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Recap of the Canadian Country Music Association Awards

Tia — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 02:59:46 +0000

The Canadian Country Music Association Awards was definitely enough to remind Canadians of the amazing talent that represents us in the country music industry. Tonight (09/09), we saw some of the best of the best rock the stage in Saskatoon and accept awards that they were most deserving of.

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)

CCMA Nominees Announced

Tia — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 01:25:28 +0000

Canadians can’t wait for the nation’s biggest night in country music! The countdown has begun for the Canadian Country Music Association Awards which will be held in Saskatoon, SK on September 9 at 8PM. Fans can tune in to CBC to catch the awards as they air LIVE.

“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

Tickets for the show are available through Ticketmaster.

UPDATE: The JUNO Awards Take Over Ottawa

Tia — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:39:59 +0000

Right now, being in Ottawa is electrifying.

As the nation’s capital is about to welcome The JUNOS this Sunday (April 1), both the city and the fans are starting to get into the swing of things in anticipation of the show.

There are several events set up in advance of the show featuring some of the music industry’s best, including Canada’s talented country singers.

The JUNO Cup, taking place on Friday, March 30th, will feature a collaboration of both NHL greats and musical talents on the ice, including Brad and Curtis Rempel of High Valley and Jim Cuddy.

Another popular event, the JUNO Songwriters’ Circle, will include Canada’s talented Terri Clark, among others, as they share both songs and stories on stage.

Of course, all eyes are on the actual show, taking place at the Scotiabank on Sunday night. Nominees for Country Album of the Year are:

Doc Walker – 16 & 1
High Valley – High Valley
Jason McCoy – Everything
Jimmy Rankin – Forget About the World
Terri Clark – Roots and Wings

In addition, Jim Cuddy will be up against some other great contenders for the Songwriter of the Year award. A favourite here at Keepin’ It Country, Johnny Reid, is also nominated for Single of the Year for his hit “Let’s Go Higher”; his fellow nominees include Canadian talents like Hedley, City and Colour, Nickelback, and The Sheepdogs.

Not only will Blue Rodeo be performing, but The JUNOS will honour them for being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

The JUNOs will be hosting a LIVE CHAT with Bell Media personalities during the show at Facebook.com/CTV, JUNOS.CTV.ca and on the CTV iPad App Social Screen. Also, check out the ongoing JUNOS Fantasy Poll on Facebook – you can select YOUR picks for some of the biggest categories of the show!

Tickets for the show can still be purchased HERE, as well as tickets for events around the city preceding the show that any of our Ottawa readers would like to attend!

The JUNOs will air LIVE on Sunday, April 1st at 8PM EST on CTV.

Nominees for the 2012 Juno Awards Announced

Tia — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:22:49 +0000

Today, nominees for the 2012 Juno Awards were announced. The show will take place in Ottawa, Ontario on April 1st at Scotiabank Place – it will also be broadcast on CTV. In addition, it was unveiled that William Shatner will be the host of the event.

Among the nominees are some of our favourite Canadian country artists!

Single of the Year
Fragile Bird - City and Colour
Invincible - Hedley
Let’s Go Higher - Johnny Reid
When We Stand Together - Nickelback
I Don’t Know - The Sheepdogs.

Songwriter of the Year
Dallas Green
Dan Mangan
Feist
Jim Cuddy
Ron Sexsmith.

Country Album of the Year
16 & 1 - Doc Walker
High Valley -High Valley
Everything – Jason McCoy
Forget About the World – Jimmy Rankin
Roots and Wings – Terri Clark.

The award show will also feature Blue Rodeo being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.