Ontario's country music awards returning to London in June
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It seems country music can’t get enough of London.
The Country Music Association of Ontario is returning to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its awards at Centennial Hall on June 5.
The announcement comes less than three months after London hosted the Canadian Country Music Awards show at Budweiser Gardens on Nov. 29.
“It’s thrilling to be celebrating our 10th anniversary and to be back in London,” said Steve Kassay, CMA Ontario’s president, who is well aware of London being designated a City of Music by UNESCO last year.
“I think the Music City’s got a great fan base and we’ve been treated with nothing but love and kindness when we’ve been there (2017 at Centennial Hall and 2020 for a drive-in show), from the hotels to the venues, the fans and local musicians. It’s also a central location for many of us.”
Tickets for the show at Centennial Hall go on sale at 11 a.m. Friday online at cmaontario.ca or by calling 1-888-999-8980. Early-bird prices are $69 (plus taxes and fees) for regular reserved seating and $225 (plus taxes and fees) for VIP packages. Prices increase April 1.
Nominations for the 2022 CMA Ontario Awards are now open for submissions at cmaontario.ca and additional details of the awards show, including performers, will be announced in the coming weeks.
This year’s awards celebration will begin June 2 with the Legacy Revival show. Several other events are scheduled, including a street fair — with a ferris wheel — on Dundas Place; Songs & Stories: Songwriters in the Round, an industry conference; the Bonfire (formerly New Faces Showcase and Concert); and a tailgate party.
Kassay said the association is hoping the event will be mostly free of the protocols and restrictions caused by the pandemic, but will conform to whatever health experts and governments determine.
“We know there’s an appetite out there for an event like this and we’ll make it happen to the best of our ability,” he said. “But we think we’ll be able to enjoy it together this year. We’re really looking forward to having a lot of fun.”
In a press release, London Mayor Ed Holder said he’s also looking forward to the awards.
“Live music is back, and I am ecstatic that the CMA Ontario festival and awards will return to London to celebrate their 10th anniversary,” said Holder, urging Londoners and people from across the province to attend.
“London is a city filled with incredible musical talents, skilled industry professionals, remarkable venues and world-class music fans, making London Canada’s first UNESCO City of Music.”
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