What an amazing weekend spent in London, Ontario celebrating the best in country music with my partner and best friend. Tourism London invited us to enjoy the weekend (and our CCMA media pass.). We’ll be doing another blog post about our stay at the Delta Armouries hotel.
CCMA Country Music Week – Friday Night
Friday night, we attended the London Music Hall where Tyler Joe Miller was awarded SIRIUSXM’s Top of Country. Kelly Prescott and Raquel Cole were finalists who performed as well. The Reklaws hit the stage and kept the crowd going until well into the night.
Tyler Joe Miller is a Canadian country singer and songwriter signed to MDM Recordings. He had back-to-back No. 1 hits on the Billboard Canada Country chart with “Pillow Talkin'” and “I Would Be Over Me Too”. When turning on the radio today, you can hear his latest track “Sometimes I Do.” Tyler Joe hails from Langley, British Columbia
CCMA Country Music Week – Saturday
Saturday was an amazing and memorable day. We started the morning doing video interviews at the CCMA Music Row. Music row is where media outlets are given a space to interview the artists. It was difficult to secure some of the artists we saw, but, in the end we did secure many Canadian Country Music Artists like Tim and the Glory Boys (see interview here), Aaron Goodvin and Ty Hunter, of the Hunter Brothers. We were one of many outlets and I’m so proud of our setup and professionalism.
We also interviewed Manny Blu (quite the comical interview), Katy Hurt, Jason Benoit, Kendra Kay, and Cory Marks. Videos will be added soon!
We were invited by Ty Banton’s manager to attend the Songwriter’s Session at the Union Ten Distilling Co., a unique place where you can enjoy handcrafted spirits, music and a little shopping in their gift shop. The 2021 CCMA Songwriters Sessions celebrates the crafting of original songs, the stories behind the lyrics, and indulging viewers with both new and familiar faces along the process. It was a great time.
Saturday night brought forth all kinds of crazy at the London Music Hall. With performances by Tim and the Glory Boys, Tim Hicks, High Valley, Dallas Smith, Jo Jo Mason and more, the last two years of silence quickly Got Loud.
CCMA Experience
We decided that Sunday was a down day and that we’d return home early. The CCMA held the CCMA House Unplugged that featured James Barker, Jade Eagleson, Madison Kozak, Griffen Palmer, The Reklaws, Tenille Arts, Aaron Goodwin, Robyn Ottolini, Brad Rempel of High Valley and Tenille Townes.
While we were not approved for the actual awards, we were still honoured to attend and interview some of the best in Canadian Country Music. Canadian country music to us is a taste of home. These artists work so hard and travel so far to write and create their music. I can’t imagine what a grind it is for them. We want to thank the association for inviting us.
I want to thank my friends Jamie and Tracy for collaborating with me. Without them, my life would be a little less brighter and with a lot less laughs. It’s the people who make the memories. It’s the artists that keep us dancing.
