THE CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS

Surprises and Disappointments

By Ron Keessar

The 2007 CCMA awards were telecast live across Canada

from the Brandt Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan Monday September 10th on CBC TV.    Hosting the yearly party was superstar Paul Brandt who introduced show openers, Emerson Drive singing their chart topper, ‘Moments’.

First award of the evening went to Saskatchewan local, Brad Johner, taking home the coveted Male artist of The Year award. Johner seemingly shocked at the win announced, “Well that makes for a good beginning” and received thunderous approval from the hometown crowd.   Brad later performed his recent radio single  'I’d Rather be Lucky.'

A very surprised and emotional Carolyn Dawn Johnson took home the Female Artist of The Year award, and with tear filled eyes thanked her husband for all his support, and then announced that, “Canada is an amazing community”.   CDJ later sang a beautiful duet with the vocal help of Jimmy Rankin on her recent heartfelt tune, ‘Nothing Good About Lonely’.

Shane Yellowbird is making quite a name for himself in the short time he has come onto the Canadian country music scene.   The multiple nominated Ponoka, Alberta artist performed his fun lovin’ tune,  ‘Pick Up Truck’ and later was shocked to learn he had won the (Chevy Rising Star Award) and would also be taking home a brand new Chevy truck!

The party continued when British Columbia superstar Aaron Pritchett exploded onto the stage with his energetic honky-tonk anthem, ‘Hold My Beer’, (While I kiss your girlfriend).   Aaron also took home the (Socan Song of The Year) award for ‘Hold My Beer’.    

Emerson Drive was the hot ticket, taking home a hat trick of awards with, Group or Duo of the Year, CMT Video of the year and Single of the Year.    It was also announced that Emerson Drive is the 1^st Canadian band to have a number one song on country billboard in the USA!

Roots Artist of the Year went home with Corb Lund, while Album of the Year was captured by the group, Doc Walker.

The Kraft Cheez Whiz Fans Choice award was once again taken by Medicine Hat's claim to fame Terri Clark, who accepted her Crystal from somewhere on the road.

Fans were treated to live performances from, Paul Brandt, ‘Didn’t See The Dust’, Jim Cuddy, ‘Pull Me Through’, Jessie Farrell, “Let’s Talk About Love," Johnny Reid, ‘Love Sweet Love’ and Doc Walker, "Drivin’ With The Brakes On."

The evening’s biggest disappointment had to be 5 time nominee George Canyon taking home zero awards, but who  impressed the masses with a live showcasing of his current tune, "I Want You To Live."

Photo Courtesy of Ron Keessar

Other industry awards were

presented as follows:

Independent Female, Patricia Conroy

Independent Male, Johhny Reid

Independent Group or Duo, The Wilkinsons    

Closing the two hour program with

his red hot new single

"Rock In My Boot"  was talented newcomer

Jason Blaine.

          For a full list of award winners in other industry categories, visit the Canadian Country Music

Association’s website   www.ccma.org 

We’ve only just rang in the New Year and Canada’s largest outdoor country music party the ‘Big Valley Jamboree’ has already announced its confirmed 2008 partial summer line up.

The exciting annual festival has superstar Joe Nichols headlining the kick-off party along with Calgary Alberta’s own singer/songwriter Tim Hus and British Columbia country/hip hop& western swing new comer, Ridley Bent.

The Big Valley Jamboree which is held in Camrose Alberta, promises another super line-up for the July 31st through August 3rd 2008 weekend. Fans can expect Edmonton’s gift, Danny Hooper to return this year as Emcee.   Scheduled main stage fan favorites include, Sugarland, Trace Adkins, Alabama’s Randy Owen, Little Big Town, Randy Travis, Jason Blaine, Shane Yellowbird, Marty Stuart, Hey Romeo, The Higgins, and Canadian Idol runner up, Jaydee Bixby already booked to perform.

For Complete Ticket and Camping Information

along with updated performing artists and

time slots as they are confirmed.

Visit

 www.bigvalleyjamboree.com  

IT’S CAROLYN DAWN JOHNSON

ALL THE WAY!

By Ron Keessar

Story By Canadian

Photojournalist Ron Keessar

    Canadian country sunshine,

Carolyn Dawn Johnson is always a proven winner… especially when witnessed live on stage doing what

she was born to do, SING & ENTERTAIN!

  Johnson’s grandstand performance

at the 71^st annual Ponoka Stampede

in Alberta Canada June 28^th had all

the elements of a country pleasin’ outdoor concert….

the typical rain, lightning, mud, bugs, cat callin’ love

starved cowboys and of course, those can’t have a

rodeo with out em’… cowgals of all ages, singing along

at the top of their pretty vocal chords to every, cheatin’, heartbreakin’& easy to relate to fun lovin’ tune. Carolyn is industry wide known for writing.

  Opening with her feisty hit ‘Head Over High Heels,’

the 36 year old blond haired beauty and her smokin’

hot four piece band had a couple of thousand foot racing fanatics stampeding across the infield to get up close

to their idol.   The welcoming fans were treated to

constant finger waves, “personal thank yous” and that

ever present infectious angel kissed smile even had

me heated with blush tones every time she gave me

that special photo opportunity.

 CDJ’s set list included all the radio fav’s that have made

her a household name, not only here in her homeland of Canada’s but all over North America. Treasures like, ‘I Don’t Want You To Go’, ‘One Day Closer To You’, ‘Just Another Girl’, ‘Georgia’, ‘You Are’ and ‘Complicated’ are collectively little penned works of art and they were all featured on her debuting album titled, Room With A View!

 Johnson kicked up her hi-heeled

knee boots through numbers, ‘Simple Life’, ‘Single White Female’ and ‘Taking Back My Brave’ then tore

at the heartstrings during weepers,

‘Die Of A Broken Heart’, ‘Cry Baby’, Everybody’s

Favorite’ and ‘God Doesn’t Make Mistakes’.

WOW…. an entertainer's, entertainer and a

spectators dream come true!

 Carolyn Dawn Johnson has some pretty big,

BRAG’S for a small town

girl coming from Westlock Alberta.

No wonder she was destined for Nashville, with this

much glorified God given talent, no one else could respectfully honor her accomplishments and accolades

that she would and continues to earn within this industry.

This country princess definitely ROCKS with the best of them…keep an ear & eye out for this personable and

exciting performer at a venue near you…

you won’t regret it!!

www.carolyndawnjohnson.com

Photo Ron Keessar

Carolyn Dawn Johnson

HOSTESS OF NEW

COUNTRY RADIO SHOW

By: Ron Keessar

            Canadian country songbird, Carolyn Dawn Johnson

sets her sights on a new exciting career, sideline to her already

hectic schedule. Beginning June 2^nd, Carolyn began hosting the

1 hour radio program, ‘Sounds Canadian’ (SC), which is dedicated

to showcasing Canada’s established and rising newcomers. Aside from up to date music, artist information, and what’s hot and  what’s

not on the Canadian charts, Johnson will also feature exclusive one

on ones with leading stars such as Terri Clark, Paul Brandt, George Canyon, Emerson Drive, Jason McCoy, Doc Walker, Aaron Lines, Amanda Wilkinson, Aaron Pritchett, Brad Johner, and more!

            Skid Mark Productions will release the show to Canadian

radio across the country and stations like Country 105 in Calgary

and CISN Country in Edmonton, are just a few who have already embraced the programming and are broadcasting the show.

            Carolyn Dawn Johnson is fast becoming a national

household name, not only for her exceptional songwriting skills

and award wins, but also for being real and truly down to earth.

Stay tuned for this exciting ground breaking show and see for

yourself why CDJ’s infectious personality will make this a

 ‘must hear’ weekly hit!

Stations and artists

alike can contact SMP:

Phone 1.902.678.0725
Email sc@soundscanadian.ca /

Web www.skidmarkproductions.com

See Carolyn Dawn Johnson performing

live at many venues, festivals

and jamboree’s

across the US and Canada.

Visit ...

www.carolyndawnjohnson.com

for complete listings in your area.

Keep this page bookmarked for exclusive concert

photos and reviews as Carolyn Dawn will be this year’s

featured grandstand entertainer at the 71^st annual Ponoka

Stampede, June 28^th along with opener, Corb Lund. www.ponokastampede.com

By Ron Keessar

Country music fans here in Canada won’t have to drive far to enjoy their favorite artists this summer.    There are literally festivals and jamborees spread across the country.    We have already brought you the exciting partial lineup for The Big Valley Jamboree to be held in the beautiful city of Camrose Alberta, running July 31^st thru August 3^rd, but here is a list of other popular venues that are sure to be the summer’s hottest Canadian tickets!

Mountainfest is a longtime running festival held in Merritt, British Columbia, which always pleases fans with the best of the best in the industry.   Already gearing up for 16^th annual event to be held July 10^th thru July 13^th.   A short list of confirmed entertainers have been announced.    Sara Evans has just been added, along with Sugarland, Dierks Bentley, Pat Green, Jessie Farrell, The Wilkinsons, Aaron Lines, Beverly Mahood, Shane Yellowbird, Gord Bamford, and WOW, great to see him back…Superstar, Hank Williams JR.   Visit www.mountainfest.com for more information on tickets, camping and performing artists as they are announced.

The Craven Country Jamboree holds bragging rights to the longest multi-day running music festival held in Canada.   For 24 years,  it’s been situated on the same site in the beautiful Qu’Appelle Valley in Saskatchewan and for the first time was completely sold out last year.   Fans have already begun gobbling up tickets for the July 10^th thru July 13^th jamboree which organizers report there are only a few reserved campsites left!  No wonder with heavy hitters like, Toby Keith, Dierks Bentley, Sugarland, Pam Tillis, Mark Chesnutt,  and Paul Brandt performing on the big stage.   Also booked are the Hewitt Sisters, comedy duo Williams & Ree, Jessie Farrell, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Neal McCoy.   For the outdoor beer gardens, Sawyer Brown and Shevy Smith will guarantee all a goodtime!

Visit www.cravencountryjamboree.com for information and more exciting additions to come.

Only a short drive from the city of Dauphin, Manitoba nestled on the north side of Riding Mountain National Park is home for the Dauphin Countryfest.   Celebrations begin June 26th thru June 29^th , and while the festival boasts one of the most beautiful outdoor amphitheaters in western Canada, it too has surprised fans with the very best in their 19^th year run. Early booked artist are, Alan Jackson, LoneStar, Emerson Drive, Aaron Pritchett, Aaron Lines, Shane Yellowbird, Gord Bamford, Jessie Farrell, Deric Ruttan, Jason Blaine along with 1980’s Canadian rock sensations, Prism’ and ‘The Headpins.

Stay tuned to www.countryfest.ca for more announcements and complete venue information.

Having been nominated eight times at the CCMA’s as one of Canada’s top 5 country outdoor music festivals, the Havelock Country Jamboree in Ontario is always a winner, showcasing Canadian, as well as international stars.

The 19^th annual event which operates twin stages on its 15 acre ‘show field’ runs August 14^th thru August 17^th , and already has country hunk Tracy Byrd, US troop’s favorite, Aaron Tippin, and Canadian hopeful, Shane Yellowbird booked for the four day party,  with lots more to come!

Bookmark www.havelockjamboree.com for complete scheduled artists dates and times as they become available.