With the announcement this morning of the final nominees for the Country Music Association of Ontario awards, here’s a look at the nominees and a bit of history in the Single of the Year category.

This year’s nominees, with the award going to the artist, are: “If You Met Me First,” Eric Ethridge; “Keep It Simple,” James Barker Band; “Old Country Soul,” The Reklaws; “What a Song Should Do,” Tim Hicks; and “Wild as Me,” Meghan Patrick.

The James Barker Band and The Reklaws are the only previous winners in this category to be nominated this year. Tim Hicks and Meghan Patrick have been nominated before. And this is the first time Eric Ethridge has been nominated for Single of the Year.

The Reklaws are the reigning winners in the category, taking the trophy last year for “Feels Like That.”

Perhaps this year, The Reklaws can break the “curse” in this category. Ever since the awards began, no one has been able to repeat a win in that category. Here are the previous winners: Jason Blaine (2013), Deric Ruttan (2014), Small Town Pistols (2015), Tebey (2016), River Town Saints (2017), James Barker Band (2018), and The Reklaws last year. Also, as you can see, no solo female artist has ever won Single of the Year.

The Country Music Association of Ontario awards will be presented on October 4 in London. #CMAOntario