Taking the Yellow Limousine to the CCMA’s: Road to CCMA’s at the Rock Trout

words and pics by Brooke Anderson

Driving over 4000km in a big yellow bus Justin Sutton and Jeremy Grey invited Prince Albert local Taya Lebel on their "Honkytonk Til The House Burns Down" roadshow at the Rock Trout Cafe. Named “Road to the CCMA’s” this past Wednesday night's show was worth the late bedtime. On their 6th show of the tour, Sutton and Grey shared anecdotes of their lone trip taking turns driving to each destination. Excited for the Canadian Country Music Awards hosted in Saskatoon this Saturday September 19, the boys were both able to play in their hometowns of North Battleford and Edmonton early into their tour. 

Justin Sutton instantly gave off family man energy. As I sat there waiting for the show to begin I noticed him on the phone with his son minutes before the show started. His music was realistic and relatable, something anyone could listen to with no issue. The classic country stories made the night feel like we didn’t have to go to work in the morning. After the show he was especially kind, speaking to audience members like they were old friends. Sutton often plays in a six piece band called the North 49, he frequents around Alberta at Rodeos and local shows. Fans had a blast looking at his merch table, taking inspiration from another artist he had a branded flyswatter that had new fans intrigued. 

Homegrown talent Taya Lebel played a great selection of songs. Only recently becoming a published singer/songwriter in 2025 with her debut single “Life We’re Livin’”which was on the Billboard Canada Country Chart peaking at #54 and Canadian Indie Country Countdown at #4. She’s grown tremendously, playing at music festivals like Country Thunder and opening for artists like Glass Tiger and Dawson Gray. Her voice is exceptional, when she sang it felt like it was touching my heart. Playing unreleased songs like "Lighter" and others only made me yearn for more of her songs to be released to streaming platforms. Earning many compliments from Jeremy Grey during the show I can see the possibilities of her career are endless. I do highly recommend listening to her newest single “We Didn’t Get Far” on your preferred streaming platform. 

The storyteller of the night was Jeremy Grey, his songs had such powerful meaning behind them. My favourite was an unreleased song “82nd Avenue” talking about his experience talking with an unhoused woman at a liquor store, she had lost her husband and son in a car accident. Grey writes socially conscious music beautifully, each of his “sadder” songs stuck with me. I do hope these songs will be released soon. His stage presence was warming, moving around emotionally he put on a good show.

The style of their concert was unique, instead of sets they took a "songwriting workshop" approach, each taking turns one by one playing a song. I loved this because I believe it led to the audience being more engaged with each artist. Unfortunately the show had less of an audience than anticipated, but truly if the event was not on a weeknight it would have been big. Each artist played a key role in the show, bringing out a different characteristic from each. Sutton was familiar, Lebel was tenderhearted, and Grey was poignant. 

“They get it,” Grey said as he proclaimed his love for playing small shows with intimate audiences. A small show creates a sense of community. A local artist makes a community stronger when they show up for them. Those who couldn’t go definitely missed out on a tremendous show. I hope that this won’t be the last time Jeremy Grey or Justin Sutton play in Prince Albert. I do know that this won't be the last time our local Taya Lebel plays in Prince Albert. I’ll be keeping an eye out for her next performance and so should you.