Keepin' it Country Media & Radio » Michelle Wright

Country Music of Association Award Show winners

Lydia Picknell — Tue, 28 May 2013 16:25:07 +0000

Country music is alive and well in the province of Ontario here in Canada. Last night, the Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) held their award show in Markham, and we have your full list of winners! The night was hosted by award-winning artist Charlie Major and featured performances by some of Canada’s hottest country stars – including Deric Ruttan, Jason Blaine, Michelle Wright, Small Town Pistols, Kira Isabella, and more.

Female Artist of the Year
Kira Isabella

Group/Duo of the Year
The Stellas

Male Artist of the Year
Johnny Reid

Rising Star
(TIE) Autumn Hill & Lindsay Broughton

Album of the Year
Deric Ruttan – Up All Night

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

Songwriter of the Year
Jason Blaine, Deric Ruttan – They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That Anymore

Radio Station of the Year (Major Market)
CJKX – KX96 Oshawa/Toronto

Radio Station of the Year (Secondary Market)
CICX-FM – KICX 106 FM Orillia
IMPACT AWARD
In this first and important year, the CMAO has also established a special award. The CMAO Impact Award recognizes an artist, group, industry personality or company/organization who has left an enduring and indelibly positive footprint on the landscape of country music in Ontario. This year’s Impact Award was given to the Canadian Country Music Association.

REVIEW: Farm Aid Ottawa

Tia — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:38:30 +0000

The weather may have been cool but the music was most definitely hot. Yesterday, (09/16) a crowd of a few thousand gathered at Ottawa Stadium for a great cause, as well as great music.

Farm Aid Ottawa, put on by DNA Presents, featured performances by great Canadian country talent to raise money that would go directly to farmers to assist them with inflated feed prices and buying seeds for next year’s crop.

Early in the afternoon, Jordan McIntosh, Gail Gavan and Ambush took to the stage to perform a few of their songs. Shortly after, Jason Blaine‘s presence became well known as several female fans spotted him beside the stage asking for pictures. A group of girls immediately assembled to wait for pictures with the country star who took the time to talk to and take pictures with each one of them.

Jason, who won Single of the Year for his song “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That Anymore” just last week at the CCMA awards, performed several of his hits, including this latest one. Songs like “Run With Me”, “Good Day to Get Gone” and “Flirtin’ With Me” were just some of the songs Jason entertained the upbeat crowd with. The artist spoke positively of the area and being from Pembroke, just a short drive from Ottawa. While talking to the crowd on stage, Jason spontaneously decided to give all of the proceeds of his album “Life So Far” sold at the event to the farmers, which got a great reaction from the audience.

Next to take the stage was Michelle Wright, one of the Canada’s most famous female singers from the 90s. The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductee danced around on stage, obviously enjoying performing to her fans, as well as the great cause at hand. Michelle spoke about being a farmer’s daughter and thus wanting to raise awareness about the issues farmers are facing. The cheerful singer performed several of her number one hits, including “Take It Like a Man”, “Nobody’s Girl”, as well as her crowd-pleasing song “The Answer Is Yes”. Michelle slowed things down with her song “Your Love”, which showcased the apparent beauty of her voice. Her performance was highly entertaining due to the combination of her raw vocal talent and great stage presence.

Emerson Drive came onto the stage to a very eager and excited crowd as the sun started to set. But nobody looked as excited to be there as the band’s lead singer Brad Mates, who danced around the stage with such intensity and enthusiasm. The band, originally from Alberta, performed a set that featured many hits and every possible song an Emerson Drive fan would want to hear. From some of their older songs, such as “Fall Into Me”, “I Should Be Sleeping” and “If You Were My Girl” to some of their newer ones, like “That Kind of Beautiful”, “I Love This Road” and their latest single “My Kind of Crazy”, the boys definitely did not disappoint. Brad, backed by the band, showed a softer side when the set slowed down to feature “When I See You Again” and “Moments”, two songs that resonate personally with the band and the fans. Their repertoire of songs indicated just the level of success and talent the band has had in their almost two-decades together. Emerson Drive most definitely put on a show that gave the fans everything they could have wanted and more.

Last but not least, Paul Brandt, the most anticipated performer of the night, was welcomed onto the stage by several screaming fans. The multiple Juno and CCMA award winner came out donning his cowboy hat with his guitar slung around his neck. The fans, who were quick to sing along to the music, enjoyed performances of songs such as “Rich Man” and “When You Call My Name”. Paul, who has been recognized as the artist with the most country awards in Canada, did not disappoint due to his great vocals and charismatic demeanour.

In sum, Farm Aid Ottawa was an event that should have brought out more fans than it did – if not for the great talent, but for the even greater cause. But to enjoy some of the best Canadian country music in our own backyard – hey, it couldn’t get much better than that.

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.

We Have The Winners For The 2011 CCMA Awards

Lydia Picknell — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:26:27 +0000

It was a hot night in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada last night as they were the ones to host the 2011 Canadian Country Music Association Awards. The award show aired live from Copps Coliseum on CBC Television. The event marked the end of Canadian Country Music Week in the city, which took place between September 9th and September 12th. The CCMA week included street performances, autograph signings and activities for Canadian country music fans.

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

Michelle Wright To Be Inducted Into Canadian Country Hall of Fame

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:21:14 +0000

Canadian country music singer Michelle Wright has been announced as the 2011 inductee into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. She’s had nothing but great reviews for her unique voice the last twenty years she’s been on the scene; and she’s also sold over 2 million albums in North America over her career.

“What a tremendous honor. I deeply appreciate this recognition and am so very proud to have had the opportunity to represent Canada across the globe through my music. I have been blessed, and continue to be blessed, with a wonderful career. My thanks go out to the CCMA, along with my fans and industry friends, Brian Ferriman – my manager of more than 25 years, my outstanding team, and my husband, Marco, for helping make this recognition possible.”

The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony is a private event held on September 9th to the 12th during Canadian Country Music Week. Wright will have an official plaque hanging in the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in Merritt, British Columbia.