It may have been a bit of a gloomy day, but that wasn’t enough to stop Ontario’s country music community from taking over London’s Western Fair District, celebrating both artists and industry leaders at this year’s very different CMAOntario Awards.

Billed as the first awards show of its kind in the world, the Country Music Association of Ontario held its festivities as a drive-in event deep in the heart of the Forest City — with rows upon rows of vehicles in attendance, using their horns and headlights to support their favourite faces on Oct. 4.

While the socially distanced red carpet took place backstage, a smaller (but still mighty) line-up of stars graced the stage, including performances by some of the province’s best, including The Reklaws, Tim Hicks, and Kelsi Mayne, as well as James Barker and Taylor Abram of the James Barker Band.

The show was once again hosted by Jason McCoy, who kept the show moving with his usual brand of charisma, talent, and occasional dad joke — while the Western Swing Authority rocked the night away as the house band.

The night’s big winner was the always incredible Meghan Patrick, who took home a trio of awards including Album of the Year (for Wild As Me), as well as Female Artist of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year — both honours she’s taken home consistently since 2018.

Not far behind in the numbers, James Barker Band snagged two awards, for Single and Music Video of the Year (both for Keep It Simple). St. Catharines’ own Tim Hicks scored a pair of trophies for Male Artist of the Year alongside the Nielsen Compass Award for sales and downloads, while Cambridge kids The Reklaws took home Group or Duo of the Year, as well as the coveted Fans’ Choice Award.

It was the second year for the Francophone Artist or Group of the Year category, with Les Rats d’Swompe taking top spot for 2020.

One of the biggest moments of the night came as hometown hero Aaron Allen received the association’s nod for Rising Star — a huge honour which was not lost on the artist, who was clearly both excited and emotional as he stepped into the spotlight, touching acceptance speech in-hand.

One of Allen’s biggest thank yous went out to his producer and mentor Jeff Dalziel, known for working with The Washboard Union, Nice Horse and the night’s Roots Artist or Group of the Year winners The Abrams, once again won Producer of the Year.

Photos from the 2020 Country Music Association of Ontario Awards Show!

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Whitney South

London-based content writer and photographer.