St. Albert resident Jackie Rae Greening took home a big award over the weekend at Canada's country music awards.
Greening a longtime CFCW program director and one of nation’s biggest country music boosters, was named Country Personality of the Year.
Josh Ross was the big winner at the 2024 Canadian Country Music Association Awards (CCMAs), taking home five honours at the event in Edmonton. The Nashville based singer-songwriter scooped up Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist, Top Selling Canadian Album (Complicated), Single of the Year (Trouble) and Top Selling Single of the Year. At one point as he strolled towards the stageto receive yet another trophy, he shook his head in disbelief.
Owen Reigling was a double award winner taking home trophies for Songwriter of the Year and Breakthrough Artist of the Year. Two other double award winners were MacKenzie Porter, who cohosted the CCMA Awards at Rogers Place with Thomas Rhett, and James Barker Band.
Porter, who is a new mother to a baby girl joked about the perils of motherhood throughout the evening. She received a nod for Female Artist and Video of the Year, both for Chasing Tornadoes. The James Barker Band scooped up trophies for both Fan Choice of the Year and Group of Duo of the Year.
Perhaps the most emotional moment of evening was when k.d. lang celebrated her induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame playing a rockin’ version of Big Boned Gal.
Mark Messier appeared via a pre-recorded message praising the 80s rebel for chasing her dream and reshaping country music as we know it today. She is the first queer singer-songwriter inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
Putting her hands over her face, lang appeared close to tears.
“I’m so profoundly grateful for the experiences I had in my career. I want to thank the people of Edmonton, the people of Canada, whether directly or indirectly, for taking this journey with me. And I pray you feel my gratitude big time. Love you.” lang said while waving to the Rogers Place packed audience.
St. Albert’s own Hailey Benedict, whose country music career is on an upward trajectory after signing with Big Loud, was nominated in the Breakthrough Artist of the Year category. Although the trophy went to Reigling, Benedict was upbeat when she introduced Dasha performing Austin, a heat-packed chart.
Earlier in the day, Benedict walked the Red Carpet spending close to two hours chatting with almost every reporter crowded around the ropes. If anything, the constant shaking of hands and posing for photos relayed her ingrained desire to connect with people.
“To be here is a huge honour and it’s so special. It’s been really wild. I always knew music would be a part of my life. I just didn’t know how it would manifest itself. If little me could see me now, little me would freak out,” Benedict said while on the Red Carpet.
St. Albert design team of Dan Davidson and Travis Nesbitt were also nominated for their album Nineteen Eighty Something. Although the trophy went to Bronwin Parks, Nesbitt was back at both the Red Carpet and the Gala Award ceremony shooting photographs and videos.
“I’ve been nominated three times and haven’t won anything. What’s up,” he said, laughing in mock indignation.
Below is a list of major recipients:
Entertainer of the Year
Josh Ross
Ford F-150 Album of the Year
Do It Anyway – Jade Eagleson
Fan Choice
James Barker Band
Female Artist of the Year
MacKenzie Porter
Male Artist of the Year
Josh Ross
Group or Duo of the Year
James Barker Band
Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year
Owen Riegling
Single of the Year
Trouble – Josh Ross