Canadian country luminaries Dean Brody, Johnny Reid, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Jason Blaine were among the big winners at Sunday’s Canadian Country Music Awards – and huge names from south of the border added to the evening’s star power.
After walking out of a trailer and through legions of hockey gals, dancing girls and gymnasts, British Columbia’s Dean Brody – who later won CCMAs for male artist of the year and album of the year – strapped on his guitar and kicked off the festivities with his northern-inspired hit, “Canadian Girls.”
But the night’s scene stealer came soon after, when American megastar Taylor Swift, who was on hand to accept the CCMA Generation Award, electrified the audience when she stepped up to introduce the female artist of the year Carolyn Dawn Johnson.
“Every little girl who dreams of being an entertainer looks to the women who have come before her,” Swift said. “These are the women who inspired bedroom concerts complete with hairbrush in hand and air guitar, and the road trip sing-alongs and the open mike nights.”
The night’s other winners included Johnny Reid for fans’ choice, Kira Isabella for rising star, Hey Romeo for group of the year and Jason Blaine, who thanked his grandparents as he accepted his award for single of the year.
“A couple of months ago my grandfather said he had a really good feeling about tonight,” said Blaine, who was clearly thrilled by the win. “I don’t know how you knew.”
The night’s big winner was Canadian country star Dean Brody, who landed two of the top prizes and thanked his wife, remembering harder times when his U.S. record deal fell through and the couple moved back East from Nashville.
“Iris, I just want to thank you for being there all those years,” he said, his voice quivering. “I love you.”
But while the award-winners took centre stage, the performance-heavy evening was all about the music and included a host of musicians from below the 49th, including Eric Church and Miranda Lambert, as well as Jason Aldean, who played his rock-infused, road-worthy song “Take a Little Ride."
Manitoban Dallas Smith treated country fans to his signature song, “Somebody Somewhere," and veteran George Canyon performed the Glen Campbell country classic “Rhinestone Cowboy” before Pistol Annies spiced up the festivities with their spirited tune “Takin’ Pills." Terri Clark, Paul Brandt and Johnny Reid were among those to treat country fans to their down-home sounds.
Earlier on the weekend, some of the biggest names in Canadian country were also honoured at the CCMA Gala Awards and the CCMA All-Star Band Awards.
Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Johnny Burke and Ralph Murphy were celebrated at the gala, as was Hank Smith Award of Excellence recipient Larry Delaney.
Can-country icon Jimmy Rankin took roots artist or group of the year, while Gord Bamford, Roger Brown and Byron Hill were named songwriters of the year for Bamford’s hit song, “Is It Friday Yet?”
Record company of the year went to Open Road Recordings, while the award for record company person of the year went to EMI’s Ron Hardwood. Major market station of the year went to CISN in Edmonton.
Favourites including Jason Blaine, The Heartbroken, Small Town Pistols, Dallas Smith and the Stellas also performed live at the gala, and some of the country's hardest-working musicians were honoured at the CCMA All-Star Band Awards, among them Shane Chisholm, Lisa Dodd (Gord Bamford), and Rob Shapiro (Hey Romeo).
Here is a full list of CCMA winners.