Josh Ross Triumphs, k.d. lang Shines At 2024 Canadian Country Music Association Awards

The Canadian Country Music Association Awards (CCMAs) is one of the biggest annual events on the Canadian country music calendar, and its 42^nd edition took place in Edmonton over the weekend (Sept. 13 and 14). Ontario hitmaker Josh Ross come out on top after receiving trophies at both Friday’s Music Industry Gala Dinner & Awards and then at the CCMA Awards, held at Rogers Place on Saturday night.

His final tally was five wins, for Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year (“Trouble"), Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year (Complicated), Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year (“Trouble”) and the coveted Entertainer of the Year Award.

The James Barker Band notched a win in two categories, Group or Duo of the Year and Fans’ Choice Award, while MacKenzie Porter was named Female Artist of the Year and awarded Video of the Year, for “Chasing Tornadoes.” Her win as Female Artist would have felt good, as Porter had been nominated seven times previously in that category, but had always come up short (Tenille Townes had won for the past five years).

Porter also co-hosted the Awards show with country star Thomas Rhett. Rhett hails from south of the border, but has strong connections to Canada as he affirmed when Billboard Canada caught up with him at Boots and Hearts festival this summer.

Confirming his status as a fast-rising young star, Owen Riegling was also a double winner, as Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year and as Songwriter(s) of the Year, for “Old Dirt Roads.” Jade Eagleson took home the Album of the Year trophy for Do It Anyway.

Going into the weekend, the leading nominees were Jade Eagleson and MacKenzie Porter, with six nods apiece, followed by The Reklaws and Josh Ross, with five. Check the full nominees list here.

A star-studded list of performers for Saturday night's show included American hitmakers Julia Michaels, Thomas Rhett and Jake Worthington, alongside top Canadian artists Porter, Eagleson, Ross, Riegling, Townes, Madeline Merlo, The Reklaws, Dasha, Dallas Smith and Brett Kissel, a winner in the hotly contested Alternative Country Album of the Year category (for The Compass Project: West Album).

The most-anticipated performance of the night was by hometown heroine and international music legend k.d. lang, who reunited with her original cowpunk band, the Reclines, after 35 years, just for the occasion. They lived up to expectations by dazzling with a version of “Big Boned Gal” from their last album together in 1989.

The performance was the star of most CCMAs media coverage, with The Canadian Pressreporting that "Clad in a blue and green western-style dress, lang strutted across the stage in Edmonton to embody the 'big boned gal from southern Alberta.'" The Edmonton Journal's Tom Murray noted that "Having slipped between genres for so many years it was a blast to see k.d. lang unexpectedly coming back to her roots with the Reclines, channelling that Patsy Cline energy once again in full regalia while singing an exuberant 'Big Boned Gal.'"

lang was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame at the CCMAs, and was clearly thrilled to receive the honour in her hometown. After her performance, she stated that "As you probably know, if you know anything about me, accolades and awards and record sales never mattered to me, I will say that this one is pretty meaningful."

"I started my career here. I was a performance artist here before I started the Reclines. So this city means a great deal to me, and coming back full circle to Edmonton wearing these boots and wearing this outfit, it’s all very much rich with sentiment. I‘m filled with absolute joy.”’

Joining lang in the Hall of Fame was music industry veteran Gilles Godard, who currently serves as the President of Anthem Music Publishing Nashville after asuccessful career as a songwriter, publisher, artist and producer. Country vocalist/guitarist Lindsay Ell was also honoured as the Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award recipient at the same event.

These accolades and 35 CCMA Awards were bestowed at the Music Industry Gala Dinner & Awards. Hosted by Stingray’s Jackie Rae Greening, this event featured performances from Bahamas, Teigen Gayse, Kalsey Kulyk, Tyler Joe Miller and Steven Lee Olsen.

Check out the full list of winners below.

2024 CCMA AWARDS WINNERS

Entertainer of the Year presented by Edmonton’s Best Hotels

Josh Ross

Ford F-150 Album of the Year

Do It Anyway – Jade Eagleson

Fans’ Choice

James Barker Band

Female Artist of the Year

MacKenzie Porter

Group or Duo of the Year

James Barker Band

Male Artist of the Year

Josh Ross

Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year

Owen Riegling

Single of the Year

"Trouble" – Josh Ross

OFFICIAL 2024 CCMA INDUSTRY GALA DINNER AND AWARDS WINNERS:

Musical Collaboration of the Year
"Honky Tonkin’ About" – The Reklaws, Drake Milligan

Alternative Country Album of the Year
The Compass Project: West Album – Brett Kissel

Songwriter(s) of the Year presented by SOCAN
Old Dirt Roads (Artist: Owen Riegling) – Owen Riegling

Top Selling Album of the Year
One Thing At A Time – Morgan Wallen

Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year
Complicated – Josh Ross

Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year
"Trouble" – Josh Ross

Video of the Year
"Chasing Tornadoes"– MacKenzie Porter

Bass Player of the Year
Lisa Jacobs

Drummer of the Year
Rich DaSilva

Fiddle Player of the Year
Linsey Beckett

Guitar Player of the Year presented by PRS Guitars
Chris Bray, Brennan Wall

Keyboard Player of the Year
Brendan Waters

Specialty Instrument Player of the Year
Shane Guse

Steel Guitar Player of the Year
Matt McKay

Country Personality(ies) of the Year
Jackie Rae Greening (CFCW)

Radio Station of the Year (Large Market)
CFCW

Radio Station of the Year (Medium or Small Market)
CKGY-FM

Booking Agency of the Year
Paquin Entertainment Group

Country Club of the Year
King Eddy (Calgary, AB)

Country Festival, Fair or Exhibition of the Year
Boots and Hearts Music Festival (Oro-Medonte, ON)

Country Music Program or Special of the Year
Boomers Canadian Club (Rogers Sports & Media)

Management Company of the Year
The Core Entertainment

Music Publishing Company of the Year presented by CMRRA
Big Loud Publishing

Record Company of the Year
Big Loud Records

Industry Person of the Year
Lindsay Hyslop (BBR Music Group)

Creative Team or Designer of the Year
Bronwin Parks (Feisty Creative)

Recording Studio of the Year
MCC Recording Studio (Calgary, AB)

Record Producer(s) of the Year
Joey Moi – Album: Dallas Smith (Artist: Dallas Smith), Album: One Thing At A
Time (Artist: Morgan Wallen)

Retailer or Commercial Platform of the Year
Apple Music

Ron Sakamoto Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year
Brooke Dunford (Republic Live)

Video Director of the Year
Ryan Nolan

Innovative Campaign of the Year presented by TD

“Blinding Lights” Case Study (Tebey)

For more information, visit CCMA.org