Carolyn Dawn Johnson Tops Canadian Country Noms

Nashville (AP) - With 10 nominations, Arista Nashville artist Carolyn Dawn Johnson leads the list of nominees for the Canadian Country Music Association's (CCMA) 25th annual awards. Mercury Nashville's Terri Clark earned six nominations, followed by Jason McCoy and Lisa Brokop with five each, and Adam Gregory, who received four nods.

Alberta native Johnson is nominated for top female, top entertainer, and rising star; her Canadian hits "Complicated" and "Georgia" are each up for top single, top song, and top video. In addition, her "Room With a View" is up for top album.

In the album of the year category, Johnson will face off with Clark's "Fearless," McCoy's "Honky Tonk Sonatas" (Universal), Brokop's independently released "Undeniable," and Adam Gregory's "The Way I'm Made" (Sony Int'l). For top single honors, Clark's "No Fear" will be competing against Johnson's entries, as will McCoy's "Kind of Like it's Love" and Brokop's "Something Undeniable."

Beginning today (Aug. 1) and lasting through Sept. 9, votes will be collected for the TELUS Mobility Fans' Choice Award, with nominees including Paul Brandt, Clark, Johnson, Jason McCoy, or the Wilkinsons. Votes can be cast at 1-900-870-CCMA (for which a 99 cent toll charge applies), via a TELUS Mobility Web-ready phone, and a special TELUS Web site or the CCMA site.
In addition to the awards, Gordon Lightfoot and Gary Buck will be inducted into the CCMA's Hall of Fame.

Hosted by Anne Murray, the awards show will be broadcast on CBC in Canada and CMT in the U.S. The affair, which will take place Sept. 10 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, completes the annual weeklong Canadian Country Music Week festivities.