At the 2024 Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) held in Edmonton, Calgary’s iconic King Eddy received the prestigious Country Club of the Year award. This accolade highlights the venue’s enduring impact on the country music scene.
Originally opened in 1905 as the King Edward Hotel, the establishment held the title of Calgary’s longest-operating bar and hotel until 2004. Purchased by the National Music Centre (NMC) in 2008, the King Eddy was meticulously restored to its early 20th-century splendor.
The award was presented at the CCMA Gala on Friday, with Andrew Moskar, NMC President and CEO, accepting on behalf of the venue. “Running a legacy venue is challenging but vital to our music ecosystem,” Moskar said. “This award is for everyone involved in keeping live music venues alive, both big and small.” He also expressed gratitude to the King Eddy staff and musicians who contribute to the venue’s success.
Since reopening in 2018, the King Eddy has functioned as a restaurant and bar, also hosting CKUA Calgary, the Rolling Stone Mobile Studio, and other NMC facilities. Notably, the King Eddy also won the CCMA Best Country Club of the Year award in 2020.
