When fans started tattooing The Road Hammers’ logo onto their bodies, lead singer Jason McCoy knew the band was on to something.

“That is first of all, amazing, (and second) a little crazy, but that’s good because … (those are) people who really dig it so we know it’s legit.”

He cites the examples of two brothers from West Virginia who got matching tattoos on the same arm, a woman from Ontario whose tattoo covers her entire back and another woman who got the bands’ signatures permanently inked on her body.

“When they’re into it, they ARE into it,” adds McCoy with a laugh.

Die-hard fans aren’t the only ones throwing their accolades at the Canadian country music group.

The band, which also includes Clayton Bellamy and Chris Byrne, received a JUNO nomination for Country Album of the Year for their second Canadian release, “The Road Hammers II.”

Even though the group, whose sound combines trucker music and Southern rock, won a JUNO Award for their first self-titled album in 2006, as well as several Canadian Country Music Association Awards, McCoy says receiving a nomination for this one came as a complete surprise.

“We don’t take those things lightly. Just to be making music for a living is a lot of fun but to be on the short list like that, it’s just off the hook,” says McCoy.

He shrugs off any expectations to follow that up.  

“We want to win, yes, but we don’t have any pressure because honestly we really are just happy to be (nominated). It’s a pretty big deal. We’re not talking chump company to be in here and it’s pretty cool.”

McCoy, who grew up near Barrie, Ont., but also spent a few years of his childhood in Camrose, Alta., has been a household name in country music for the past two decades, releasing five studio albums and garnering countless hit singles and awards, including five JUNOs for Male Country Vocalist of the Year.

He started The Road Hammers in 2004 as a side project that would allow him to cover some classic trucker tunes.

McCoy never anticipated the response that would follow. The group’s first album, released a year later, debuted at No. 1 on the Canadian country charts, and received plenty of acclaim and awards, not to mention a reality show on CMT.

Shortly after, the group re-located to the country music hub of Nashville, TN, a move that was documented on the second season of their TV show, which was directed by fellow Canadian Jason Priestly.

A deal with an American label followed, as well as the U.S. release of “Blood Sweat and Steel” in 2008. The group is now working on another album.

“I can’t see us ever not doing ‘Hammer’ music for the rest of our lives. We’re going to always be doing it because we really struck a chord within ourselves and others,” says McCoy, who is currently producing an album for 16-year-old country pop sensation Natasha Zimbaro. He also hasn’t ruled out another solo album.

But even with all their success south of the border, McCoy says there’s nothing like being recognized at home, particularly in the form of a JUNO nomination.

“The more I travel around the world the more I not only realize how great we have it here as Canadians but also how great we have it here as Canadian artists because we’re much more diverse I think than other countries musically and I really appreciate that.”