The Canadian Country Music Association today announced the nominees for the 2006 CCMA Awards at simultaneous press conferences held in Saint John, NB and Toronto, ON. The Awards will take place Monday, September 11 at Harbour Station in Saint John, NB. To anchor the night, the 2006 Awards Show producers are breaking tradition with a unique no host format.
Leading this yearıs nominee list is British Columbiaıs Aaron Pritchett, nominated for six CCMA Awards in the Male Artist, Album, SOCAN Songwriter, and Single of the Year categories, plus Independent Male and Independent Single of the Year. Close behind are Brad Johner, Johnny Reid and The Road Hammers, who each received five CCMA Awards nominations.
A strong year of achievement and growth for country delivered a long list of artists that have each achieved multiple nominations in CCMA Awards categories, including four each for George Canyon, Terri Clark, Corb Lund, The Cruzeros and Amanda Wilkinson.
Last week, the Kraft Cheez Whiz Fansı Choice nominations were released, with the artist selected by fans through online voting being announced during the September 11 Awards show and the award being presented on stage by the winner of the Ultimate Fan contest. The nominees are Paul Brandt, George Canyon, Terri Clark, Aaron Lines and The Road Hammers. Voting is now open at www.cmtcanada.com.
The 2006 CCMA Awards broadcast will air across Canada on September 11 at 8PM E.T (8:30NT) on CBC TV with encore airings on CMT Canada , in the U.S. on Great American Country (GAC) and in Australia on Country Music Channel (CMC).
Tickets to the CCMA Awards are well over half sold and for the first time fans can access floor seating to the show, with limited seats remaining. Tickets can be purchased in-person at Harbour Station in Saint John, NB or by phone at 506-657-1234 or toll free at 1-800-267-2800. Tickets range in price from $65.00 for floor and lower bowl and $55.00 for upper bowl, including all taxes and handling costs.
All CCMA Award and Industry Award nominees are available online at www.ccma.org
HERE ARE THE THE KEY NOMINEES:
KRAFT CHEEZ WHIZ FANSı CHOICE AWARD
Paul Brandt - George Canyon - Terri Clark - Aaron Lines - The Road Hammers
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Big Wheel Aaron Pritchett
East Bound And Down The Road Hammers
Itıs Okay To Cry Amanda Wilkinson
Missing An Angel Johnny Reid
Somebody Wrote Love George Canyon
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Amanda Wilkinson Amanda Wilkinson
Big Wheel Aaron Pritchett
Hair In My Eyes Like A Highland Steer Corb Lund
Life Goes On Terri Clark
Summertown Road Brad Johner
The $#!t Hits The Fans Wendell Ferguson
SOCAN SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR
Big Wheel (written by Daryl Burgess / Mitch Merrett / Aaron Pritchett; recorded by Aaron Pritchett)
Crybaby (written by Carolyn Dawn Johnson / Gordie Sampson / Troy Verges; recorded by Carolyn Dawn Johnson)
Jesus, Take The Wheel (written by Brett James / Hillary Lindsey / Gordie Sampson; recorded by Carrie Underwood)
Missing An Angel (written by Craig Headon / Johnny Reid; recorded by Johnny Reid)
Somebody Wrote Love (written by George Becker / George Canyon / Pete Sallis; recorded by George Canyon)
CMT VIDEO OF THE YEAR
A Good Man Emerson Drive
East Bound And Down The Road Hammers
Itıs Okay To Cry Amanda Wilkinson
Iıve Got It Good Brad Johner
She Didnıt Have Time Terri Clark
TOP SELLING ALBUM
(This is a non-voting category)
The Legend Of Johnny Cash Johnny Cash
Me And My Gang Rascal Flatts
Reflected, Hits Volume 2 Tim McGraw
The Road Hammers The Road Hammers
Timeless Martina McBride
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lisa Brokop - Terri Clark - Patricia Conroy - Carolyn Dawn Johnson - Amanda Wilkinson
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
George Canyon - Brad Johner - Corb Lund - Jason McCoy - Aaron Pritchett
GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
The Cruzeros - Doc Walker - Emerson Drive - The Poverty Plainsmen - The Road Hammers
ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Cruzeros - Kathleen Edwards - Sean Hogan - Corb Lund - Charlie Major
CHEVY TRUCKS RISING STAR AWARD
Gord Bamford - Jason Blaine - Brett Kissel - Damian Marshall - Johnny Reid
For all other nominees, refer to CCMA website, address posted above