kawarthas region were among the winners at the Country Music Association of Ontario’s 14th annual CMAOAwards, which took place Sunday (May 31) at Port Credit Memorial Arena.
Warkworth singer-songwriter Sacha Visagie, known mononymously as Sacha, took home two awards: Album/EP of the Year for her 2025 album Woman in the Mirror and Female Artist of the Year.
Led by Woodville native James Barker, the James Barker Band also won two awards, including Group or Duo of The Year along with the Compass Award, which recognizes the artist with the highest number of album sales and digital song downloads, on-demand streams, and radio airplay.
Sunday night’s most-awarded musician was Bruce County’s Owen Riegling, who won Single of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, and the Fans’ Choice award. Last year, Riegling also won the same three awards, along with Album/EP of the Year and Songwriter(s) of the Year.
Toronto’s Jessica Sevier took home Songwriter(s) of the Year with Robyn Ottolini and Derek Hoffman, and shared the Breakthrough Artist of the Year award with Courtice’s Tyler Lorette.
Other musicians honoured at Sunday’s awards ceremony included Ottawa’s School House as Roots Artist or Group of the Year, Parry Sound’s Sully Burrows for Music Video of the Year, Ottawa’s Kristine St-Pierre as Francophone Artist or Group of the Year, and Ryan Cassar as Musician of the Year. A number of industry awards were also handed out.
