Jade Eagleson Talks Past Mistakes and Musical Inspiration Ahead of CCMA Awards

CALGARY — Jade Eagleson is hoping for a second chance to deliver an acceptance speech at the Canadian Country Music Association awards this weekend in Calgary.

Although the Bailieboro, Ont., native says he tried to speak from his heart when he accepted the CCMA Rising Star award in 2019, there was one glaring oversight.

« I went up there and thanked everyone – I made it. (But I) forgot to thank my wife, » Eagleson said in a phone interview, speaking from Nashville where he lives. .

« I may have a cheat sheet this time. I’ll never forget that Rising Star award. I think it’s actually more special because I did it wrong. »

Eagleson, 28, has two single of the year nominations – one for his solo track ‘All Night To Figure It Out’ and another for ‘More Drinkin’ Than Fishin », a collaboration with Dean Brody. He is also up for Fans’ Choice, Album of the Year, Video of the Year and Best Male Artist.

Eagleson is very happy to be nominated for Album of the Year for « Honkeytonk Revival » as it represents a collection of his work.

Yet despite recent successes, including a Juno nomination last year for Country Album of the Year, the six CCMA nominations came as a shock.

« Absolutely. Honestly, I was hoping to maybe get one this year and when I heard I was kind of in love with the honor. My wife too. It’s awesome but it’s crazy to see. »

Eagleson trails only Tenille Townes in number of nominations.

The Nashville-based singer-songwriter hailing from Grande Prairie, Alberta. became the main contender with nominations in seven categories. They include both single and music video of the year for « Girl Who Didn’t Care ».

Eagleson’s booming baritone voice and traditional delivery are reminiscent of Calgary’s Paul Brandt, who achieved international success and topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

« Paul Brandt? Growing up listening to him. I think of ‘My Heart Has a History’ – that CD got worn out. Artist-wise he was probably the biggest influence on me, » Eagleson said .

« He always had a bad reputation for being a country pop artist but I would laugh because the people who were saying that didn’t even have half the country influence in their music that he had. I say that he’s a country crooner and I would say the best country crooner this nation has released. »

Coming back to Calgary for the awards show is a bit of a homecoming for Eagleson. At the age of 19, he moved to Alberta to learn a trade as a back-up plan because there is “not a lot of money in music”.

« But halfway through, I kept getting this call to make music and I said, ‘I have to take this chance,’ and I did, » he said. he declares.

« I packed my bags and moved halfway through this really good apprenticeship. I worked from home doing 40 hours a week and got to a place where I was a little more stable financially so I can go out and do the bar gigs at night. »

Other major contenders include James Barker Band with five nominations while Brett Kissel and Brody have four each.

The CCMA Awards will take place at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary and will be broadcast live September 11 on Global.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on September 5, 2022.

Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press