2020 Canadian Country Music Association Virtual Awards.
2020 Canadian Country Music Association presented its 38th annual CCMA Awards & 1st virtual one, from Burl’s Creek Oro, Ontario, & atop Nashville Westin Tower.
Each year, the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) honors its members who have excelled during the past year with Canadian Country Music Association Awards. The CCMA Awards are voted upon by the membership in 3 stage ballot process, during the 1st of which potential candidates who have released product within the eligibility period and meet the criteria outlined in the rules and regulations are brought forward for consideration and nominated by the voting membership through a write-in ballot. 2nd ballot presents the top 10 eligible contenders as verified by the Awards and Balloting Committee, who have received the most votes in each category, to the voted upon for the 3rd and final ballot, which contains the top 5 contenders in each category, who become the final 5 nominees. The ceremony consists of 15 Artist awards, 7 Musician awards, 5 Radio awards, 14 Industry awards. The CCMA Awards came long after the CMW began. CCMA Awards first started in 1982, though since 1977 CCMA Country Music Week has been an annual event created to heighten awareness and increase exposure for Canada’s country music artists. Country Music Week is normally made up of 3 components: a music festival, which includes CCMA Fan Village, a Songwriter’s Series, talent showcase, FanFest and Legends Show; the CCMA Awards Show which is a 2 hour live, television special highlighting a year in country music; as well as an industry conference which allows the Canadian country music industry to honor those working behind the scenes via educational workshops and seminars networking receptions, awards ceremonies and much more! This year, 2020 has hosted virtually!!! Established in 1977, CCMA is a non for profit membership-based organization committed to the promotion of recognition of Canada Country music built upon the foundation to educate, elevate, and celebrate Canadian talent which heralds the spirit of community and creativity that country music fosters year after year.
All eight of the artist-based CCMA Awards —Fans’ Choice, Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Group or Duo of the Year, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Rising Star, and TD Entertainer of the Year — were given out on-air on September 27. The remaining awards were presented during a virtual Country Music Week Sept 25, 26th, attended by CCMA members in the days leading up to the\ 2020 CCMA Awards Show.
As a proud member of the CCMA in good standing and the Music Editor for The Wire
CCMA Foundation’s vision is to change lives through the power of music. With the support of the music community, artists, partners, and fans, the foundation works to meet this vision through 3 pillars: music for change, music for healing, and music for youth. With a focus on maintaining the health and welfare of our music community during these trying times, the CCMA Foundation is raising much-needed funds for the Unison Benevolent Fund, a Canadian charitable organization whose mission is to help provide emergency relief services to the Canadian music community, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. Unison Benevolent Fund is an assistance program created and administered for the music community, by the music community, designed to provide discreet relief to music industry professionals in times of crisis. There are two distinct types of support available through the fund. Financial Assistance and Counselling and Helth Solutions supported by RBC Foundation. Now more than ever, Unison’s emergency relief assistance is a critical safety net for members of our industry deeply affected by the COVID-19 virus itself and the precautions and protocols surrounding it. Please help as they prepare to support the most vulnerable during this time, by making a donation to Unison. For every donation made at unisonfund.ca and through the CCMA Foundation, Spotify will match it dollar for dollar, up to a collective total of 10 million USD. Visit unisonfund.ca to learn more. HOW CAN YOU HELP? 100% OF PROCEEDS will help benefit those in need. There are two (2) ways to help: 1) Donate online by using the secure payment form below. 2) Donate by mail. Cheques should be made payable to Canadian Country Music Association at 104-366 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 3X9 All donations are incredibly appreciated. Donations totaling more than $20 will receive a tax receipt visit http://www.ccmafoundation.org
Hall of Fame – CCMA has been honoring Canadian Artists and Builders who have made long-term contributions to the growth and development of Canadian country music since 1982. Inductees into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame are selected annually by their Canadian peers in the industry. The Hall of Fame is managed by the CCMA Board of Directors’ appointed Hall of Fame Management Committee. This year in 2020, there will be 2 Hall of Fame Inductees selected 1 Artist and 1 Builder. An artist (solo, duo, or group) is a professional performer (Canadian singer/musician) who has recorded and released music that has contributed significantly to the advancement of country music in Canada. A Builder is an individual who has contributed significantly to the advancement of country music in Canada. These individuals could include but are not limited to artist manager, booking agent, consultant, distributor, event and venue management, media, music publisher, producer, public relations, publication, publicity, radio, record company person, retailer, talent buyer/promoter and television/video.
Fostering and promoting new Canadian talent has always been at the core of SiriusXM Top of the Country program. This year, the program is evolving to bring a dynamic new experience to the 2020 class. The contest is following 8 up and coming artists from across this country as they receive expert-level mentorship, new equipment to hone their craft, and a platform to showcase their talent. On September 25th the 3rd annual SiriusXM Top of the Country was hosted by Jeff Leak of SiriusXM, and he explained that due to COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines the SiriusXM Top of the Country program in partnership with the CCMA looks a little different this year. The 2020 Top of the Country program will extend across 2 years with our 8 semi-finalists playing for you. Later in 2021, 3 finalists chosen from a nationwide public vote, and a winner will be crowned at Country Music Week in 2021. With this pivot, they showcased all 8 of these incredible semi-finalists and if that’s not enough, they also had the amazing MacKenzie Porter joining from Nashville, TN, what an incredible year she has been having with 3 #1 singles in a row, nominated for 3 CCMA Awards, and she also got married this year, congrats. 1st up, 3-time Juno awarded singer-songwriter from Winnipeg, the brilliant singer-songwriter Don Amero, whose new 3rd album release in way of an EP, The Next Chapter is out now. Don kicked it off with his new hit Wasn’t The Dress. http://www.donamero.ca 2nd up was the extremely talented singer-songwriter born in Vernon, BC, now residing in Nashville, Raquel Cole, perfected her Hate That I Need You from her current The Essence of Me EP. http://www.raquelcole.com Venturing to Eastern Canada to Newfoundland & Labrador to showcase Carolina East, who is the 3rd contender. A vibrant and bold performer, man I adore her sound. Since the release of her 1st EP Carolina quickly made a name for herself. Nominated for 4 Music NL awards for country artist of the year, female artist of the year, Factor album of the year, and Indigenous artist or group of the year. Her 4th album Soaked in Whiskey was Nominated for Country Album of the Year at the 2018 and 2019 Indigenous Music Awards and in 2020 Country Artist of the Year at Music NL Awards. She has been co-writing via Skype and FaceTime and Hunger is the 3rd single from her up and coming album Soaked in Whiskey (about to drop in fall of 2021), and this hit has a deeply rich sound. http://www.carolinaeastmusic.com 4th up was Waterloo singer-songwriter, Nate Hall, who has toured with Kira Isabella and The Reklaws brought his A-Game with his You Ain’t Gonna Take My Name. Next, we tripped down to Quebec to check out the 5th magical gifts of Brittany Kennell, who was educated at Berkley College of Music in Boston then spent 8 years of writing in Nashville and became the only Canadian to appear on the voice on team Blake back in 2016. She nailed her original, Drunk Lips. http://www.carolinaeastmusic.com 6th up, Hudson Bay Saskatchewan native, Kalsey Kulyk has been honing her crafts since she could talk. Her unmistakable vocals along with her husband’s voice moved back to Canada from Nashville and her and her husband, Eric Etheridge, created the concept Love on The Road. It’s a touring concert where you can go to Love on the Road.ca and pick a show date and they would come to play for you in a socially distanced setup, where they would perform on the roof of their van for the fans down below. Her stratospheric soul expressed her new song, Who I Was. http://www.kalseykulyk.com Next up, was the 7th contender, Tyler Joe Miller from Langley BC. His debut single reached #1 on Canadian charts in 2020, he received a CCMA Award nomination and heads his non-profit organization called The Climb Out Reach Society is out of Guatemala and soon to reach globally. He performed the hit song I Would Be Over Me Too. https://mdmrecordings.net/artist_press\tyler-joe-miller Last but not least, was Toronto/Ottawa’s, Kelly Prescott. She comes from a long line of country music performers, and her EP Love Wins, which was released in February 2020, has garnered her a CCMA nomination in the Roots Album Category. She was on tour with Alan Doyle when the pandemic hit and they decided to move to Haliburton Ontario. They started their own concerts called Pontoons, where they would perform on docks and fans would show up on their own boats to enjoy concerts, they had the best summer considering COVID. Playing on their deck under the moonlight and candlelight, projecting her stellar original, and 2020 album title, Love Wins. Top of the Country win would enhance the life of the winner in 2021 with the Grand prize of $25,000 and Socan Songwriting trip and so much more. Closing out the 2020 Top of the Country SiriusXM semi-finalist showcase, was 1 of the fastest rising stars in Canada and Nashville, she is the 1st female in 22 years to have 3 consecutive #1 hits, and she is also nominated for 3 CCMA Awards, all the way from Nashville was non-other than MacKenzie Porter who delivered a warm and harmonious trio featuring Lou and Joey on a few of her originals. 1st up was her last song at radio that went to #1, Seeing Other People, followed by a never performed debut performance of her newest single out Drinkin Songs. The final piece, These Days, changed her life and fans got this song to #1 at Country Radio in Canada, Top 10 at Pop Radio in Canada, and is now charting at US Country Radio as well. Become a CCMA member today by visiting https://members.ccma.org/ccma_membership.html
Here’s is what it’s normally like from this view point, here are a couple of blast from the past pictures from 2016, and 2018 CCMA’s.
CCMA president Tracy Martin explains,
“As we worked to create this show we didn’t want to lose sight that winning a CCMA Award is a monumental experience for an artist and that although it seems like everything has changed, the one thing that remains constant is the hard work and achievements of our artists. Every year we hand out awards that reflect the excellence found in Canada within our genre and we couldn’t imagine not doing that this year. We’re so grateful to our broadcast partner Global TV who, without hesitation, stepped in to help us create this incredibly memorable show.
This year’s show is truly a passion project. The dedication of our team to make a safe space for us to create this musical love letter to our genre is not something I’ll soon forget. We hope the virtual audience loves it as much as we do.”
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10158175477087098&extid=BMD8fbTY0mB2sKo5
The Reklaws kicked the show off in Oro’s Burl’s Creek with their relevant tune, truly Canadian, Where I’m From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW_PWGY8YbE
BRETT KISSEL sang his EMOTIONALLY ADDITIVE flavor Drink About Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzVPcFKS5YQ from a picturesque but barren Burl’s Creek then engaged us by saying, “Canada I am so happy to be here tonight as we celebrate the Canadian Country Music Awards. I am standing right now on the site and the home of Boots and Hearts Music Festival, right here in Burls Creek in Oro Medonte, Ontario, and it is so great to be back. Lately, we have found ourselves living in a new world, although somethings may look a little different, one thing hasn’t changed at all, and that’s the Music. In fact, music brings us all together and connects us. The music captures words that speak to your heart and tells stories of our soul and gives us strength and it gives us hope. Well, tonight we got the best in Country joining us like: Dallas Smith, Dean Brody, and from Nashville, we have Tim McGraw, Tenille Townes, Lindsay Ell, Kane Brown, Sam Hunt, Breland, Mackenzie Porter, and Meghan Patrick As we bring the country back to the country we want to acknowledge that we are standing on sacred land right now, the land of the Algonquin, the Mi’kmaq, the Sioux, the Cree, and the Metis Nation. No matter where you are tonight and no matter where you are watching from, we want to say thank you very much for being apart of our story but more important for being apart of our family. Our show tonight is full of deserving nominees, people who are working their butts off to entertain their fans, but I think of all the categories, this one features the best of what Canada has to offer. Here are your nominees for Female Artist of the Year: Lindsay Ell, Jess Moskaluke, Meghan Patrick, MacKenzie Porter, and Tenille Townes. The award for Female Artist of the Year goes to Tenille Townes.” Tenille thanked everyone for this award from Nashville, then performed her beautiful Jersey on The Wall (I’m Just Asking) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5LSRWGVXDM followed by the amazing performance by the effervescently vivacious Jess Moskaluke who brought us a home town rustic feel from the Burl’sCreeki barn as she projected her Country Girls https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml2WDprCIcI Dean Brody introduced the nominees for Group or Duo of the Year: High Valley, Hunter Brothers, James Barker Band, The Reklaws, and The Washboard Union and the winner goes for the 3rd straight year, The Washboard Union. Dallas Smith graced the stage to introduce to you JoJo Mason who was scheduled to perform there at Burl’s Creek this summer but Covid-19 canceled that. He gave a smooth country-rock, little like a Lionel Richie feel to his As If We Won’t. The Reklaws introduced the next spectacular award for Rising Star. Nominees are: Tenille Arts, Matt Lang, Tyler Joe Miller, Emily Reid, and Sons of Daughters, and the winner is Tenille Arts. The high energy of the spectacular Lindsay Ell was up next, as she perfected atop the Nashville Westin building with her Want Me Back https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJte4X62f3g The show gaps were filled with fun and interesting trivia on the history of country music and its stars. Lindsay Ell introduced the next performers Tebey and Marie+Mai as they projected their passion among the forest at Burl’s Creek with their hit The Good Ones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sOF4SHQI5U Jade Eagleson was up next with his seductive hit Close https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPkqgS1CV3w , injecting us with his classic country homegrown feel. Jess Moskaluke explained Factor and the sponsors and then introduced the next award for Male Artist of the Year and the nominees are: Dean Brody, Jade Eagleson, Brett Kissel, Dallas Smith, and Tebey; and the winner is Brett Kissel. Kissel stated, “Male Artist of the Year 2020, This is amazing, I look to my heroes in country music and Canadian country music with guys like Charlie Major, Paul Brandt, George Canyon, and Johny Reid as those guys won these awards and I think to myself, that I wouldn’t be here as a male artist if it weren’t for a strong female presence that I have at home, That’s why I dedicate this award to my wife Cecilia for being such an extraordinary support system, I couldn’t do this without her, couldn’t do this without my record label Warner Music. I couldn’t do this without Invictus Entertainment, my team south of the border, north of the border, and especially my band and my crew as they know how much I love the art of country music. So to be the Male Artist of the Year is extraordinary, Thank you.”
Next up was 3-time Juno award-winning Don Amero who performed with members of the backup band from Burl’s Creek atop the barn and they presented an arousing version of his hit On Down The Road https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPfdquxHfLo He gracefully introduced the link and information on the Top of the Country program and how he is an artist with the program that runs for 2 years and the winners would be chosen from 8 semi-finalists turned 3 finalists at Country Music Week in London in 2021. For more info visit http://topcountry.siriusxm.ca Next up was the emotionally stratospheric group of 5, the Hunter Brothers, and their Hard Dirt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNdDGhYcY3U Global and internationally acclaimed music legend Tim McGraw graced the Nashville stage with his lovely I Called Mama https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixQpJsELcPY from his 16th Studio Album Here On Earth. Lindsay Ell was next as a presenter of the nominees for the Single of the Year category, Jade Eagleson for Count Thew Ways, Dallas Smith for Drop, James Barker Band Keep It Simple, High Valley’s Single Man, and Whiskey in a Teacup by Dean Brody and the winner is James Barker Band. Lindsay Ell further stated, “This year friends and families have been separated by forces greater than all of us. Artists are no exception. James Barker Band is the perfect example of this as their band is divided half in Nashville and half in Ontario. Luckily through the magic of TV, we are able to bring them roughly 1,300 km closer together. Performing Summer Time, coming from Ontario and Nashville, ladies and gentlemen, the James Barker Band.” Kane Brown stunned us with his 7-piece hypnotic hit Cool Again.
Don Amero introduced the Ultimate Fan, saying, “the ultimate fan has seen Dallas Smith 38 times, James Barker Band 50 times, Brett Kissel 63 times, and she has seen Tim Hicks so many times that he presented her with an award. If there was an award for Fan of The Year, she would blow the competition clear out of the water, please welcome country music’s TD Ultimate Fan, Justine Albrechtas,” She got to announce the category for Fans Choice. The nominees are Dean Brody, Jade Eagleston, Hunter Brothers, James Barker Band, Brett Kissel, MacKenzie Porter, The Reklaws, Dallas Smith, Tebey, and Tenille Townes, and the winner once again was Brett Kissel. A rocking country edged Meghan Patrick mounted that Nashville Stage with her infectious hit Girls Like Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGimNVtNRKI then she introduced MacKenzie Porter who introduced the nominees for Album of the Year Black Sheep Dean Brody, Love Heartbreak, and Everything Between Tenille Arts, Now or Never Brett Kissel, Singles Only James Barker Band, and Wild As Me Meghan Patrick and the winner
TD Entertainer of the Year nominees were Dean Brody, Brett Kissel, The Reklaws, Dallas Smith, and Tenille Townes, and the winner was Dallas Smith, who stated, “I dedicate this award to the country music as a whole, promoters agents, buyers, stagehands, guitar techs, musicians, artists, everybody, and most importantly the fans. This has been a tough year but we will see you guys in 2021, you guys take care,” as he strolled into his hit Timeless.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iruSldKRdG4
Next up was collabs with Legendary Carolyn Dawn Johnson in Nashville with Tenille Townes, Lindsay Ell, and Meghan Partick who perfected their rendition of Blue Rodeo’s classic hit We Are Lost, which seems to be the theme these days with this COVID-19 new way of life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U53phSNKHIo
Carolyn Dawn Johnson shares from her heart with a thank you, “ON behalf of all of tonight’s artists and all of Canadians, I would like to say thank you to the first responders, health care providers, teachers, and front line workers who are going above and beyond to keep us all safe and healthy, and sane during this time. joining us now to introduce the next performance out of Ontario, pleas welcome 1 of Canada’s selfless front line workers, Chelsey Brathwaite, that works out of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hosptial in East York, Ontario,” she gave a shout out to her front line workers and thankyou Canada then she introduced the explosive and extraordinary finale with Dean Brody and his band’s Can’t Help Myself at Burl’s Creek featuring The Reklaws https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkcLSWVsc1U
Was truly fitting to begin and end with The Reklaws and to sing along with a unique drive-in style explosive tune of high energy, what a night of magic. What an injection of fuel, circled by rows of cars and trucks socially distanced from one another, now that’s a RAD way to end a show!
Congrats to all the nominees and can I get a drum roll please! …..The Award Winners are ABOUT TO BE highlighted in RED.
ARTIST AWARDS
TD ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Dean Brody
- Brett Kissel
- The Reklaws
- Dallas Smith WINNER
- Tenille Townes
ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Black Sheep – Dean Brody
- Love, Heartbreak, & Everything In Between – Tenille Arts
- Now Or Never – Brett Kissel WINNER
- Singles Only – James Barker Band
- Wild As Me – Meghan Patrick
FANS’ CHOICE AWARD
- Dean Brody
- Jade Eagleson
- Hunter Brothers
- James Barker Band
- Brett Kissel WINNER
- MacKenzie Porter
- The Reklaws
- Dallas Smith
- Tebey
- Tenille Townes
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Lindsay Ell
- Jess Moskaluke
- Meghan Patrick
- MacKenzie Porter
- Tenille Townes WINNER
GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR AWARD
- High Valley
- Hunter Brothers
- James Barker Band
- The Reklaws
- The Washboard Union WINNER
INTERACTIVE ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Dan Davidson
- Lindsay Ell WINNER
- Aaron Goodvin
- Nice Horse
- Tenille Townes
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Dean Brody
- Jade Eagleson
- Brett Kissel WINNER
- Dallas Smith
- Tebey
RISING STAR AWARD
- Tenille Arts WINNER
- Matt Lang
- Tyler Joe Miller
- Emily Reid
- Sons Of Daughters
ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Everbound – The Washboard Union WINNER
- Fingers Crossed – JJ Shiplett
- Kalsey Kulyk – Kalsey Kulyk
- Love Wins – Kelly Prescott
- The Other Way – Donovan Woods
SINGLE OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Count The Ways – Jade Eagleson
- Drop – Dallas Smith
- Keep It Simple – James Barker Band WINNER
- Single Man – High Valley
- Whiskey In A Teacup – Dean Brody
SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Skip Black, Aaron Goodvin, Matt Nolen
- Song: Good Ol’ Bad Days (Performed
By: Aaron Goodvin)
- Song: Good Ol’ Bad Days (Performed
- Brad Rempel, Ben Stennis, Jenna Walker, Stuart Walker
- Song: I Do Too (Performed
By: The Reklaws)
- Song: I Do Too (Performed
- Tina Parol, Gordie Sampson, Tenille Townes WINNER
- Song: Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking) (Performed
By: Tenille Townes)
- Song: Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking) (Performed
- Jeff Coplan, Tim Hicks, Bruce Wallace
- Song: No Truck Song (Performed
By: Tim Hicks)
- Song: No Truck Song (Performed
- MacKenzie Porter, Jordan Sapp, Parker Welling
- Song: These Days (Performed
By: MacKenzie Porter)
- Song: These Days (Performed
VIDEO OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Country Thunder – The Washboard Union
- Drink About Me – Brett Kissel
- Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking) – Tenille Townes WINNER
- No Truck Song – Tim Hicks
- Silver Lining – Hunter Brothers
MUSICIAN AWARDS
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD ***TIE
- Kirby Barber
- Lisa Dodd WINNER
- Curtis Ebner
- Doug
Elash - Matt Genereux
- Justin
Kudding WINNER
DRUMMER OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Matthew Atkins
- Ben Bradley WINNER
- Spencer Cheyne
- Flavio Cirillo
- Rob Wells
- Greg Williamson
FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Linsey Beckett
- Tyler Beckett
- Denis Dufresne
- Matt Piche
- Mike Sanyshyn
- Tyler Vollrath WINNER
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTED BY PRS GUITARS
- Paul Chapman
- Ryan Davidson
- Matt McKay WINNER
- Chad Murphy
- Darren Savard
KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Mike Little
- Brendan Waters WINNER
- Scott Wilkinson
SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Mitch Jay WINNER
- Connor Riddell
- Tyler Vollrath
STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Chris Altmann
- Doug Johnson
- Mitch Jay WINNER
RADIO AWARDS
MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (LARGE MARKET)
- Steph Hansen – CISN-FM/CKRY-FM – Edmonton, AB/Calgary, AB
- Jaxon Hawks – CJJR-FM – Vancouver, BC
- A.J. Keller – CFCW – Edmonton, AB
- Amanda Kingsland – CKBY-FM – Ottawa, ON WINNER
- Peter Walker – CJKX-FM/CHKX-FM – Oshawa, ON/Hamilton, ON
MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (MEDIUM / SMALL MARKET)
- Shilo Bellis – CJXL-FM – Moncton, NB WINNER
- Paul Ferguson – CHCQ-FM – Belleville, ON
- Cal Gratton – CJVR-FM – Melfort, SK
- Luca James – CKGY-FM – Red Deer, AB
- Peter Morena – CKYY-FM – St. Catharines, ON
COUNTRY PERSONALITY(IES) OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Wendy Boomer – CKBY-FM
- Shannon Ella – Pure Country WINNER
- Paul McGuire – Stingray
- Randy Owen – CJDL-FM
- Sarah Scott – CFXO-FM
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (LARGE MARKET)
- CFCW – Edmonton, AB
- CJKX-FM – Oshawa, ON
- CKBY-FM – Ottawa, ON
- CKKL-FM – Ottawa, ON
- CKRY-FM – Calgary, AB WINNER
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (MEDIUM / SMALL MARKET)
- CFXO-FM – High River, AB
- CHCQ-FM – Belleville, ON
- CICX-FM – Orillia, ON
- CJXL-FM – Moncton, NB WINNER
- CKGY-FM – Red Deer, AB
INDUSTRY AWARDS
BOOKING AGENCY OF THE YEAR AWARD
- The Feldman Agency
- Invictus Entertainment Group
- Paquin Artist Agency
- Sakamoto Agency WINNER
- United Talent Agency
COUNTRY CLUB OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Cook County Saloon – Edmonton, AB
- Cowboys Roadhouse – Winnipeg, MB
- King Eddy – Calgary, AB WINNER
- Ranchman’s Cookhouse And Dancehall – Calgary, AB
- Rock ‘N’ Horse Saloon – Toronto, ON
COUNTRY FESTIVAL, FAIR OR EXHIBITION OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Boots And Hearts Music Festival – Oro-Medonte, ON WINNER
- Calgary Stampede – Calgary, AB
- Cavendish Beach Music Festival – Cavendish, PE
- Centerfield Music Festival – St. Paul, AB
- Diesel Bird Digital Music Festival – Online
COUNTRY MUSIC PROGRAM OR SPECIAL OF THE YEAR AWARD
- A Kissel Country Christmas – BAK 2 BAK Entertainment Inc./Stingray
- Canada Together: In Concert – Corus Entertainment WINNER
- Casey Clarke Country Countdown – Casey Clarke Productions
- Girl Power Hour – Rogers Media
- The Paul McGuire Show – Stingray
MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Big Loud Management
- Invictus Entertainment Group WINNER
- MDM Artist Management Services
- RGK Entertainment Group
- Starseed Entertainment
MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Anthem Entertainment
- Big Loud Publishing
- Sony / ATV Music Publishing
- Universal Music Publishing Group
- Warner Chappell Music Canada WINNER
RECORD COMPANY OF THE YEAR AWARD
- MDM Recordings Inc.
- Open Road Recordings
- Sony Music Entertainment (Canada) Inc.
- Universal Music Canada
- Warner Music Canada WINNER
INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY MNP
- Steve Coady – Warner Music Canada – Vice President, Radio Promotion
- Warren Copnick – Sony Music Entertainment (Canada) Inc. – Director of National Promotion
- Mike Denney – MDM Recordings Inc – President WINNER
- Brianne Deslippe – Big Loud Records – Vice President of Promotion/General Manager Canada
- Anya Wilson – Anya Wilson Promotion – Radio Promoter
Creative Director(s) of the Year Award
- Design Team: Mitchell Nevins, Madeline Merlo, Photography: Emma-Lee
- Digital Single Packaging: Kiss Kiss, If You Never Broke My Heart, It Didn’t, Digital Singles, Newsletter Template, Zoom Digital Background Filter, Instagram Filter, Website (Artist: Madeline Merlo)
- Design Team: Bronwin Parks
- Single: Just Let Go (Artist: Gord Bamford), Album, Vinyl and Artist Merchandise: It Was A Song (Artists: Ryan Langlois) Singles: (Country Thunder, Country Thunder Acoustic, Dock Rock, Artist Branding (Artist: The Washboard Union)
- Design Team: Wes Mack, Kyle Bottoms
- Album: Soul (Artist: Wes Mack)
- Design Team: Nick Perreault, James Murdoch, Ben Shillabeer
- Album: Twenty Something, Single: Homesick For The Holidays, Social Graphics (Artist: The Dungarees)
- Design Team: Brett Kissel, Connor Scheffler WINNER
- Album: Now Or Never (Artist: Brett Kissel)
RECORDING STUDIO OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Barrytone Studios – Miramichi, NB
- Bart McKay Productions – Saskatoon, SK
- MCC Recording Studio – Calgary, AB
- Noble Street Studios – Toronto, ON WINNER
- OCL Studios – Chestermere, AB
RECORD PRODUCER(S) OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Jeff Dalziel
- EP: Highway Mile (Artist: Aaron Allen), Single: Hot Mess (Artist: Nice Horse), Single: I Do (Artist: Dan Davidson)
- Jacob Durrett, Brett Kissel, Bart McKay
- Album: Now Or Never (Artist: Brett Kissel)
- Karen Kosowski
- Single: Country Thunder (Artist: The Washboard Union)
- Scott Moffatt WINNER
- Album: What You See Is What You Get (Artist: Luke Combs)
- Joey Moi, Dave Cohen
- Single: These Days (Artist: MacKenzie Porter)
RETAILER OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Amazon Music
- Apple Music WINNER
- Spotify Canada Inc.
RON SAKAMOTO TALENT BUYER OR PROMOTER OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Paul Biro – Sakamoto Agency WINNER
- Jim Cressman – Invictus Entertainment Group
- Adam Oppenheim – Stampede Entertainment Inc.
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Stephano Barberis
- Video: All The Time (Artist: David James), Video: As If We Won’t (Artist: JoJo Mason), Video: Better On You (Artist: JoJo Mason), Video: Country Girls (Artist: Jess Moskaluke), Video: Country Thunder (Artist: The Washboard Union), Video: Dear Me (Artist: Madeline Merlo), Video: Timeless (Artist: Dallas Smith)
- Emma Higgins
- Video: I Needed That (Artist: Andrew Hyatt), Video: She Drives Me Crazy (Artist: Brett Kissel), Video: Your Mama (Artist: High Valley)
- Ben Knechtel WINNER
- Video: Ain’t My Fault (Live @ MOD CLUB) (Artists: Jade Eagleson), Video: Bars & Churches (Artist: Aaron Goodvin), Video: Can’t Help Myself (Artist: Dean Brody x The Reklaws), Video: Count The Ways (Artist: Jade Eagleson), Video: Loved You Like That (Artist: Kris Barclay), Video: Old Country Soul (Artist: The Reklaws), Video: Still Gonna Be You (Artist: Jade Eagleson), Video: The Way You Roll (Artist: Chad Brownlee), Video: There’s A Drink For That (Artist: James Barker Band)
- Raphael Mazzucco
- Video: The Good Ones (Artists: Tebey and Marie-Mai)
- Travis Nesbitt
- Video: Bad Guy – Billie Eilish Bluegrass Cover (Artist: DD and the Butterlovers) , Video: Church (Artist: Dan Davidson), Video: Days Go By – Keith Urban Cover (Artist: Jess Moskaluke), Video: Good Life (Aritst: Nice Horse), Video: Halfway Home (Artist: Jess Moskaluke), Video: I Do (Artist: Dan Davidson), Video: If I Can’t Have You – Shawn Mendes Bluegrass Cover (Artist: DD and the Butterlovers), Video: If The World Was Ending – JP Saxe Cover (Artist: Ryan Lindsay), Video: Resistorz (Artist: Clayton Bellamy & The Congregation), Video: Say My Name – Destiny’s Child Cover (Artist: Jess Moskaluke), Video: Symphony Of Destruction – Megadeath Bluegrass Cover (Artist: DD and the Butterlovers), Video: They Don’t Make Em Like they Used To (Artist: The Dungarees), Video: This Love – Maroon 5 Cover (Artist: Jess Moskaluke), Video: Unkiss Her (Artist: Dan Davidson), Video: Way Back When (Artist: Ryan Lindsay), Video: Wild (Artist: Ryan Lindsay), Video: Wolves At The Door (Artist: Black Mountain Whiskey Rebellion).
Stellar performances by Dallas Smith, Linsay Ell, Brett Kissel, Tenille Townes, The Reklaws, MacKenzie Porter, Jess Moskaluke, Jojo Mason, Marie-Mai, Jade Eagleson, Don Amero, The Hunter Brothers, Kane Brown, Tebey, Breland, Sam Hunt, Meaghan Patrick, James Barker Band, Dean Brody and 2 chart-topping international country legends Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Tim McGraw. My mind is blown to say the least, what a stupendous evening of stellar proportions, Canada sure has some of the best talents!
If you couldn’t tune in here’s the full show link, enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MhH6WRnc0I
Can’t wait for 2021. KEEP UP TO DATE by visiting https://ccma.org
Once COVID disappears, I will be at the 2021 JUNO’s in Toronto and the Country Music Week at CCMA awards, which are back once again in London.