McCoy's last stand as host of CMAOntario awards
The award show is part of a four-day festival that started Thursday and is packed with performances, workshops and a post-awards party.
On Sunday, June 1, the awards show will close the festival at The Music Hall on Hamilton's Main Street West.
One of McCoy's favourite moments hosting was performing Gordon Lightfoot's 'If You Could Read My Mind' for the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter when he received the association's Impact Award in 2014.
'I was probably 15 feet away from him in the front row and that was quite unnerving,' said McCoy, adding Lightfoot was gracious and kind.
'Spotlights and everything go down and everybody's just a regular person.'
The 54-year-old musician is continuing his career, shooting music videos with his band The Road Hammers, performing and hosting a Pure Country 106 morning show.
To McCoy, Ontario's country music scene is pushing its way to the global grounds, starting with a foundation of talented producers.
'These producers are working with Nashville peers and they get to hone their craft, up their game,' said McCoy.
'Ontario artists don't necessarily have to just go to Nashville anymore.'
McCoy sees Ontario becoming 'bigger, better and stronger' with up-and-coming artists such as Parry Sound singer Sully Burrows,
Hamilton-based
Karli June and Hamilton band The Redhill Valleys — all of whom have been nominated for CMAOntario Awards.
The Redhill Valleys are vying for Group or Duo of the Year, June is competing for Music Video of the Year for her song 'Still Make Cowgirls,' and Waterdown's Josh Ross is again nominated for fans' choice. Ross won the award in 2024.
No matter who wins, McCoy said viewers should pay attention to smaller up-and-coming artists putting their heart and soul into their music.
'Watch all the people who are in the corners,' said McCoy.
The awards show will run from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Although the country star is stepping down as host, McCoy said he is never fully gone.
'I might come back and co-host the odd time or something like that,' he said.
The country association's board of directors said the search for a new host has already started.
'Filling Jason's boots as the host of the CMAOntario Awards will be no easy task,' read an email statement.
The board is looking for a 'major player' in the Ontario country music scene who can uplift and entertain. The term would be 12 years.
Tickets to the award show ranges from $40 for balcony general admission to $199 regular VIP tickets.
To buy tickets or get more information on the festival, go to
cmaontario2025.eventbrite.ca
.
Here are some other arts and music events you can attend locally in the next week:
Thursday, June 5, is the first of Hamilton Waterfront Trust's free summer concerts by the water.
Every Thursday until Aug. 28, artists will take to the Waterfront Stage at Pier 8 (
47 Discovery Dr., Hamilton
) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Mike Stevenson Trio will play the first show. Attendees should bring a lawn chair or blanket.
For more information, go to
hamiltonwaterfront.com/music-on-the-waterfront
.
Evan Smith, Vaughn Lucyk and Josh Robertson will perform at 'The AM Club' on Saturday, May 31 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Coffee and pastries will be offered at the event.
The coffee party will happen at The Port House Social Bar and Kitchen at
2020 Lakeshore Rd. in Burlington
.
Tickets are $20 on
eventbrite.ca
.
The Queen Is Dead and Factory will play sounds from the Smiths and New Order at the bar on Saturday, May 31 from 8 to 11:30 p.m.
The bar is located at
339 York Blvd., Hamilton
.
Advance tickets are $15, or $20 at the door. To buy, go to
stonewallshamilton.com/events
.
Local folk, rock and country artists will perform at the theatre's The Bright Room on Sunday, June 1, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Hamilton band The Commune, Guelph singer-songwriter Ian James Bain and Michael Antelope will play the show.
The theatre is located at
27 Dundurn St. N., Hamilton
. Tickets are $15 on
eventbrite.ca
. For more information, go to
staircasehamilton.com/event
.
For The Sugar Pills will perform '80s music from artists such as the Smiths, The Police, Depeche Mode and Duran Duran on Thursday, June 5 from 8 to 11 p.m.
Andthenyou is located at
145 Main St. E., Hamilton
. To buy tickets, go to
andthenyou.ca
. Advance tickets are $10, or $15 at the door.
Cheyenne Bholla is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator.
cbholla@thespec.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Camper's ‘repeated cries' spark rescue mission — but he was singing songs by infamous rock band
He just wanted to be a big rock star. Rescue teams in British Columbia responded to what they thought was a camper in distress, but the screams they heard in the mountainous forest turned out to be an outdoorsman belting out his favorite Nickelback songs. The man had been solo camping the Boulderfields near Central Okanagan, a popular destination for bikers and rock climbers in the province, when two hikers called 911 after hearing what they described as 'repeated cries.' Central Okanagan Search & Rescue Members of the Central Okanagan Search and Rescue crew happened to be out in the woods training nearby when the calls came in, and immediately started looking for the imperiled nature lover, deploying their drone team and enlisting two Royal Canadian Mounted Police to assist in the effort. As the search teams neared the sound of the bleating echoing through the darkened woodlands, they heard 'faint yelling … but couldn't make out what was being said,' they described in a statement online. 'Was it 'help'? Or worse, Nickelback?' the snarky post read. Turns out the camper was 'singing his heart out to the trees, blissfully unaware that the acoustics of the Boulderfields had turned his tent-side concert into an accidental distress signal,' the teams wrote. 'He wasn't in trouble,' said COSAR Search Manager Duane Tresnich. 'Unless you count his singing.' COSAR noted that its rescue services are provided free of charge, adding, 'and the money you save could be spent on singing lessons.' AFP via Getty Images Nickelback, the much-maligned Canadian alt-rock group that got its start in Alberta, is known not only for selling over 50 million albums worldwide, but also as something of a pop-culture punchline. The band even made a documentary in 2023, 'Hate to Love: Nickelback' about spending two decades as the 'most hated band in the world,' despite their mega-success by any objective measure, with eight songs hitting Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart including 'How You Remind Me' and 'Photograph.'
Elle
a day ago
- Elle
Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau's Complete Relationship Timeline
THE RUNDOWN In late July, pop star Katy Perry and former Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau sparked dating rumors after being seen with one another on several occasions in Montréal. On August 2, a source stated that the 'romance is in very early stages.' Both Perry and Trudeau ended their long term relationships relatively recently. On July 3, Perry and actor Orlando Bloom announced their split after six years of being engaged in a joint statement to People, saying, 'Due to the abundance of recent interest and conversation surrounding Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry's relationship, representatives have confirmed that Orlando and Katy have been shifting their relationship over the past many months to focus on co-parenting [their daughter, 4-year-old Daisy]. They will continue to be seen together as a family, as their shared priority is—and always will be—raising their daughter with love, stability, and mutual respect.' Trudeau and his ex Sophie Grégorie separated in 2023 after 18 years together. In a statement posted on Instagram at the time, Trudeau wrote, 'Hi everyone, Sophie and I would like to share the fact that after many meaningful and difficult conversation, we have made the decision to separate. As always, we remain a close family with deep love and respect for each other and for everything we have built and will continue to build. For the well-being of our children, we ask that you respect our and their privacy. Thank you.' Here's the complete relationship timeline of Perry and Trudeau so far. On July 28, the pair shared a long day of activities together, starting with a walk in Montreal's Mount Royal Park. TMZ obtained photos of Trudeau smiling alongside Perry as they strolled. They were then filmed eating at Le Violon in Montréal. In footage obtained by TMZ, Perry and Trudeau can be seen chatting, with the singer looking attentively at Trudeau. After their meal, they had drinks on the terrace of Taverne Atlantic. Shortly after TMZ published the dinner video, the outlet ran an interview with Le Violon's co-owner and co-executive chef, Danny Smiles, who served them. Smiles said Perry and Trudeau didn't show any PDA, and 'he didn't get any dating vibes from Katy and two friends enjoying a meal.' Perry and Trudeau enjoyed a series of courses from the chef's tasting menu, including lobster, tuna, lamb gnocchi, and beef tartare, according to TMZ. The meal was a few hours long, and Trudeau covered the bill. Smiles called them the 'perfect guests—super chill, extremely nice to the staff.' On July 30, Trudeau was seen at Perry's Lifetimes Tour stop in Montréal. The former Canadian prime minister was spotted by fans in the crowd. His daughter Ella-Grace, was also at the concert, per Daily Mail. Trudeau also sang along to Perry's hit song 'Firework.' A source speaking with People said that the pair definitely have a connection, but it is a logistical challenge to date. 'They are interested in each other, but it will take a while to see where this goes,' the insider stated. 'She is traveling around the world, and he is figuring out his life now that he is no longer prime minister of Canada, but there is an attraction. They have a lot in common.' The source added, 'Music is one of many things they can share. Both are idealists and still live in a world where they think they can make improvements, although it has gotten more difficult.' They both have full lives already, as well as kids they share with former partners. 'Their own personal responsibilities could make this relationship move slower than it would, but there are ways to see the other and still fulfill their parenting responsibilities,' the source said. 'For one thing, they each have an ex. So, duties are split in half. And long-distance relationships, while still hard, are possible for these two.' A second source told People, 'Justin is a [politician] who is used to living a secret life with his personal activity, and wouldn't put on a public display at this stag. He knows they were being watched and is smart enough to play it low-key for now.' '[The] timing seems good for them, although a romance is in very early stages,' the source added.
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Joanna Cassidy calls reconnecting with boyfriend Alan Hamel ‘miraculous'
Joanna Cassidy found love in Malibu. The actress, 80, reflected on her budding romance with the late Suzanne Somers' husband, Alan Hamel. While talking to People on Saturday, Cassidy said, 'It was sort of miraculous to run into Alan. I hadn't even seen him in 30 years.' Advertisement 8 Joanna Cassidy in April 2025. Getty Images for "Growing Daisies" Official US Premiere The couple debuted their romance earlier this summer, almost two years after Somers died at age 76 from breast cancer. Hamel, 89, agreed that he and Cassidy being brought together was 'a miracle.' Advertisement 'We met over 50 years ago. Joanna was a guest on my show in Canada, and that was in the late '70s, I think,' the entertainer told the outlet. 'The next time I saw her, she was doing a major mini-series with Suzanne and Anthony Hopkins. And then I didn't see her again until a few months ago.' 8 Alan Hamel and Joanna Cassidy grab lunch in matching caps. JISH / BACKGRID 'We connected, and I'm happy that we connected. She's a great woman,' Hamel gushed. 'The thing is that she will help anybody to do anything. She's amazing that way.' The Canadian film producer couldn't say the same for himself. Advertisement 'I don't have that DNA,' Hamel confessed. 'She does. It's amazing. It's admirable. Next to her, I feel like there's more I should be doing for the world.' 8 Alan Hamel and Joanna Cassidy step out in Malibu. JISH / BACKGRID The pair is now looking forward to making more memories together since first stepping out together in June. 'The aging process is great,' Hamel mused. 'People think that it's not, but it's great. You get a lot more out of each birthday, especially when you're celebrating after five years or 10 years.' Advertisement Cassidy is also looking to continue her decades-long career. She is ready to take on an action-packed role next. 8 Joanna Cassidy and Alan Hamel in conversation while walking to lunch. JISH / BACKGRID 'Well, having been in the original 'Blade Runner,' my sense of physicality [is important],' she told People. 'Before we did this interview, I just did a class that was one of the hardest classes I've ever taken. I came back, and my legs were shaking. Everything's shaking on me. And so that's a really important part of my life, is to be in the gym and work out and push myself physically.' 'I love to do that,' she added. 'And I want to be in another adventure movie. I want to be in a movie where I can show those attributes that I have. That's what I want to do.' Hamel couldn't agree more. 8 Joanna Cassidy on the red carpet in 2024. FilmMagic He dubbed his partner 'perfect to be an action hero.' 'The reality is, she's taller than most women and in great physical condition,' Hamel expressed before saying to Cassidy: 'You could probably do all your own stunts as well. And I think there's room for a female action hero out there.' Advertisement In June, Hamel shed light onto their relationship while chatting with Page Six. 'I don't know where this relationship is going,' he stated. 8 Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel. suzannesomers/Instagram At the time, the two were photographed sporting matching Malibu Beach Inn baseball caps while getting lunch at Broad Street Oyster Company. Advertisement 'I have known Joanna Cassidy for over 45 years,' Hamel elaborated. 'Joanna was a guest star on 'The Alan Hamel Show' in Canada in the '70s. She was a great guest and it was a dynamic show, and we liked each other, not romantically, but mainly with respect. Both of us were married at the time.' 'I ran into her in the mid-'80s many times during the production of Jackie Collins' 'Hollywood Wives,'' he recalled. 'It was very cordial.' 8 Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel smile for an Instagram picture. suzannesomers/Instagram This time around, Hamel's son, Stephen, played matchmaker. Advertisement 'My son met Joanna at a screening and after a long conversation suggested to Joanna that she and me would get along and should meet. Stephen did not know we knew each other.' Hamel knew he would have Somers' blessing since in her final days she urged him to move on. 8 Suzanne Somers gives her husband Alan Hamel a kiss. suzannesomers/Instagram 'Don't mope around,' he recalled the 'Three's Company' vet saying. 'Live your life. We will see one another after you cross over.' Advertisement Hamel, meanwhile, had nothing but praise for his current partner. 'Joanna is extremely accomplished,' he detailed. 'She is easily the hardest-working and most active actress in Hollywood for well over 50 years. She's a great mother to her adult children, turns up for many fundraisers for first responders and is staff for her four cats. She is no Hollywood BS, and we laugh a lot.'
