Since the start of the Canadian Country Music Awards in 1982, there has always been a desire to look ahead, beyond the year’s brightest lights and best songs, and discover the future; to uncover the best of the next crop of great Canadian country musicians — the rising star.
The CCMA Rising Star Award is exactly that. It aims to discover, encourage, promote and even champion new and up-and-coming Canadian country artists.
The nominees for the 2012 Rising Star Award are:
Kira Isabella, “Love Me Like That”
Her first single, ”Love Me Like That,” won a 2012 Canadian Radio Music Award for country.
Ryan Laird, “I’m Your Man”
Ryan Laird has signed with On Ramp/EMI Music Canada and has recently toured with George Canyon, Emerson Drive and Alan Jackson. Laird is also up for video of the year for “I’m Your Man” and has another hot summer video single “Girl Crazy.”
Codie Prevost, “Last Night All Day”
Codie Prevost was named Saskatchewan Country Music Association’s entertainer of the year and male vocalist of the year.
Dallas Smith, “Jumped Right In”
With a debut album and video out, Jumped Right In, Dallas Smith will soon be on the road with Chad Brownlee for the Boys of Fall tour. Smith is “the pipes” for the Juno Award-winning rock band Default and is also up for CCMA single of the year for “Somebody Somewhere.”
The Stellas, “Riding in the Back Seat”
The Stellas have a self-titled album for EMI Music, and were out on tour opening for multi-platinum artist Johnny Reid. They are “ones to watch.” The Stellas are also up for group or duo of the year and CMT video of the year for “In This House.”
The five nominees are impressive, but is the next big thing really on this short list? CCMA Rising Star Award history would say yes. I think maybe more than one!
What do you think? And is there anyone else the CCMAs should have nominated? Leave a comment below.
Find out who does take the CCMA Rising Star Award Sunday night September 9th on CBC Television.
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