The Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) celebrated wins in 29 categories at the CCMA Music Industry Gala Dinner & Awards presented by Music Canada. This evening’s Gala kicked off the first of two awards ceremonies being held this weekend in London. The 2021 CCMA Music Industry Gala Dinner & Awards presented by Music Canada is the first time the Canadian country music industry gathered in-person to celebrate in more than two years. Recognized as the most formal event of Country Music Week, the evening celebrated the best in the industry — from industry executives and artist-driven companies to recognized songwriters and performers. Hosted by Don Amero, JoJo Mason and Jess Moskaluke, the evening included unforgettable performances by Jade Eagleson, Genevieve Fisher, Aaron Goodvin, Corb Lund ft. Katie Rox & Brandi Sidoryk (Nice Horse), Sacha and Tim & The Glory Boys.
Taking home her first-ever CCMA Awards was Big Loud Records’ Brianne Deslippe (Industry Person of the Year presented by MNP) while Stephano Barberis collected his twelfth win in the Video Director of the Year category. The evening award ceremony also saw Ben Bradley and Matthew Atkins tie for a win in the Drummer of the Year category and Brett Kissel: Live At The Drive-In walked away with the Live Innovation Award, a new award handed out this year to celebrate a live, virtual event or concert series that strove to continue to celebrate live Canadian country music during the global pandemic. The evening was made whole by honouring Jennifer Campbell’s life and contributions to country radio with her recognition as Country Personality(ies) of the Year for 2021.
Adding to the evening’s excitement was the announcement of Calgary as the 2022 CCMA Awards Host City. Scheduled for next fall, Country Music Week 2022 will culminate with the CCMA Awards Show, to take place at the Scotiabank Saddledome next Fall.
“We are thrilled that the Canadian Country Music Awards and Country Music Week will be returning once again to Calgary in 2022,” said Jeff Hessel, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Tourism Calgary. “Building on the success of the 2019 event, we are excited to showcase Calgary’s diverse music scene and growing reputation as the ultimate host city.”
MEDIA NOTE: The most up-to-date list of 2021 CCMA Award winners can be found at ccma.org throughout Country Music Week 2021. Photos can be found via the CCMA Photography Drive (updated in real-time).
2021 CCMA MUSIC INDUSTRY GALA DINNER + AWARDS PRESENTED BY MUSIC CANADA WINNERS
Drummer of the Year *tie
Matthew Atkins
Ben Bradley
Fiddle Player of the Year
Tyler Vollrath
Specialty Instrument Player of the Year
Mitch Jay
Creative Director(s) of the Year
Bronwin Parks, Emma-Lee
Everbound (Album)
Country Music Program or Special of the Year
Brett Kissel: Live at the Drive-In
(BAK 2 BAK Entertainment Inc., Back Road Productions)
Management Company of the Year
MDM Artist Management Services
Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year presented by Music Canada
Timeless — Dallas Smith
Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year
“Can’t Help Myself” — Dean Brody and The Reklaws
Recording Studio of the Year
MCC Recording Studio (Calgary)
Music Publishing Company of the Year presented by CMRRA
Warner Chappell Music Canada
Music Director of the Year (Medium or Small Market)
Paul Ferguson (CHCQ-FM)
Music Director of the Year (Large Market)
Amanda Kingsland (CKBY-FM)
Ron Sakamoto Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year
Paul Biro (Sakamoto Agency)
Interactive Artist or Group of the Year
Lindsay Ell
Booking Agency of the Year
Sakamoto Agency
Industry Person of the Year presented by MNP
Brianne Deslippe (Big Loud Records)
Country Personality(ies) of the Year
Jennifer Campbell (CIKZ-FM)
Radio Station of the Year (Medium or Small Market) *tie
CHCQ-FM (Bellville)
CKGY-FM (Red Deer)
Radio Station of the Year (Large Market)
CFCW (Edmonton)
Alternative Country Album of the Year
Agricultural Tragic — Corb Lund
Record Company of the Year presented by MRC Data
Warner Music Canada
Songwriter(s) of the Year presented by SOCAN
Patricia Conroy, Ester Dean, Andrew DeRoberts, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Shane McAnally, Madeline Merlo, Tina Parol, Hillary Scott, Ryan Tedder, Dave Thomson — “Champagne Night”
Record Producer(s) of the Year
Danick Dupelle
(“Sometimes I Don’t, But Sometimes I Do,” Tyler Joe Miller)
Retailer of the Year
Apple Music
Video Director of the Year
Stephano Barberis
PRS Guitars Video of the Year
“Make A Life, Not A Living” — Brett Kissel
Live Innovation Award
Brett Kissel: Live At The Drive-In
Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award
CP Holiday Train
CCMA Hall of Fame Inductions
Patricia Conroy (Artist Inductee)
Randy Stark (Stan Klees Builder)
The 2021 CCMA Awards presented by TD, hosted by Lindsay Ell and Priyanka will livestream exclusively on the Global TV App and Prime Video on Monday, November 29 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT and will be available to watch until 1 a.m. ET / 10 p.m. PT following the live presentation. The Award Show will also be available across Corus-owned radio stations Country 105 (Calgary), CISN (Edmonton) and Country 104 (London) on Monday, November 29 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, with an encore presentation of the show airing Friday, December 3 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Global and available to stream on demand with STACKTV and the Global TV App.
