Country music in Toronto isn't what you'd expect. This city—known for its hip hop, R&B, and multicultural music scene—doesn't exactly scream "Nashville." But that's precisely what makes Jade Hilton's story so compelling.
Country music in Toronto isn't what you'd expect. This city—known for its hip hop, R&B, and multicultural music scene—doesn't exactly scream "Nashville." But that's precisely what makes Jade Hilton's story so compelling.
Born and raised in Toronto to Chinese and English parents, Jade is rewriting what it means to be a country artist in Canada. She's a former Division 1 collegiate tennis player, a 2024 Songwriter of the Year, the National Bank Open's anthem singer for three consecutive years, and one of the most authentic country voices you'll find north of the border.
This month's First Friday Feature isn't just about talent—it's about resilience, cultural pride, and the power of staying true to your sound even when everything around you pulls in a different direction.
Jade Hilton's journey to becoming one of Toronto's most sought-after country performers didn't start with a guitar—it started with a tennis racket. After earning a full athletic scholarship to the University of Illinois, Jade spent years competing at the Division 1 level, channeling the same discipline and mental toughness that would later define her music career.
But music was always calling. At 14, her parents bought her first guitar. She taught herself to play and wrote her first song the next day. Musical theatre came first (she played Annie in middle school), but it was Taylor Swift and Avril Lavigne who made her realize she wanted to write, perform, and create on her own terms.
After college, Jade made the decision that defines every artist's career: she chose music over everything else. And she didn't just dabble—she went all in. Within a year, she was performing on over 100 stages across Canada, from intimate Nashville writers' rounds to major festivals like Boots & Hearts, Cavendish Beach Music Festival, and NXNE.
"Writing songs in Nashville and singing in every writer's round in Canada that will accept me just made me realize how much I love creating."
Jade Hilton performing "La Vie en Rose" — showcasing her intimate, storytelling style
Jade Hilton with her full band — the energy that fills a room
Here's where Jade's story gets interesting. When she first started making music in Toronto, most of her collaborators were hip hop and R&B producers. That was the scene around her. But Jade always knew she was a country and pop artist at heart.
So she did what every serious artist does when they can't find their community locally: she traveled to find it. Smaller towns. Writers' rounds. Nashville. She performed at every showcase that would have her, refined her sound, and eventually found her creative home in East Nashville, working with producer Doug Romanow on her debut country album.
Her latest single, "Dive Bar," was inspired by watching Kacey Musgraves perform at an intimate Nashville venue—a moment that crystallized everything Jade loves about country music: authenticity, simplicity, and connection. The song captures the humility and groundedness that define Jade as both an artist and a person.
Boots & Hearts Festival • Cavendish Beach Music Festival • Departure Festival • NXNE Toronto • CMAOntario Awards Weekend • The Underdog (Nashville, TN) • Blue Jays Sessions • Hotel X Toronto • Muskoka Music Festival • Dakota Tavern • Sofar Sounds Toronto
Jade doesn't fake the country vibe—she lives it. Her time in Nashville, her work with top producers like Doug Romanow, and her deep respect for the genre mean she delivers real, heartfelt country music that connects with audiences who know the difference.
2024 Songwriter of the Year at the Mississauga Music Awards. Finalist in the 2025 Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase. Featured on Spotify editorial playlists (New Music Nashville, Live Country, Fresh Finds Country). This isn't just talent—it's recognition from the industry.
Division 1 tennis athletes don't quit. They show up, they perform under pressure, and they deliver consistency. Jade brings that same discipline to every performance—whether it's an intimate cocktail hour or a 500-person corporate event.
As a Chinese-Canadian artist in a genre not traditionally associated with Asian voices, Jade is proud to represent diversity in country music. Her grandparents immigrated to Canada and opened the beloved Toronto restaurant Mr. Pong's—a legacy of hard work and cultural pride that Jade carries into her music.
Jade performs as a solo artist with guitar/vocals for intimate settings, acoustic trio for cocktail hours, or full 6-piece Nashville band for high-energy receptions. That flexibility makes her perfect for weddings and corporate events with different budget and energy needs.
National Bank Open anthem singer (3 consecutive years). Featured on SiriusXM Canada, Global TV, CTV's Etalk. When major networks and national events trust you to represent their brand, that says everything about professionalism and reliability.
Perfect for: Intimate cocktail hours, ceremony music, background ambiance during dinner, corporate networking events, smaller private events.
What you get: Heartfelt vocals, expert guitar playing, authentic country storytelling. Think Taylor Swift unplugged meets modern country elegance.
Perfect for: Cocktail hours at larger weddings, background music for corporate galas, upscale dinner entertainment, events where you want a polished Nashville sound without full-band energy.
What you get: Full country instrumentation—the twang of electric guitar, the emotion of fiddle, and Jade's powerful vocals. Sophisticated, authentic, memorable.
Perfect for: Wedding receptions, corporate event entertainment, festival performances, barn weddings, rustic-themed events, Nashville-themed parties, high-energy celebrations.
What you get: Complete live band experience. Dance-floor-filling country hits, crowd-singalongs, authentic Nashville energy. This is the configuration that turns a wedding reception into an unforgettable party.
We've worked with hundreds of musicians over the years. Some are technically perfect. Some have charisma. Some are reliable. Jade has all three—plus something we can't teach: authenticity.
When a couple tells us they want country music at their wedding, we don't want to send them a cover band that learned some Blake Shelton songs on YouTube last month. We want to send them an artist who has performed in Nashville, written with Nashville songwriters, understands the culture and history of the genre, and delivers music that actually means something.
Jade is that artist. And she's Toronto-based, which means she understands this city's venues, its multicultural audience, and how to make country music work in a market that doesn't naturally lean that way.
✅ Rustic barn weddings or country-themed receptions
✅ Intimate cocktail hours needing live acoustic elegance
✅ Corporate events with Nashville/Western themes
✅ Private parties for country music fans
✅ Outdoor summer weddings and festivals
✅ Events looking for authentic, heartfelt live music that connects
The best part? Jade brings that same tennis-player discipline to every performance. She shows up early. She's prepared. She's professional. And when she's on stage, she delivers the kind of performance that makes people remember your event years later.
"Jade is a dynamic entertainer & solid songwriter. She's performed at several of my writers' rounds and her energy on stage is undeniable."
Jade is currently working on her debut country album with producer Doug Romanow, collaborating with Nashville songwriters like Ryan Sorestad. Her latest single, "Dive Bar," is available on all streaming platforms and has received on-air support from SiriusXM Canada's Top of the Country station.
You can follow her journey on Instagram @jadehiltonmusic and catch her performing at venues across Toronto and beyond. She's also a regular at Nashville-style writers' rounds in Toronto, including Dave Woods' popular showcases.
Jade Hilton is available for select Toronto weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations. From intimate acoustic performances to full Nashville-style band experiences, she creates moments your guests will never forget.
Book Jade Hilton for Your EventSince 2014, The DNA Project has been Toronto's premier entertainment consulting company, curating live music experiences for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations. We don't just book musicians—we match artists to moments, ensuring your event has the perfect soundtrack.
📞 Phone: 905-497-3621
📧 Email: info@thednaproject.ca
🌐 Website: www.thednaproject.ca
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