2026 NW-CMA
Awards Show

Beginning at 7:00 PM

2026 NW-CMA Awards Show

Hosted by Jamie Patrick of 93.7 The Mountain

Follow the evening in order below. Tap a performer’s name to visit their page, or “About the performer” to read their bio. Program subject to change.

1. Award presented

   Smaller Live Music Venue

   Live performance

   Porter Combs ↗

   “Fire Away”

   ⓘ About the performer

   A rising Northwest talent, Porter Combs is nominated tonight for both Newcomer and Lead Guitar.

2. Award presented

   Larger Live Music Venue

   Live performance

   Sverwood ↗

   “Should’ve Been a Cowboy”

   ⓘ About the performer

   Based in Idaho’s Silver Valley, this five-piece band blends country, classic rock, and today’s hits. Sverwood (pronounced “Severe Wood”) and several members are nominees tonight.

3. Award presented

   Festivals, Fairs & Rodeos

   Live performance

   Ty Lane ↗

   “The Joke”

   ⓘ About the performer

   From Prescott, Washington, Ty Lane comes from a family of country musicians. His songwriting reflects those roots, with nominations tonight for Original Song and Music Video.

4. Award presented

   DJs/Emcees

   Live performance

   Trevor Chambers and the Southpaw Band ↗

   “Never Comin’ Down”

   ⓘ About the performer

   Formed by blue-collar musicians with big dreams, Southpaw brings original music and high-energy country to the stage. The group is nominated for Original Song, and Trevor for Lead Guitar.

5. Award presented

   Dance Instructors/Groups

   Live performance

   Rachel Brodhead ↗

   “Seminole Shore”

   ⓘ About the performer

   A familiar face from NW-CMA Fest at The Social, Rachel is nominated for Female Vocalist and Newcomer. She is also launching her Spokane-based country band, The Virginia Rails.

6. Award presented

   Radio Stations & Radio Personalities

   Presented by Caden Collins
   Live performance

   Mel Dalton Band ↗

   “Take Me Out”

   ⓘ About the performer

   Mel Dalton’s year includes five nominations and the formation of a new band, with several members also nominated. “Take Me Out” was co-written with local favorite Sam McCue.

7. Award presented

   Music Video

   Live performance

   Jack Conrad ↗

   “Gasoline”

   ⓘ About the performer

   A self-taught guitarist who began playing at ten, Jack Conrad recently recorded his first EP in Nashville. His songs explore love, loss, life, and legacy; tonight he is nominated for Newcomer and Original Song.

8. Award presented

   Podcasters/Spoken Word

   Live performance

   Cassandra Wheeler ↗

   “Piece of My Heart”

   ⓘ About the performer

   With a voice of an angel and the heart of a lion, Cassandra brings warmth and conviction to folk and country. Audiences may also know her from Amazing Entertainment’s “The Queens of Folk.”

9. Award presented

   Other Instrumentalist

   Live performance

   Dog Bite Harris ↗

   “My Blood”

   ⓘ About the performer

   Heppner, Oregon singer-songwriter Dog Bite Harris created Ruckus in the Boonies and brought his spirited performances to NW-CMA Fest—even playing through a thunderstorm. He is nominated for Regional Acoustic Artist/Act.

10. Award presented

    Lead Guitar

    Live performance

    Steve Starkey ↗

    “Past the Point of Rescue”

    ⓘ About the performer

    A Spokane country-music mainstay, Steve earned Top Male Vocalist in 2020 and solo-performance runner-up honors in 2021 and 2022. He returns for a solo performance, with nominations for Male Vocalist and his band for Local Band.

11. Award presented

    Original Song

    Live performance

    Rusty Jackson featuring Chrissy Lopp ↗

    “I Will Always Love You”

    ⓘ About the performer

    Recently featured on KSPS’s “Inland Sessions,” Regional Acoustic Act nominee Rusty Jackson joins Harry Batty, Craig Catlett, and longtime singing partner Chrissy Lopp. Female Vocalist nominee Chrissy takes the lead on this Dolly Parton classic.

12. Award presented

    Bass

    Live performance

    Prairie Fire Band ↗

    “We’re an American Band”

    ⓘ About the performer

    Local Band nominee Prairie Fire Band includes musicians recognized in Lead Guitar, Fiddle, and Drums. Laura Bird and the Freebird dancers join them with a special dance for this performance.

13. Award presented

    Female Vocalist

    Live performance

    Devon Wade ↗

    ⓘ About the performer

    Inspired by a Chris LeDoux concert at fourteen, Devon has taken his country sound from North Idaho to Gilley’s in Las Vegas. He has shared stages with Cody Johnson, Kip Moore, and Jon Pardi, and is nominated for Local Acoustic Act.

14. Award presented

    Drums

    Live performance

    Theresa Edwards Band ↗

    “Texas Time”

    ⓘ About the performer

    This upbeat Spokane dance band loves to bring the party—and the crowd. Led by Theresa Edwards, the group helps build a feeling of family and community throughout the local country scene.

15. Award presented

    Local Acoustic Artist/Act

    Live performance

    Kylie Hill ↗

    “I Started Drinking”

    ⓘ About the performer

    Coeur d’Alene singer-songwriter and Newcomer nominee Kylie Hill has been creating original music and recording in Nashville. Many discovered her at NW-CMA Fest; tonight she is joined by guitarist Mellad Abeid.

16. Award presented

    Regional Acoustic Artist/Act

    Live performance

    Tamarack Ridge Band ↗

    “Ride It While You Can”

    ⓘ About the performer

    The multi-award-winning 2025 NW-CMA Entertainers of the Year return with an original song, multiple nominations, and the energy audiences know from their live shows.

17. Award presented

    Newcomer

    Live performance

    Cory Peterson ↗

    “Ponderosa Pines”

    ⓘ About the performer

    Hailing from Ione, Oregon, Cory Peterson made an impression on this stage in 2024, earning a Best Performance of the Night award. His distinctive voice returns with nominations for Regional Acoustic Artist/Act and Original Song.

18. Award presented

    Male Vocalist

    Live performance

    Lucas Brookbank Brown ↗

    “Medicine”

    ⓘ About the performer

    A Spokane singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Lucas helps build community through open mics and recording projects. Also featured on KSPS’s “Inland Sessions,” he performs his original song “Medicine.”

19. Award presented

    Local Band

    Live performance

    The Hankers ↗

    “Ghost Riders in the Sky”

    ⓘ About the performer

    Keith and Julie Niehenke bring family and showmanship together alongside their sixteen-year-old twin sons, Cash and Rye. The band and its members have earned numerous awards over seven years and multiple nominations tonight.

20. Award presented

    Touring/Regional Band

    Live performance

    Copper Mountain Band ↗

    “Jolene”

    ⓘ About the performer

    For twenty years, Copper Mountain Band has taken its Northwest country sound across the United States and Europe. The multi-award-winning group and its members return with nominations in band, vocalist, and instrumental categories.

Following the show • Until midnight

The After-party

Join us at Three Peaks Restaurant & Bar to continue the celebration.

Open to the public • No ticket required

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Please support the businesses and organizations that support Northwest country music.

• Freedom Highway Studios
• Future Song Foundation
• Inland Empire Home Team
• Joyco Drilling Inc.
• Minihan Roofing
• Prairie Fire Band