The Names to Know After the 2026 CCMAs
The 2026 CCMAs put a spotlight on a few familiar names, but they also offered a good look at who is making noise in country music right now.
The 44th annual Canadian Country Music Association Awards took place Saturday, Sept. 19, at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The awards recognize Canadian country artists, songs and industry professionals. Most categories are decided through multi-stage voting by CCMA members, while select awards, including Fans’ Choice and Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year, included fan voting this year.
That starts with Cameron Whitcomb. The 23-year-old singer-songwriter walked away with three of the night’s biggest awards, winning Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for his debut record, “The Hard Way.”
Whitcomb’s rise has moved quickly. The British Columbia native went from working as a pipeline laborer to reaching the Top 20 on “American Idol” in 2022 before pursuing music full time. Much of “The Hard Way” draws from his experiences with addiction and recovery, including “Options,” which explores the temptation and consequences of relapse.
But the CCMAs were about more than one artist.
Josh Ross, who entered the awards tied with Whitcomb at seven nominations, won Single of the Year for “Hate How You Look,” marking his third consecutive win in the category. The Ontario-born, Nashville-based singer has also built a significant presence at U.S. country radio, with “Hate How You Look” reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart earlier this year.
James Barker Band had a productive night, too. The Ontario group hosted the show and won both Fans’ Choice and Group or Duo of the Year, marking its fourth consecutive win in the latter category.
Then there is Sully Burrows, a name that may be newer to some country fans. The 19-year-old from Parry Sound, Ontario, won Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year. Burrows began writing songs at 15 and signed a record deal at 17 after choosing to pursue music full time rather than attend university.
Thelma & James, the husband-and-wife duo of MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge, also had a strong showing. They won Video of the Year for “Parking Lot Prayers” and Alternative Country Album of the Year for their debut EP, “Starting Over.” Porter is already known for her solo country career, while Etheridge is a singer-songwriter and actor with credits including “Nashville” and “Daisy Jones & The Six.” Together, they launched Thelma & James in 2025.
Elsewhere, Meghan Patrick won Female Artist of the Year, while Nate Haller and Tenille Townes took Musical Collaboration of the Year for “Backfire.”
One of the night’s most memorable moments did not involve a trophy at all.
Saskatchewan native Jess Moskaluke, a longtime presence in Canadian country music, was surprised during the broadcast with an invitation to make her Grand Ole Opry debut Oct. 29.
The night also included performances from Dean Brody, Owen Riegling and The Strumbellas, while Sacha, Madeline Merlo, Brett Kissel and Tyler Joe Miller came together for a tribute to Dolly Parton.
From Whitcomb’s three-award night to a 19-year-old breakthrough winner in Burrows, the CCMAs offered plenty of names to come away knowing. Ross, James Barker Band and Thelma & James added to their own momentum, while moments like Moskaluke’s Opry invitation gave the night something beyond the winner’s list.
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