Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame

In partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA), this exhibition honours the latest artist and builder inductees, alongside more Canadian country legends.

The Wilkinsons – Amanda, Steve, and Tyler Wilkinson – became one of Canada’s most successful country acts after breaking out in the late 1990s with their debut album, Nothing But Love. The album produced a series of hits, including the career-defining single, “26 Cents,” which topped the charts in Canada and the U.S. Over a 30-year career, the trio has earned two GRAMMY Award nominations, a JUNO Award, and 11 CCMA Awards, and the family’s story inspired a Gemini Award-winning CMT Canada television series. The group disbanded in 2009, with Amanda and Tyler going on to have success as CCMA Award-winning duo Small Town Pistols, and Steve establishing himself as an acclaimed songwriter, producer, and mentor to emerging artists. Today, The Wilkinsons remain one of Canada’s most influential country groups, whose legacy of beloved harmonies, heartfelt songwriting, and enduring hits continue to inspire generations of artists and fans. The updated exhibition features Steve Wilkinson’s Yamaha guitar that has accompanied the group on countless tours, along with photos, awards, and other memorabilia from throughout their career.

For more than 30 years, Stan Klees Builder inductee Ron Kitchener has championed Canadian country music as an artist manager, label founder, and industry leader, guiding the careers of Johnny Reid, Dean Brody, Corb Lund, Doc Walker, Tim Hicks, Jason McCoy, Madeline Merlo, and many others. He founded RGK Entertainment Group, a fully integrated country music company that includes Open Road Recordings. Open Road is regarded as one of Canada's top independent country record labels, bolstered early on by a licensing deal that brought Taylor Swift's catalogue to Canadian audiences. The artists and projects Kitchener has supported have earned five JUNO Awards and 56 CCMA Awards, while Kitchener is a 14-time CCMA Manager of the Year and three-time Industry Person of the Year. His work in artist development and expanding international opportunities has helped raise the profile of Canadian country music both at home and around the world. Among the treasures from Kitchener’s career, country fans will see his Nashville office sign, CCMA Awards, 100 backstage and VIP passes he has saved over his career, demonstrating his commitment to supporting the music, and a plaque commemorating Open Road's success with Taylor Swift.

As the permanent home of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, National Music Centre is the custodian of more than 2,000 artifacts spanning instruments, stagewear, photographs, and more. The annually updated Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame exhibition features artifacts from the 2026 inductees and past honourees who have made their mark on Canadian country music, including k.d. lang, Jason McCoy, Rita MacNeil, Terri Clark, Paul Brandt, Hank Snow, Michelle Wright, and Ian Tyson.

Thanks to Craig Senyk Initiatives for supporting the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame exhibition.