It was a star-studded evening of performances and awards at the 44th annual Canadian Country Music Association Awards (CCMAs) over the weekend with talent recognized who are from right here in central Ontario. The ceremony took place Saturday night at Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon, Sask. and highlighted the best of Canadian country musicians. Hosting the night was the James Barker Band, who has roots in Simcoe County. Taylor Abram, the band’s guitarist and backing vocalist, grew up in Barrie and went to school at Bear Creek Secondary School. Not only did the band get the spotlight to host the awards show, but they performed as well and scored the coveted Fans’ Choice Award and Group of the Year for the fourth consecutive year. Also with a local shining spotlight was Canadian music mogul Ron Kitchener from New Tecumeth, who received the top honour of being inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. Kitchener was behind some of the success for Pure Country 106 Morning Show Host and The Road Hammers lead singer Jason McCoy. Canadian music executive, entrepreneur, and artist manager, Kitchener significantly contributed to the Canadian country music scene for more than three decades. “If you had told this small town hard-rock-loving kid back in the mid-‘80’s whose soundtrack was a mix of Dio, Crüe, Metallica, Ozzy, Leppard and Priest to name but a few, that 40 years later he’d be inducted into a Country Music Hall of Fame, I would’ve laughed you out of the room,” Kitchener posted on his social media. He also helped to introduce international artists, including Taylor Swift, to Canadian audiences. Sully Burrows, hailing from Parry Sound, won the CCMA for Breakthrough Artist of the Year. Clearly overwhelmed with the win, Burrows started to give his thank-you speech, but stopped part-way through so he could read from his notes on his phone. It wasn’t just music that was highlighted, but radio personalities were also included in the evening’s celebrations. Pure Country 106 Midday Host Shannon Ella took home both awards she was nominated for, including Country Music Personality of the Year and Country Music Program or Special of the Year for the Pure Country Top 50 with country superstars Lainey Wilson and Russell Dickerson. “Honestly, I’m still pinching myself,” Ella posted to her social media. “Two awards in one night?! I don’t think this has fully sunk in yet.” The recognition keeps on coming for our region. Boots and Hearts Music Festival won for Country Festival of the Year. The festival attracts upwards of 50,000 people every summer to Burl’s Creek Event Grounds in Oro-Medonte. The awards were broadcast on television, radio and digitally through CTV and Crave.
