Gord Bamford, Dean Brody, Kira Isabella, Wes Mack, Steven Lee Olsen, MacKenzie Porter and Johnny Reid to Perform on the 2015 CCMA Awards Show

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August 25, 2015 (Toronto, ON) – The Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) has revealed the final list for the 2015 CCMA Awards Show. Gord Bamford, Dean Brody, Kira Isabella, Wes Mack, Steven Lee Olsen, MacKenzie Porter and Johnny Reid will all take to the stage at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax on Sunday, September 13. The 2015 CCMA Awards Show will air on CBC-TV at 8 p.m. local time (8:30 p.m. NT) with an encore airing on CMT (Canada) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

As one of Canada’s most decorated country artists with 19 CCMA Awards and the prestigious 2013 CMA Global Artist Award, Gord Bamford is honoured by his six 2015 CCMA Award nominations this year. Bamford’s charitable work continues to be a focus for him as the Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation recently surpassed 2.5 million dollars raised, supporting various youth charities, children’s hospitals and his proud partnership with MusiCounts. Industry insiders who have gotten a sneak peek are calling Bamford's highly anticipated seventh studio album “his best work yet”. In early 2016 the new album will be in stores and Bamford will embark on a cross-Canada tour.

One of few Canadian country acts able to boast four certified Gold and one Platinum single(s), JUNO and CCMA Award winner, Dean Brody, is having an incredible year. Not only did he and his fifth studio album accumulate seven 2015 CCMA Award nominations, but after just eight weeks of charting at country radio, Brody’s “Bring Down The House” has become the summer anthem of 2015, earning both Gold status and the title of #1 selling current Canadian country single. Following his performance on the CCMA Awards Show, Brody will wrap up the fall with an extensive national tour – aptly titled The Road Trip Tour – alongside fellow nominee, Paul Brandt.

Ottawa-born Kira Isabella, one of Canada’s brightest young country music stars, has toured with the likes of Carrie Underwood and Terri Clark. In the fall of 2014, Isabella released her second album, Caffeine & Big Dreams, which truly underscores her personal and professional growth as an artist. The album includes first single, “Quarterback”, which is a bold and powerful track that demonstrates Isabella’s maturation. It also delivers her signature sassy style on many of the songs, including the single, “Shake It If You Got It”. Her debut album, Love Me Like That, boasts four hit singles, including the smash, “A Little More Work”. Isabella has been nominated for two JUNO Awards, including a 2015 nomination for Country Album of the Year. In 2013 Isabella was crowned Female Artist of the Year at the CCMA Awards, just one year after her first CCMA Award win for Rising Star.

After a summer of touring with Shania Twain and performing at festivals across the country, Wes Mack is grateful for his two CCMA Award nominations this year, including Songwriter(s) of the Year for his Top 10 hit, “Before You Drive Me Crazy”. Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, it’s no surprise that Mack fell in love with a genre that celebrates growing up in small towns, living life to the fullest and sharing emotional touchstones with real-life sentiment through storytelling. He will release his much anticipated major label debut album, Edge Of The Storm, on September 4.

With his autobiographical anthem, “Raised By A Good Time”, Columbia Nashville singer/songwriter, Steven Lee Olsen, marks his third Top 20 and first Top 3 single on the Canadian country charts and his first CCMA Award nomination in the category of Rising Star. His previous Top 20 hits, "Now” and “Make Hay While The Sun Shines”, resulted in Canadian Radio Music Award nominations, with the latter charting on Billboard as the #22 most played song on Canadian country radio for an entire year. Recognized by the Huffington Post as one of the Top 15 Country Music Artists to Watch for in 2015, Olsen recently co-wrote "Cold Like That” on Garth Brooks’ highly-anticipated Man Against Machine album. His debut album on Columbia Nashville, produced by Clint Lagerberg, is anticipated for release in 2016.

2015 CCMA Female Artist of the Year nominee, MacKenzie Porter, captivates her audience with her soaring voice, mesmerizing fiddle playing and a stage presence beyond her years. She got her first taste of success when she won the Nashville North competition, but her career was catapulted to the status of legitimate Canadian star in 2014 when she hit Top 10 at Canadian radio and was nominated for Female Artist of the Year at the CCMA Awards. Her rise continued with a nomination for Country Album of the Year at this year’s JUNO Awards. The award-winning singer/actress also stars in the hit AMC TV series, "Hell on Wheels”.

Since arriving on the music scene over 10 years ago, critically acclaimed singer songwriter, Johnny Reid, has captured the hearts of fans and audiences around the world. The blue collared soul singer is widely known for his lyrical honesty and musical ability, as demonstrated by album sales totaling over 1 million units, countless awards and multiple sold out national arena tours. Already a chart-topping, multi-Platinum selling artist in Canada, Reid’s songwriting resonates with audiences across the globe. Widely known for his energetic stage performances and talent for finding the grandeur in the highs and lows of everyday life; he’s an extraordinary talent, unique in his field, making him one of the most loved and celebrated artists of his time. This fall he will add to his remarkable catalogue with the release of his first brand new collection of material since 2013’s Fire It Up.

Eight CCMA Awards will be presented on the 2015 CCMA Awards Show, hosted by Jessi Cruickshank. Previously announced performers on the show include: Autumn Hill, Paul Brandt, Florida Georgia Line, Tim Hicks, High Valley, Brett Kissel, Jess Moskaluke, Thomas Rhett and Dallas Smith. This year’s show is being produced by Bristow Global Media Inc. There are still tickets available at all Ticket Atlantic locations, by phone at 1-877-451-1221 or online at ticketatlantic.com, with prices ranging from $60.00 to $106.00, plus service charges and fees.

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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 Canadian Country Music Association Awards. Sponsors of Country Music Week and the 2015 CCMA Awards include FACTOR, Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters and The Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage’s “Canada Music Fund” and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Radio Starmaker Fund, the Province of Nova Scotia, the City of Halifax and Destination Halifax.

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 regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages.

A space for us all is CBC/Radio-Canada’s strategy to transform the public broadcaster, and ensure that it continues to fulfill its mandate for Canadians, now and for future generations. Through to 2020, it will increase its investment in prime-time television programming and continue to create radio programs of the highest quality, while promoting the development of digital and mobile platforms and content.

About CMT (Canada)
CMT (Canada) is Canada’s source for country music and likeminded programming that showcases compelling stories and characters. The network offers a mix of original programming, sitcoms, movies, music videos and specials. CMT is owned by Corus Entertainment Inc., a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. For more information, please visit CMT.ca and corusent.com.

About Bristow Global Media Inc. (BGM)
Bristow Global Media Inc. (BGM) is a Toronto based content creation company, specializing in creating multi-platform content across all genres including scripted, lifestyle, reality, documentary and sports. The company was launched in 2013 by leading broadcast executive and producer Julie Bristow, whose 20 year career at the CBC included the creation of award-winning entertainment divisions, the launch of national digital media platforms and the stewardship of iconic sports brands. BGM is partnered with Jamie Oliver’s Fresh One Productions in the UK for content development.

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