London, Ontario, was abuzz with Canadian country talent as a long weekend of music came to a close.
On Monday night, the city hosted the 2021 Canadian Country Music Association Awards, following a weekend full of events and free concerts for Londoners.
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One of the first major entertainment events to take place in the city since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the show also marked a return to the festivities in person for the CCMA Awards, which were forced to go virtual in 2020.
The comeback was anticipated by Dallas Smith, who took home the most awards Monday night, including the CCMA’s top award, Artist of the Year.
“All weekend so far it’s been kind of a celebratory feeling towards everything,” Smith told Global News.
“We are all in the same room for the first time in a couple of years. That just feels really amazing. “
For The Reklaws, the night felt like a “family reunion that’s been delayed two years,” according to Stuart Walker, who makes up half of the brother-sister duo.
The brothers led the group in nominations and were crowned Group or Duo of the Year.
Hailing from North Dumfries, the CCMA Awards also brought a familiar feeling to The Reklaws.
“London is full of the best country music fans, in our opinion,” Stuart said of the city which lies just an hour south along 401 from the group’s hometown.
“It’s great to be close to home too, it feels like hometown,” added Jenna Walker.
Sacha, center, and The Reklaws pose for photographers on the red carpet at the 2021 Canadian Country Music Association Awards in London, Ontario.
Geoff Robins / The Canadian Press
The night, and the weekend that preceded it, brought countless lessons for Rising Star winner Robyn Ottolini, who spent the last few days absorbing as much knowledge as possible from her industry peers.
“I think there is always room to grow, there is always room to improve, and the second you stop hearing criticism is the second you stop growing,” Ottolini said.
“There has been a lot of learning and a lot of observations this weekend that I’m really going to take seriously.”
Before the show, co-host Priyanka told Global News that she was “ready to smash,” which she demonstrated throughout the night alongside co-host Lindsay Ell, as well as during a solo performance of her new single. Queen of the field.
Priyanka, who won the inaugural Canada Drag Race in 2020, says she never expected to be called up to present and perform at the CCMA Awards.
“This is shocking, but I am happy that it is happening during this time and I am happy that I am this dark person doing this for dark people so that they see that no matter what your skin color is, we can all come together, be talented. and sing a good country song, ”Priyanka said.
“The stage is big enough for all of us.”
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Monday marked London’s second night as the temporary home of Canadian country talent, having previously hosted the CCMA Awards in 2016.
Local officials say it was part of the city’s biggest weekend of the year and brought a much-needed boost to London’s hotel and music venues industry.
While the show has come to an end, country music fans can still catch an encore performance airing Friday at 9 p.m. ET on Global TV.
You can find a full list of winners at the CCMA website.
© 2021 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Reference-globalnews.ca