NEW YORK (www.ccma.org) - Along with a stellar showing from Canada's stars Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Jason McCoy and
Terri Clark – many new names are found on the Canadian Country
Music Awards Nominee Ballot for 2004 indicating a strong year of growth and a major influx of newcomers to the Awards level.
Alberta's Carolyn Dawn Johnson dominates the final ballot with a total of 6 nominations. Next is rising star band Doc Walker, with a total of 5 nominations, including the Manitoba group's first in the Kraft Cheez Whiz Fans' Choice category – the coveted nomination that is the only CCMA Award decided on by the fans. Equaling Doc Walker's number is Jason McCoy, who is also a 2004 Fans' Choice nominee.
Multiple Fans' Choice winner Terri Clark received 4 nominations including the Fans' Choice category, tying in number with B.C. rising star Aaron Pritchett. Pritchett, a former CCMA talent contest finalist, had a strong year of performance in the format, along with 4 time nominee Ontario's Beverley Mahood.
Host of the CCMA Awards show Paul Brandt earned 3 nominations, as did Shania Twain, who included the Fans' Choice category among her nominations. Also with 3, Chevy Trucks Rising Star nominee Ontario's Deric Ruttan, and Independent Edmonton band Corb Lund.
A full list of nominees for both the CCMA Awards and CCMA Industry Awards can be found at www.ccma.org. Beginning this month fans will be able to join in the voting for the Kraft Cheez Whiz Fans' Choice nominee of their choice at www.cmtcanada.com.
CCMA Chair Heather Ostertag participated in the release of the final nominees at the official press conference and commented "You know something very right is happening in country music when we can celebrate the achievements of our superstars, along with extraordinary accomplishments from our stars on the rise. I believe we are seeing the results of some very hard work in recent years by the entire industry and we are very excited to play a role in that and continue to work hard to help all artists shine."
Throughout August members of the Canadian Country Music Association will place their votes electronically for the first time in the Association's history, with the results released the night of the CCMA Awards, September 13 at Rexall Place, Edmonton. The show will air live on CBC Television at 8 pm (9 AT, 9:30 NT), and on CMT in the U.S. with encore presentations on CMT in Canada. The CCMA Awards will be produced by Big Green Hat Productions with Producer Aidan Cosgrave, Co-Producer and Director Michael Watt, and Co-Producer Anne Hunter.
The CCMA Awards close the annual Country Music Week conference, this year in the City of Edmonton from September 10 – 13, a part of that city's 100th birthday celebrations.
The release of the Award nominees included the announcement of the CCMA Hall of Fame inductions and Awards of Achievement in a separate press release which can also be found at www.ccma.org. The Good Brothers were named Hall of Fame inductees in the Artist category in a year where they also received 2 CCMA Award nominations. The Hall of Fame Broadcaster inductee is B.C.'s "Weird" Harold Kendall, and the Hank Smith Award of Excellence will be awarded to Diana Kelly and Claude Lelievre of Active Mountain Entertainment, founders of Merritt Mountain Music Festival. The Leonard T. Rambeau Award for international achievement will be announced during Country Music Week.
Tickets to the CCMA Awards show at Rexall Place in Edmonton can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.ca.
