CCMA artists reveal pandemic has been really tough on them and industry
Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) Week has exposed just how difficult the pandemic has been on musicians.
"I'm not going to sugarcoat, it's been very hard for me personally," says Aaron Goodvin, an Alberta native who is nominated for two CCMA awards.
"It's just not seeing people, not being able to be in front of them, or not saying hello to people at work at hotels. That's a big part of what we do so I have missed that.”
Goodvin has played just five Canadian shows since the pandemic, when he would normally play five in a month.
Tim Neufeld, the lead singer of Tim and the Glory Boys (TGB) agrees with Goodvin, and says the COVID-19 restrictions have hurt Canadian Artists more than their American friends.
"We love it here in Canada, and London," says Neufeld, whose group is nominated for CCMA Group of the Year, and a rising star award.
"Even though this is an industry thing, when you think something might not come back or maybe touring is going to be different forever, to be able to come back and even just do this thing with all of the precautions and everything, it's just like water to the soul.”
Tim and the Glory Boys will stick around after Monday's award show and play Thursday night at London Music Hall (LMH) as an opener for Tenille Townes.
The Reklaws play at CCMA House Unplugged in London, Ont. on Sunday Nov. 28, 2021. (Brent Lale/CTV London)
The LMH was closed for over 600 days during the pandemic, but Tourism London hopes seeing artists back on stage, and music fans in the building will kick start the economy.
"You never know how it (the economy) is going to bounce back," says Natalie Wakabayashi, director of culture and entertainment for Tourism London.
"To be able to see our hotels back up to some really great capacity numbers, to see the venues full with events and even this weekend we filled not traditional music venues. I've got restaurants hosting private parties, so it's really, really exciting and some big sigh of relief".
The Hilton DoubleTree in downtown London, Ont. is the CCMA headquarters.
"The city has a vibe which is coming back again, which was before pre pandemic," says Sumit Bhatia, general manager of the Hilton.
In 2019 the hotel was around 80 per cent occupancy, and that dipped to as low as five to ten per cent during the pandemic. They've bounced back to about 50 per cent now, and Bhatia hopes the trend continues into 2022.
The London Music Hall in London, Ont. re-opened recently after being closed for more than 600 days during the pandemic. The venue was the host of CCMA House during Canadian Country Music Awards week. (Brent Lale/CTV London)
"It's not only good for the hospitality industry but it is good for restaurants, coffee shops and everybody," says Bhatia.
"We need more events because you even can see it with transportation as well. Look at all the cars lined up from country music.”
Tourism London feels this is a 'step in the right direction' after proving a large event can be done safely.
Monday's live award show at Budweiser Gardens will only be streamed for the first time, and will air on network television at a later date.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries 'Roots,' has died. He was 87.