Things looked a little different in 2020, but Canadian country music talent shined and was celebrated at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards!
Across two nights, in cities all over Canada and the United States, winners accepted the industry's biggest awards with Brett Kissel, Tenille Townes, and Dallas Smith each ending up with three brand new CCMA awards to their name.
Kissel was the big winner on the Sunday night awards show, taking home the Fans' Choice, Male Artist, and Album of the Year awards. It was the first time in his career that he won the Album trophy, earning the honour for his album Now Or Never, and it marked his second consecutive Fans' Choice award.
Tenille Townes and Dallas Smith each took home an award during Sunday's show (Female Artist of the Year & Entertainer of the Year respectively) to go with the two each on Saturday night (Townes: Songwriter and Video of the Year. Smith: Best Selling Canadian Album and Single).
Washboard Union also took home two awards in 2020 with repeat victories in the Roots Album and Group or Duo of the Year categories. Tenille Arts won her first CCMA in the Rising Star category, Lindsay Ell repeated as Interactive Artist of the Year, and James Barker Band picked up their second Single of the Year award for the #1 Platinum single, Keep It Simple.
Congratulations to all of the winners, their teams, families, and fans. And congrats as well to all of the nominees who give it their all to pursue their dreams and entertain Canadian country music fans.
Check out the complete list of artist, musician, and industry winners from the 2020 Canadian Country Music Association Award below and stay tuned for more from the virtual media room, the show, and more!
2020 CCMA Award Categories and Winners!
TD Entertainer of the Year
Album of the Year
Fans' Choice
Female Artist of the Year
Group or Duo of the Year
Interactive Artist or Group of the Year
Male Artist of the Year
Rising Star
Roots Album of the Year
Single of the Year
Songwriter(s) of the Year
Video of the Year
Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year
★ The Fall - Dallas Smith
Top Selling Single Canadian Album of the Year
Top Selling Album of the Year
★ What You See Is What You Get - Luke Combs
Bass Player of the Year
Drummer of the Year
★ Ben Bradley
★ Matthew Atkins
★ Spencer Cheyne
★ Flavio Cirillo
★ Rob Wells
★ Greg Williamson
*Please note, there were more than 5 nominees in this category*
Fiddle Player of the Year
★ Tyler Vollrath
★ Linsey Beckett
★ Tyler Beckett
★ Denis Dufresne
★ Matt Piche
★ Mike Sanyshyn
*Please note, there were more than 5 nominees in this category*
Guitar Player of the Year (presented by PRS Guitars)
Keyboard Player of the Year
★ Brendan Waters
★ Mike Little
★ Scott Wilkinson
Specialty Instrument Player of the Year
Steel Guitar Player of the Year
Music Director of the Year (Large Market) of the Year
Music Director of the Year (Medium / Small Market) of the Year
Country Personality(ies) of the Year
Radio Station of the Year (Large Market)
Radio Station of the Year (Medium / Small Market)
Booking Agency of the Year
Country Club of the Year
Country Festival, Fair or Exhibition of the Year
Country Music Program or Special of the Year
Management Company of the Year
Music Publishing Company of the Year
Record Company of the Year
Industry Person of the Year (presented by MNP)
Creative Director(s) of the Year Award
Recording Studio of the Year
Record Producer(s) of the Year
Retailer of the Year
★ Apple Music
★ Amazon Music
★ Spotify Canada Inc.
Ron Sakamoto Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year
★ Paul Biro - Sakamoto Agency
★ Jim Cressman - Invictus Entertainment Group
★ Adam Oppenheim - Stampede Entertainment Inc.
Video Director of the Year