Mississauga, ON – June 5, 2024

by Lejla Pepeljak

Rivertown Saints perform at the 2024 Country Music Awards Ontario (CMAO), Living Arts Centre.

This past Sunday, country music all over Ontario was celebrated in the heart of Mississauga at the Living Arts Centre. Presented by Slaight Music, this year’s award theme was Neon Nites and it was the first time the awards were held in Mississauga.

All weekend long, from May 31 to June 2, Mississauga’s city centre, including locations like Celebration Square experienced the joy of music. Two free concerts were held on Saturday afternoon with a Tailgate party featuring entertainment from nominees and fan favourites such as Andrew Hyatt, Jessie T, New Moon Junction, and Emily Clair and new talents including Jason Blaine, Les Bilinguish Boys, Karli June, Mackenzie Leigh Meyer, Lemon Cash, and Abby Stewart.

On Sunday, June 2 at Celebration Square, the City of Mississauga’s music office presented Sauga Sunday. The all-women lineup of the city’s top country talent featured Elyse Saunders, Nicole Rayy, Bree Taylor, Alessia Cohle, Kendra Gabrielle and Jade Hilton for the free concert.

CMAO’s 2024 captured by Sauga Arts HUB.

Following the Sauga Sunday event, the 13th Annual CMAOntario Awards Show, hosted by Jason McCoy and Teigen Gayse occurred and Sauga Arts HUB got to experience it in all its glory at the Living Arts Centre! Performances by many of the night’s various nominees included Owen Riegling, Jason Blaine, Nicole Rayy, Griffen Palmer, Elyse Saunders, River Town Saints, Sugar Crush, Callie McCullough, Ryan Langdon and The Western Swing Authority.

The CMAOntario Awards support and celebrate the achievements of Ontario country music artists and songwriters and this year was no exception! Throughout the night, the CMAO honoured various talents, created hype and engaged the crowd through music. Notably, the Generous Spirit Award presented to Walter Nowakowski and the Impact Award presented to Charlie Major showcased the true meaning of dedication to years of service in the music industry. 

Shane Guse accepts Musician of the Year Award.

Among the winners was Musician of the Year, Shane Guse, who epitomized this dedication with his passionate approach to music. As he mentioned in his thank-you speech to the audience, he reiterated when asked about his inspirations, “I just love playing music, creating music, recording music, so it’s all those things (that inspire me).”

I also had the opportunity to speak with Mackenzie Leigh Meyer, two-year consecutive winner of the “Roots Artist or Group of the Year” about who inspires her creative process. She was all about Kasey Musgrove mentioning that “…she’s my favourite artist, I love her in every way imaginable, she’s the person I look up to…she to me is like the queen of everything”.

Although living in Etobicoke, Mackenzie emphasized her strong connection to Mississauga calling it her ‘second home’, where she occasionally works for the city. She praised Mississauga’s vibrant country music scene and its supportive fan base, considering the city her second home.

Mackenzie Leigh Meyer on the CMAO’s red carpet.

Additionally, I had a conversation with Bryan from KX 94.7, who accepted this year’s Radio Station of the Year (Large Market) award. Bryan expressed optimism about the future of country music in Mississauga, noting the abundance of talent in the area and praising Mississauga as a fantastic host city for the awards.

The event brought together Canadians from across the country to the heart of Mississauga for a night filled with entertainment, celebration, and recognition, enjoyed by all attendees!

Julian Taylor and Elyse Saunders on the CMAO’s red carpet.