The Canadian Country Music Association Awards took over Hamilton's FirstOntario Centre on Sunday night for a celebration of excellence.
From start to finish the night's show put a bright spotlight on the outstanding talent in the genre, but it shined especially bright on the women of Canadian country music. From the opening moments of the show, with Jess Moskaluke, Kira Isabella, and Madeline Merlo paying tribute to host and legend, Shania Twain, it was on, and it continued throughout the show.
During the CCMA Awards show (and the Saturday night gala) the men of Canadian country music were also celebrated with awards, cheers, and praise. Dallas Smith took home his first Male Artist of the Year award, The Washboard Union added a Group of the Year award to their Roots Artist of the Year honour, and Brett Kissel took home his fifth Interactive Artist of the Year award.
But it was the women that captured the attention and admiration of the Hamilton audience, and viewers across Canada and around the world. Live performances including the Shania tribute, Jessica Mitchell's Heart Of Glass, Lindsay Ell's Criminal, Meghan Patrick's Walls Come Down, and a medley of Terri Clark hits to celebrate her induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame were all highlights. These women showed everyone that we are in the middle of a resurgence, that they deserve the spotlight, and that they are ready, willing, and able to take the next steps in their careers, and in support of each other.
In her acceptance speech for her second consecutive Female Artist of the Year award, Meghan Patrick told the world "To all the girls: we are killin' it this year. And I feel like we've bonded this year, and I'm so proud of all of you, and this is for all of us!", we couldn't agree more.
The spotlight and recognition of Canadian women continued and proved Meghan right when Jess Moskaluke won Album of the Year for Past The Past. The award joins Moskaluke's Juno for her last album, Kiss Me Quiet, and her three Female Artist of the Year awards (2014, 2015, 2016) in recognizing her incredible talent and hard work in her career so far.
But that wasn't all.
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The Fans' Choice Award was up for grabs with 10 nominees (Gord Bamford, Dean Brody, Chad Brownlee, Tim Hicks, High Valley, James Barker Band, Brett Kissel, Jess Moskaluke, Dallas Smith, Shania Twain) who all have great fanbases and deserve to be recognized. However, there could only be one winner, and when all the votes were counted, the award went to Shania Twain!
It marked the fourth time that queen Shania took home the CCMA Fans' Choice title (1996, 1998, 1999) and it was a great moment in an amazing evening.
The atmosphere inside the arena was more concert than award show, which was perfect. It was also the result of a well put together program that featured some of the hottest stars in Canada (we loved the performances by Dallas Smith & Terri Clark, Brett Kissel with Serena Ryder, The Washboard Union, The Reklaws, James Barker Band and more) - plus a bonus appearance and performance from international country star, Keith Urban. The energy, cheers, and volume from the fans in the seats and in front of the stage were a great indication of the support that the genre enjoys coast to coast. If you haven't been to a country show in Canada, we implore you to do so. Soon.
We can't wait to see how the country fans in Calgary plan on topping this show and weekend in 2019!
Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners at the 2018 Canadian Country Music Association Awards. Check out photos from the show, the full list of winners from the 2018 CCMAs, and performance videos from CBC Music's YouTube channel.
Photos from the 2018 Canadian Country Music Awards
Jess Moskaluke, Kira Isabella & Madeline Merlo
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Keith Urban
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James Barker Band
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Meghan Patrick
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Paul Brandt, Jess Moskaluke, High Valley, The Hunter Brothers
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Lindsay Ell
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Dallas Smith and Terri Clark
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The Reklaws
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The Washboard Union
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Brett Kissel & Serena Ryder
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Terri Clark, Jessica Mitchell, Meghan Patrick & Suzy Bogguss
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Jessica Mitchell
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Mason Ramsey
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Tim Hicks, Tebey & Madeline Merlo
2018 CCMA Award Winners
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2018 CCMA Award Presenters
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2018 Canadian Country Music Association Award Winners
Apple Music Fans' Choice Award
🏆 Shania Twain
Ford Album of the Year
🏆 Past the Past - Jess Moskaluke
Female Artist of the Year
🏆 Meghan Patrick
Male Artist of the Year
🏆 Dallas Smith
Group or Duo of the Year
🏆 The Washboard Union
Roots Artist or Group of the Year
🏆 The Washboard Union
SiriusXM Rising Star
🏆 The Reklaws
Single of the Year
🏆 Chills - James Barker Band
Video of the Year
🏆 Sky Stays This Blue - Dallas Smith
Songwriter(s) of the Year
🏆 Alexander Black, Aaron Goodvin, Cathy Gravitt: "Lonely Drum" (performed by Aaron Goodvin)
Interactive Artist or Group of the Year
🏆 Brett Kissel
Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year
🏆 Chills - James Barker Band
Bass Player of the Year
🏆 Travis Switzer
Drummer of the Year
🏆 Ben Bradley
Fiddle Player of the Year
🏆 Tyler Vollrath
Guitar Player of the Year
🏆 Matt McKay
Keyboard Player of the Year
🏆 Bart McKay
Specialty Instrument Player of the Year
🏆 Shane Guse (mandolin)
Steel Guitar Player of the Year
🏆 Mitch Jay
Music Director of the Year (Large Market)
🏆 Amanda Kingsland, CKBY-FM, Ottawa, Ont.
Music Director of the Year (Medium/Small Market)
🏆 Paul Ferguson, CHCQ-FM, Belleville, Ont.
Booking Agency of the Year
🏆 The Feldman Agency
Country Club of the Year
🏆 Ranchman's Cookhouse and Dancehall, Calgary, Alta.
Country Festival, Fair or Exhibition of the Year
🏆 Cavendish Beach Music Festival, Cavendish, P.E.I.
Country Music Program or Special of the Year
🏆 Jess Moskaluke: Home Movie (Corus Entertainment)
Management Company of the Year
🏆 Invictus Entertainment Group
Music Publishing Company of the Year
🏆 ole
Record Company of the Year
🏆 Warner Music Canada
Industry Person of the Year
🏆 Steve Coady, vice president, radio promotions, Warner Music Canada
Creative Directors of the Year
🏆 Design Team: Antoine Moonen (Mediavandals), Photography: Delaney Royer (Past the Past, Jess Moskaluke)
Recording Studio of the Year
🏆 Bart McKay Productions, Saskatoon, Sask.
Record Producer of the Year
🏆 Jeff Dalziel (What We're Made Of, The Washboard Union)
Retailer of the Year
🏆 Spotify Canada Inc.
Ron Sakamoto Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year
🏆 Jim Cressman, Invictus Entertainment Group
Video Director of the Year
🏆 Stephano Barberis
