With 4 full length albums, numerous singles, videos and countless performances over the span 13 years, the Western Swing Authority has become Canada's most recognized and awarded authentic Western Swing group. Made up of a collection of some of the country's finest touring and studio musicians, they came together to play the timeless style of music they love. Seamlessly combining stellar musicianship and vocals with western swing, traditional country and jazz standards and their own “new vintage” originals, they have created a sound that is truly their own. 

WSA have been recognized with awards and nominations in both Canada and the United States and are reintroducing the Western Swing sound to an entire new generation of music lovers with every performance. Their live performances have been described as "all killer, no filler" (Cashbox Canada, 2020) 

They have performed and/or recorded with some of the biggest names in Canadian country music, as well as multiple Grammy winning western swing icon Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel. Over and above their own performances, the WSA have been requested on multiple occasions to play the roll of house band for several Canadian awards show events like the CMA Ontario Awards Show and The Canadian Country Music Association Legends Show. 

Some of the bands highlights over the past 13 years include, performing a private party for Bob Doyle and Garth Brooks, being nominated for the Canadian Country Music Association Group of the Year, and performing at the Paramount Theatre in Austin TX for the Ameripolitan Music Awards.  

 

“Love the WSA. Great accomplished players who play Western Swing like it should be played!” - Ray Benson/Asleep at the Wheel

 

“The Western Swing Authority is taking our music into the new millennium. With exceptional musicianship and knock your socks off vocals, they’re everything a swing band should be!” - Carolyn Martin/Western Swing Hall of Fame inductee

 

“As Merle Haggard brought the music of Bob Wills and Western Swing to a new generation of listeners, The Western Swing Authority is paying it forward not only by recording and performing these classics, but also writing new material proudly carrying on the style of traditional Western Swing music.” - Scott Wikle – My Kind of Country

 

“It’s impossible to listen to this record and not feel happy afterwards.” -Country Perspective

 

“A retro treat” - New Canadian Music

 

“Lush and fabulous. ” - Robert Oermann, Music Row Magazine

 

“Perhaps the finest album I have heard for some time” - Russell Hill Maverick Magazine

 

Awards and Nominations

 

2022 - CMA Ontario Awards - WINNER - Roots Artist of the Year

2021 - CMA Ontario Awards - Nominated - Roots Artist of the Year

2021 - CMA Ontario Awards - Nominated - Group of the Year 

2021 - Academy of Western Artists - Nominated Best Western Swing Female, Stacey Lee

2020 CMA Ontario Awards - Nominated - Group of the Year

2020 CMA Ontario Awards - Nominated - Roots Artist of the Year 

2019 CMA Ontario Awards - Nominated - Roots Artist of the Year

2019 Ameripolitan Music Awards – Nominated – Best Western Swing Group

2019 Ameripolitan Music Awards - Nominated - Female Western Swing, Stacey Lee

2018 CCMA Awards - WINNER - Specialty Instrument Player of the Year

2018 CCMA Awards - Nominated - Guitar Player of the Year

2018 CMA Ontario - Nominated - Roots Artist of the Year

2018 Ameripolitan Music Awards - Nominated - Western Swing Female - Stacey Lee 

2017 CCMA Awards - WINNER - Fiddle Player of the Year

2017 CMAO Awards - Nominated - Roots Artist of the Year

2016 CCMA Awards - WINNER -Steel Guitar Player of the Year

2016 CCMA Awards - WINNER - Fiddle Player of the Year

2016 CCMA Awards - Nominated - Roots Artist of the Year

2016 CMAO Awards - Nominated - Group of the Year

2016 CMAO Awards - Nominated - Roots Artist of the Year

2016 Academy of Western Artists - WINNER - Best Western Swing Female (Stacey Lee)

2016 Academy of Western Artists - Nominated - Best Western Swing Album (Now Playing)

2016 Ameripolitan Music Awards – Nominated – Best Western Swing Group

2016 Ameripolitan Music Awards - Nominated - Female Western Swing, Stacey Lee

2015 CCMA Awards – Nominated - Roots Artist of the Year

2015 Country Music Association of Ontario – WINNER – Group of the Year

2015, 2014 Country Music Association of Ontario – WINNER – Roots Artist

2015 Academy of Western Artists – WINNER – Best Western Swing Group

2015 Academy of Western Artists – Nominated – Western Swing Female, Stacey Lee

2015 Ameripolitan Music Awards – Nominated-Best Western Swing Group

2015 Ameripolitan Music Awards – Nominated-Female Western Swing, Stacey Lee

2014 CCMA Awards – Nominated – Group of the Year

2014 CCMA Awards – Nominated - Roots Artist of the Year

2014, 2011, 2010 CCMA All Star Band Award – WINNER -Shane Guse, Fiddle player of the year

2015, 2014, 2013, 2011 CCMA All Star Band Award – WINNER - Ed Ringwald, Steel player of the year

2014 Country Music Association of Ontario – Nominated – Group or Duo

2014 Academy of Western Artists – Nominated – Best Western Swing Group

2014 Academy of Western Artists – Nominated – Female Vocalist (Western Swing)

2014 Ameripolitan Music Awards – Nominated – Best Western Swing Group

2013 Independent Music Award – WINNER - Best Americana Song “I've Got A Feelin'”

2013 IMA Vox Populi Award – WINNER - Best Americana Song “I've Got A Feelin'”

2013 Country Music Association of Ontario – Nominated – Best Group

2013 Country Music Association of Ontario – Nominated – Songwriter of the Year “All Dolled Up”