With the 2026 CCMA Awards approaching, this year’s nominees offer a snapshot of what’s connecting in Canadian country right now. From charting singles to standout collaborations and breakthrough releases, here are 10 songs to have on your radar ahead of the big night.
1. Cameron Whitcomb — “Options”
Raw and emotionally charged, “Options” captures the intensity that has become a defining part of Whitcomb’s music. He heads into this year’s CCMAs tied for the most nominations, earning seven across some of the night’s biggest categories.
2. Josh Ross — “Hate How You Look”
Ross delivers the kind of emotionally complicated storytelling that has helped take his career well beyond Canada. With seven nominations this year, he enters the awards as one of the most recognized and beloved artists on the ballot.
3. James Barker Band — “You Didn’t Hear It From Me”
Built around a clever premise and the band’s unmistakably catchy approach to country, this one shows exactly why JBB remain such a force in the genre. The group picked up five nominations for 2026, including Entertainer and Group or Duo of the Year.
4. Nate Haller & Tenille Townes — “Backfire”
Haller and Townes make a natural pairing on a collaboration that lets both of their distinct styles come through. Between them, the two artists have eight nominations heading into this year’s awards.
5. Morgan Griffiths — “Bourbon”
A memorable introduction to an artist having a major breakthrough year, “Bourbon” helped put Griffiths in front of an even wider audience. He arrives at his first CCMAs with three nominations, including Fans’ Choice and Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year.
6. Owen Riegling — “Love Hate Love”
Riegling taps into the push and pull of a relationship with the conversational writing that has become central to his sound. Four nominations—including Entertainer and Male Artist of the Year—show just how quickly his career has continued to move.
7. Thelma & James — “Alternate Ending”
The duo’s stripped-back approach gives their songwriting plenty of room to take centre stage. Five nominations this year place Thelma & James among the most recognized acts heading into the 2026 ceremony.
8. Meghan Patrick — “Safe Place to Break”
Patrick leans into vulnerability here without losing the strength and conviction that have long defined her work. She earned three nominations this year, including Female Artist and Songwriter of the Year.
9. Sacha ft. Restless Road — “Shooting Star”
A polished collaboration that pairs Sacha’s distinctive vocal presence with Restless Road’s harmonies. Sacha heads to Saskatoon as a two-time nominee, including a nod for Female Artist of the Year.
10. Sully Burrows — “Rally Around”
Burrows brings a youthful perspective and grounded country sensibility to a track that offers a strong entry point into his music. His Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year nomination makes this an especially good time to get familiar with his name.
Hear these tracks and discover more Canadian country music making noise right now, on the Top Country Radar playlist.