Edmonton is known for more than just its cold winters and lively festivals; it also boasts a powerful music scene. Among its diverse genres, country music holds a special place. For decades, the city has been a breeding ground for talented musicians who blend the genre’s traditions with a modern sound. In this article on edmonton-trend, we’ll introduce you to some of the brightest country music stars from Edmonton.
Edmonton and Country Music
Edmonton is home to two influential country radio stations and a country music record label. Radio station CFCW is Canada’s oldest country station, celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2024. Since 2000, the station has won the Canadian Country Music Award for Radio Station of the Year seven times. The label Royalty Records has also made a significant contribution to the genre, working with more than a dozen renowned Canadian country artists.
Edmonton has been home to many musicians who have left a major mark on country music culture. Let’s take a closer look at these talented performers.
Garry Rask
Garry Rask has released over 50 albums and performed all over the world. One of the distinguished musician’s guitars is now housed in the Royal Alberta Museum. He was the first Indigenous artist from Canada to perform at one of the world’s most important country music venues, the Grand Ole Opry.
Garry Rask was born in British Columbia, but he spent his early teen years in Edmonton’s Charles Camsell Hospital being treated for tuberculosis. It was in Edmonton that he met country music star Hank Snow. In 1952, Snow performed for the hospital’s patients, and 20 years later, he invited Rask to make his debut at the Grand Ole Opry.
Rask contracted tuberculosis at the age of 12 and thought he would die in the hospital, as his father and brother had both passed away from the disease. But after Snow’s visit, Garry was inspired to pursue a music career. During his hospital visit, Snow told Garry to “keep looking up, no matter what.” From that moment on, Garry wanted to become a country musician. His mother sent him a guitar, and the boy began to teach himself to play.
After recovering, Garry lived in his hometown for a while but returned to Edmonton in 1965, where he stayed until 1992. This is where his career took off. In 1967, he began recording his music at Joe Kozak’s studio in Edmonton. Over his career, Garry sold more than 2 million records. In 2014, he had the chance to play with Hank Snow’s band—a deeply meaningful moment for the musician.
It’s a unique story of how a single encounter can save someone from despair, perhaps even heal them, and spark a lifelong dream that ultimately came true. The teenage years are a time for dreaming. It would be wonderful if we could all hold onto our ability to dream throughout our lives!
k.d. lang
k.d. lang is a true queer icon of country music. An animal rights advocate, a Buddhist, and an LGBTQ activist, lang is an openly lesbian artist with a beautiful yet powerful voice that captivates everyone who hears it.
She began her career in the 1980s with her band, The Reclines, at the Sidetrack Cafe in Edmonton. From there, her career skyrocketed. She expanded her repertoire, performed at two Olympic Games, and won numerous awards, including four Grammys.
k.d. lang was born in Edmonton in 1961, but her family later moved to the small Alberta town of Consort. She has said that her mother always supported her passion for music, sending her to music lessons at a convent 60 miles from their home.
When k.d. lang started performing with her band, she quickly gained popularity. By 1985, she had won a Juno Award for Most Promising Female Vocalist. She accepted the award in a wedding dress and joked about how she would live up to her “most promising” status.
Hailey Benedict
Hailey Benedict has managed to become a true star in a genre predominantly dominated by men. She is one of the brightest representatives of modern country music. Before she even turned 22, Hailey had won a host of major awards and a CCMA for Interactive Artist of the Year.
Hailey Benedict hails from St. Albert. Her career began at the age of 14 when Keith Urban himself selected her to perform before his concert in a packed arena. That performance brought her international attention and her first taste of success.
2023 was a landmark year for the singer. It was the year she won the SiriusXM Top of the Country competition. In the summer of 2023, she also fulfilled a lifelong dream by performing on the Big Valley Jamboree stage—a festival in her hometown that she attends every year.
The singer is very popular on social media. Her quarter-million followers on TikTok drew significant attention, which helped her win the CCMA award.
Hailey continues to create music and inspire young people. Her songs are known for their sincerity and emotional depth. She strives to combine traditional country motifs with modern pop elements, isn’t afraid to experiment, and often collaborates with other artists.
Corb Lund
Corb Lund was raised on a family ranch in southern Alberta. He has released 12 albums and tours extensively across Canada, the USA, and Australia. He has received several significant national and international awards.
When Lund grew up, he left his small town and moved to Edmonton, where he enrolled at MacEwan University to study guitar. Later, Lund founded the band The Smalls. The band broke up in 2001, and Lund embarked on a very successful solo career.
In 2024, Corb Lund released the album “El Viejo,” which he dedicated to his late friend and country icon, Ian Tyson.
In his songs, Lund often sings about ranch life, drinking, and playing cards, but he sometimes tackles less romantic topics, such as the health impacts of the oil and gas industry or protesting against coal mining. It’s rare to hear such environmental issues addressed in songs.
Throughout his career, Lund has been heavily involved in charity work and has supported various organizations. He has supported orphans, people with AIDS, helped disaster victims, and supported the Centre for Family Literacy in Edmonton. It confirms that for some, artistry and character are one and the same.
Danny Hooper
One of the biggest champions of country music in the city is Danny Hooper. He started his career in the mid-1970s with his debut album, “Just a Part of Losing You.” The album earned him a Juno nomination for Best Male Vocalist.
Making music is only part of what Hooper does. He owned a large concert venue, Danny Hooper’s Stockyard, and was also a co-host on CFCW. Later, Hooper even had his own show, The Barn Satellite Network.
Today, Hooper is better known as an auctioneer, comedian, and host of Alberta’s biggest country festival, the Big Valley Jamboree. He even has his own YouTube cooking show, “Danny Hooper’s Stockyard Kitchen.” It just goes to show that a talented person is talented in many things!
It is thanks to people like Danny that country music has been able to thrive in Edmonton. His media presence helped popularize the genre among a wider audience, and his concert venue became an important stage for local performers.
