The Boots and Hearts Sit Down with James Barker Band
In a straight line across Lake Simcoe, it is less than 30 miles to Woodville, Ontario—the small hometown where the story of the James Barker Band first began.
Back in 2015, as four unknown local musicians, they stepped onto a stage at Boots and Hearts as contestants in the annual Emerging Artist Showcase not knowing what was about to happen to them. Winning that contest ignited a meteoric rise: six #1 Canadian country radio singles, a JUNO Award, multiple CCMA Awards, and over 300 million global streams across digital platforms. Yet despite their massive trajectory, festivalgoers at Boots and Hearts have had to wait several years for the latest homecoming to Oro-Medonte. This year, JBB have come, full-circled and returned to where it all started (even before they were a band) claim their rightful place on the main stage, performing on Sunday alongside Ashley Cooke, Tucker Wetmore, and headliners Rascal Flatts.
Taylor: "It's like this is a homecoming, and there'll be tonnes of people out there that we know on Sunday. Boots is one of the coolest festivals in the world."
Connor: "A lot of girlfriends broke up with me here!"
James: "The last time we actually played here was 2018. Apart from some small events during COVID, this is our first time in almost 10 years that we've been here, so it'll be pretty wild."
Connor: "Normally we're on the other side of the fence, so it's a little weird being on the inside waving at all the family."
Back in 2015, as four unknown local musicians, they stepped onto a stage at Boots and Hearts as contestants in the annual Emerging Artist Showcase not knowing what was about to happen to them. Winning that contest ignited a meteoric rise: six #1 Canadian country radio singles, a JUNO Award, multiple CCMA Awards, and over 300 million global streams across digital platforms. Yet despite their massive trajectory, festivalgoers at Boots and Hearts have had to wait several years for the latest homecoming to Oro-Medonte. This year, JBB have come, full-circled and returned to where it all started (even before they were a band) claim their rightful place on the main stage, performing on Sunday alongside Ashley Cooke, Tucker Wetmore, and headliners Rascal Flatts.
Taylor: "It's like this is a homecoming, and there'll be tonnes of people out there that we know on Sunday. Boots is one of the coolest festivals in the world."
Connor: "A lot of girlfriends broke up with me here!"
James: "The last time we actually played here was 2018. Apart from some small events during COVID, this is our first time in almost 10 years that we've been here, so it'll be pretty wild."
Connor: "Normally we're on the other side of the fence, so it's a little weird being on the inside waving at all the family."
Immersing themselves completely in the Boots and Hearts weekend, band members Taylor Abram and Bobby Martin made sure their presence was felt off-stage as well. Prior to media calls, soundchecks and stage times, the duo laced up for the annual Boots and Hearts Barn Burner—a charity ice hockey game hosted at Barrie’s Sadlon Arena that raised an incredible $700,000 for local charities this year.
The star-studded lineup featured an impressive mix of NHL and PWHL stars alongside OHL and Barrie Colts alumni. Leading the lines on the ice were Toronto Maple Leafs star John Tavares and two-time Stanley Cup champion Aaron Ekblad.
Bobby: "Both of us are a little sore."
Connor: "Wait, I have an excuse though for not playing! We came from Nanaimo, British Columbia, and WestJet cancelled all our flights, so we made it back to Nashville two days after we were meant to be there. I wanted to see my wife for 24 hours—I saw her for six, and now I’m here."
Bobby: "He’s not upset about this at all! Can you skate or not?"
Connor: "I can’t skate!"
Bobby: "But the main reason is WestJet!"
Taylor: "The game was insane. I tied my skates so tight that when I walked out of the rink, I couldn't put any pressure on my left foot, but it's recovered now."
Bobby: "It was unbelievable. It was insane to get to play with internationals and Stanley Cup champions."
James: "Taylor scored, but Bobby didn't."
Taylor: "Taylor scored, but Bobby didn’t! Just checking you got that!"
Bobby: "Yeah, our team won though, so that's all that matters."
Taylor: "On my team, I played with Tavares, Gudbranson, Horvat... and I’ve forgotten the other guy's name!"
Bobby: "They clearly got along great!"
James: "He was in the changing room the whole time!"
Bobby: "The puck bounced off him from the bench and went in! I had a bunch of the Florida Panthers guys including Bennett, so it was cool getting to talk music and hockey with all of them.”
The star-studded lineup featured an impressive mix of NHL and PWHL stars alongside OHL and Barrie Colts alumni. Leading the lines on the ice were Toronto Maple Leafs star John Tavares and two-time Stanley Cup champion Aaron Ekblad.
Bobby: "Both of us are a little sore."
Connor: "Wait, I have an excuse though for not playing! We came from Nanaimo, British Columbia, and WestJet cancelled all our flights, so we made it back to Nashville two days after we were meant to be there. I wanted to see my wife for 24 hours—I saw her for six, and now I’m here."
Bobby: "He’s not upset about this at all! Can you skate or not?"
Connor: "I can’t skate!"
Bobby: "But the main reason is WestJet!"
Taylor: "The game was insane. I tied my skates so tight that when I walked out of the rink, I couldn't put any pressure on my left foot, but it's recovered now."
Bobby: "It was unbelievable. It was insane to get to play with internationals and Stanley Cup champions."
James: "Taylor scored, but Bobby didn't."
Taylor: "Taylor scored, but Bobby didn’t! Just checking you got that!"
Bobby: "Yeah, our team won though, so that's all that matters."
Taylor: "On my team, I played with Tavares, Gudbranson, Horvat... and I’ve forgotten the other guy's name!"
Bobby: "They clearly got along great!"
James: "He was in the changing room the whole time!"
Bobby: "The puck bounced off him from the bench and went in! I had a bunch of the Florida Panthers guys including Bennett, so it was cool getting to talk music and hockey with all of them.”
The band’s triumphant return to Boots and Hearts comes at a moment when their latest single, "After Dark," is capturing huge momentum at country radio. In the lead-up to the festival, the track achieved the coveted spot of being the #1 most-added song at country radio overall for two consecutive weeks.
Taking a brand-new track out on the road during peak summer festival season offers an immediate, raw barometer of how music connects with crowds—and performing it on home turf at Burl’s Creek is sure to make the experience even more electric.
James: "It always feels good to have a new song out and see people react. 'After Dark' is one of those ones where it’s not even a month old yet, but we've been playing it at so many festivals since it came out, and it’s been great to see the crowd reaction. They instantly pick up on the chorus, and I feel at Boots, especially being our home turf, the people singing that one will be pretty epic to see. We'll definitely be posting videos of that."
Taylor: "And selfishly, it's fun as heck to play live. Just energy-wise and stuff, it's a fun one to be on stage for."
Taking a brand-new track out on the road during peak summer festival season offers an immediate, raw barometer of how music connects with crowds—and performing it on home turf at Burl’s Creek is sure to make the experience even more electric.
James: "It always feels good to have a new song out and see people react. 'After Dark' is one of those ones where it’s not even a month old yet, but we've been playing it at so many festivals since it came out, and it’s been great to see the crowd reaction. They instantly pick up on the chorus, and I feel at Boots, especially being our home turf, the people singing that one will be pretty epic to see. We'll definitely be posting videos of that."
Taylor: "And selfishly, it's fun as heck to play live. Just energy-wise and stuff, it's a fun one to be on stage for."
The summer festival momentum feeds directly into a massive autumn ahead. Next month, the boys will be heading west to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where Country Music Week 2026 culminates with the 44th annual Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards at the SaskTel Centre.
This year, the James Barker Band enters the celebration riding high on six major nominations—including a nod for the night's biggest honour, Entertainer of the Year and Group or Duo where they’re looking for their fourth win.
Taylor: "After years of not winning anything, it’s so exciting."
Bobby: "And we’ll never get bored of Entertainer of the Year, as this is the first time!"
James: "You don't think about winning awards when you get into this, and at the same time, if you don't focus on awards, that doesn't make you any less successful. I feel like it's a nice little pat on the back."
Connor: "Well, it's also a little different for us because when you get nominated for group or duo or an entertainer award, it's a result collectively of all the hard work we put in this year. We're all earning an achievement."
Bobby: "And it’s a team award. It’s not just the band, but we tour with our touring team including our tour manager, lighting guys, front of house, and more. They’re the people who make sure we are able to put on our show all around Europe, Canada, and the U.S. It's kind of like a tip of the hat to them too, so hopefully we can take home something."
This year, the James Barker Band enters the celebration riding high on six major nominations—including a nod for the night's biggest honour, Entertainer of the Year and Group or Duo where they’re looking for their fourth win.
Taylor: "After years of not winning anything, it’s so exciting."
Bobby: "And we’ll never get bored of Entertainer of the Year, as this is the first time!"
James: "You don't think about winning awards when you get into this, and at the same time, if you don't focus on awards, that doesn't make you any less successful. I feel like it's a nice little pat on the back."
Connor: "Well, it's also a little different for us because when you get nominated for group or duo or an entertainer award, it's a result collectively of all the hard work we put in this year. We're all earning an achievement."
Bobby: "And it’s a team award. It’s not just the band, but we tour with our touring team including our tour manager, lighting guys, front of house, and more. They’re the people who make sure we are able to put on our show all around Europe, Canada, and the U.S. It's kind of like a tip of the hat to them too, so hopefully we can take home something."
That strong work ethic and globe-trotting live show have taken the James Barker Band far beyond Canadian borders. While UK fans have been patiently waiting for a return since the band last played for us in 2019, the group was back in Europe earlier this year for an appearance at C2C Festival in Berlin, paired with a headlining run of European dates.
James: "It was amazing. We did a run all over Germany and then a few other countries. Berlin was definitely the highlight. It was crazy—that Uber Eats Music Hall was phenomenal, it was insane, and the crowd was amazing."
Connor: "It's also gonna be one of the coolest cities on earth. I love Berlin so much, it's so crazy. It's definitely a hotspot."
Taylor: "We would go back in a heartbeat!"
James: "It was amazing. We did a run all over Germany and then a few other countries. Berlin was definitely the highlight. It was crazy—that Uber Eats Music Hall was phenomenal, it was insane, and the crowd was amazing."
Connor: "It's also gonna be one of the coolest cities on earth. I love Berlin so much, it's so crazy. It's definitely a hotspot."
Taylor: "We would go back in a heartbeat!"