London, Ont., was a sizzling mattress of Canadian nation expertise as an extended weekend stuffed with music drew to its celebratory shut.
On Monday night time, the town performed host to the 2021 Canadian Nation Music Affiliation Awards, following a weekend stuffed with free occasions and live shows for Londoners.
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One of many first main leisure occasions to be held within the metropolis because the begin of the COVID-19 pandemic, the present additionally marked a return to in-person festivities for the CCMA Awards, which was pressured to go digital in 2020.
The return was long-awaited by Dallas Smith, who got here away with essentially the most awards on Monday night time, together with the CCMA’s prime prize, Entertainer of the 12 months.
“The entire weekend so far has been a celebratory kind of feeling in the direction of the entire thing,” Smith informed International Information.
“We’re all in the identical room for the primary time in a few years. That alone actually feels unbelievable.”
For The Reklaws, the night time felt like a “household reunion that has been delayed two years,” in keeping with Stuart Walker, who makes up one-half of the brother-sister duo.
The siblings led the pack in nominations and had been topped Group or Duo of the 12 months.
Hailing from North Dumfries, the CCMA Awards additionally introduced a well-recognized feeling for The Reklaws.
“London is simply stuffed with the very best nation music followers, in our opinion,” Stuart stated of the town that sits simply an hour south alongside the 401 from the group’s hometown.
“It’s nice to be near house too, it seems like hometown,” Jenna Walker added.
Sacha, centre, and The Reklaws pose for photographers on the crimson carpet on the 2021 Canadian Nation Music Affiliation Awards in London, Ont.
Geoff Robins / The Canadian Press
The night time, and the weekend that preceded it, introduced numerous classes for Rising Star winner Robyn Ottolini, who spent the previous few days absorbing as a lot data as doable from her business friends.
“I believe there’s all the time room for progress, all the time room for enchancment, and the second you cease listening to criticism is the second you cease rising,” Ottolini stated.
“There’s been loads of studying and loads of observations this weekend that I’m actually going to take to coronary heart.”
Forward of the present, co-host Priyanka informed International Information she was “able to crush it,” which she proved all through the night time alongside co-host Lindsay Ell, in addition to throughout a solo efficiency of her new single Nation Queen.
Priyanka, who received the inaugural version of Canada’s Drag Race in 2020, says she by no means anticipated to be known as on to host and carry out on the CCMA Awards.
“That is surprising, however I’m joyful that it’s occurring throughout this time and I’m joyful that I’m this brown particular person doing this for the brown folks for them to see that it doesn’t matter what your pores and skin color is, we will all simply come collectively, be gifted and sing an excellent ol’ nation tune,” Priyanka stated.
“The stage is sufficiently big for all of us.”
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Monday marked London’s second night time because the momentary house of Canadian nation expertise, having beforehand hosted the CCMA Awards in 2016.
Native officers say it was part of the most important weekend of the yr thus far within the metropolis and introduced a much-needed enhance to London’s music venue and lodge business.
Whereas the present has drawn to a detailed, nation music followers can nonetheless catch an encore presentation airing Friday at 9 p.m. ET on International TV.
A full listing of winners could be discovered on the CCMA’s web site.
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