Josh Ross and his whisky-soaked ballad of heartbreak and hope took dwelling high honours Saturday as okay.d. lang obtained the band again collectively on the 2024 Canadian Nation Music Affiliation Awards.
Ross, from Burlington, Ont., captured single of the yr for “Bother.” The 28-year-old former faculty soccer participant turned nation star additionally took dwelling male artist of the yr and entertainer of the yr on the present, held at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
“This track was a surreal track,” Ross mentioned, including it highlights the struggles he felt when transferring to Nashville to pursue his music profession.
Ross mentioned he and his band play roughly 150 reveals yearly and are by no means dwelling, however mentioned he feels that taking dwelling entertainer of the yr made the laborious work price it.
“I thank each one in every of you,” he mentioned.
Josh Ross wins Entertainer of the 12 months through the CCMA Awards in Edmonton on Saturday, September 14, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
On Friday, he additionally received two business awards for top-selling Canadian single of the yr (“Bother”) and top-selling Canadian album of the yr (It’s Sophisticated.)
Alberta’s MacKenzie Porter took dwelling a high prize as feminine artist of the yr, ending the five-year run for Tenille Townes.
The win was candy aid for Porter, of Medication Hat, Alta., who had been nominated for the award seven instances within the final decade earlier than capturing her personal lightning in a bottle Saturday.
She received video of the yr for “Chasing Tornadoes,” a toe-tapping salute to the swirling winds of romance set in opposition to the lonely Nevada desert and the intense lights of Las Vegas.
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Porter mentioned it takes loads of laborious work and hustle to succeed as a feminine within the nation music business and gave a shout out to her fellow singers and new child daughter.
“I’ve been nominated (for the CCMAs) 28 instances and that is one in every of my first wins,” mentioned Porter in her first televised look since having a child.
“So to all of you artists on the market, maintain pushing.”
Porter was up for six awards, tying the highest nomination spot with Jade Eagleson of Bailieboro, Ont. Eagleson took dwelling album of the yr for Do It Anyway.
Porter co-hosted the present with American crooner Thomas Rhett, and together with the music, there was just a little hockey. Edmonton Oilers gamers Leon Draisaitl and Corey Perry got here on stage and dubbed Rhett an honorary Canadian as he donned an Oilers jersey.
Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl, left, provides a jersey to host Thomas Rhett through the CCMA Awards in Edmonton on Saturday, September 14, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
The spotlight of the night time was lang celebrating her induction into the Canadian Nation Music Corridor of Fame by reelin’ and rockin’ with The Reclines for the primary time in 35 years.
They carried out “Large Boned Gal” — from the final album they recorded collectively in 1989 — in regards to the gal within the blue costume with the bounce in her step shakin’ and snakin’ on the legion corridor.
Lang embodied the character within the track as she strutted throughout the stage, clad in a blue and inexperienced western-style costume.
“That was a chunk of cake,” lang informed reporters after her efficiency. “Good friendships have this capability to erase time. That actually occurred after we obtained collectively.”
Ok.D. Lang performs through the CCMA Awards in Edmonton on Saturday, September 14, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Lang, from Consort, Alta., burst onto Edmonton’s music scene within the early Nineteen Eighties with The Reclines, a tribute band to American nation star Patsy Cline.
She informed the group she’s “profoundly grateful” for the experiences she’s had in her profession and thanked Canadians for occurring the journey together with her.
“I like you, massive time,” mentioned lang.
Among the many different winners, the James Barker Band from Woodville, Ont., took dwelling group of the yr and the followers’ alternative award. Throughout their acceptance speech, frontman Barker hinted at new music and a attainable tour in 2025.
Owen Riegling of Mildmay, Ont., additionally received for breakthrough artist of the yr and finest songwriting for “Previous Dust Roads.”
Talking on the crimson carpet earlier than the awards present, Riegling remembered writing the track 5 years in the past in a single hour and recorded it as a demo.
As soon as he signed with Common Music Canada, they recorded a brand new model.
“It’s had an extended journey, and it’s cool to see it lastly connecting with folks and reaching folks,” he mentioned.
“By no means would have ever guessed I’d find yourself right here.”
© 2024 The Canadian Press
