CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS – CELEBRATED IN STYLE

(NASHVILLE, TENN — September 13th, 2007) - The Canadian Country Music Awards showcased some of Canada’s biggest country stars at the Brandt Centre in Regina on Monday night.

Hosted by Paul Brandt the show, immediately drove to the audience to a fever-pitch with Emerson Drive opening up with their big hit “Moments”, before taking home a hat-trick of CCMA Awards: Single of the Year, CMT Video of the Year and Group or Duo of the Year. Saskatchewan gave a giant “shout out” to the province’s hometown boy Brad Johner, who was presented with Male Artist of the Year. The performance by Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Jimmy Rankin together was that much sweeter as Johnson had just picked up Female Artist of the Year. Other awards over the night included Roots Artist of the Year to Corb Lund for the second year in a row. Doc Walker took home Album of the Year kudos for the band’s self-titled CD, and B.C.’s Aaron Pritchett took home SOCAN Songwriter of the Year for his country anthem “Hold My Beer”.

For the second year in a row, the Chevy Rising Star of the Year winner walked away with not only the award but also a vehicle from Chevy. Introduced by Patricia Conroy and featuring the City of Regina, this year it goes home to multiple-nominee Shane Yellowbird who performed his big hit “Pickup Truck” for fans.

And one of the biggest awards of the night – the Kraft Cheez Whiz Fans’ Choice Award – was won by Terri Clark who accepted from the road, and thanked her fans for the honour. The award was handed out by the Ultimate Fan contest winner Mathew Mosher of Surrey, B.C.

Fans were also treated to performances by Jason Blaine, George Canyon, Jim Cuddy, Jessie Farrell, Johnny Reid and special appearances by Mike Holmes, members of the RCMP, dressed in traditional scarlet tunic, members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Duane “Dog” Chapman, and Arlene Duncan and Neil Crone from the CBC Television show Little Mosque on the Prairie.

A full listing of CCMA Awards winners is below.

News media can download high-resolution images of moments of the Awards Show through the media link on the CCMA website - password: ccma2007.


2007 CCMA Award Winners (presented during the Broadcast on September 10)

Kraft Cheez Whiz Fans’ Choice Award: Terri Clark

Single of the Year: Moments (Emerson Drive, Midas Records, Navarre Canada)

Album of the Year: Doc Walker (Doc Walker, Open Road/Universal)

SOCAN Songwriter(s) of the Year: Mitch Merrett, Aaron Pritchett & Deric Ruttan (Hold My Beer, Aaron Pritchett)

CMT Video of the Year: Moments (Emerson Drive)

Female Artist of the Year: Carolyn Dawn Johnson

Male Artist of the Year: Brad Johner

Group or Duo of the Year: Emerson Drive

Roots Artist or Group of the Year: Corb Lund

Chevy Rising Star Award: Shane Yellowbird


2007 CCMA Award Winners (presented at the Gala Dinner on September 9)

Top Selling Album: Taking The Long Way – Dixie Chicks - Sony BMG Music (Canada)/Columbia Records

Management Company of the Year: RGK Entertainment Group Inc.

Record Producer(s) of the Year: Tom McKillip, Mitch Merrett (Big Wheel, Aaron Pritchett)

Music Publishing Company of the Year: ole

Record Company of the Year: 306 Records

Record Company Person of the Year: Louis O’Reilly, 306 Records

Independent Female Artist of the Year: Patricia Conroy

Independent Group or Duo of the Year: The Wilkinsons

Independent Male Artist of the Year: Johnny Reid

Country Music Program or Special of the Year: Canadian Coast to Coast, CJVR FM

Radio Station of the Year Major Market: CJJR FM, Vancouver, BC

Radio Station of the Year Secondary Market: KICX-FM, Midland, ON

Hall of Fame Induction, Artist: John Allan Cameron

Hall of Fame Induction, Builder: Sheila Hamilton

Board of Directors Special Acknowledgement Award: Tom Tompkins

Hank Smith Award of Excellence: Ron Sakamoto

Leonard T. Rambeau International Award: Rick Murray


2007 Industry Award Winners (presented at the Industry Awards on September 8)

Country Club of the Year: The Pump Roadhouse, Regina, SK

Country Festival, Fair, or Exhibition of the Year: Calgary Stampede, Calgary, AB

Album Design of the Year: Doc Walker, Craig Medwyduk, Dustin Leader, Horst Herget, (Doc Walker)

Recording Studio of the Year: Bart McKay Productions, Saskatoon, SK

Retailer of the Year: Wal-Mart Canada Corp.

Web Site of the Year: Dana Bissett, Mike Ulch, docwalker.ca, Doc Walker

Video Director of the Year: Stephano Barberis, Pickup Truck, Shane Yellowbird

Booking Agency of the Year: Cressman Sakamoto Agency

Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year: Ron Sakamoto, Gold & Gold Productions Ltd.

Music Director of the Year, Secondary Market: Ted Roop, KICX-FM, Midland, ON

Music Director of the Year, Major Market: Dawn Woroniuk, CJWW/CFWC-FM, Saskatoon, SK

On-Air Personality of the Year, Secondary Market: Roop & Carey, KICX-FM, Midland, ON

On-Air Personality of the Year, Major Market: The Odd Squad, Doug, Robyn and Dan, CKRY-FM, Calgary, AB

Hall of Fame Induction, Broadcaster: Cliff Dumas


2007 CCMA All Star Band Winners (presented after the Gala dinner on September 9)

Drums: Corbett Frasz (The Road Hammers)

Bass: Chris Byrne (The Road Hammers)

Guitar: Jason Barry (Aaron Lines)

Keyboards: Mike Little (George Canyon, The Road Hammers)

Fiddle: Mike Sanyshyn (Aaron Pritchett)

Steel Guitar: Kenny Greer (The Road Hammers)

Special Instruments (Tie): Larry Good (The Good Brothers - Banjo) and Curtis Tulman (the Cruzeros – Harmonica)