Country Music Week takes over Saskatoon

Shine your boots and pick out your best hat, PotashCorp Country Music Week is underway in Saskatoon.

The leadup to Sunday’s Canadian Country Music Association awards (CCMAs) features a host of events for fans, including showcases of emerging Canadian country talent, established artists and a songwriters’ event featuring stripped-down acoustic performances.

Along with some of the more intimate showcase performances, a Friday night cabaret and a massive free event at Prairieland Park Saturday will give people a chance to see some of the stars who will be in the Bridge City throughout the weekend.

Running in tandem with the events for fans, the week also features a convention for members of the Canadian country music industry at TCU Place.

And finally, Sunday’s CCMA awards show will be the crown jewel of the week.

The two-hour show at SaskTel Centre will feature a lineup of Canadian and international country music royalty, with awards to be presented across eight categories.

The area outside the stadium will be a prime spot with another free show Sunday afternoon, and the chance for people to do a bit of stargazing as nominees, presenters and performers make their way into the awards gala along the John Deere green carpet.

PotashCorp Country Music Week fan events Sept. 7-10

Note: ticket availability may change, please ensure events aren’t sold out before attending

THURSDAY, SEPT. 7

CCMA SONGWRITERS’ SERIES, Session 1 — 1-3:30 p.m.
TCU Place, Centennial ABC
Tickets: $30.00 (plus fees)/each
Ticket information here

The CCMA Songwriters’ Series features three days of performers doing acoustic sets meant to put the focus on songwriting craft and giving singers the chance to share some of the stories behind their words.

1 p.m.

Set hosted by Kenny Hess
Livy Jeanne
The Washboard Union
Beamer Wigley

2 p.m.

Tenille Arts
David Leask
Madeline Merlo
Dan Swinimer

CCMA DISCOVERY SHOWCASE — 8-10 p.m
TCU Place, Grand Salon
Tickets: $25 (plus fees)/each
Ticket information here

Six up-and-coming finalists selected through a national jury process compete one last time for fans, and a secret panel of judges. An award winner will be announced at an industry-only gala on Saturday. Thursday’s event will be hosted by Beverley Mahood, who will also perform. Eric Ethridge, winner of the 2016 CCMA Discovery award, will also appear.

2017 CCMA Discovery Showcase performers:

Danielle Bourjeaurd
Jesse Gold
Kalsey Kulyk
Steph La Rochelle
Shylo Sharity
Sons of Daughters

FRIDAY, SEPT. 8

CCMA SONGWRITERS’ SERIES, Session 2 — 4:30-7 p.m.
TCU Place, Centennial ABC
Tickets: $30
Ticket information here

4:30 p.m.

Set hosted by Jason Blaine
Clayton Bellamy of The Road Hammers
Raquel Cole
The Lovelocks

5:45 p.m.

Buck Twenty
Chris Henderson
Gavin Slate
Travis Wood

CCMA LEGENDS SHOW: A Tribute to Yesterday and Today — 7:30-9:30 p.m.
TCU Place, Sid Buckwold Theatre
Tickets: $45 (plus fees)/each
Ticket information here

The Legends show pairs some of Canada’s most beloved country musicians with rising and current stars in a tribute to some of the biggest hits of Canadian country.

Featuring performances by:

Paul Brandt
Lisa Brokop
Patricia Conroy
Hunter Brothers
Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Mallory Johnson
Madeline Merlo
Jimmy Rankin
Deric Ruttan
Ian Tyson
The Washboard Union

*Note: Previously announced Legends show host Brett Kissel has had to step down due to scheduling conflicts. Deric Ruttan will host in his place.

CCMA ROCK’N COUNTRY CABARET — 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
Prairieland Park
Tickets: $30 (plus fees)/each
Ticket information here

A night for the 19-and-over crowd to let loose, featuring some of Canadian stars performing their favourite rock covers along with their own originals.

Featuring performances by:

Brody Siebert
Tenille Arts
The Johner Brothers
Meghan Patrick
Jason Blaine
The Road Hammers
Tim Hicks
Chad Brownlee

SATURDAY, SEPT. 9

SIRIUSXM FANFEST — 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Prairieland Park
FREE EVENT

A free afternoon music festival featuring back-to-back live performances by fan-favourite artists. Fans will have a chance to get photos with country music celebrities at the SiriusXM FanFest photo wall.

Featuring performances by:

Gord Bamford
Chad Brownlee
Cold Creek County
Tim Hicks
Brett Kissel
JoJo Mason
Madeline Merlo
Jess Moskaluke
Meghan Patrick
Aaron Pritchett
The Road Hammers
Dallas Smith
The Washboard Union
Bobby Wills

CCMA SONGWRITERS’ SERIES, Session 3 — 1:30-4 p.m.
TCU Place, Centennial ABC
Tickets: $30 (plus fees)/each
Ticket information here

1:30 p.m.

set hosted by Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Patrick Ballantyne
James Barker of James Barker Band
Leaving Thomas

2:45 p.m.

Aaron Goodvin
Jessica Mitchell
JJ Shiplett
Sykamore

SUNDAY, SEPT. 10

IN THE ROUND: CROSSING BORDERS — 1-3 p.m.
TCU Place, Centennial ABC
Tickets: $40 (plus fees)/each
Ticket information here

Songwriters from both sides of the Canada-U.S. border get together to pass around a guitar and share the stories behind country music’s biggest hits.

Featuring performances by:

Alan Doyle
Eric Paslay
Liz Rose
Deric Ruttan
Gordie Sampson

TD COUNTDOWN CONCERT — 1-2:30 p.m.
Outside of SaskTel Centre
FREE EVENT

A chance for fans to help get the CCMA awards show party started off right with a festival style show outside SaskTel Centre.

Featuring performances by:

Alee
Cold Creek County
Aaron Goodvin
Dan Davidson
Aaron Pritchett
JJ Shiplett

JOHN DEERE GREEN CARPET — 2:45-4:15 p.m.
Outside of SaskTel Centre
FREE EVENT

Nominated artists, performers, presenters and special guests will walk the carpet and interact with fans and media along the way. Fans are encouraged to stake out their spots early for a chance to see and cheer on their favourite stars.

2017 CCMA AWARDS SHOW — 5-7 p.m.
SaskTel Centre
Tickets: $42-$120 (including GST, plus service charges)/each
Ticket information here
Televised broadcast: CBC

The biggest night in Canadian country music. Fans, artists and industry will take part in a celebration featuring performances and appearances by some of Canada’s brightest country stars, with winners to be announced across eight award categories.
Featuring performances by: