Veteran music executive, entrepreneur and artist manager Ron Kitchener is headed to the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
On July 8, The Canadian Country Music Association announced Ron Kitchener as the 2026 Stan Klees Builder inductee into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. He will be formally inducted during a ceremony taking place as part of Country Music Week 2026, scheduled for September 16–19 in Saskatoon.
A towering figure in the Canadian country music industry, Ron Kitchener's career now spans more than three decades. As founder of RGK Entertainment Group, he has built one of Canada's most successful independent music companies, creating a multifaceted entertainment business centred on artist development, recorded music, publishing, production and live events that has helped shape the growth of Canadian country music.
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He started in artist management in the mid-1990's with singer-songwriter Jason McCoy as his first client. Kitchener helped McCoy attain major success as both a solo artist and as a member of the platinum-selling band The Road Hammers. He has also guided the careers of such other major Canadian country and roots artists as Johnny Reid, Dean Brody, Corb Lund, Doc Walker, Tim Hicks, Madeline Merlo and more.
Kitchener founded Open Road Recordings in 2003, a successful independent Canadian label. Its artist roster has sold millions of albums, produced 20 No. 1 singles and more than 120 Top 10 country radio hits, earned more than 100 gold, platinum, and multi-platinum certifications, and helped introduce major international artists — including Taylor Swift — to Canadian audiences.
Across his management and label ventures, the artists and projects Kitchener has championed have earned five Juno Awards and 56 CCMA Awards. Individually, Kitchener has been named CCMA manager of the year 14 times, industry person of the year three times, while Open Road captured record company of the year for 6 straight years 2009 to 2014.
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Kitchener's impact has extended beyond the Canadian border as he has helped bring Canadian artists and tours to audiences across Australia and Europe, creating opportunities for homegrown talent on the global stage. Establishing a Nashville office in 2007 through the management division and publishing company Roots Three Music helped Kitchener build lasting connections throughout Music City, representing U.S. artists like Blackjack Billy and The Mavericks. He also worked to strengthen relationships between Canadian and international music communities serving in influential leadership positions including as Chair of the CCMA board of directors and international director at the CMA.
Beyond his professional work, Kitchener has remained deeply engaged in philanthropy and community support. Alongside his family, he has supported initiatives including local hospital foundations in his community and SickKids, and he is an original member of 100 Men Who Care Halton Hills. Charitable efforts have also included Open Road Recordings’ 15 Acts of Kindness campaign, launched for the company’s 15th anniversary, as well as ongoing support for MusiCounts and the Unison Fund.
“After producing my first campus concert, I was all in,” recalls Kitchener. “While this is a rollercoaster business, there's nothing better than when the song, the artist, and an enthusiastic live audience singing every word unite — it's magic. I've been blessed to be part of bringing some of those moments to life, and it's why I'm so deeply honoured by this recognition. I am indebted to Stan Klees' legacy and to all those who paved the path before me.
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''At the end of the day, it's the talent up front and the tireless teams promoting the art from behind the scenes who make the long days worth it — lots of laughs, many cheers, and a few tears. That's life in the music business, and I'm grateful for every second of it.”
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Amy Jeninga, president of the CCMA, states that “Ron’s impact on Canadian country music has been felt for over three decades, all through his deep belief in artists and the careers he has helped shape, He has consistently championed talent and built opportunities where few existed, and this induction recognizes that lasting contribution. We are proud to welcome Ron into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame and look forward to celebrating his legacy in Saskatoon.”
The Hall of Fame was established in 1984 to honour Canadian artists and builders who have made long-term contributions to the growth and development of Canadian country music. Its permanent physical home is located at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, in Calgary. The National Music Centre will celebrate the legacies of the 2026 inductees and past honourees with a new exhibition opening fall 2026 at Studio Bell.
The Stan Klees Builder Award was established in recognition of RPM Magazine co-founder, Mr. Stan Klees, and his pioneering efforts in creating the CCMA Awards Program. Winners in recent years have included Randy Stark, Gilles Godard and Joe Wood.
In 2020, FYIMusicNews editor David Farrell published an enlightening interview with Kitchener recorded during the Covid lockdown. You can read that feature here.
