Dallas Smith Wins Big At CCMA Awards
The rocker turned country star (pictured) led the pack, picking up four plaques over two nights in London, ON, at the 2021 CCMA Awards. A full list of winners is here.
By Kerry Doole
Rocker turned Canadian country star Dallas Smith was the big winner at the 2021 CCMA (Canadian Country Music Association) Awards in London, Ontario. He took home four trophies, in the prestigious Entertainer of the Year category, plus for Male Artist of the Year, Top-Selling Canadian Album, and Single of the Year.
Brett Kissel, absent from the ceremonies, also won four awards (Fans Choice, Country Music Program or Special of the Year, Live Innovation Award, and Video of the Year), and other multiple winners, with two apiece, were Tenille Townes (Female Artist and Album of the Year), and The Reklaws (Group or Duo of the Year, Top-Selling Canadian Single).
The artist awards were handed out over two nights - the Music Industry and Gala Awards, presented by Music Canada, held on Sunday, Nov. 28, and the main 2021 CCMA Awards broadcast show, streamed live on Nov. 29 via the Global TV app and Prime Video Canada.
Most of the major artist trophies were presented on Monday's two-hour Awards show, interspersed with performances from an impressive list of Canadian and US artists that included Dallas Smith, Tenille Arts, Chris Stapleton, Thomas Rhett, Tim Hicks, MacKenzie Porter, Dustin Lynch, Don Amero, Lindsay Ell, Robyn Ottolini, Tenille Townes, Jess Moskaluke, The Reklaws featuring Sacha, Tyler Joe Miller, JoJo Mason, Walker Hayes, and High Valley.
Co-hosting were Lindsay Ell and Canada’s Drag Race champion Priyanka, who also performed her current single Country Queen. The hosts stressed the benefits of diversity and inclusiveness in country music, with Priyanka noting that “representation matters.”
The highlight of acceptance speeches from the winners came from Tenille Townes, who reflected upon “a hard and heavy year,” while noting that “music still brought us together.”
Technically, the show broadcast was professionally staged and executed, but the long commercial breaks didn’t help its flow. At one stage, just 10 minutes of live award programming was followed by almost five minutes of commercials.
Given that the show featured both the elite of current Canadian country artists plus the superstar presence of Chris Stapleton, it seems regrettable that there was no conventional national TV broadcast this year.
The Music Industry and Gala Awards also featured a strong lineup of performers, including Jade Eagleson, Genevieve Fisher, Aaron Goodvin, Corb Lund ft. Katie Rox & Brandi Sidoryk (Nice Horse), Sacha, and Tim & The Glory Boys.
That evening, hosted by Don Amero, JoJo Mason and Jess Moskaluke, also included 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.
“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.”
Here is the full list of 2021 CCMA Awards winners
Entertainer Of The Year
Dallas Smith
Album Of The Year
The Lemonade Stand– Tenille Townes
Fans’ Choice
Brett Kissel
Female Artist Of The Year
Tenille Townes
Group Or Duo Of The Year
The Reklaws
Interactive Artist Or Group Of The Year
Lindsay Ell
Male Artist Of The Year
Dallas Smith
Rising Star
Robyn Ottolini
Single Of The Year
Like A Man- Dallas Smith
2021 CCMA MUSIC INDUSTRY GALA DINNER + AWARDS PRESENTED BY MUSIC CANADA WINNERS
Drummer of the Year
Matthew Atkins*
Ben Bradley*
*Tie
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
Album: Everbound, Stage Banner (Artist: The Washboard Union)
Country Music Program or Special of the Year
Brett Kissel: Live At The Drive-In – BAK 2 BAK Entertainment Inc, Backroad 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 & The Reklaws
Recording Studio of the Year
MCC Recording Studio – Calgary, AB
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 Belleville, ON
Music Director of the Year (Large Market)
Amanda Kingsland – CKBY-FM – Ottawa, ON
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 – Vice President, International – Big Loud Records
Country Personality(ies) of the Year
Jennifer Campbell – CIKZ – FM
Radio Station of the Year (Medium or Small Market)
CHCQ – FM – Bellville, ON
CKGY – FM – Red Deer, AB
*Tie
Radio Station of the Year (Large Market)
CFCW – Edmonton, AB
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)
