Nashville, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Canadian Country
Music Awards) - The Canadian Country
Music Awards showcased some of Canada's biggest country stars at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg tonight, but it became clear early that the evening would belong to Manitoba group Doc Walker.
Of the eight awards handed out on tonight's telecast, five were presented to Doc Walker, including Group or Duo of the Year, Album of the Year and the coveted Fans' Choice Award. Johnny Reid took home Male Artist of the Year and displayed his appreciation later in the show when he performed the aptly titled "Thank You." Break-through artist Jessie Farrell won Female Artist of the Year and CBC's Rising Star Award.
Host Terri Clark set the tone for the evening with a performance of "In My Next Life," while performances by Emerson Drive, Kellie Pickler, Paul Brandt, George Canyon, Crystal Shawanda and Dierks Bentley with Sarah Buxton helped set the MTS Centre on fire. Bentley and Pickler also served as presenters, as did Jimmy Wayne alongside Canadian-born Nashville transplant Adam Gregory.
The crowd was bouncing along with the red beach balls as Gord Bamford sang "Blame It On That Red Dress," while Randy Bachman, joined by Beverley Mahood and Deric Ruttan, closed the show with a performance of "Prairie Town."
A complete list of the 2008 CCMA Award winners follows below. News media can download high-resolution images through the media link on the CCMA website with the password: ccma2008.
(Presented during the televised broadcast on September 8)
Fans' Choice Award: Doc Walker
Single of the Year: Beautiful Life (Doc Walker, Open Road/Universal)
Album of the Year: Beautiful Life (Doc Walker, Open Road/Universal)
CMT Video of the Year: Beautiful Life (Doc Walker)
Female Artist of the Year: Jessie Farrell
Male Artist of the Year: Johnny Reid
Group or Duo of the Year: Doc Walker
Rising Star Award: Jessie Farrell
(Presented during the Gala Dinner on September 7)
SOCAN Songwriter(s) of the Year: Murray Pulver, Chris Thorsteinson, Dave Wasyliw (Beautiful Life, Doc Walker)
Record Company of the Year: 306 Records
Record Company Person of the Year: Ron Kitchener (Open Road Recordings)
Radio Station of the Year Major Market: CJJR-FM, Vancouver, BC
Radio Station of the Year Secondary Market: CICX-FM, Orillia, ON
Top Male Talent of the Year: Gord Bamford
Top Female Talent of the Year: Jessie Farrell
Top Talent of the Year - Group or Duo: Hey Romeo
Roots Artist or Group of the Year: Corb Lund
Country Music Program or Special of the Year: Canadian Coast to Coast - CJVR FM
Top Selling Canadian Album: Kicking Stones - Johnny Reid
Hall of Fame Induction, Artist: Prairie Oyster
Hall of Fame Induction, Builder: Brian Ferriman
Hank Smith Award of Excellence: Ma Henning
Humanitarian Award: George Canyon
(Presented at the All-Star Band Awards on September 6)
Drums: Mike Melancon (Emerson Drive)
Bass: Brent Pearen (Doc Walker)
Guitar: Murray Pulver (Doc Walker)
Keyboards: Dale Wallace (Emerson Drive)
Fiddle: David Pichette (Emerson Drive)
Steel Guitar: Jeff Bradshaw (Gord Bamford)
Special Instruments: Eileen Higgins (The Higgins - mandolin)
(Presented at the Industry Awards Brunch on September 6)
Country Club of the Year: Ranchman's Cookhouse and Dancehall, Calgary, AB
Album Design of the Year: Patrick Duffy/Traci Goudie/Jill Snell - Beautiful Life (Doc Walker)
Recording Studio of the Year: Cedartree Recording Studio, Kitchener, ON
Retailer of the Year: Wal-Mart Canada Corp.
Web Site of the Year: Ashley Harms/Tim Neufeld/House of Bands, docwalker.ca, Doc Walker
Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year: Ron Sakamoto, Gold & Gold Productions Ltd.
Booking Agency of the Year: Paquin Entertainment
Record Producer(s) of the Year: Gord Bamford/Byron Hill, Honkeytonks and Heartaches (Gord Bamford)
Music Publishing Company of the Year: ole
Management Company of the Year: RGK Entertainment Group Inc.
Top Selling Album of the Year: The Ultimate Hits (Garth Brooks)
Music Director of the Year, Secondary Market: Tim Day, CKGY, Red Deer, AB
Music Director of the Year, Major Market: Scott Phillips, CKRY-FM, Calgary, AB
On-Air Personality of the Year, Secondary Market: Carey Moran, CICX-FM, Orillia, ON
On-Air Personality of the Year, Major Market: Sharon and Danny, CFCW, Edmonton, AB
Video Director of the Year: Stephano Barberis, Blame It On That Red Dress (Gord Bamford)
Country Festival, Fair, or Exhibition of the Year: Calgary Stampede, Calgary, AB
Hall of Fame Induction, Broadcaster: Wes Montgomery
