The Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA) and Global, the 2021 CCMA Awards media partner, announced the nominees for the 39th Canadian Country Music Awards presented by TD. The 2021 CCMA Awards presented by TD will be broadcasted from London, ON in November, bringing together Canada’s country music industry for the first time in over two years.
Leading with six artist category nominations in 2021 are PLATINUM-selling brother-sister duo The Reklaws. Joining ET Canada host Cheryl Hickey to help with today’s announcements, the duo was surprised with their most CCMA Award nominations to date: Amazon Music and Alexa Fans’ Choice, Group or Duo of the Year, Single of the Year (x2), Interactive Artist or Group of the Year in addition to a spot on the list for the most coveted award of the year — Entertainer of the Year.
Lindsay Ell, the female artist receiving the most nominations across artist categories this year, earned five 2021 CCMA Award nominations (FORD F-150 Album of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Interactive Artist or Group of the Year, Songwriter(s) of the Year, PRS Guitars Video of the Year) while fellow Albertan Brett Kissel also took home five (Amazon Music and Alexa Fans’ Choice, Entertainer of the Year, FORD F-150 Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, PRS Guitars Video of the Year). Reigning Entertainer of the Year Dallas Smith also earned five nominations this year and will be vying for wins in the following categories Amazon Music and Alexa Fans’ Choice, Entertainer of the Year, FORD F-150 Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Single of the Year.
The 2021 CCMA Awards announcements revealed three or more nominations for Dean Brody (Amazon Music and Alexa Fans’ Choice, Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year), High Valley (Amazon Music and Alexa Fans’ Choice, Group or Duo of the Year, Single of the Year), Tyler Joe Miller (Amazon Music and Alexa Fans’ Choice, FORD F-150 Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Rising Star), Jess Moskaluke (FORD F-150 Album of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Songwriter(s) of the Year, PRS Guitars Video of the Year), MacKenzie Porter (Amazon Music and Alexa Fans’ Choice, Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, PRS Guitars Video of the Year) and Tenille Townes(Amazon Music and Alexa Fans’ Choice, FORD F-150 Album of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Songwriter(s) of the Year).
Chosen by Canadian country music fans, the Amazon Music and Alexa Fans’ Choice nominees were also announced today and included Tenille Arts, Dean Brody, Jade Eagleson, High Valley, Brett Kissel, Tyler Joe Miller, MacKenzie Porter, The Reklaws, Dallas Smith and Tenille Townes. Voting for Amazon Music and Alexa Fans’ Choice is now open. Fans can vote online by streaming Amazon Music’s Fans’ Choice playlist, or by asking, “Alexa, vote for [Nominee] for the Amazon Music and Alexa Fans’ Choice Award.” Visit ccma.org/fanschoice to learn more.
Multiple artists also earned 2021 nominations in industry categories, including Creative Director(s) of the Year, Country Music Program or Special of the Year, Country Personality(ies) of the Year and Record Producer(s) of the Year.
ARTIST AWARDS
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Dean Brody
- Brett Kissel
- MacKenzie Porter
- The Reklaws
- Dallas Smith
FORD F-150 ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- The Demos – Jess Moskaluke
- heart theory – Lindsay Ell
- The Lemonade Stand – Tenille Townes
- Sometimes I Don’t, But Sometimes I Do – Tyler Joe Miller
- Timeless – Dallas Smith
- What Is Life? – Brett Kissel
*TIE
AMAZON MUSIC AND ALEXA FANS’ CHOICE
- Tenille Arts
- Dean Brody
- Jade Eagleson
- High Valley
- Brett Kissel
- Tyler Joe Miller
- MacKenzie Porter
- The Reklaws
- Dallas Smith
- Tenille Townes
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Tenille Arts
- Lindsay Ell
- Jess Moskaluke
- MacKenzie Porter
- Tenille Townes
GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR AWARD
- High Valley
- Hunter Brothers
- The Reklaws
- Tim & The Glory Boys
- The Washboard Union
INTERACTIVE ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Lindsay Ell
- Aaron Goodvin
- James Barker Band
- Nice Horse
- The Reklaws
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Dean Brody
- Jade Eagleson
- Brett Kissel
- Tyler Joe Miller
- Dallas Smith
RISING STAR AWARD
- Shawn Austin
- Andrew Hyatt
- Tyler Joe Miller
- Robyn Ottolini
- Tim & The Glory Boys
ALTERNATIVE COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- After Midnight – Callie McCullough
- Agricultural Tragic – Corb Lund
- The Ride – Ryan Lindsay
- Who I Am – Cory Marks
- Without People – Donovan Woods
SINGLE OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Can’t Help Myself – Dean Brody & The Reklaws
- Grew Up On That – High Valley
- Like A Man – Dallas Smith
- No Truck Song – Tim Hicks
- Where I’m From – The Reklaws
SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Patricia Conroy, Ester Dean, Andrew DeRoberts, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Shane McAnally, Madeline Merlo, Tina Parol, Hillary Scott, Ryan Tedder, Dave Thomson
- Song: Champagne Night (Performed By: Lady A)
- Marc Beeson, Daniel Tashian, Tenille Townes
- Song: Come As You Are (Performed By: Tenille Townes)
- Aaron Goodvin, Ed Hill, Jimmy Ritchey
- Song: Every Time You Take Your Time (Performed By: Aaron Goodvin)
- Lindsay Ell, Sam Ellis, Micah Premnath
- Song: good on you (Performed By: Lindsay Ell)
- Zach Abend, Jess Moskaluke, Liz Rose
- Song: Mapdot (Performed By: Jess Moskaluke)
PRS GUITARS VIDEO OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Drinkin’ Songs – MacKenzie Porter
- Hard Dirt – Hunter Brothers
- Make A Life, Not A Living – Brett Kissel
- Mapdot – Jess Moskaluke
- wAnt me back – Lindsay Ell
MUSICIAN AWARDS
DRUMMER OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Matthew Atkins
- Ben Bradley
- Spencer Cheyne
- Brendan Lyons
- Greg Williamson
FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Linsey Beckett
- Tyler Beckett
- Denis Dufresne
- Tyler Vollrath
SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Denis Dufrense
- Mitch Jay
- Connor Riddell
*Please note, four (4) of the seven (7) Musician categories will not be handed out this year due to not meeting the minimum of three (3) eligible contenders after the First Ballot. These categories are Bass Player of the Year, Guitar Player of the Year, Keyboard Player of the Year and Steel Guitar Player of the Year.
RADIO AWARDS
MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (LARGE MARKET)
- Dayna Bourgoin – CKKL-FM – Ottawa, ON
- Stephanie Dunham – CISN-FM/CKRY-FM- Edmonton, AB/ Calgary, AB
- A.J. Keller – CFCW – Edmonton, AB
- Amanda Kingsland – CKBY-FM – Ottawa, ON
- Peter Walker – CJKX-FM/CHKX-FM – Oshawa, ON/Hamilton, ON
MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (MEDIUM / SMALL MARKET)
- Shilo Bellis – CJXL-FM – Moncton, NB
- Lance Doll – CHAT-FM – Medicine Hat, AB
- Paul Ferguson – CHCQ-FM – Belleville, ON
- Mike Sadavoy – CHSJ- Saint John, NB
- Barry Stewart – CFCW- Brantford, ON
COUNTRY PERSONALITY(IES) OF THE YEAR
- Jennifer Campbell – CIKZ-FM
- Shannon Ella – Pure Country
- Jason McCoy – Pure Country
- Paul McGuire – Stingray
- Greg Shannon, Stella Stevens – CFCW
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (LARGE MARKET)
- CFCW – Edmonton, AB
- CHKX-FM – Hamilton, ON
- CJJR-FM– Vancouver, BC
- CKKL-FM – Ottawa, ON
- CKRY-FM – Calgary, AB
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (MEDIUM / SMALL MARKET)
- CHCQ-FM – Bellville, ON
- CHSJ-FM – Saint John, NB
- CICX-FM– Orillia, ON
- CILG-FM – Moose Jaw, SK
- CKGY-FM – Red Deer, AB
INDUSTRY AWARDS
BOOKING AGENCY OF THE YEAR AWARD
- The Feldman Agency
- Invictus Entertainment Group
- Livestar Entertainment Canada
- Paquin Artists Agency
- Sakamoto Agency
COUNTRY MUSIC PROGRAM OR SPECIAL OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Brett Kissel: Live At The Drive-In – BAK 2 BAK Entertainment Inc., Backroad Productions
- Christmas Time With Tenille Townes – Sony Music Entertainment (Canada) Inc.
- Gord Bamford’s Real Country Livin’ Father’s Day Special – Anthem Entertainment, Cache Entertainment
- Paul McGuire’s Country Countdown – Stingray
- The Road Less Travelled – Stingray
MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Big Loud Management
- Jayward Artist Group
- MDM Artist Management Services
- On Ramp Entertainment
- Starseed Entertainment
MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY CMMRA
- Anthem Entertainment
- Big Loud Publishing
- BGM Rights Management (Canada) Inc.
- Sony / ATV Music Publishing
- Warner Chappell Music Canada
RECORD COMPANY OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Big Loud Records
- MDM Recordings Inc.
- Sony Music Entertainment (Canada) Inc.
- Universal Music Canada
- Warner Music Canada
INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY MNP
- Steve Coady – Vice President, Radio Promotion – Warner Music Canada
- Warren Copnick – Director of National Promotion – Sony Music Entertainment (Canada) Inc.
- Mike Denney – President – MDM Recordings Inc.
- Brianne Deslippe – Vice President, International – Big Loud Records
- Anya Wilson – Radio Promoter – Anya Wilson Promotion
Creative Director(s) of the Year Award
- Design Team: Bronwin Parks, Emma-Lee
- Album: Everbound, Stage Banner (Artist: The Washboard Union)
- Design Team: Stephane Lamontagne, Matt Lang, Denis Desro, Carl Lessard
- Album: More, Socials and Ad Material (Artist: Matt Lang )
- Design Team: Ben Dartnell, Brett Kissel, Erica Perreaux
- Album: What Is Life?, Single: Make A Life, Not A Living (Artist: Brett Kissel)
- Design Team: Antoine Moonen
- EP: The Demos, Vinyl: The Vinyl, Socials and Promotional Graphics (Artist: Jess Moskaluke)
- Design Team: Shae Dupuy, Ceci Mula
- Single: Selfish, Music Video, Social and Promotional Material (Artist: Shae Dupuy)
RECORDING STUDIO OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Barrytone Studios – Miramichi, NB
- MCC Recording Studio – Calgary, AB
- Noble Street Studios – Toronto, ON
- OCL Studios – Chestermere, AB
- Revolution Recording – Toronto, ON
RECORD PRODUCER(S) OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Danick Dupelle
- Album: Sometimes I Don’t, But Sometimes I Do (Artist: Tyler Joe Miller)
- Danick Dupelle, Tebey Ottoh
- Album: The Good Ones (Artist: Tebey)
- Jesse Frasure, Brett Kissel, Bart McKay
- Album: What Is Life? (Artist: Brett Kissel)
- Karen Kosowski, Thomas Salter, Gordie Sampson
- Album: Everbound (Artist: The Washboard Union)
- Joey Moi, Dave Cohen
- Album: Timeless (Artist: Dallas Smith)
RETAILER OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Amazon Music
- Apple Music
- Spotify Canada Inc.
RON SAKAMOTO TALENT BUYER OR PROMOTER OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Paul Biro – Sakamoto Agency
- Jim Cressman – Invictus Entertainment Group
- Rob Cyrynowski – Livestar Entertainment Canada/Hotels Live Canada
- Brooke Dunford – Republic Live
- Adam Oppenheim – Stampede Entertainment Inc.
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Stephano Barberis
- Video: Classic (Artist: Dallas Smith), Video: Diamonds In A Whiskey Glass (Artist: Gord Bamford), Video: If She Only Knew (Artist: The Washboard Union), Video: Never Run Outta Road (Artist: The Washboard Union), Video: Some Things Never Change (Artist: Dallas Smith feat. Hardy)
- Ben Knechtel
- Video: All Night To Figure It Out (Artist: Jade Eagleson), Video: Close (Artist: Jade Eagleson), Video: F-150 (Artist: Robyn Ottolini), Video: Not Gonna Not (Artist: The Reklaws),Video: Where I’m From (Artist: The Reklaws)
- Travis Nesbitt
- Video: No Last Call (Artist: Dan Davidson), Video: Role Models (Artist: Dan Davidson), Video: The Boys Are Back At It (Artist: The Road Hammers), Video: Without A Prayer (Artist: Tim & The Glory Boys)
- Carl Sheldon
- Video: Fighting (Artist: Tyler Joe Miller), Video: I Would Be Over Me Too (Artist: Tyler Joe Miller)
- Brandi Sidoryk, Krista Wodelet
- Video: High School (Artist: Nice Horse), Video: Ugly Christmas Sweater (Artist: Nice Horse)
