Green carpet sees its own kind of country glamour
Sophisticated fashion fits the bill for a music scene that continues to grow
Fans and musicians alike were blown away Sunday on the Canadian Country Music Association Awards green carpet. A warm, eyewatering wind didn’t dampen the smiles of hundreds of fans who lined the emerald-coloured walkway as country stars from across Canada stopped to sign autographs and take selfies with fans.
Aaron Pritchett nearly lost his cowboy hat. Alan Doyle remarked that he was “feeling all Bon Jovi” with his long locks.
Saskatchewan country star, and three-time CCMA Female Artist of the Year, Jess Moskaluke was one of the last people to walk the carpet. Up for two more awards, including another Female Artist nod, she said she felt “thrilled and definitely a little windblown.”
Though the day was all about country music, the fashion was more about sequins than spurs; more blazers than cowboy boots. High Valley sported skinny, modern suits. Rocker-turned-country artist Dallas Smith chose a pair of tight army pants and a sweatshirt.
The four-time 2017 nominee would finish the CCMA broadcast later that night. Though he didn’t seem nervous, Smith admitted it was a special responsibility.
“You want to make sure you put a big exclamation point on the night,” he said, adding it was much easier when he was tasked with opening the CCMA Awards a few years ago.
Smith got one of the biggest responses from fans, who chanted his first name as he walked the green carpet.
Not everyone who attended the event was a country music star. Roughriders Kevin Glenn and Brendon LaBatte were there to present an award. Glenn joked they weren’t feeling any pressure because they planned to imagine they were on the football field. Longtime hockey commentator Ron MacLean also walked the runway, sporting a cowboy hat and a velvet blazer that would give his colourful co-host Don Cherry a run for his money.
Easily the cutest attendee was Brett Kissel’s daughter Mila, who sported a fluffy pink tutu and danced on the green carpet. The toddler even participated in a few interviews, playing with reporters’ microphones and removing her dad’s hat.
Kissel’s a regular in Saskatoon as a result of working with local producer Bart McKay and said he always loves coming to the city.
“I’m not sure if many people have Saskatoon on their bucket list, but I think it’s amazing,” he said.
After dozens of musicians made their way into the show, the biggest take-away was a sense of camaraderie and pride. Nearly everyone mentioned how much the Canadian country music scene has grown in recent years.
Gord Bamford, who walked the green carpet with recent collaborator and Blue Rodeo member Jim Cuddy, joked that it’s getting harder to stand out.
“The talent pool is so good in Canada, it’s easily as good as anything in the world,” he said.