The 32nd Saskatchewan Country Music Awards (SCMA) will feature some of the best musicians in the province as the show goes virtual on Saturday for the second straight year.
Tenille Arts, Hunter Brothers, and Samara Yung are some of the most recognizable artists and are available for multiple awards, but the talent pool is deeply rooted in Saskatchewan and there are plenty of up-and-coming talent worth watching.
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Lloydminster’s Jordyn Pollard was named emerging artist of the year a year ago and has received three awards this year: artist of the year, album or EP of the year and entertainer of the year for fans.
She said it means a lot to her to be seen in the same light among the best country musicians in the province.
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“It’s definitely something I never thought would happen. I’m so honored that people think of me the same way they think of them. It’s definitely humbling, ”said Pollard.
Pollard released their first EP Good on Me in 2019 with four songs including their latest hit Back to Us.
She describes her style as quirky with a dash of sass.
“Many of the songs resonate with me and show how I feel about romantic relationships and life in general,” said Pollard.
“I’m a super fun person and I want my music to represent that. I hope people get this when they hear it. “
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Pollard looks forward to the day when things will be back to normal as this is her second consecutive nomination year and both awards will be held virtually.
“I missed the actual experience [last year] and I haven’t had my real victorious moment on stage, ”said Pollard.
“It was a little different not getting this for my first award, but hopefully that will come as soon as COVID is over.”
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Pollard plans to follow the awards on FaceTime with her parents and grandparents from the comfort of her home.
“Hopefully my grandparents can both figure out how to use it [FaceTime],” She laughed.
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“But yeah, we just sit here, probably have a coffee, watch the show and enjoy it by dancing and singing along like we did last year.”
Pollard is currently working on new music that she plans to release in the near future. You can find her music on her website and Facebook page.
A bright future for country music in Saskatchewan
The Emerging Artist of the Year award is always something to watch for as it highlights some of the province’s best up-and-coming talent.
Among the nominees are Justine Sletten and Andrea An, who both have a unique style but share a similar passion for their craft.
Hailing from the small village of Hazlet, Sletten said it was extremely rewarding to be recognized for her hard work.
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“I’m very honored to be nominated with the people I am with and even those in other categories,” said Sletten. “To be listed as a SCMA nominee is great. I was very excited to see my name up there. “
An was born and raised in Saskatoon.
“It’s my first award I’ve ever been nominated for and I honestly didn’t even expect it,” said An. “I’m just very grateful to have been recognized in this category among such talented and hard-working artists.”
She recently released her first song on the Canadian country music scene called Wanting You, which she co-wrote with Jesse Weiman and Doug Sylvester and which is currently recording an album that is expected to be released sometime this year.
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“I told them I wanted to do something that was kind of cold but at the same time optimistic,” said An.
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“The song is about being in a long-distance relationship and feeling like you strive not to see your significant other for so long.”
An’s music is a mix of pop country and R&B. Her music can be found on their website and Facebook page.
Sletten released her first EP called Groundbreaking in 2017, and her latest single Eighteen came on the air in July 2020.
She compares her sound to international country star Kelsea Ballerini and a few others, but says she is still discovering her own style.
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“I really look up to like people like Shania Twain, Tenille Arts and all these types of artists,” Sletten said. “I’m definitely still working on finding my sound. But right now I’m there. “
You can find more pieces of music by Sletten on her website and on her Facebook page.
The remaining nominees for the Emerging Artist of the Year award are The Dirt Rich Band, Karissa Hoffart, and Katelyn Lehner.
The SCMAs can be streamed on Access Now and YouTube at 8 p.m.
5:10Country pop artist Justine Sletten
Country pop artist Justine Sletten – May 8, 2020
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