Singer and songwriter k.d. lang performs during the Americana Honors and Awards show Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Mark Zaleski
EDMONTON – Ontario’s Josh Ross has won male artist of the year at the 2024 Canadian Country Music Association Awards.
Ross also won single of the year for his song “Trouble,” a whisky-soaked ballad of heartbreak that highlights the struggle he felt moving to Nashville to pursue his music career.
Alberta’s MacKenzie Porter took home female artist of the year, ending the five-year streak of Tenille Townes being awarded the hardware.
Porter had been nominated seven times previously for the award in the past decade but hadn’t won until tonight.
Porter says it takes a lot of hard work and hustle to succeed as a female in the country music industry and gave a shout out to her fellow singers and her newborn daughter.
Joining the two artists in the winners’ circle is Ontario singer-songwriter Owen Riegling, who won for breakthrough artist of the year.
The show began with American artist and co-host Thomas Rhett being dubbed an honorary Canadian by Edmonton Oilers players Corey Perry and Leon Draisaitl.
Rhett donned an Oilers jersey that was gifted to him by the pair.
The return of k.d. lang and the Reclines is expected to be a highlight of the show.
The appearance marks the first time the Alberta songstress has teamed up with the band in 35 years and is tied to lang’s induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Porter is up for six awards in total, including video of the year for “Chasing Tornadoes.”
The awards show is back in Alberta’s capital for the first time since 2014. It was held in Hamilton last year and in Calgary in 2022.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 14, 2024.
