Dean Brody, Tim Hicks, Dallas Smith and Little Big Town to Perform on the 2014 CCMA Awards

August 5, 2014 (Toronto, ON) – The Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) announced today that Dean Brody, Tim Hicks and Dallas Smith will perform on the 2014 CCMA Awards Show; as will special guests, Little Big Town. These are the first artists announced to perform as part of the 2014 CCMA Awards, which will broadcast on CBC-TV at 8:00 p.m. local time (8:30 NT) with an encore airing on CMT (Canada) at 10:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 7.

“Powerful performances, memorable moments and a unique experience is what we’re hoping to bring to viewers of the 2014 CCMA Awards Show,” said Don Green, CCMA President. “This has been such a strong year for Canadian country music, we really look at the CCMA Awards Show as a big celebration that you won’t want to miss.”

Reigning CCMA Male Artist of the year, Dean Brody, has had a banner year with his sold-out Crop Circles and Tractor Beams arena tour, winning his first JUNO Award for Country Album of the Year (Crop Circles), scoring his 14^th top 10 single with “Another Man’s Gold” and becoming the first male Canadian to receive two #1 country singles.  Brody is nominated for six CCMA Awards this year.

2014 CCMA Rising Star nominee Tim Hicks has achieved what many artists would strive for in a decade.  With four Top 10 singles, nearly 3 million YouTube hits, a JUNO nomination and his third GOLD-certified single (with the viral hit “Stronger Beer”), Hicks, who has four CCMA Award nominations, is excited to bring the ‘Thunder’ back to Edmonton.  His sophomore album “5:01” featuring the lead single “Here Comes The Thunder” is in stores today.

Dallas Smith, one of Canadian country’s hottest newcomers, brings a healthy dose of rock and roll power to his brand of lively country music. Recognized as one of Taste Of Country Magazine’s “Top 10 Artists To Watch In 2014”, Smith set the record for the fastest Canadian country single to go Platinum with his title track “Tippin’ Point”. Nominated for three CCMA Awards this year, Smith, who fronted the multi-platinum rock band Default, will play for over 250,000 fans this summer before releasing a brand new album later this fall.

One of two international acts taking the stage at this year’s CCMA Awards is Little Big Town. Consisting of members Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook, the group first entered the music scene more than 15 years ago with well-known hits such as “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” “Good As Gone” and Grammy-nominated single “Little White Church”.  The quartet’s fifth studio album Tornado debuted at the top of the Billboard Country Chart where it stayed for five consecutive weeks. Certified Gold in Canada with sales of more than 1 million copies worldwide, Tornado features the Platinum-selling, Grammy Award winning track "Pontoon”. “Day Drinking” is first single off of the group’s forthcoming album, entitled Pain Killer.

Eight CCMA Awards will be given out on the 2014 CCMA Awards Show. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 1-855-985-5000 or online at ticketmaster.ca. Ticket prices range from $67.25 to $107.25, plus service charges. 

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About the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®)

Established in 1976, the CCMA is a membership-based, not-for-profit organization committed to the promotion and recognition of Canadian country music. Built upon the foundation to educate, elevate and celebrate Canadian talent, the CCMA progressively heralds the spirit, community and creativity that country music fosters through year-round initiatives, culminating every fall with Country Music Week and the CCMA Awards. Sponsors of Country Music Week and the 2014 CCMA Awards include FACTOR, Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters and The Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage’s “Canada Music Fund”, Radio Starmaker Fund, the Province of Alberta, the City of Edmonton and Edmonton Tourism.

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regionally and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages.

About CMT (Canada)

Available in over 9.5 million homes, Corus Entertainment’s CMT is Canada’s source for country music lifestyle programming. Exploring themes relevant to country music and country music fans, the network offers an exciting mix of comedy and dramatic series, movies and country music news, videos, concerts and specials. CMT’s Video Advantage Program, established in 2000, supports the production of original music videos for Canadian artists. The station’s website, www.cmt.ca, is Canada’s number one website dedicated to country music.