Eh Material: Ratskin Family Band debuts music video

The Ratskin Family Band, the world's first drag country band, released their first music video "All You Fascists (Bound to Lose)" directed by Kitty Creature. " Y’all know we’re DIY to a fault and everything we do is made by us in house, so this video is nothing short of a labour of love, and we hope you enjoy this crazy sesame street fever dream," said Ratskin Family Band. After touring to shows in Guelph and Prince Edward Country, The Ratskin Family Band returns to Toronto at Dina's Tavern on May 24.

Destination St. John’s and the Canadian Country Music Association have announced that St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador will be the official host city for Country Music Week 2027 and the 2027 CCMA Awards - September 15-18, marking the first time the event will be hosted in Newfoundland and Labrador. Known for its deep musical roots, breathtaking coastal scenery, vibrant culture, and legendary hospitality, the St. John’s region promises an unforgettable East Coast backdrop for celebrating Canada’s top country music talent in September 2027. Country Music Week 2027 will feature a full schedule of programming, including live performances, songwriter showcases, fan experiences, industry events, and the nationally broadcast CCMA Awards at Mary Brown’s Centre.

Back in April Stingray announced the global launch of Just For Laughs Radio on TuneIn, a new audio channel created in partnership with Just For Laughs. The channel offers an audio feed of sketches and stand-up. Curated by Stingray from the Just For Laughs vault, it is "a go-to destination for everything from a quick giggle to a full-on belly laugh."

Vancouver-based comedian and actor Gina Harms released “Crying in Public”, her debut one-hour special. “Crying in Public” is a hilarious and painfully honest look at the things we’re willing to do for love before we truly understand it. After debuting the hour to sold-out crowds at the Vancouver Fringe Festival in 2023, Gina returned in 2025 to film the special at Little Mountain Gallery.

The Canadian Academy announced the Year 2 recipient of Misdirect: The Nick Nemeroff Comedy Grant is BC-based comedian Mikey Dubs. Misdirect: The Nick Nemeroff Comedy Grant is an initiative aimed at supporting and celebrating emerging Canadian comedians who embody the spirit of late Canadian comedian, Nick Nemeroff. In honour of his legacy, the Misdirect Grant seeks to nurture and amplify the next generation of comedic voices through the offering of a $10,000 CAD cash prize to the winning comedian, to be utilized for their next television special, album, or another comedy-related project.

Ram On Records, a new label from the minds of Olivia Street and Jesse Northey headquartered in Edmonton, launched in April 2026. Ram On Records brings together decades of experience across label operations, management, and artist development. As both artists and multi-faceted industry professionals, Northey and Street founded the label with an artist-first approach shaped by their own experience. Signings announced so far include Dana Lee, Alexandria Maillot, Starpainter, and King of Foxes.

On Fridays in May at Comedy Bar Bloor, Bad Dog Theatre Company will present The Good, The Bad, The Young and The Restless, a fully improvised western soap opera packed with scandal, romance, revenge, and wildly big characters. Created by Paloma Nunez and Kirsten Rasmussen, the show is bold, ridiculous, and proudly over the top, blending classic soap opera energy with a dusty western world.

The 2026 Belmont University Curb Music Industry Award for Country Music Book of the Year is Howdy!: The Minnie Pearl Story by Mary Ellen Pethel and Don Cusic. The book is part of the Charles K. Wolfe Series published by The University of Tennessee Press. The book was also named the Tennessee History Book Award winner of the year.

A their Best of the Fest Show on March 15, the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival announced the 2026 winners:

• Best of the Fest: Summer Dad

• Producers' Pick: Two2Mano

• Audience Choice: Potato Potato

• Outstanding Comedy Short: The Magnificent Gyno by the Red Hot Sili Peppers

• Sketchiest Sketch Troupe: Summer Dad

At their Best of the Fest Show on May 9, Montreal Sketchfest announced the winners for there 2026 festival:

• BEST OF THE FEST: Tiyawnda

• JFL AWARD: She/They

• BEST LOCAL: Grease Trap

• MEILLEUR FRANCO: Jerome Plumer

• BEST NEWCOMER: 2 Same Guys

• TOP DOG BIG DOG FOR COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE: Damien Nelson

One Liners

Allison Russell will release her third studio album In The Hour of Chaos on July 10 on Fantasy Records.

Bee Bertrand will release his debut comedy album ...And Bee Is Thriving on May 30 on Howl & Roar Records with a release party at Comedy Bar Bloor.

New York City’s queer country star Paisley Fields released their new album Are U Mad At Me on May 1.

Kyle Bergstresser has released his new comedy album You Gotta Get Used To The Boy on Howl & Roar Records.

Saskatchewan's Juno and CCMA Award-winning artist Jake Vaadeland has released his new solo album This Is Jake Vaadeland with lead single “The Homesteader’s Song.”

Halifax folk duo Mama's Broke has hit the road for their Analog Tour with Canadian dates starting this week.

James Harnett released his second comedy album It's Not Looking Good on April 21.

The War and Treaty will release their new album The Story of Michael and Tanya on June 19 with Atlantic Outpost.

Prince Edward Island's self described cottage core rockstar Kari Lyn kicks off a bold new chapter with sassy folk-country single “Killing Time (the Fish Song)”.

Pharis and Jason Romero announced their seventh duo album These Are The Days That Turn in to Years will be released June 10.

JUNO-nominated Indigenous singer-songwriter Desiree Dorion released her eighth studio album, Pieces of Me, with lead single "Landmine" on May 15.

Canada’s raunchiest rock‑and‑roll carnivores Sons of Butcher released Skids, a brand‑new four‑song EP alongside the new music video for “Denim Dreamin’".

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