On September 13, 2025, Kelowna hosted Canada’s Biggest Night in Country Music, celebrating the year’s most outstanding achievements across the country music industry. Presented by the Canadian Country Music Association®, the 2025 CCMA Awards honoured Canada’s country music community, recognizing the outstanding contributions of artists, musicians, radio stations, and industry leaders over the past year.
This year, Nanaimo-based artist Cameron Whitcomb made his mark with two major wins: Fans’ Choice presented by Bud Light and Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year presented by Birkenstock. Kelowna’s own CIGV-FM was also recognized, taking home Radio Station of the Year (Medium or Small Market), a nod to the important role regional stations play in amplifying country artists across the country.
At 17, Whitcomb left home to work on a pipeline, where he soon discovered his passion for singing. Though originally inspired by the Vancouver rap scene, he was introduced to Johnny Cash and country music by his brother in his teens. After posting karaoke videos of Tyler Childers covers on Reddit, Whitcomb caught the attention of an American Idol executive and competed on the show’s 20th season. This turning point solidified his commitment to music.
His 2024 debut EP Quitter offers a candid exploration of overcoming addiction, earning him a devoted audience and critical acclaim. In the short time since, the 22-year-old singer/songwriter has headlined tours across North America and Europe, surpassed 500 million global catalog streams, and earned spots on 2025 “Artist to Watch” lists from both Spotify and Amazon Music, all before releasing a full-length record.
Whitcomb’s debut album, The Hard Way, is set for release on September 26, 2025. Across 15 tracks, Whitcomb faces his demons with grit, sensitivity, and poetic detail, moving between stripped-back folk, rough-edged country, and punk-leaning pop. The album features “Medusa” and “Quitter,” both nominated for Single of the Year at the 2025 Canadian Country Music Awards.
With his rapid rise and his double win at the 2025 CCMAs, Cameron Whitcomb is set to continue his ascent in the Canadian music industry.
Learn more about him on his website, and discover his music on Spotify. Discover more country music from CIGV-FM on 100.7 FM or on air online.
