Campbellford Mom Celebrates Son’s Win at CCMA

Jade Eagleson being presented with one of his three awards at the CCMA by emcee Carly Pearce. Screen shot of CTV image

Jade Eagleson a Big Winner…Entertainer of the Year and more

Bringing Home Three Awards

“The Entertainer of the Year Award is one of the highest honours the CCMA grants every year. It recognizes more than just the success of an artist, but also how they use their gifts to push the genre forward and create a stronger country community for everyone.” Carly Pearce.

Article by Sue Dickens/Images submitted

Campbellford – Mon., Sept. 18, 2023 – Watching her son, Jade Eagleson, receive Entertainer of the Year Award at the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) ceremony  Saturday night on CTV, is something Paula Walker will never forget…and she continued to celebrate her son’s win on her birthday the next day.

But that’s not all. Jade also went up on stage to receive two more awards…Male Artist of the Year and Innovative Campaign of the Year.

He was a big winner Saturday night.

Jade’s three-year-old son Levi was watching the CCMA night with his grandmother Paula
Walker here in Campbellford.

It was an exciting time.

Talking about that night Paula told Trent Hills Now how her grandson said, “Nonna the next time daddy wins, we will clap like this ok?” Then he demonstrated how to clap as Paula screamed over her son’s big wins while Levi was sitting on her lap.

Interviewing Paula on Sunday, she said, “I was given a choice a few weeks ago – to either go to the CCMA’s or watch my grandson Levi. Naturally, it was an easy choice.” And so the family, Paula, her husband Pat Carrano and Levi were able to watch the award show together.

“If you’ll notice, listen closely, Levi yelled ‘yay’ before Carly mentioned Jade’s name,” said Paula, as she explained a video she had taped from the live event of the announcement by country music singer and songwriter Carly Pearce who emceed the evening on stage at FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton.

Jade was at the award night with his wife Marina Paquin.

“Last year Jade was up for five awards and didn’t win any…so this year winning three was a big surprise…he’s a big fan of Shania Twain and to be in a category with her, I’m sure he never imagined he would ever win,” Paula told Trent Hills Now.

She talked about how her son has been immersed in music since birth.

She and her husband are musicians too. The couple moved to Trent Hills from the GTA, immediately launching their music outreach called SoulCorde Music Ministry.

Paula had retired from her position as a music teacher with the Durham District School Board. Her passion has always been teaching music; in particular to neurodivergent students. Her son Jade Eagleson and daughter Ariana Eagleson have both been diagnosed with ADD and so she has always used her talents to help children with neurodivergent issues.

So seeing Jade win three awards at the CCMA is a moment she said she will never forget.

Paula noted that watching him growing up, his affinity to music began to emerge as a result of the family’s lifestyle and she soon knew “he does have this natural gift.”

Jade and his own family now live in Nashville, which is recognized worldwide as the capital of country music and home to the Grand Ole Opry.

Both Paula and her cousin Roxanne Smith, also of Campbellford, a singer, songwriter, musician, vocalist at Phoxy Music, were posting the CCMA win on Facebook having taped the presentation of the awards that night.

“Roxy’s very excited about it all,” said Paula.

And in one final note Carly made this comment when announcing the nominees: “The Entertainer of the Year Award is one of the highest honours the CCMA grants every year. It recognizes more than just the success of an artist, but also how they use their gifts to push the genre forward and create a stronger country community for everyone.”

To see a list of the other award winners are go to: https://ccma.org/2023-ccma-award-winners/

About Jade:

Jade Eagleson (born May 23, 1994) is a Canadian country singer and songwriter from Bailieboro, Ontario. He has released nine singles (including the #1 Canada Country hits “Lucky“, “All Night to Figure It Out“, “More Drinkin’ Than Fishin’” and “She Don’t Know“) and two albums, Jade Eagleson and Honkytonk Revival.[1]

For more about Jade go to his website at:  https://www.jadeeagleson.com/