Music News Digest: CCMA Awards Announces 2025 Performers, Prism Prize Pauses in 2025

Awards News

Today (July 9), the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) announced the first round of performers for the 2025 CCMA Awards. Heading that list are stars including 3x CCMA Entertainer of the Year and 2x Juno Award winner Dallas Smith, Platinum-certified #1 songwriter and CCMA Award winner Madeline Merlo, Gold-certified, multiple Juno and CCMA Award nominee Tyler Joe Miller, CCMA Award winner Sacha and 2x ACM Award nominated country powerhouse Restless Road, country singer and The Coffee Girl entrepreneur Alexandra Kay, acclaimed Nashville-based duo Thelma & James and rising star Cameron Whitcomb.

Amy Jeninga, President, CCMA, states that "This first group of performers represents some of the most exciting voices in country music today, artists who are shaping the sound and future of the genre. We’re just getting started and there’s even more to come." Hosted by comedian-actor Tom Green, the CCMA Awards will take place in Kelowna, BC, on Sept. 13, airing live at 8 p.m. ET on CTV, CTV.ca and the CTV app and streams next day on Crave. More info here.

– In a letter to jurors, The Prism Prize has announced that it will not take place in 2025. "Our team has made the decision to pause the awards for 2025. This wasn’t an easy choice, especially given the incredible momentum and creativity we continue to see in Canada’s music video community. However, this pause will allow time and space to consider the future contributions of the Prism Prize to the cultural landscape and to explore new approaches to best support and celebrate the artists we aim to serve. The Music Video Production (MVP) Project was also brought to a close earlier this year, and we are similarly exploring opportunities to continue our support for production activities in the future."

One of the most lucrative awards for music videos, the Prism Prize rewards excellence in Canadian music videos and has special awards honouring its creators.

– Last week, our list of Canadian music notables receiving the Order of Canada regrettably omitted Greg Wells. The Order's citation noted that "Wells is a Grammy-winning record producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He has worked on best-selling albums for the likes of Adele, John Legend, Rufus Wainwright and Céline Dion and on blockbuster soundtracks for Wicked and The Greatest Showman. He also funds music scholarships in Canada and donates instruments to students around the world."

– The 5th Canadian Independent Music Video Awards were held this past weekend, and the Grand Prize winner was the clip for "Next Life!" by Featurette, one directed by frontwoman Lexie Jay. Amongst other winners was Kristin Sweetland’s "La Vie (Aprés la Guerre)," directed by noted singer-songwriter Andrea Ramolo.

Festivals News

The Collingwood Music Festival is getting ready to roll out from July 9–18. The eclectic lineup covers classical to jazz, world music to family concerts, all held at First Presbyterian Church, Collingwood. Artists include Payadora & Friends, Montreal Guitar Trio, Ian Cusson, Canadian Brass, Elmer Iseler Singers and Guy Few & Stephanie Mara and a Gershwin tribute. More info and tix here.

Industry News

An annual highlight of Canadian Country Music Week is the CCMA Legends Show, featuring a star-studded cast of established CanCountry stars. The just-announced lineup for the 2025 edition is no exception, as it features Doc Walker, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Jason McCoy, Madeline Merlo, Tim and the Glory Boys, Michelle Wright, Jess Moskaluke and more. The concert, presented by New Country 100.7 and Stingray, takes place at Kelowna Community Theatre, on Sept. 11. Tickets on sale now here.

– National Music Centre in Calgary will launch its newest exhibition, Timeless: 100 years of Oscar Peterson, on July 16, 2025. Timed to coincide with the centenary of one of Canada’s greatest musical legends, the NMC exhibition is the most comprehensive tribute ever presented of Oscar’s life and work. As part of the celebration, Juno-winning jazz pianist Andy Milne, who was mentored by Oscar, will perform at NMC on August 15.

– Music Nova Scotia, Music PEI, Music Newfoundland and Music·Musique NB have announced the Atlantic Spotlight Showcase during BreakOut West 2025 in Winnipeg, September 24 - 28. This mission focuses on expanding the careers of developing and export-ready artists from the East Coast of Canada with B2B and networking opportunities, a showcase, and creative collaborations with Western artists and industry professionals. Applications are open now for four showcase slots for East Coast artists here.

– Victoria Symphony’s 85th anniversary will be recognized with the return of its summer concert event, Symphony SPLASH!, over the BC Day long weekend, August 2 + 3, in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. This event will feature four live orchestral performances on the barge stage from Victoria Symphony and The National Youth Orchestra of Canada and some notable guest performers: Juno-nominated Indigenous singer-songwriters Celeigh Cardinal and Shawnee Kish and BC Hall of Fame percussionist Sal Ferreras and his Latin Jazz Sextet, with Cuban vocalist Adonis Puentes. Free and all-ages.

– Aurora Cultural Centre has announced its 2025–2026 Performing Arts Season, Let Our Stage Surprise You, featuring a musically eclectic lineup of over 35 performances presented in the Davide De Simone Performance Hall & Brevick Hall at Aurora Town Square. Headliners include Skydiggers, Divine Brown and Dala, and the Aurora Winter Blues Festival returns. More info here.

Artists News

Hotly-tipped and Juno nominated sibling alt-rock duo Softcult have just released a new single, "Naive," via Easy Life Records. The second leg of their extensive North American headlining tour will begin in Buffalo on September 19 and end with a Canadian date in Vancouver on October 16 at The Pearl. Canadian fans can also catch the band in Toronto, where they'll be opening for Whirr & Nothing at the Danforth Music Hall on July 20.