Thursday, March 28, 2024

Hamilton Well Represented in Upcoming Country Music Association Awards

The nominees are in for the Country Music Association of Ontario awards, and Hamilton is well represented.

The award ceremony, which takes place on June 4 in Hamilton (at Theatre Aquarius) is the culminating event of a Festival and Awards weekend hosted by the Country Music Association of Ontario, which includes conference activities, a street fair, bonfire and tailgate party and more. The Fans’ Choice award is sponsored by Tourism Hamilton. 

Waterdown’s Josh Ross is one of three artists to lead the nominations with nods in five separate categories, including ‘Single of the Year;’ ‘Songwriter of the Year;’ ‘Male Artist of the Year;’ ‘Rising Star Award’ and ‘Fans’ Choice.’ Since releasing his first album in 2019, Ross has developed a name for himself in Canada and Nashville with songs that have generated over twenty million streams. 

Tim Hicks is just behind Ross with four nominations. The St. Catherines’ chart topper is also a five-time JUNO nominee who has spent more than ten years in the music industry. Hicks’ nominations include ‘Album of the Year’ (for his September 2022 release Talk to Time); ‘Songwriter of the Year;’ ‘Male Artist of the Year” and ‘Fans’ Choice.’

Recent Stoney Creek transplant Karli June isn’t far behind Ross or Hicks. June released her debut EP in February 2022 following successes at the nationwide Jim Beam Talent Search and as a participant in the 2021 TD Incubator for Creative Entrepreneurship powered by SOCAN Foundation. This same EP contributes to June’s nominations, including ‘Album of the Year;’ ‘Songwriter of the Year;’ and the ‘Rising Star Award.’ The producer of June’s album, Karen Kosowski is also nominated for her work as ‘Record Producer of the Year’ on the album.

The Reklaws, who hail from North Dumfries (just outside of Hamilton) also see multiple nominations at this year’s awards. The sibling duo, who won the Emerging Artist Showcase at the 2013 Boots and Hearts Music Festival went onto release three albums, three number one hits and multiple gold and platinum singles as well as winning the 2019 Canadian Country Music Awards ‘Album of the Year’ category. At this year’s ceremony, they are nominated for two awards; ‘Group or Duo of the Year’ and ‘Fans Choice.”

For Mackenzie Leigh Meyer, the 2023 awards will represent her third time being nominated in the ‘Roots Artist or Group of the Year’ category. The Hamilton musician released her debut EP in May 2018 and has received accolades for her stage presence and live performances. She’s been featured at Boots and Hearts, including as a finalist in their Emerging Artist Showcase, as well as the Havelock Jamboree and Lucknow’s Music in the Fields

Hamilton’s country music station, KX-947, is also up for a single award, ‘Radio Station of the Year (Large Market).’

Tickets and a complete list of nominees are available on the Country Music Association of Ontario website. Voting for the ‘Fans’ Choice Award’ can also be done through the CMA Ontario website until April 28. This year’s awards, the eleventh iteration, will also include an ‘Impact Award,’ to recognize an artist, group, industry personality or organization that has left an enduring and positive footprint on the landscape of country music in Ontario.

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