Brantford-based singer, songwriter, and producer KC Armstrong is celebrating a monumental global surge as his latest single, “Mountain Man,” captures the top spot on international airwaves.
Originally a hidden gem from his acclaimed 2024 album ‘Finally Crafted’, the track has exploded in popularity, entering the UK’s ITISNOW Radio charts and skyrocketing to #1 in just three weeks with over 125,000 votes cast.
This unexpected international momentum has propelled “Mountain Man” onto the Canadian Independent Country Countdown, marking a high-velocity new chapter for an artist whose roots run deep in the fabric of Canadian music history.
“Mountain Man” is a masterclass in Americana storytelling, woven from a personal narrative of friendship and changing paths. Written years ago, after Armstrong’s longtime musical “wingman” left the road to start a family, the song captures the tension between the calling of the stage and the pull of domestic life.
The track features a stellar lineup of veteran musicians, including legendary guitarist Barry Haggarty, whose unique instrumentation brings the lyrics to life with sounds of a howling coyote and a clucking hen. As Armstrong sings in the final verse: “Sure am glad that you ain’t me / ‘cause I’m half the man that you try to be / you work your heart out – I’ll sing my songs”.
Armstrong’s current chart success is the culmination of a career spent alongside industry titans. A former bass player for the legendary Ronnie Hawkins as a member of “The Hawks,” Armstrong follows in the footsteps of icons like Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm. His journey has seen him share stages and studios with the likes of Jeff Healey and Grammy-winning producer Greg Wells (Disney’s Wicked, Celine Dion, Taylor Swift, Aerosmith.)
This wealth of experience is evident in ‘Finally Crafted’, which has already seen Armstrong named a finalist for International Male Album of the Year and International Male Single of the Year by the International Singer Songwriter Association.
The “Mountain Man” release highlights Armstrong’s sophisticated evolution as a self-taught producer and mixing engineer. By blending rock, blues, and folk into a “Finally Crafted” signature sound, he has created a project that resonates across borders, from the UK to France and beyond.
His previous singles have already made deep inroads on the Canadian Independent Country Countdown, peaking as high as #8 and #9, setting a formidable foundation for his current trajectory.
Beyond the studio, Armstrong’s digital presence continues to grow, with his YouTube channel surpassing 12,000 views and his Christmas single, “I Hate That Sweater,” recently winning the Cashbox Radio most requested song contest. This diverse success across holiday tracks, Americana ballads, and high-energy rock-a-billy showcases an artist who is as versatile as he is authentic.
With “Mountain Man” now officially released worldwide, KC Armstrong is proving that timeless storytelling and seasoned musicianship always find their audience. Armed with a supporting band of gold and platinum-selling collaborators and a #1 international hit, Armstrong is poised to further redefine the Americana landscape in 2026 and beyond.