Josh Ross and his whisky-soaked ballad of heartbreak and hope took dwelling prime honours Saturday as okay.d. lang received 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 tune was a surreal tune,” Ross mentioned, including it highlights the struggles he felt when shifting to Nashville to pursue his music profession.
Ross mentioned he and his band play roughly 150 exhibits 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 among you,” he mentioned.
Josh Ross wins Entertainer of the 12 months throughout the CCMA Awards in Edmonton on Saturday, September 14, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
On Friday, he additionally received two trade awards for top-selling Canadian single of the yr (“Bother”) and top-selling Canadian album of the yr (It’s Difficult.)
Alberta’s MacKenzie Porter took dwelling a prime prize as feminine artist of the yr, ending the five-year run for Tenille Townes.
The win was candy aid for Porter, of Drugs 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 towards the lonely Nevada desert and the intense lights of Las Vegas.
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Porter mentioned it takes quite a lot of laborious work and hustle to succeed as a feminine within the nation music trade 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 among 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 somewhat 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 throughout the CCMA Awards in Edmonton on Saturday, September 14, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
The spotlight of the evening 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 — concerning 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 tune as she strutted throughout the stage, clad in a blue and inexperienced western-style costume.
“That was a chunk of cake,” lang instructed reporters after her efficiency. “Good friendships have this capability to erase time. That actually occurred once we received collectively.”
Ok.D. Lang performs throughout 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 instructed 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’ selection award. Throughout their acceptance speech, frontman Barker hinted at new music and a potential tour in 2025.
Owen Riegling of Mildmay, Ont., additionally received for breakthrough artist of the yr and finest songwriting for “Previous Grime Roads.”
Talking on the pink carpet earlier than the awards present, Riegling remembered writing the tune 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 individuals and reaching individuals,” he mentioned.
“By no means would have ever guessed I’d find yourself right here.”
© 2024 The Canadian Press
