Kyle McKearney is a Métis Canadian alternative country singer-songwriter based in Airdrie, Alberta.[1]
Originally from Fort St. John, British Columbia,[1] he was involved in a number of country and rock musical projects, most notably a stint with a touring production of the jukebox musical We Will Rock You.[2] After going through a period of disillusionment with the state of his career, he returned to Calgary, where beginning in 2020 he posted weekly cover songs to YouTube before recording and releasing his solo debut album Down-Home in 2021.[2]
Down-Home was a Canadian Country Music Award nominee for Alternative Country Album of the Year at the 2022 Canadian Country Music Awards.[3] At the 18th Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2023, McKearney won the award for Contemporary Singer of the Year,[4] and was nominated for Contemporary Album of the Year and Indigenous Songwriter of the Year.[5]
He followed up in 2023 with the album A Traveler's Lament,[6] for which he received CCMA nominations for Alternative Country Album of the Year, Innovative Campaign of the Year, and Record Producer of the Year at the 2023 Canadian Country Music Awards.[7][8] McKearney would go on to win the "Alternative Country Album of the Year" award.[9]
References
- 1 2 Tim Kalinowski, The Airdrie City View, September 29, 2023; McKearney's big win at Canadian Country Music Awards validating
- 1 2 Eric Volmers, "Calgary music veteran Kyle McKearney takes the long road home with debut solo album". Calgary Herald, October 8, 2021.
- ↑ Katie Colley, "Tenille Townes Leads 2022 CCMA Awards Nominations With Seven: See The Full List". ET Canada, July 20, 2022.
- ↑ "CFMAs Are Handed Out In Vancouver". FYI Music News, April 5, 2023.
- ↑ Stephen Cooke, "Madison Violet, Shannon & Tony Quinn among 2023 Canadian Folk Music Award nominees". SaltWire Network, October 5, 2022.
- ↑ Michael Major, "Kyle McKearney Announces Release of Sophomore Album 'A Traveler's Lament'". Broadway World, March 13, 2023.
- ↑ Matthew Weaver, "Nominees have been revealed. More performers announced. Everything you need to know about CCMA Awards in Hamilton". CKDK-FM, July 13, 2023.
- ↑ "2023 CCMA Awards Nominees". Canadian Country Music Association. July 13, 2023. Archived from the original on July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ↑ "OFFICIAL 2023 CCMA AWARDS PRESENTED BY TD WINNERS". Canadian Country Music Association. September 16, 2023. Archived from the original on September 18, 2023.