2012 Canadian Country Music Award Nominees

NEWS

2012 Canadian Country Music Award Nominees Announced

Toronto, ON, July 18, 2012 - The official countdown for the 2012 Canadian Country Music Association Awards has begun, as the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) announced its nominees today. Anticipation continues to heighten as the best of the best in Canadian country music contend for some of country music's most prestigious awards this September in Saskatoon, SK. The 2012 CCMA Awards will be broadcast live on CBC Television from Credit Union Centre on Sunday, September 9, 2012 at 8 p.m. (8:30 p.m. NT) - fans across Canada will be able to tune-in to watch some of the best acts that country music has to offer, with encore airings on CMT (Canada) starting at 10 p.m. ET.

"All of today's nominees deserve ample recognition for their excellence as well as their tremendous contribution to Canadian country music," said Don Green, Executive Director, CCMA. "This year's nominees reflect the depth of musical talent in Canada, and we're so proud to be able to recognize those artists - both established and emerging - who have impacted Canadians with their music."

The 2012 nominations see celebrated Canadian country sensation Johnny Reid leading the pack, as it was just announced that Reid is nominated for a staggering total of eight Canadian Country Music Awards. Reid's Fire It Up has been nominated for Album of the Year, and the title track off the album has been nominated for Single of the Year, Songwriters of the Year and Video of the Year. Reid has also been recognized with nominations for Fans' Choice Award, Male Artist of the Year, Interactive Artist of the YearandRecord Producer of the Year.

Dean Brody follows very closely behind Johnny Reid this year with seven nominations, including Single of the Year, Video of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for "Canadian Girls" and Album of the Year for DIRT. In addition, Brody has been nominated for Fans' Choice Award,Male Artist of the Year and Interactive Artist of the Year.

Securing six 2012 CCMA Award nominations is country star Gord Bamford. Earning a spot in the competition for both the Fans' Choice Award and Male Artist of the Year, Bamford's single, "Is It Friday Yet?"has also been nominated for Single of the Year and he has been recognized in the Songwriter of the Year category for the same song. In addition, Bamford has been recognized with nominations for Interactive Artist of the Year and Record Producer of the Year.

This year, country artist Jason Blaine has been nominated for four CCMA Awards, including Single of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for "They Don't Make 'Em Like That Anymore" as well as Male Artist of the Year. Blaine has also secured a nomination for Record Producer of the Year for Life So Far.

Terri Clark, The Stellas and Hey Romeo have each been nominated for three CCMA Awards - Clark was recognized with nominations for Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for Roots And Wings, as well as the Fans' Choice Award. The Stellas have garnered their first ever CCMA Award nominations for the Rising Star Award,Group or Duo of the Yearand CMT Video of the Year. Hey Romeo has received a nomination for Fans' Choice Award, Group or Duo of the Year as well as Interactive Artist of the Year.

Also announced today was the addition of Canadian country superstars Gord Bamford, Chad Brownlee, Terri Clark, and High Valley, sure to heat up the stage with some unforgettable performances. Revving up excitement even further is international country superstar and celebrated live entertainer Jason Aldean, who will be joining the CCMA Awards' epic roster of performers. These country greats will take the stage with previously announced Paul Brandt, Dean Brody, George Canyon, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Pistol Annies, Johnny Reid and Deric Ruttan.

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