The Redhill Valleys among local winners at CMAOntario Awards
Three-member band the Redhill Valleys won 'Group or Duo of the Year,' Ancaster's Mackenzie Leigh Meyer won 'Roots Artist or Group of the Year,' Waterdown's Josh Ross won the 'Compass Award' and KX94.7, Hamilton's country station, won 'Radio Station of the Year.'
The win was a first for the Redhill Valleys.
'Winning Group of the Year in our hometown makes this moment extra special,' said Chelsea McWilliams, the bass player and singer.
'Hamilton has a rich, resilient music scene, and we're proud to be part of a community that keeps showing up, creating, and lifting each other up. It's a win for all the local bands out there making noise.'
The CMAOntario Awards and Festival was Sunday at several venues across Hamilton, including the Textile Building and the Music Hall.
The 13th annual awards show was the last to be hosted by Canadian country star Jason McCoy.
McCoy announced 20 winners at the show, which ended off a weekend of workshops, intimate performances and open mics.
Country singer-songwriter Owen Riegling won the most awards, taking home five trophies. Riegling is from Mildmay, Ont., a small town about 150 kilometres northwest of Hamilton, past Elmira, Ont.
The show featured performances from country singers such as Andrew Hyatt, Sacha, Nate Haller and Robyn Ottolini. The Redhill Valleys also performed.
McCoy was also honoured with the first Real McCoy Award, sponsored by Slaight Music. The award will honour an individual who represents the compassion, integrity and commitment to the craft of Ontario's country music community.
The Country Music Association of Ontario was founded in 2007.
Cheyenne Bholla is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator.
cbholla@thespec.com
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