OSHAWA MUSIC AWARDS NAMES FIRST WINNERS OF 2020 SEASON

SHAWN MENDES’ “SEÑORITA” & JULES MCCOOLS’ “ENCORE” TAKE HOME THE WIN AT ONLINE AWARD SHOW HOSTED BY 80’S LEGEND SANDY HORNE

April 6, 2020 – Oshawa, ON. —The Oshawa Music Awards (OMA) announces “Señorita” by Shawn Mendes as Single of the Year winner and Jules McCools “Encore” for Music Video of the Year through the first of the award show’s online presentation hosted by musician/singer/songwriter Sandy Horne from the legendary 80s’ band Spoons. 

The award show was moved online, beginning April 4, in response to the implications posed by COVID-19. every Saturday at 7 p.m. EST until May 23 the OMAs’ will feature one or two award categories, spotlighting the nominees and announcing the winner through a live-streaming broadcast. The awards show can be viewed anytime from home, viewers can also tune in live on Saturday, April 11 on our social channels including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  Check out the first award show segment recorded on April 4, here.

Saturday, April 4, at the first online award presentation Single of the Year was awarded to “Señorita” by Pickering native Shawn Mendes and musician Camila Cabello. Other nominees in the category included “The Girls I Know Don’t Think So” by Whitby’s Chastity and “Cyanide” by Oshawa’s Daniel Caesar. The award was presented by Sherry Colbourne, president and CEO of SPARK Commercialization and Innovation Centre.

Music Video of the Year was awarded to “Encore” by Oshawa-born musician Jules McCools and director Keegan Doyle. The production team included actor Amy Curtis and camera and production assist Caterina Masserenti. Other nominees in the category included “26 oz” Oshawa-based band The Doozies produced by North Brothers Films and “ToGetHer” by Uxbridges’ Leah Daniels directed by Tim Deegan. The award was presented by Kristina Svana, Marketing Director of Spark Centre.

Upcoming award presentations take place live on Saturdays at 7:00 PM EST.  

Music Industry Leaders of the Year and Album of the Year on April 11

Emerging Artist or Band of the Year on April 18 

Lifetime Achievement Hall-of-Fame on April 25 

Music Teacher of the Year on May 2 

Artist or Band of the Year on May 9                                                                                                          

Best Songwriter(s) on May 16 and Durham Song of the Year on May 23. 

Through this innovative approach, the OMAs are still able to celebrate the creativity of Durham Region’s music industry, including the tech community. The team is encouraging donations to be made to Unison Benevolent Fund – an organization that provides counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community.