Manitoba’s country music community gathered in Winnipeg on Saturday night to celebrate the province’s top talent at the 2026 Manitoba Country Music Awards.
Held at the Club Regent Casino and Event Centre, the annual awards show recognized artists, bands and industry contributors from across the province while showcasing some of Manitoba’s leading country performers.
There was a strong Westman presence among this year’s winners.
Binscarth’s JR Charron was one of the night’s biggest winners, taking home Male Artist of the Year. Charron also earned Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year honours for HALO, making him one of the most decorated artists at the event.
Brandon’s Mitchell Makoons was named Indigenous Country Music Artist of the Year, while the Sean Taylor Band captured Group or Duo of the Year and the Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year award.
Elsewhere, Catie St. Germain was named Female Artist of the Year and also received Interactive Artist of the Year honours. Kates Outlaw earned Album of the Year for Echo of the Engines, while QX104 in Winnipeg was recognized as Radio Station of the Year.
The awards are voted on through a combination of industry and public participation, with Manitoba Country Music Association members helping determine the winners in most categories.
2026 Manitoba Country Music Award Winners
- Female Artist of the Year – Catie St. Germain
- Male Artist of the Year – JR Charron
- Group or Duo of the Year – The Sean Taylor Band
- NCI FM Indigenous Country Music Artist of the Year – Mitchell Makoons
- Roots Artist, Duo or Group of the Year – Club Wagon Creek
- Fay Walker Song of the Year – HALO (JR Charron, Max Dupas, D. Poperechny, D. Benjamin)
- All Star Band of the Year – Guitar – Max Dupas
- All Star Band of the Year – Bass – Greg Dunstan
- All Star Band of the Year – Drums – Stephen Broadhurst
- All Star Band of the Year – Specialty – Blaine Badiuk
- Music Video of the Year – HALO (JR Charron)
- Single of the Year – Pretty Horses (The Sean Taylor Band)
- Album of the Year – Echo of the Engines (Kates Outlaw)
- Interactive Artist, Duo or Group of the Year – Catie St. Germain
- Radio Station of the Year – QX104, Winnipeg
- Radio On-Air Personality or Team of the Year – Brody & Karly
- Festival or Event of the Year – Manitoba Stampede & Exhibition
- Venue of the Year – The Royal George Hotel
- Emerging Artist of the Year – Irvin Miller
- Cover/Tribute Artist, Duo or Group of the Year – Hearts On Fire
- Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year – The Sean Taylor Band
The awards ceremony was held November 7 at the Club Regent Casino and Event Centre in Winnipeg.
