CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION CCMA Country Music Week & Awards Hamilton 2018

CCMA is celebrating in its 42nd year since established in 1976, as the Academy of Country Music Entertainment to organize, promote and develop a Canadian country music industry. The association added the first awards portion in 1982 & changed its name to the Canadian Country Music Association in 1987, therefore, celebrating their 36th year as the CCMA Awards. CCMA is a membership-based, not-for-profit organization that promotes in recognition of Canadian country music. It educates, elevates and celebrates Canadian talent, focuses on including the spirit, community & creativity that country music fosters through year-round initiatives, culminating every fall with Country Music Week & the Canadian Country Music Association Awards.
Thursday, September 6th, 2018
Registration for me, at the Hamilton Convention Centre where I was pleased to pick up media credentials & tickets.
made a $10,000 donation to McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton for the Music Therapy Program, seen here presenting his $10,000 cheque to Orna Richter, Development Officer McMaster Children’s Hospital Foundation to help fund the Music Therapy Program. Photos by Gord Bamford Foundation. Photo by Barry Roden




Chad Brownlee at 1:30 pm
featuring:
Kelly Archer
Raquel Cole
The Redhill Valleys2:45pm
Damhnait Doyle
Mallory Johnson
Steven Lee Olsen
Shylo Sharity
Ran from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm totally free: allowed the fans to get up close & personal with Icons & Legends & country superstars.
10:30 am – 11:10 am Dallas Smith
11:10 am – 11:50 am Meghan Patrick
Country singer Aaron Goodvin was surprised with a Platinum award plaque on stage Saturday in Hamilton, ON for his hit single “Lonely Drum.” The plaque was presented to Goodvin by Warner Music Canada during his CCMA Fan Village performance, which was part of the Canadian Country Music Association’s Country Music Week festivities leading up to Sunday’s CCMA Awards broadcast. Goodvin shared the news with his fans through his social media channels, thanking his team for all the support with the Platinum track.
CCMA Hall of Fame Private Reception was held at the Hamilton Convention Centre inside the Webster Lounge from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm which led up to the CCMA GALA Cocktail Reception at Hamilton Convention Centre Wentworth Room B from 530-7pm where the industry gathered.

CCMA Gala Dinner & Awards where 14 awards were presented. I was included in the media room backstage of the at the Hamilton Convention Centre inside the backstage area of the Chedoke Room from 7:00 pm-10:00 pm, seeing familiar fellow media once again from time at the 2015 Junos Hamilton was like a family reunion of sorts and I truly enjoyed the atmosphere, snacks & front row Red Carpet. I once again was the only disabled media present as I professionally captured the winners & distinguished delegates. Oh, the mighty fine looking gentleman all decked out in their finest formal jackets & those dresses, oh my lord, divine glittery high heeled shoes everywhere. The Canadian Country Music industry was honoured & celebrated some very special people by presenting them with awards & 2 being inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. I got to see my hometown mentioned in a VERY SPECIAL PRESENTATION as MusiCounts, Canada’s leading music education charity, announced that Laura Lee Matthie of Orillia Secondary School was the 2018 recipient of the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award.

builder inductee to the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame
went to Jackie Rae Greening, a world-famous Radio Broadcaster, who is a Past Chair of the CCMA & a member of the Board of Directors from 2004-2010, who has won four CCMA Awards & is also an Alberta Country Music Hall of Fame inductee. Jackie Rae Greening received this distinguished high honour award for the most consistent demonstration of her dedication to the advancement of country music in Canada all the while as she elevates the careers of countless artists, presented by 7 Time CCMA recipient & 2018 5th back to back CCMA Interactive Artist of the Year Brett Kissel.
2 recipients were awarded for their above-average dedication to Canadian Music scene. CCMA Awards of Achievement with the Slaight Music Humanitarian Award was presented to The Country Thunder Humboldt Broncos Tribute Concert.
This honoured award distinguishes those who have made an outstanding contribution of time and energy in support of humanitarian causes & 2018 will highlight the admirable work of Troy Vollhoffer, Nick Meinema, Kelly Chase & the Country Thunder team in support of Humboldt Broncos families, where in April 2018 their event raised over $600K to help impacted families. Was great to speak briefly with Michelle Wright backstage & to be recognized by United Talent Agency’s Nick Meinema backstage too as we reminisced about the 2012 Start Quest competition held at the Gravenhurst Opera House, where I was a volunteer & Nick was a Judge.
7 Time CCMA recipient & CCMA Interactive Artist of the Year Brett Kissel takes home his 5th in a row in this category.
The Washboard Union return to the CCMA Awards stage for the second consecutive year
received their 1st win for Group or Duo of the Year & their 3rd consecutive win for Roots Artist or Group of the Year.
Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year (presented by ACTRA RACS
James Barker Band is a 2018 JUNO awarded act that also took home Single of the Year for“Chills”
Guitar Player of the Year (presented by Yamaha)
Matt McKay WINS his 2nd in a row Guitar Player award.
Bart McKay brings home his 4th award in this category.

Shane Guse wins his 1st CCMA for Mandolin & in 2017 Shane Guse received his fifth win in the Fiddle Player of the Year category. As such, he is now entered into the Musician Awards Hall of Honour. The Hall of Honour is reserved for musicians who have been awarded the same CCMA Musician Award five (5) or more times. Upon achieving their fifth award, their name is entered into Hall in celebration of their great contribution to Canadian country music. Shane was absent due to performing & Jason Barry received award on his behalf.
Radio Station of the Year (Large Market)
CISN-FM – Edmonton, Alberta brings home their 3rd CCMA in this category.

CHCQ-FM – Belleville, Ontario take home their 2nd CCMA in this category.
ole is the undefeated winner, receiving their 7th CCMA in this category.
Record Company of the Year (presented by Music Canada)
Warner Music Canada brings home their 2nd CCMA in this category
Industry Person of the Year
Steve Coady – Vice President, Radio Promotions – Warner Music Canada.
Ron Sakamoto Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year
Jim Cressman – Invictus Entertainment Group takes home #6 in this category.
A huge highlight for me on Saturday afternoon was riding up in the elevator with 80’s Canadian rock royalty, the iconoclastic pop singer-songwriter, lead vocalist & co-founder for The Parachute Club. I was nervous & goosebumps were plentiful as we shared a smile & hello. Abiding by CCMA rule for Media, no selfies with the artists, sorry to disappoint. I have looked up to her since I was 12 years of age, she is 1 of the most respected Musicians, Songwriters, Filmmakers, Event Producers, Artistic Directors, Speechwriters, Lecturers & Social Justice Activists on the planet, yes, I am referring to the amazing Lorraine Segato. She was the last presenter of the night, as she shared her latest masterpiece, a remake of “Rise Up” in celebration of the song’s 35th anniversary since Toronto’s Parachute Club released its anthemic hit single Under the helm of Lorraine Segato, she formed The Common Cause Collective (3XC), & the new recording is designed to raise funds for socially-conscious charities handpicked by Parachute Club’s Lorraine Segato throughTorontoFoundation.ca as one that launched with Slaight Music and Warner Music Canada. “Rise Up Redux” has just been made available to the digital streaming services and iTunes, & monies garnered via streams & downloads will be distributed to the following organizations. Segato says, “In remaking this song, we are honouring & celebrating another generation of social justice activists and encouraging and engaging the youth who are shaping the future. The song first signalled a call for equality & empowerment in 1983. Today its message is as relevant as it was 35 years ago.” as well, she further commented “I wanted to find a way to engage another generation of singers & youth leaders in the Rise Up Share Your Power project” Gary Slaight turned around & said, ‘I think we can help with that!’ Lorraine states, “Thus the project was born again through Slaight Music. I mentioned to Gary that Jim Campbell & I worked together 35 years ago at RCA when our first Parachute Club records came out. So I was really happy to find myself working with Jim as project manager on this. As well, my intent has always been to elevate the profile of these organizations as well as getting them some donations. What would quantify this project as a success for me is if we could drive folks to the Torontofoundation.ca website & the Rise Up Share Your Power Initiative, which is the name of the fund.” Segato and Meghan Patrick introduced the clip, a teaser of the video was then introduced by Brett Kissel as part of the main CCMA Awards show Sunday night. Releasing in Segato’s hometown where the original version of “Rise Up” was recorded with Daniel Lanois at his famed Grant Ave. studio in the city in 1983 was magic. “Rise Up Redux” was produced by songwriter/producer Karen Kosowski, also included 17 artists that represent the cream of Canada’s country music scene: Gord Bamford, (Kawartha’s) Cold Creek County, Don Amero, Leah Daniels, Dan Davidson, Tim Hicks, Kira Isabella, Brett Kissel, JoJo Mason, Jason McCoy, Madeline Merlo, Jessica Mitchell, Jess Moskaluke, Meghan Patrick, River Town Saints, Tebey, & Washboard Union, & they recorded their parts in studios in Toronto, Nashville & across Canada https://youtu.be/ZiTidkzXa10
Deb with fellow Volunteer Media Kimberly Cyr-Goodyear of
Now and Then Magazine Toronto
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
CCMA Sweat Session with F45 – CCMA Fan Village (Outside FirstOntario Centre Market at Bay Street) from 930 – 11:00am Then a nasty wind picked up, throwing debrite about, causing the CCMA to make a decision for safety sake to close SteelHead Music BC Showcase, Countdown Concert & CCMA Fan Village on the last day of CCMA Week.
Mackenzie Leigh Meyer a local singer-songwriter performed at the Tourism Visitors’ Centre, 28 James St. N., 1 to 3 p.m
In The Round: Crossing Borders which was presented by ole live at The Studio from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Masterclass songwriters from both sides of the border in a guitar pull setting. Notable songwriters from Canada & the U.S. Shared the stories behind country music’s biggest hits, with Gord Bamford, Phil Barton, Laura Veltz & Don Woods.
Next, such a high, to have The Wire Megazine blended in with the likes of CMT, CBC, Etalk Canada & local Hamilton News, and was arm and arm with online Magazines from as far away as Nova Scotia. I got to be an elite that captured famous crowd favourites upon the Official CCMA Awards Red Carpet, my 1st CCMA Red Carpet but my 2nd CCMA Carpet shoot as the 1st was the Official John Deere Green Carpet in London in 2016. This also marked the Wire Megazine’s 2nd Red Carpet, lately, 1st being the 2015 JUNOS in Hamilton. The carpet was lined from start to finish with adoring screaming fans, & was broadcasted LIVE around the WORLD for the 1st time thanks to CBC & cbcbmusic.ca/ccmas Photo below is Jason Benoit finalist for 2018 CCMA SIRIUSXM Top of The Country Competition.
Congratulations to Andrew Hyatt, the winner of SiriusXM’s 2018 Top of the Country, who received $25,000, trips to Nashville, Pender Island attending SOCAN Songwriting Camp.


Past the Past – Jess Moskaluke
Shania Twain
Female Artist of the Year
Meghan Patrick
Group or Duo of the Year
The Washboard Union
Male Artist of the Year
Dallas Smith
Sirius XM Rising Star
The Reklaws
Single of the Year
Chills – James Barker Band
This was a relaxed adventure, knowing the area, the media personnel & the procedures better since the Junos. I felt tall & proud to represent Michael Bell & his institution The Wire Megazine, out on the music scene since 1989. My heart was full hearing media say, “Hey, Wire Megazine!” I felt I finally made my mark!
The favourite highlight of my overall experience at this years 2018 CCMA Awards in Hamilton was interviewing the 5th-octave mezzo-soprano, Peterborough’s 6-time JUNO awarded Serena Ryder. Perma grinning thru the collaborative live showcase with her dear friend & 8-time CCMA & Juno winning Brett Kissel #brettkissell as they perfected her hit ‘What I Wouldn’t Do’ from her 2013 5th Album ‘Harmony’ right into Brett’s “You’re My Anthem” from his 2017 self-titled album! However, going 1 on 1 with Serena for that brief 2-minute journalistic adventure was simply the best part!

She came for a visit backstage as I had hoped & I was the 1st to be allowed to ask her a question, a 2 part question & it went just like this:
Serena: “Peterborough!!!”
Deb: Yes, Deb Draper from The Wire Megazine, Michael Bell Says hello!
Serena: “Oh, hello!”
Deb: Which is your most personal reflective song that you wrote while living in Peterborough?
Serena: (leans over the podium with a Sigh) “You ask a tough question.”
Serena: “….ya… off of my 2008 ‘Is It OK album’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnzymjjwPd8
and a video from my angel
https://www.facebook.com/SiriusXMCountry/videos/2134477903271714/UzpfSTEwMDAxMDM0Mjc3NzQ0Njo3MjAwNTI5ODUwMTYxMjE/?id=100010342777446