The 2011 Canadian Country Music Awards rocked Hamilton during one of the most star-studded events in Canadian country music. It was the climax to a September weekend of Country showcases, parties and seminars.
Lanark born Johnny Reid set the stage for an outstanding night of performances with this opening number, "Let’s Go Higher"; and it was clear from the start that it would be a night to remember for the 2011 nominee. With his most recent album,*A Place Called Love" already announced as the Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year, Johnny Reid went on to collect three 2011 Canadian Country Music Awards for CMT Video of the Year (Today I’m Gonna Try And Change The World), Male Artist of the Yearand the coveted Fans’ Choice Award. Earlier this year, Reid was named recipient of a special CCMA humanitarian award for his work with World Vision, the Children’s Aid Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
It was the third straight year that Reid has won the Fans’ Choice award, and the fourth year he's had the Top Selling Album. The Scot, who emigrated in his teens to Brampton, Ontario., has scored double platinum sales (200,000-plus) on each of his last two CDs and regularly fills concert halls across the country.
Of the three awards he collected on the night, the Tartan Army leader (that's what he calls his fan club) appeared to particularly treasure his CMT's Video of the Year award for his hit single "Today I'm Gonna Try and Change the World". During his acceptance speech, he got downright sentimental. The "one thing I know for certain is that one day I'll leave this world," he said, Scottish burr in full effect. "This song, this video is what I choose to leave behind."
The Canadian press, however, painted the night as belonging to BC native Dean Brody.
Dean took home two Awards throughout the course of the night;Single of the Year for "Trial of Life" and Album of the Year for "Trial of Life" as well. In both categories, hewas up against Reid.
Trail in Life is Brody’s second CD. His debut was released three years ago in Nashville where he registered a hit with Brothers, a song about a wounded soldier returning from overseas. Brody, 36, severed relations with the U.S. label following a dispute over management and returned to Canada, signing with Toronto’s Open Road Records. He now lives on Nova Scotia’s South Shore with his wife and two children.
Trail in Life is a reflective song that tells the story of a 12-year-old boy bonding with his father. Brody grew up in the small town of Jaffray, B.C.
Terri Clark went home with Female Artist of the Year, trio Hey Romeo took Group or Duo of the Year. Chad Brownlee won his first CCMA for Rising Star.
Although Terri is no stranger to the CCMA stage, the former Fan Choice Entertainer, had a sentimental moment during her acceptance speech. "This is the first CCMA I've won that my mom hasn't been in the front row.", she cried,before lightening the tone by thanking her fans for their support, adding "You keep my dog fed".
Alberta's Hey Romeo were clearly delighted at their Group Of The Year Award. The harmonious trio of Stacie Roper, Rob Shapiro and Darren Gusnowsky were clearly caught off guard. "This is completely unexpected," breathed Roper.
Rising Star Chad Brownlee had no big idea to go into music. Hockey was his passion, and he was a 6th round draft pick for the Vancouver Canucks, until injuries took it's toll. His debut album was released earlier this year.
Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Jimmy Rankin broke Corb Lund’s seven-year stranglehold on the roots category, beating out Lund, Ridley Bent, Shane Chisholm and Kirsten Jones for Roots Artist of the Year.
One after another, Canada’s biggest names and most exciting Canadian country recording artists graced stage to the delight of a packed audience at Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum. Presenters included Ronnie Dunn and Michelle Wright, nd performances included Doc Walker and Luke Bryan, collaborating on a performance of their songs that share the same name,"Country Girl".
Two new members were also inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame during Country Music week. Recognised for her outstanding contributions to Canada's country music landscape, Michelle Wright has drawn rave reviews for her powerful voice for the last two decades. Selling nearly two million albums in North America and enjoying an international career she has performed in Scotland several times, most recently at the Caithness Festival in 2009.
Also being inducted is Bill Langstroth, the host of one of Canada's first talent showcases, "Singalong Jubilee," will have his outstanding achievements in television production celebrated in the Industry Builder category.Bill was married to anne Murray for many years.
After their induction, Michelle and Bill will have their official plaques displayed at the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame located in Merritt, BC. They will also be acknowledged within the collections of the National Music Centre, which is to be opened in Calgary, AB in 2014.
CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS
2011 winners
Fans’ Choice Award — Johnny Reid
Single of the Year — Trail in Life, Dean Brody
Album of the Year — Trail in Life, Dean Brody
CMT Video of the Year — Today I’m Gonna Try and Change the World, Johnny Reid
Female Artist of the Year — Terri Clark
Male Artist of the Year — Johnny Reid
Group or Duo of the Year — Hey Romeo
Roots Artist or Group of the Year — Jimmy Rankin
Rising Star — Chad Brownlee
Songwriter of the Year — Dean Brody (Trail in Life)
Artist Hall of Fame inductee — Michelle Wright
Builder Hall of Fame inductee — Bill Langstroth
