‘Music brings us together’: Country stars find unity and hope at CCMA Awards

“Currently, we’ve discovered ourselves residing in a new environment, and while some matters may possibly glimpse a little various, one detail has not modified at all, and that’s the songs,” he mentioned early in the broadcast, which was pre-recorded many weeks back.

“Songs delivers us all alongside one another, it connects us. Songs captures the phrases that converse to your coronary heart and can convey to the tales of your soul. It provides us strength. It provides us hope.”

Those people phrases helped set the tone for a CCMA Awards display that recognized the hardships that a lot of men and women are struggling with, but failed to dwell on the unhappiness. Initially responders were thanked, and one even gave out a major award. Some musicians spoke about superior times on the horizon for every person.

And by the time Kissel’s wins culminated in the album of the year award, he was beaming.

“We had so much exciting placing my coronary heart and my soul into these eight tracks,” he mentioned though accepting the honour. “I beloved this venture more than everything I have at any time accomplished in nation songs.”

Kissel also shared a previously declared award for resourceful director on Now or By no means, during an event on Saturday, which brought his tally this year to 4.

Dallas Smith, Tenille Townes nab awards

Other huge winners on Sunday integrated Dallas Smith as entertainer of the year. The frontman of rock band Default also gained major-offering Canadian album for his solo nation launch The Tumble, and major-offering Canadian one for Drop.

Tenille Townes was named major female artist for the next consecutive year, though she shared an award for songwriting on Jersey on the Wall (I’m Just Asking), which also landed the video clip of the year trophy.

James Barker Band grabbed one of the year for their dancey chart-topping nation-pop keep track of Hold it Uncomplicated.

Those people wins were among the the large marks of a slick CCMA Awards display that was heavy on musical performances and light on banter.

The display was pre-taped final thirty day period in both of those the United States and Canada, which helped give the display a town-satisfies-nation flavour.

The more rustic performances performed out at the Burl’s Creek Function Grounds in Oro-Medonte, Ont., around Barrie, in which the Boots & Hearts Songs Competition ordinarily is held. The scene strike its peak when Dean Brody joined the Reklaws to carry out their beer-guzzling keep track of Are not able to Aid Myself in the center of a faux tailgate get together.

A lodge rooftop in Nashville gave the display its more city glimpse, and was the spot in which many U.S. nation artists rocked out to their hits, which include Tim McGraw, Kane Brown as well as Sam Hunt and Breland.

Four of Canada’s rising female stars — Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Lindsay Ell, Meghan Patrick and Townes — also took to the rooftop in Songs City for a poignant go over of Blue Rodeo’s Lost Together that quietly nodded to the collective sensation of the COVID-19 era.

The Washboard Union walked away double winners, snagging the team or duo award for the 3rd consecutive year. The Vancouver-based trio had now gained roots album of the year for their launch Everbound ahead of the broadcast.

And Tenille Arts, from Weyburn, Sask., gained the rising star award.

Devoid of an arena packed with boisterous nation admirers to cheer them on, the Canadian stars were remaining to lean closely on their allure, which shone by way of in lighthearted Q&A segments reflecting on daily life for the duration of a pandemic that has remaining most of them at dwelling as a substitute of touring.

Jade Eagleson credited the practical experience with strengthening his relationship, though a few many others mentioned it revealed their stage of tolerance.

When questioned what they figured out about the study course of quarantine, the performers named everything from playing the piano to mastering the Xbox.

“I baked. I went by way of the banana bread phase,” mentioned Jess Moskaluke.

“I hardly ever got to the sourdough phase. Probably it truly is however to come.”