2024 has been an unforgettable year in Canadian country music, with groundbreaking moments, emotional performances, and exciting milestones making headlines.
At Front Porch Music, we’ve had the privilege of sharing these incredible stories with you all. Now, we’re rounding up the most-read news stories from our website to celebrate a year filled with unforgettable moments.
Here are the top country music news stories of 2024, ranked by page views and audience interest.
1. The Reklaws Audition for America’s Got Talent
Canada’s favourite country siblings, Jenna and Stuart Walker—better known as The Reklaws—brought the nation to tears when they auditioned for America’s Got Talent. Their performance of their original song, “People Don’t Talk About”, was an emotional tribute to their late mother.
With poignant lyrics like “People don’t talk about trying to be yourself but feeling like you’re someone else,” the song struck a chord with audiences and judges alike. Simon Cowell called it, “the kind of audition we love on this show,” while Heidi Klum took to social media to rave about the duo.
The emotional weight of their story, combined with their undeniable talent, captivated viewers across the globe. This audition not only showcased The Reklaws’ artistry but also raised awareness for mental health—a topic deeply personal to the duo. The story became the most-read article on our site this year, proving once again why The Reklaws are national treasures.
2. Avril Lavigne Joins Nate Smith at Boots and Hearts Music Festival
In a moment that stunned festival-goers, pop-punk icon Avril Lavigne made a surprise appearance at the Boots and Hearts Music Festival, joining country artist Nate Smith on stage. Together, they performed their duet “Bulletproof”, a track that has garnered over seven million streams on Spotify.
The energy was electric as Avril’s unexpected entrance got the crowd excited. Known for her love of the festival, this marked Avril’s first time performing on its stage—a historic moment for both fans and the festival itself.
The night ended with a heartfelt hug between the two artists, cementing the performance as one of the most iconic moments in Boots and Hearts history. Fans flocked to social media, calling it “the surprise of the year.”
3. Live Nation Announces Massive New Stadium Venue in Toronto
In a game-changing announcement, Live Nation Canada revealed plans for a brand-new 50,000-capacity concert venue in Toronto, set to open in 2025. Named Rogers Stadium, the venue will be the largest purpose-built music stadium in the country and promises to transform the Toronto music scene.
Situated on the former Downsview Airport Lands, this state-of-the-art venue is designed to host major international tours and create new opportunities for Canadian artists. With its innovative design and massive capacity, Rogers Stadium has already generated buzz among music lovers and industry professionals alike.
The news was one of our top-performing stories, proving that the appetite for live music in Toronto is bigger than ever.
4. Josh Ross Wins His First CMA Award
2024 has been a monumental year for Canadian artist Josh Ross, and it reached new heights when he was surprised by Luke Bryan with his first-ever CMA Award. Josh received the Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award, recognizing his international impact on country music.
The emotional moment took place on the CMA red carpet, where Josh was visibly moved by the honour. “I’m about to cry, and it’s the start of the night,” he said. This milestone followed an incredible year where he also won big at the CCMA Awards, solidifying his status as one of Canada’s most exciting country artists.
Listen to our interview with Josh Ross on our Podcast
5. Alli Walker Plays The Bagpipes On Stage With Shania Twain
Canadian artist Alli Walker brought her East Coast charm to the Churchill Park Music Festival when she joined Shania Twain on stage for a one-of-a-kind collaboration. Alli played the electric bagpipes during Shania’s hit “Any Man of Mine”, creating a unique and unforgettable performance.
The surprises didn’t stop there—Alli taught Shania (and the audience!) how to sing her own single, “The Whiskey’s Gone,” turning the concert into a full-blown kitchen party. It was a night of fun, spontaneity, and cultural pride that fans won’t soon forget.
Listen to Alli talk about her career in bagpiping in PEI
6. Madeline Merlo Makes Her Opry Debut
This year also saw Madeline Merlo achieve a lifelong dream when she made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry. Known for her songwriting success (Lady A’s “Champagne Night”) and her rising solo career, Madeline’s Opry debut marked a major milestone for the Maple Ridge, B.C., native.
With her new EP One House Down (from the girl next door) and collaborations with artists like Dustin Lynch, Madeline has been making waves on both sides of the border. Her Opry debut was a testament to her talent and hard work, earning her a well-deserved spot among country music’s elite.
Madeline talked to us about her dream of playing on the Opry stage
A Wrap On Country Music In 2024
From emotional tributes to groundbreaking collaborations, 2024 was a banner year for Canadian country music. These stories remind us of the incredible year we are leaving, and brings up thoughts of what’s in store for 2025.
We have a few ideas of what might be coming next year. Here’s our prediction for what will happen in country music in Canada for 2025.
@frontporchmusic 2025 Predictions: Canadian Country Music edition! 🇨🇦🤠 #2025predictions #happynewyear #canadiancountrymusic #frontporchmusic @lily braendle @Jenna 🌙 | Music & Podcasting #greenscreen ♬ Moonshines – Owen Riegling
Logan Miller
As the founder of Front Porch Music, I believe that music has the ability to connect people. I love country music, and I love the country music industry as a whole. My goal is to help music fans find new artists to fall in love with.
