Dean Brody opened the show with his hit “Canadian Girls,” kicking off a show that would see him win two awards: Best Male Artist and Album of the Year.

Other country faves taking home hardware at this year’s show included Carolyn Dawn Johnson, who won Female Artist of the Year and Hey Romeo, this year’s Group or Duo of the Year. Ottawa’s sweetest and brightest new talent, Kira Isabella, took home the Rising Star award. The Stellas, who have been out on the road with Johnny Reid, took home the award for CMT Video of the Year for their song “In This House.” Johnny, who had a whopping eight nominations tonight, was the recipient of the Fans’ Choice award.

This was the fourth year Reid has taken home the acclaimed Fans’ Choice Award:

“This has been a wonderful year. I have had an opportunity to cross this beautiful country and sing for so many people,” the Scottish-born Nova Scotia-based singer said . “Too many people to thank, but Saskatoon you have always had a special place in my heart. Thank you very much for this honour.”

The stage welcomed countless great performances, including Paul Brandt and a collaboration between Emerson Drive and Doc Walker. American faves, including Pistol Annies, Eric Church, and Jason Aldean made their way up north to rock the stage in addition to a solo performance by Miranda Lambert.

Also of note, the very lovely Taylor Swift made an appearance to both present an award and accept one herself. Taylor was the recipient of the New Generation award, which was introduced by Deric Rutan and Bryan Adams:

“I’m so happy to be in Saskatoon right now I can’t even tell you,” she said. “To country radio in Canada and the country music fans in Canada, you guys are the ones who choose to play my songs, you guys are the ones who choose to buy the albums and sell out the concerts and you’re the ones who make me so at home, I can’t wait to come back and see you every single time.”

Check out our recap of tonight’s winners:

Fans’ Choice Award
Johnny Reid

Single of the Year
They Don’t Make Em’ Like That Anymore – Jason Blaine

Album of the Year
DIRT – Dean Brody

Songwriter(s) of the Year
Is It Friday Yet? (written by Gord Bamford/Roger Brown/Byron Hill; performed by Gord Bamford)

CMT Video of the Year
In This House – The Stellas

Female Artist of the Year
Carolyn Dawn Johnson

Male Artist of the Year 
Dean Brody

Group or Duo of the Year 
Hey Romeo

Roots Artist or Group of the Year
Jimmy Rankin

Rising Star
Kira Isabella

Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year
Fire It Up – Johnny Reid

Top Selling International Album of the Year
Own The Night – Lady Antebellum

Image credit (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards)

Related posts:

1. CCMA Nominees Announced
2. Recap of The 2012 JUNO Awards
3. Nominees for the 2012 Juno Awards Announced

“All of today’s nominees deserve ample recognition for their excellence as well as their tremendous contribution to Canadian country music,” said Don Green, Executive Director, CCMA. “This year’s nominees reflect the depth of musical talent in Canada, and we’re so proud to be able to recognize those artists – both established and emerging – who have impacted Canadians with their music.”

A personal fave, Johnny Reid, leads the nominations with a total of eight. Country cutie Dean Brody follows close behind with seven of his own.

Performers expected to light up the stage at the Awards include Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Pistol Annies, Eric Church, Paul Brandt, Dean Brody, George Canyon, Johnny Reid, Deric Ruttan, Gord Bamford, Terri Clark, Chad Brownlee and High Valley.

Check out the list of nominees below!

FANS’ CHOICE AWARD
Gord Bamford
Dean Brody
Terri Clark
Hey Romeo
Johnny Reid

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

Canadian Girls – Dean Brody
Fire It Up – Johnny Reid
Is It Friday Yet? – Gord Bamford
Somebody Somewhere – Dallas Smith
They Don’t Make Em’ Like That Anymore – Jason Blaine

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
16 & 1 – Doc Walker
DIRT – Dean Brody
Fire It Up – Johnny Reid
Give It Away – Paul Brandt
Roots And Wings – Terri Clark

SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR
Canadian Girls (written by Dean Brody; performed by Dean Brody)
Fire It Up (written by Marty Dodson/Alan Frew/Johnny Reid; performed by Johnny Reid)
Is It Friday Yet? (written by Gord Bamford/Roger Brown/Byron Hill; performed by Gord Bamford)
Mainstreet, 1979 (written by Deric Ruttan; performed by Deric Ruttan)
They Don’t Make Em’ Like That Anymore (written by Jason Blaine/Deric Ruttan; performed by Jason Blaine

CMT VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Canadian Girls – Dean Brody
Fire It Up – Johnny Reid
Give It Away – Paul Brandt
I’m Your Man – Ryan Laird
In This House – The Stellas

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Victoria Banks
Terri Clark
Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Tara Oram
Michelle Wright

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Gord Bamford
Jason Blaine
Dean Brody
Chad Brownlee
Johnny Reid

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
Doc Walker
Emerson Drive
Hey Romeo
High Valley
The Stellas

ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Ridley Bent
Shane Chisholm
Sean Hogan
Corb Lund
Jimmy Rankin

RISING STAR
Kira Isabella
Ryan Laird
Codie Prevost
Dallas Smith
The Stellas

Related posts:

1. Nominees for the 2012 Juno Awards Announced
2. Capital Hoedown Tickets On-Sale Tomorrow!
3. CMT Hitlist Tour To Stop In Ottawa

The boys, backed up by a four-piece band, came out to the stage together to first perform “Hey Good Lookin’”. Just after, the show featured a set by Dean. He started by performing his current single, “Little Yellow Blanket”, followed by his hit song “Wildflower”, a performance that captivated the audience and even brought a woman in the front row to giving a rose to the artist. He played other crowd favourites including, “People Know You By Your First Name” and “Trail In Life”. Without a doubt, his live performance definitely showcases his voice and it’s unique quality and capability.

Aaron Lines followed Dean to the stage, playing past hits that spoke to his relationship with his wife and two daughters. He started with “Moments That Matter”, a song that got cheers from the crowd when one of the lyrics mentioned hockey – obviously a staple to the Canadian identity. He went on to play “You Can’t Hide Beautiful”, a song he wrote originally for his wife but is now hoping to teach the words to his young daughters so that they may be instilled with the message that beauty is about remaining true to yourself. His set included other hits such as “Turn It Up”, “Lights of My Hometown”, and the crowd favourite “Cheaper to Keep Her”. His humble personality and love for his family was quite evident in his set, making his performance very relatable to the crowd and remarkably enjoyable to watch.

Deric Ruttan was next to hit the stage, bringing to the show a high energy that spoke more to the rowdy young fans in the audience. He started his set with his first single, “When You Come Around”, followed with his popular song , “First Time in a Long Time”. Deric made sure to note that he enjoyed being back in his home province – he is from Bracebridge, Ontario. He went on to perform “Up All Night”, a song that brought the crowd to its feet for the first time during the show. He finished off with “Good Time”, a song that sums up the energy and kind of performance he wants to bestow on his fans with his talents.

Following their individual sets, the boys came out with their acoustic guitars and highlighted their talents in a raw and emotional way. Dean started the acoustic set with a song that joked about incest, one that the audience laughed to and enjoyed. Aaron and Deric slowed things down by singing two emotional songs, “I Haven’t Even Heard You Cry” and “Main Street, 1979″; each song spoke to emotional relationships with family members. Following suit, Dean sang “Brothers”, a lyrical representation of the hardships troops and their families face when they go to war. Each of those slower numbers resonated with the crowd, slowing down time and causing the audience to reflect on the aspects of their lives that these songs spoke to. Deric raised the energy at the end of the set by singing “What Was I Thinkin’”, a song he wrote that went number one for country star Dierks Bentley.

The show concluded with a set of covers that the fans had a chance to vote for on the CMT Canada website prior to the show. Joined by the band once again, the three boys performed “Copperhead Road” by Steve Earle, “Forever and Ever, Amen” by Randy Travis, and “Summer of ’69″ by Bryan Adams, a performance that brought the crowd to their feet once again.

After the show, the artists took the time to meet each and every fan to take pictures and sign autographs, showing their humble sides. The concert definitely highlighted each artist’s lyrical and vocal capabilities, as well as their modest personalities. The Hitlist Tour is definitely a show any country fan should see if they want to marvel in the true and inspirational performance of some of the best artists in Canadian country music. Not only this, but their individual performances speak to a varied demographic of ages, simply because anyone in the crowd can find comfort in the lyrics of at least one of the meaningful songs.

The tour will make stops in London, Guelph, Belleville, and Parry Sound before wrapping up out East.

Check out this picture Lydia and I got with the boys:

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1. CMT Hitlist Tour To Stop In Ottawa
2. Review: Keith Urban & Jake Owen in Tupelo, MS (8/26)
3. REVIEW: Taylor Swift’s Speak Now Tour Leaves Fans Enchanted

Dean Brody dominated the CCMA Awards this past September, winning Album of the Year for his current album Train In Life, as well as Single of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for the same-titled single. Dean has spent most weeks sitting at #1 on Canadian country radio over the past year. The artist will most definitely be performing his current hit “Little Yellow Blanket” which has moved into the Top 10 in only seven weeks – his fastest charting single thus far in his career.

Deric Ruttan received five nominations at the 2011 CCMA Awards for his 2010 CD release titled Sunshine. His second single from that album, “Up All Night” was the most-played Canadian country song of 2010. He is currently promoting his new live album Up All Night – Deric Ruttan which came out just weeks ago.

The show will also feature hit maker Aaron Lines, who was the most played Canadian artist on country radio from 2000 to 2010. With past wins at the CCMA’S for awards such as Male Artist of the Year and Rising Star Award, Aaron was recognized at the 2011 show with a nomination for Album of the Year for his CD Sunday Afternoon.

After the show in Ottawa, the tour will make stops in London, Guelph, Belleville, and Parry Sound before heading out East.

Tickets can be purchased at www.cmt.ca/cmthitlisttour.

Related posts:

1. Dean Brody Wins Album Of The Year
2. We Have The Winners For The 2011 CCMA Awards
3. Canadian Singer Stacey McKitrick To Release Debut Album

Johnny Reid was the big winner of the night, taking home three awards including “Fan’s Choice Award,” “CMT Video Of The Year,” and “Male Artist Of The Year.” Dean Brody won the second most and took home two for “Single Of The Year” for “Trail In Life,” and “Album Of The Year.” Terri Clark took home “Female Artist Of The Year,” and the trio Hey Romeo took home “Group Or Duo Of The Year.” Chad Bromlee, last year’s “New Artist Showcase” winner, took home the “Rising Star” award last night. For a full list of winners click the “read more” button.

The night was highlighted with performances from Ronnie Dunn, Doc Walker, Luke Bryan, Michelle Wright, Deric Ruttan, Ron James, Chantal Kreviazuk, and Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough.

Next year’s CCMAs will be hosted in Saskatoon, Sasketchewan on September 9th live from the Credit Union Centre. The 2012 Canadian Country Music Week will take place from September 6th through to the 9th.

FANS’ CHOICE AWARD -Johnny Reid

SINGLE OF THE YEAR – Trail In Life – Dean Brody

ALBUM OF THE YEAR – Trail In Life – Dean Brody

CMT VIDEO OF THE YEAR – Today I’m Gonna Try And Change The World – Johnny Reid

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR – Terri Clark

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR – Johnny Reid

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR – Hey Romeo

RISING STAR – Chad Brownlee

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1. Tara Oram Gets CCMA Nod for Female Artist of the Year
2. Taylor Swift Sweeps 2011 Teen Choice Awards
3. Nominations Begin Today for 2011 CMA Awards

“Sometime during my 2010 Sunshine Tour, on stage somewhere between Vancouver and Summerside, I made the decision that my next CD would be a live album,” says Ruttan. “There’s an excitement and energy that happens when my band and I play these songs for people. I wanted to capture that spirit and our live show on an album. I think we did just that with Up All Night – Deric Ruttan Live. The three new songs I recorded for the album fit right in with the energy and vibe of the live album concept, and I’m anxious for radio to hear those.”

Deric recently received multiple Canadian Country Music Association  (CCMA) Award nominations including Male Artist of the Year, CMT Video Of The Year, Single Of The Year and Songwriter Of The Year. His independent label, Black T Records, also earned a 2011 CCMA nomination for Record Label Of The Year. He was nominated for a Juno Award earlier in the year for his self-produced album “Sunshine” (2010).

He’s also had his songs recorded by other artists including Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Gary Allan, Terri Clark and Aaron Pritchett. Eric Church’s huge hit “Hell On The Heart” hit number 8 on the mediabase charts and was co-written by Deric. In 2003, he collaborated with Brett Beavers for Dierks Bentley’s hit “What Was I Thinkin’” and Dierks’ “Lot Of Leaving Left To Do” was also a Deric write. Dierks took the later song to number five on the Billboard charts.

Deric will join fellow CCMA award nominees Dean Brody and Aaron Lines on the CMT Hitlist tour. The CMT Hitlist tour is a 26-city cross-Canada tour launches in Kelowna, British Columbia on September 22nd.

For a full list of tour dates and the track listing for Deric’s album, click the “Read More” button.

Up All Night – Deric Ruttan Live Track Listing:
1. Intro
2. Sing That Song Again
3. Take The Wheel
4. California Plates
5. Lovin’ You Is Killin’ Me
6. That’s How I Wanna Go Out
7. When You Come Around
8. First Time In A Long Time
9. Unbeatable
10. Up All Night
11. Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way / Lot Of Leavin’ Left To Do / What Was I Thinkin’ (Medley)
12. Good Time
13. She’s Like A Song (New Studio Track)
14. Where The Train Don’t Stop (Remastered)
15. My Kind Of Freedom (New Studio Track)
16. Main Street, 1979 (New Studio Track)

CMT Hitlist Tour dates
September 22, 2011 – Kelowna, BC
September 23, 2011 – Vancouver, BC
September 24, 2011 – Kamloops, BC
September 26, 2011 – Cranbrook, BC
September 27, 2011 – Medicine Hat, AB
September 28, 2011 – Claresholm, AB
September 29, 2011 – Calgary, AB
September 30, 2011 – Cold Lake, AB

October 1, 2011 – Fort McMurray, AB
October 2, 2011 – Sherwood Park, AB
October 4, 2011 – Whitecap, SK
October 5, 2011 – Regina, SK
October 6, 2011 – Winnipeg, MB
October 7, 2011 – Virden, MB
October 8, 2011 – Dauphin, MB
October 11, 2011 – Brantford,ON
October 12, 2011 – Ottawa, ON
October 13, 2011 – London, ON
October 14, 2011 – Guelph, ON
October 15, 2011 – Belleville, ON
October 16, 2011 – Parry Sound, ON
October 18, 2011 – Fredericton, NB
October 19, 2011 – Moncton, NB
October 20, 2011 – Saint John, NB
October 21, 2011 – Glace Bay, NS
October 22, 2011 – Halifax, NS

Related posts:

1. Lady Antebellum Announce First Leg of “Own The Night” tour
2. Will Hoge to Release “Number Seven” on September 27th
3. CMA Nominees To Be Announced September 6th

“Sometime during my 2010 Sunshine Tour, on stage somewhere between Vancouver and Summerside, I made the decision that my next CD would be a live album,” says Ruttan. “There’s an excitement and energy that happens when my band and I play these songs for people. I wanted to capture that spirit and our live show on an album. I think we did just that with Up All Night – Deric Ruttan Live. The three new songs I recorded for the album fit right in with the energy and vibe of the live album concept, and I’m anxious for radio to hear those.”

Deric recently received multiple Canadian Country Music Association  (CCMA) Award nominations including Male Artist of the Year, CMT Video Of The Year, Single Of The Year and Songwriter Of The Year. His independent label, Black T Records, also earned a 2011 CCMA nomination for Record Label Of The Year. He was nominated for a Juno Award earlier in the year for his self-produced album “Sunshine” (2010).

He’s also had his songs recorded by other artists including Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Gary Allan, Terri Clark and Aaron Pritchett. Eric Church’s huge hit “Hell On The Heart” hit number 8 on the mediabase charts and was co-written by Deric. In 2003, he collaborated with Brett Beavers for Dierks Bentley’s hit “What Was I Thinkin’” and Dierks’ “Lot Of Leaving Left To Do” was also a Deric write. Dierks took the later song to number five on the Billboard charts.

Deric will join fellow CCMA award nominees Dean Brody and Aaron Lines on the CMT Hitlist tour. The CMT Hitlist tour is a 26-city cross-Canada tour launches in Kelowna, British Columbia on September 22nd.

For a full list of tour dates and the track listing for Deric’s album, click the “Read More” button.

Up All Night – Deric Ruttan Live Track Listing:
1. Intro
2. Sing That Song Again
3. Take The Wheel
4. California Plates
5. Lovin’ You Is Killin’ Me
6. That’s How I Wanna Go Out
7. When You Come Around
8. First Time In A Long Time
9. Unbeatable
10. Up All Night
11. Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way / Lot Of Leavin’ Left To Do / What Was I Thinkin’ (Medley)
12. Good Time
13. She’s Like A Song (New Studio Track)
14. Where The Train Don’t Stop (Remastered)
15. My Kind Of Freedom (New Studio Track)
16. Main Street, 1979 (New Studio Track)

CMT Hitlist Tour dates
September 22, 2011 – Kelowna, BC
September 23, 2011 – Vancouver, BC
September 24, 2011 – Kamloops, BC
September 26, 2011 – Cranbrook, BC
September 27, 2011 – Medicine Hat, AB
September 28, 2011 – Claresholm, AB
September 29, 2011 – Calgary, AB
September 30, 2011 – Cold Lake, AB

October 1, 2011 – Fort McMurray, AB
October 2, 2011 – Sherwood Park, AB
October 4, 2011 – Whitecap, SK
October 5, 2011 – Regina, SK
October 6, 2011 – Winnipeg, MB
October 7, 2011 – Virden, MB
October 8, 2011 – Dauphin, MB
October 11, 2011 – Brantford,ON
October 12, 2011 – Ottawa, ON
October 13, 2011 – London, ON
October 14, 2011 – Guelph, ON
October 15, 2011 – Belleville, ON
October 16, 2011 – Parry Sound, ON
October 18, 2011 – Fredericton, NB
October 19, 2011 – Moncton, NB
October 20, 2011 – Saint John, NB
October 21, 2011 – Glace Bay, NS
October 22, 2011 – Halifax, NS

Related posts:

1. Deric Ruttan Will Be “Up All Night” In September
2. Will Hoge to Release “Number Seven” on September 27th
3. Will Hoge to Release "Number Seven" on September 27th