The Reklaws are having one hell of a year. It is the kind of stretch that might make a person scream “What the truck!!!” without a hint of irony. Stuart and Jenna Walker, the sibling duo from North Dumfries, are not just participating in the Canadian country scene right now; they are effectively holding the keys to the kingdom.
The momentum is undeniable. Not only do the pair lead the 2021 CCMA Award nominations with six nods, but they are also slated to take the stage at Budweiser Gardens for the broadcast on Monday, Nov. 29. This marks their fourth consecutive year performing on the show, a feat that cements their status as the genre’s most reliable hitmakers.
Before the big night, the duo took the stage as headliners for the free SiriusXM Top Of The Country Finale on Nov. 26 at London Music Hall. If you have ever stood on that floor, you know the acoustics can be unforgiving, yet the Walkers have a way of making a mid-sized room feel like a stadium. Their rise has been calculated but feels organic, driven by a fan base that treats their lyrics like scripture.
The numbers back up the hype. Their smash hit “What the Truck” holds the record as the most streamed Canadian country song ever released during a one-week window. It also holds the title for the fastest Canadian country track to go gold in the streaming era, achieving the feat in under 16 weeks. This year, the industry at large finally took notice beyond the Nashville North bubble, as the pair earned a JUNO nomination for Group of the Year. They were the only country act in the category, standing toe-to-toe with pop and rock heavyweights.
We caught up with the siblings before the awards madness descended on London. When asked about leading the pack with six nominations, Jenna admits the gravity of the moment has not quite sunk in.
Jenna says, “Thank you. That’s still crazy to hear, I think. It feels we’ve been working. I mean, the past two years have been insane as it is.”
The isolation of the global shutdown was a recurring theme in our conversation. For artists who thrive on crowd feedback, the silence of 2020 was deafening. Jenna notes that the nominations served as a much-needed validation after months of digital shouting into the void.
Jenna says, “You feel very lonely over the past few years and feel maybe no one’s listening, but that just proved us completely wrong. We’re so blessed to even see our names up there because I know all the artists in each of these categories we’ve looked up to our whole lives. It’s crazy to us. We’re just so blessed.”
For Stuart, the CCMAs represent more than a trophy chase. It is a ritual. He views the annual gathering as a marker of time, a way to measure how far they have travelled from the farm to the main stage.
Stuart says, “CCMA’s is our homecoming now, it feels like our reunion, I guess. We’ve been going there close to 10 years now, consecutively every year, showing up just buying tickets to the show, whenever tickets were available.”
There is a refreshing lack of ego in how they describe their early years. Before the tour buses and the gold records, they were just two kids in the back of the arena, squinting at the stage and dreaming of a slot on the secondary stage.
Stuart says, “Most of the time, because, well, Jenna and I still remain kind of cheap. We bought the nose bleeds and would sit and watch the show.”
That perspective informs their current work ethic. They do not take the spotlight for granted because they remember exactly what it felt like to be on the outside looking in. They spent years studying the choreography and the lighting cues of the headliners they now call peers.
Stuart says, “We remember so many times being there and being like, oh, even if we were featured, to do a duet or a tribute to some artist at some point, this would be so cool to be a part of.”
The industry can be a cynical place, but the Walkers describe a community that feels genuinely supportive. In a genre often criticized for being derivative, The Reklaws have carved out a niche that feels distinctly Ontarian.
Stuart says, “We love anybody here; everybody seems to be on our side. And the fact we’re up to six and leading the pack this year is mind-blowing. Like Jenna said, it’s really a nice reminder of why we’re doing this after the crazy couple of years we’ve had with this pandemic.”
When pressed for a favourite memory as fans, Jenna recalls a brush with country royalty that felt more like a fever dream than a networking opportunity.
Jenna says, “That’s a tough one. I feel every year has a moment for sure. I remember we got to meet Billy Ray Cyrus backstage; that was hilarious. Like what a wild person to meet. He’s such a family guy. It was really cool to see him at the awards. I’m trying to think back, Stu; what was one we were watching? There was always so many cool ones.”
Stuart is less focused on the celebrities and more on the technical adrenaline of the broadcast. There is a specific tension that exists in the seconds before the cameras go live, a feeling that cannot be replicated in a recording studio.
Stuart says, “It’s always the anticipation of an award show, really—the fact they we’re able to actually have a crowd this year. Last year we got to open and close the show, and it was amazing.”
He describes the sensory overload of the arena—the way the air feels when the house lights drop and the countdown begins. It is the kind of professional high that keeps artists on the road for 200 days a year.
Stuart says, “But the anticipation right before when it’s the first artist, everybody knows who the first artist is, and all the lights go black, and they’re like, okay, we’re on in five, four.”
Even as veterans of the circuit, the nerves remain. Stuart admits that the scale of the production still gets to him, regardless of who is opening the set.
Stuart says, “It’s just everybody in the arena loses it. And I think that’s the first time we witnessed something like that go down was the CCMA’s. So every year, whenever that happens, no matter how prepared we seem, I am always really nervous when that part begins—no matter what artist is playing first.”
Of course, the conversation eventually turns to Dean Brody. The relationship between the Walkers and Brody has evolved from fan-worship to a genuine creative partnership. Stuart is quick to crown him the definitive voice of the Canadian scene.
Stuart says, “I would say Dean Brody, because he’s literally become one of our best friends. For so many years, we were huge fans. We bought all of his albums, knew all of his songs, and would request him on the radio and stuff. And Dean, he’s truly a hundred percent Dean every time you hang out with him. And I would say, in my opinion, is the king of Canada for country music.”
Jenna agrees, noting that the forced proximity of the pandemic-era shows actually strengthened their bond. They spent a significant amount of time together during the 2020 production, which led to their collaboration on the single "Can't Help Myself."
Jenna says, “Yeah. And we really got to know him last year with that COVID show, we really got to know him a lot better. We sat backstage. We opened the show and then closed it with him, and we got to do that single with him, so it’s definitely Dean Brody.”
London holds a special place in their history. Long before they were selling out the Music Hall, they were navigating the student-heavy nightlife of the Forest City. Jenna reminisces about the chaotic energy of Cowboys Ranch, a staple of the local country scene.
Jenna says, “Oh yeah. I remember even before all this started, my friends went to Western University and I remember just being at Cowboys Ranch, which is a country bar there, and just losing my mind of just how fun it was. It was one of the first country bars to go to.”
There is a legendary story about their early singles being played in the bar to a confused, albeit energetic, crowd of university students. It is a classic "started from the bottom" anecdote.
CCMA’s is our homecoming now, it feels like our reunion. We’ve been going there close to 10 years now, consecutively every year, showing up just buying tickets to the show... We bought the nose bleeds and would sit and watch the show. The fact we’re up to six and leading the pack this year is mind-blowing. It’s really a nice reminder of why we’re doing this after the crazy couple of years we’ve had with this pandemic.
Jenna says, “I remember they played one of our first singles ever over the speakers because my friends were not leaving the DJ alone about playing one of our songs, and no one knew the song. They were like, ‘Hey, shut this off, we don’t know what it is’. But I just remember London being such a great town, such a great vibe to go to all the time, especially for country music. It’s been cool to always go back there. We spent a lot of time in London actually.”
Despite their growing international profile, they remain fiercely loyal to Southwestern Ontario. While many artists flee to Tennessee the moment they see a chart hit, the Walkers maintain a deep connection to the 519 area code. Stuart notes that even in Nashville, they gravitate toward fellow Ontarians.
Stuart says, “Southwestern Ontario will always be our original stomping ground. We actually bought a house in Nashville this year, it’s strange, we seem to, especially people from Ontario, find people from Ontario in Nashville, and not to say that Americans aren’t the best, they’re not fun to hang out with, but it’s just, I think there’s something about hanging out with people from where you’re actually from, that they just get you a little bit more. It’s so nice we actually have friends down in Nashville to hang out with. There’ll always be a piece of home when it comes to Southwestern Ontario. It has the best lakes that nobody knows about, the best summers and also the best winters. We’re very fortunate to be in this little spot of the world. We hit all four seasons in such a nice way.”
The move to Nashville is more about logistical necessity than a rejection of their roots. For a duo that writes and records at such a high volume, having a permanent base in Music City is the only way to sustain their pace.
Jenna says, “That is the plan. We spend so much time up here. It gives us a home base when we go there because we do spend a lot of time there. We’ve fallen in love with Nashville, and we write majority of our songs there. We record there. So it just made sense to have somewhere to kind of call a home base when we need it. But we’ve loved Nashville. We love Southern Ontario. It’s been pretty cool to experience both.”
Stuart remembers their first trip to Nashville as teenagers. It was a daunting introduction to the industry, orchestrated by their father, who wanted them to see the gold standard of country music production.
Stuart says, “Oh yeah, definitely. I want to say we were 15 and 17 at the time, and our dad brought us down, and he let us actually stay at the Opry Mills or beside the Grand Ole Opry, basically the hotel that’s attached to it.”
The grandeur of the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Centre was a far cry from the farm. Stuart recalls the intimidation factor of walking into rooms with seasoned songwriters who had decades of hits under their belts.
Stuart says, “It was one of the nicest hotels you could stay in because he just wanted our first experience to be nice, and he was so kind and sweet, but it was our first time ever songwriting with a bunch of American songwriters that have written huge number ones.”
It was a trial by fire. The technical precision required in Nashville rooms can be crushing for young artists, but it forced them to sharpen their craft early.
Stuart says, “And we just felt we had bitten off more than we could chew at the time, but slowly as time goes on, getting better and more used to being able to write and actually be in those rooms with confidence and stuff.”
The anxiety of those early sessions is a vivid memory. Stuart admits he struggled to maintain his composure in the presence of industry titans.
Stuart says, “But I remember Jenna and I were just so nervous. I remember not even being able to compensate what was going on. I couldn’t keep my cool, it seemed.”
Their trajectory changed forever at the 2013 Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase. It is easy to forget they were once the "new kids" on a side stage. Stuart credits that win with providing the infrastructure for their entire career.
Stuart says, “It almost entirely ran our whole career, surprisingly. Jenna, you can answer this. Sorry, I cut you off.”
Jenna views that period through a lens of nostalgia. "Hometown Kids" has become a cornerstone of their setlist, a song that evokes a specific time and place for both the band and their fans.
Jenna says, “No, that’s real. It is funny how long ago ‘Hometown Kids’ was, but it does feel like just yesterday. And every time we play that song, there’s sort of a nostalgic feel. I think whenever anyone’s singing it, they just love it; it’s funny. It’s almost become a good memory to have.”
The Boots and Hearts win was not just about the trophy; it was about the networking. The team they built in the aftermath of that festival remains with them today, a rarity in a business known for high turnover.
Jenna says, “Boots and Hearts, literally every person we work with right now is from Boots and Hearts. I think that festival was amazing. It was a starting ground to us, and we didn’t know at the time every person we came in contact with would one day end up on our team and end up dreaming this big dream with us. It’s just pretty cool. It means a lot. It’s a good memory to have.”
Looking back on 2013, Stuart acknowledges that he was a different person. The "party song" phase of his career was a necessary stepping stone, but the pandemic forced a deeper level of introspection.
Stuart says, “Wow. I really don’t even know what my mindset was when I was that age, in that time of my life. I want to say I was definitely immature. I was in music because I love music, but I also just obviously wanted to write party songs and stuff.”
The maturation of their sound is evident in their more recent work. While they still know how to soundtrack a tailgate, there is a grit to their newer lyrics that was absent a decade ago.
Stuart says, “And I started realizing that’s not necessarily all there is to country music and writing music and becoming a musician. I think there’s many steps you have to take. I also think the pandemic has changed both of us drastically.”
The growth is not just professional; it is personal. The siblings have had to navigate the pressures of fame while maintaining their family bond, a task that is harder than it looks on Instagram.
Stuart says, “Between 2013 and the pandemic and between, we have changed substantially as people I’d like to think for the better. But definitely grew up, had some learning to do.”
Their latest track, “Happy Hours,” was born out of the frustration of lockdown. It is a song about the things we take for granted, written at a time when a simple trip to a bar felt like a distant memory.
Jenna says, “(Sings) Happy Hours. Honestly, we wrote this in the middle of the pandemic when it was at its worst through Zoom in Stuart’s basement with some people in Nashville. And I just remember writing it and finishing the song and being like, this is kind of sad because we can’t go to happy hours right now.”
The irony of the song's release is not lost on her. Now that the world has reopened, the track has transformed from a wish-list into an anthem for the return of nightlife.
Jenna says, “It was kind of remembering how that made you feel and the vibe of that. It’s just so funny when enough time passes, you get to look at a song in a whole new way, and now things are open again, and we can go to happy hours. It makes this song such a great time. And it’s just funny we wrote it in the middle of not being able to do that. And now it’s out, and now we can have unlimited happy hours if we want. And that’s just how we feel. Since we missed out on so much, there should be unlimited happy hours now.”
Then there is “What The Truck,” the song that redefined their digital strategy. It is a brazen, high-energy track that leans into the "bro-country" aesthetic while winking at the audience. It was written out of pure restlessness in Stuart’s home.
Stuart says, “Definitely, we actually wrote it because we were just wanting to write a COVID pandemic related, at least lyrically, style song where it’s just like, we’re kind of fed up with all of the BS of what’s going on, and we wanted to just get out of town and maybe escape to the country and have some fun with our friends. That was the whole idea of writing it. But we did write it again in my house with our guitar playing in Callum Maudsley. Actually, he’s become better and better at production. So he produced the song himself, and it was just the three of us. We wrote it in the afternoon, which was amazing. We remember hearing it and being like, this is actually really cool. It’s called ‘What The Truck’, so it seems it’s a joke, but it turned out really awesome.”
The song’s explosion on TikTok was an accident. Their management team saw the potential for a viral moment, but the Walkers were just throwing things at the wall to see what would stick. The inclusion of Sacha was a masterstroke of community engagement.
Stuart says, “We sent it to our management team, and then from there, they were like, well, we should talk about maybe uploading it to TikTok and seeing what happens from there. And then we did it, and our team was like, why didn’t you make a plan beforehand? We were like, well, you just said upload it to TikTok. And so they were like, okay, well, let’s start a duet thing. So that girl Sasha reached out to us as one of the many duets that came in, and she actually wrote a lyric we loved; and she has a lot going on for her at the moment and thought it would be a great collab. So you wouldn’t think a song like that would go gold off of putting a song on TikTok, but weirder things have happened, apparently. It’s been incredible.”
The song is a direct reflection of the cabin fever they experienced. For Stuart, the only cure for that restlessness is the stage.
Stuart says, “Definitely. Yes. Our main spot we want to be and only be is on stage with a huge crowd singing songs and just enjoying themselves. And COVID took that away from us, so we had to express our feelings into words and music.”
As for a full-length album, the duo is playing it cool. In the modern industry, the "single" is king, and they are content to let the fans dictate the release schedule.
Jenna says, “We’re always working towards an album, but it has sort of just been a one-off. We didn’t know what to expect with that song. And it took off bigger than we thought it would. So, I feel no matter what songs have different plans for you than you could ever expect. When you put a plan behind a song, I always think it changes because the fans sort of run the show. They love a song, and we’re like, that should be on an album if they want to hear it.”
Stuart agrees with the democratic approach to tracklisting.
Stuart says, “That’s true. Very true.”
Jenna adds, “They kind of pick the songs. Hopefully, we’re working towards an album that that will be on, for sure.”
Looking back at their show at Caesars Windsor with Dallas Smith and Dean Brody, Stuart remembers the scale of the venue and the unfortunate lure of the casino floor.
Stuart says, “Such a cool venue. I love that place, actually. I think I spent more than we made that night gambling, and I regret it, but I had so much fun. But that was an incredible show.”
The Colosseum at Caesars is a massive room, and for the Walkers, it was a glimpse into their future as arena headliners.
Stuart says, “I remember just the actual venue itself being just so spacious and wide; it felt we were playing to a football field of people. That was right in, I think, the middle of the tour and when we were in the thick of it and just living our lives; it was actually the last real thing we did prior to the pandemic hitting. And it was kind of a nice note to go out on, honestly. We just love those guys, and we’ll always remember that tour forever. And that particular show is amazing.”
When asked if they will return to Windsor, Stuart is emphatic.
Stuart says, “Oh, guaranteed. A hundred percent we have to.”
Jenna echoes the sentiment.
Jenna says, “We’ve been tempted.”
On a personal note, Jenna is currently knee-deep in wedding planning. She became engaged to her partner, Ryan, in July and has set a date for the following summer.
Jenna says, “Thank you. Yeah, we’re thinking June 24th, which is very exciting. It’ll be in our cottage town where we both had a cottage growing up. So it’ll be a really nice time. It’s a lot of planning. I can’t actually get over how much planning it is, but it will hopefully all be worth it.”
The relationship is a long-term one, built on years of shared history. Ryan was the older brother of her childhood best friends, a classic small-town romance.
Jenna says, “Oh, about Ryan. He’s actually standing outside of this car right now, waiting to get in.”
Stuart, ever the protective brother, cannot resist a jab.
Stuart says, “Let’s keep him waiting.”
Jenna laughs it off, clearly smitten with the life they are building together.
Jenna says, “Let’s keep him out there. No, Ryan, I’ve honestly known him a majority of my life. I grew up with his younger sisters. They were my best friends growing up, and he was the older brother. And I guess I just always had a thing for him, and we were friends for a while, and then it blossomed. It just blossomed, and he’s our best friend, and I’m just so lucky to be able to plan this life with him. It’s pretty cool.”
As for Stuart, he is playing his cards closer to the chest. While he is in a relationship, he is not ready to follow his sister down the aisle just yet.
Stuart says, “I have been seeing a lovely lady for a while now, and I don’t have... There’s no rings in the picture yet; April, we’ll keep your ears to the floor.”
The Reklaws are a rare breed in Canadian music—a duo that has managed to stay grounded while their profile reaches the stratosphere. Whether they sweep the CCMAs or just leave with their heads held high, they have already won the year. Check out their tour dates and music at TheReklaws.com. Just do not expect them to slow down anytime soon.
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