VANCOUVER, CANADA (Top40 Charts/ Canadian Country
Music Association) - Vancouver, British Columbia, will host this year's Country
Music Week from Sept. 10-13, featuring four days of showcases, seminars, industry events, musical performances and the star-studded CCMA Awards.
Country Music Week begins Thursday, Sept. 10, with the Canadian Country Music Association Awards capping off the week's events on Sunday night, Sept. 13 at General Motors Place. Leading nominees include: Johnny Reid (6), George Canyon (5), Victoria Banks (5) and Dean Brody and Gord Bamford with four nominations each.
This year's awards, hosted by Jason Priestley, will feature performances from U.S. superstars Reba and Martina McBride, as well as many of Canada's finest artists: Terri Clark, Johnny Reid, Doc Walker and more. The CCMA Awards show airs live at 8 p.m. on CBC Television with encore airings on CMT in Canada. Visit www.CCMA.org for more information.
Events during the week include the Songwriter's Cafe', New Artist Showcase, Industry Brunch and Awards, FanFest, Educational Panels, Gala Dinner and Awards, Gospel Showcase, All Star Band Awards and Jam Session, Guitar Pull and Open Mic Night. Terry McBride, CEO of Canadian record label Nettwerk Music, will deliver the Keynote Address. For more specific information on each of the Country Music Week events, visit: www.countrymusicvancouver.com/events.
One of the highlights each year at Country Music Week is the free Fanfest event. Artists appearing at this year's FanFest include: Johnny Reid, Jessie Farrell, Aaron Pritchett, Doc Walker, Shane Yellowbird, Deric Ruttan, Tara Oram, Dean Brody, Steven Lee Olsen, The Higgins, Jason Blaine, One More Girl, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Ridley Bent, Victoria Banks and more. Fanfest will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, between 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and offers fans unique photo and autograph opportunities, as well as performances from the artists.
The 2009 Canadian Country Music Hall of Honour members will also be inducted during Country Music Week. This year's inductees are: artist Buffy Sainte-Marie, industry veteran Barry Haugen and Country radio broadcaster John Murphy.
Tickets for the CCMA Awards are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.ca, and by phone at 604.280.4444. Ticket prices range from $20 to $125 (plus applicable taxes and service charges).
About the CCMA:
The CCMA is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to the growth and development of Canadian country music. For 30 years the CCMA has marked each September with Country Music Week, a four-day conference and celebration culminating in the internationally broadcast CCMA Awards (established 1983). Country Music Week is one of the largest music events in Canada with a combination of activities for both community and industry, including showcase opportunities for newcomers, educational seminars and an all day FanFest that delivers Canada's stars to the community. In 2009, Country Music Week and the CCMA Awards will be held in Vancouver, BC from September 10-13. Visit www.CCMA.org for more information.
