Saskatchewan artists ready to shine at 2026 CCMA Awards in Saskatoon

The province will be firmly in the national spotlight tonight, as Saskatoon hosts the Canadian Country Music Association’s Awards.

But Saskatchewan talent will also get a chance to strut their stuff, as several artists are nominated and/or performing in the big show at SaskTel Centre.

At the Country Music Week kickoff on Tuesday, Prince Albert’s Josh Stumpf said he couldn’t wait for the chance for the country to see what the province has to offer.

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“It’s gonna be such a blast,” Stumpf said. “It’s just really exciting to see everybody in, like, my home. That’s the coolest part for me.

“There’s so much talent in Saskatchewan, I feel, like, that goes unrecognized.”

Stumpf is up for two major awards: Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year and Fan’s Choice.

Awards recognition wouldn’t be unfamiliar territory for Stumpf — he won the Emerging Artist Award at the 2024 Saskatchewan Country Music Awards. He was also a semifinalist in the 2026 SiriusXM Top of the Country contest.

Jess Moskaluke is also familiar with being recognized for her work. The Langenburg, Sask., native won the Next Big Thing contest early in her career in 2011. Later that year, she won the New Artist Showcase Award at the CCMA Awards.

She was also named Female Vocalist of the Year at the Saskatchewan Country Music Association Awards in 2013.

Moskaluke will have the chance to add to her trophy case Saturday night, as she is nominated for Female Artist of the Year and Video of the Year for her song “I Ain’t Country.”

Moskaluke is also scheduled to perform at the ceremony Saturday night. Other Saskatchewan talent slated to take the stage are Weyburn’s Tenille Arts, Shaunavon’s Hunter Brothers and Hudson Bay’s Kalsey Kulyk.

Also hoping to bring home the hardware in his home province is Saskatoon’s Bart McKay, who is nominated for Record Producer of the Year. McKay’s work on singles by Julia Vos, Rosewood Ave. and Chevy Beaulieu led to his nomination this year.

The 2026 CCMA Awards will air live on CTV starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, and tickets are still available for the live show at SaskTel Centre. Fans attending the show are asked to be in their seats by 5:30.

— with files from 650 CKOM’s Libby Gray