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2015 Canadian Country Music Association Winners

 Jess Moskaluke

Well, the 2015 CCMA’s are in the books and it was certainly a night of pomp and circumstance at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax. The show rivalled the Toronto International Film Festival in terms of fashion statements but, fittingly, the stars strolled down the John Deere Green Carpet as opposed to the traditional red carpet.

Dallas Smith
Dallas Smith

Calgary’s Gord Bamford took home the headiest hardware, winning his third Male Artist of the Year trophy, as well as the prizes for single and co-songwriter of the year for ‘Where A Farm Used To Be’.  The song, which would make Farm Aid founder Willie Nelson proud, deals with the building of big box stores on what were formerly farmlands. The matter obviously resonated with many Canadians.  “It’s a reflection of the evolution of what’s going on,” Gord said in his acceptance speech. “Growth is always good but what we wrote about is real, and people really related to it.”

Speaking of multiple wins, Johnny Reid snagged his sixth Fan’s Choice Award. Nattily attired in a black suit and tie, the affable Scot remained ever humble in his acceptance speech although he’s literally worn a hole in the carpet from trotting to the podium.  “It’s always nice to be recognized by the people that listen to the music. To be able to stand up there and acknowledge that and be surrounded by the fans here in Halifax and around the country is nice.”

 Johnny Reid
Johnny Reid

For the second year in a row, Saskatchewan’s Jess Moskaluke took home the award for Female Artist of the year.  Commenting on her achievement during a post-show interview she says “This award is such an incredible honour, I cannot believe it.  I would like to share this award with my fans as it is their love and support that helped create this amazing moment and unforgettable year.  See you on the road.” The road for Jess includes her first arena shows in the fall where she will perform on nine dates of Dean Brody’s Road Trip Tour, which also includes Paul Brandt.  We’re bound to hear her sing a few tracks from her brand spanking new EP. ‘Kiss Me Quiet’. Brody will also be supported on five dates by Madeline Merlo, who won the CCMA Rising Star Award. In the media room, the B.C. native could not contain her joy over winning.  “Last year I was at the CCMA’s, and I was thinking how much I would love to be nominated for an award. I’m just floored; that’s all that’s going through my head right now,”

Hot on the heels of his 2015 Juno Award for Album of the Year for ‘Lifted’, Dallas Smith grabbed the CCMA Award for the same honour. Delivering one of the most poignant speeches of the show, Smith celebrated his first CCMA Awards win with humility, humour and heartfelt thanks. He opened the show with one of the performances of the night, belting out his hit single ‘Cheap Seats’.  He ignited the crowd with his arrival high above the stage and certainly set the bar for the other acts that followed.

The other key award handed out was for Group of the Year, which was won by High Valley.  For them the award was particularly sweet as, after multiple nominations, it was their first win. “We have been nominated a lot,” says Brad Rempel who fronts the duo with brother Curtis. “The first time we ever played the awards was in 2009 so six years later it feels really good.”

Full List of 2015 CCMA Artist Awards

FANS’ CHOICE AWARD
Johnny Reid

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Lifted – Dallas Smith

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jess Moskaluke

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Gord Bamford

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
High Valley

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Where A Farm Used To Be – Gord Bamford

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Upside Down – Dean Brody

SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR
Where A Farm Used To Be
(Written By: Gord Bamford, Buddy Owens, Phil O’Donnell, Performed By: Gord Bamford)

ROOTS ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lindi Ortega

INTERACTIVE ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Brett Kissel

RISING STAR
Madeline Merlo

CCMA DISCOVERY AWARD
Raquel Cole

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