The Canadian Country Music Association got its annual award show underway Saturday by handing out the trophy for breakthrough performer of the year to former American Idol contestant Cameron Whitcomb.
It was the first nomination for Whitcomb, who hails from Nanaimo, B.C. It follows the release of his track Quitter, a gritty, foot-stomping anthem that croons to its listeners about the hardest part of dealing with an addiction.
“Thank you for keeping me sober. Thank you for saving my life,” he told the crowd in Kelowna, B.C. “I love you sincerely, from the bottom of my heart.”
Comedian Tom Green, host of Saturday’s show, kicked it off holding an acoustic guitar and performing his own song about not knowing exactly what to sing, but rolling with the punches.
“Let’s get ‘er done, Kelowna,” he said.
Whitcomb and breakout country singer Josh Ross were the leading nominees as the association handed out its annual hardware.
Both musicians have secured six nods each and are facing off in the fans’ choice, male artist, entertainer and single of the year categories, trailed by Brett Kissel, Owen Riegling and Jade Eagleson.
Ross, who hails from Ontario, won big at last year’s awards in Edmonton, capturing best male artist, entertainer of the year and best single for his whiskey-soaked heartbreak ballad Trouble.
Whitcomb is also up for single of the year, along with Ross’s Single Again and Kissel’s Let Your Horses Run.
The star-studded show airs live on CTV and includes performances by Madeline Merlo, Sacha, MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge.
