In addition to five nominations and a performance lined up at the Canadian Country Music Awards, the James Barker Band has been selected to host this year’s award ceremony. It’s been a historic year for the band, who also featured as an opening act on the Boots and Heats 2026 Aug. 9 show, taking the stage before Rascal Flatts. The band also stopped by the CTV Barrie studio to discuss their performance at the iconic country show a few days prior. “We’ve grown up watching this show and have been lucky enough to make so many great memories at the CCMAs over the years, so getting the chance to host and celebrate Canadian country music from the other side of the stage is pretty special,” the band said via a statement. “We’re excited to celebrate our friends, have some fun and hopefully keep the whole thing on the rails,” the band said, adding “you never really know what could happen when you give the four of us microphones on live TV.” This year, the band is up for nominations in five different categories: Entertainer of the Year, Ford F-150 Album of the Year, Fans’ Choice, Group or Duo of the Year and Single of the Year. The band, composed of James Barker, Connor Stephen, Taylor Abram and Bobby Martin have more than 413 million global streams, six singles that have reached number one in Canadian country radio, 12 gold and platinum certifications, two JUNO Awards for Country Album of the Year and 6 CCMA Awards already to their name. The CCMAs will air exclusively on CTV on Sept. 19 at 8 p.m.
