James Barker Band Will Host the 2026 Canadian Country Music Awards

Canada’s big celebration of country music is right around the corner.

The Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMAs) have tapped the James Barker Band to host their 2026 edition, which touches down at Saskatoon’s SaskTel Centre on Sept. 19. The band are already set to perform at this year's ceremony, where they are five-time nominees.

“We’re fired up to be hosting the CCMA Awards this year,” the band says. “We’ve grown up watching this show and have been lucky enough to make so many great memories at the CCMAs over the years, so getting the chance to host and celebrate Canadian country music from the other side of the stage is pretty special. We’re excited to celebrate our friends, have some fun, and hopefully keep the whole thing on the rails. You never really know what could happen when you give the four of us microphones on live TV.”

The James Barker Band have a decorated history at the ceremony with nine wins and over 30 nominations over the years, including five nominations this year for entertainer of the year, Ford F-150 album of the year, fans’ choice and single of the year. They’re also up for group or duo of the year, having emerged victorious in the category every year since 2023.

Their hosting stint continues a busy year for the band in which they earned a Canadian radio hit. Their track “After Dark” continues to climb the airplay charts and reached a new peak of No. 24 on this week’s Billboard Canada All-Format Airplay chart dated Sept. 12, after debuting last month. It also rises to new heights on the Billboard Canada Country chart, where it currently sits at No. 12.

The CCMA Awards have added a tribute to country music legend Dolly Parton to this year's ceremony to honour her career and legacy following her untimely passing at the age of 80 on Aug. 25.

Her lasting impact made a quick impact on the Billboard Canada charts, earning the late singer her first-ever top 10 album in Canada after Ultimate Dolly Parton debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart. Her classics "Jolene," "9 to 5" and "Islands In The Stream" simultaneously re-entered the top 30 of the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, and they're likely to be among the tracks brought to life onstage by Canadian country's brightest talent.

This year’s nominees are led by Josh Ross and Cameron Whitcomb, who both have six nominations each and are the most-nominated acts for a second consecutive year.

Whitcomb is having a wildly successful year thanks to his highest-charting hit, “Kingdom of Fear,” which continues to sit comfortably at No. 3 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100. Josh Ross has also made his way to the top of Billboard Canada's charts, earning his first Billboard Country Airplay No. 1 in the U.S. with "Hate How You Look" and reaching the top 10 of the Billboard Canada CHR/Top 40 Airplay chart with his Frank Walker and Norma Jean Martin collaboration "Lay It On Me," which hit No. 9. Both country music stars walked home as winners last year, with Ross taking home five trophies and Whitcomb winning fans' choice and breakthrough artist of the year.