St. Albert resident Jackie Rae Greening, a prominent figure in Canada’s country music scene, took home a prestigious award this weekend at the 2024 Canadian Country Music Association Awards (CCMAs) in Edmonton. Greening, a longtime program director at CFCW and one of the country’s biggest advocates for country music, was named Country Personality of the Year.
The night’s biggest winner, however, was Nashville-based singer-songwriter Josh Ross, who dominated the event with five major awards. Ross claimed Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Top Selling Canadian Album for Complicated, Single of the Year for Trouble, and *Top Selling Single of the Year. As he made his way to the stage to collect yet another award, Ross shook his head in disbelief, clearly overwhelmed by the recognition.
Owen Riegling also made a mark as a double award winner, taking home Songwriter of the Year and Breakthrough Artist of the Year. Other multiple award winners included MacKenzie Porter and the James Barker Band. Porter, who co-hosted the evening alongside country star Thomas Rhett, won Female Artist of the Year and Video of the Year for her hit Chasing Tornadoes. Throughout the night, Porter, a new mother, humorously reflected on the challenges of motherhood while accepting her awards.
The James Barker Band earned accolades for Fan Choice of the Year and Group or Duo of the Year, further solidifying their presence in the Canadian country music landscape.
One of the evening’s most emotional moments came when legendary artist k.d. lang was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. In a powerful tribute to her trailblazing career, lang performed a lively rendition of her hit Big Boned Gal. NHL icon Mark Messier also appeared via a pre-recorded message, praising lang for her fearless pursuit of her dreams and for transforming the country music genre. Lang, the first openly queer artist inducted into the Hall of Fame, was visibly moved, placing her hands over her face as she fought back tears.
The 2024 CCMAs were a celebration of both rising stars and seasoned legends, showcasing the best of Canadian country music on an unforgettable night in Edmonton.
