Media Release: Halifax Pumps Up The Country for 2015 CCMA Awards Show

September 13, 2015 (Halifax, NS) – The 2015 Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) Awards Show, hosted by television personality Jessi Cruickshank, who kept the audience in stitches, celebrated eight CCMA Award categories in a televised ceremony this evening. The 2015 CCMA Awards Show took place at the newly renovated Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and was broadcast across Canada on CBC-TV at 8 p.m. (8:30 p.m. NT) and CMT (Canada) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

The coveted CCMA Fan’s Choice Award was presented to Johnny Reid off the top of the show. This is Reid’s sixth time winning this specific award. Gord Bamford took home CCMA Awards for both Male Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for his song, “Where A Farm Used To Be”. Bamford took home the hardware in these two categories last year as well. Also on a repeat was Jess Moskaluke, who was crowned Female Artist of the Year for the second consecutive year. High Valley was named Group or Duo of the Year while Madeline Merlo was bestowed with the Rising Star award. Local fan-favourite, Dean Brody, took home the CCMA Award for Video of the Year while Dallas Smith took home the prestigious CCMA Award for Album of the Year.

The 2015 CCMA Awards Show delivered a collection of high energy and high impact performances by an array of Canadian country music’s brightest stars, including Autumn Hill, Gord Bamford, Paul Brandt with Jess Moskaluke, Dean Brody, Tim Hicks, High Valley, Kira Isabella and MacKenzie Porter, Brett Kissel, Wes Mack, Steven Lee Olsen, Johnny Reid and Dallas Smith.

International guests Florida George Line performed their fan-favourite, “Anything Goes”, while Thomas Rhett sang his latest hit, #1 single, “Crash and Burn”.

The 2016 CCMA Awards Show will take place in London, Ontario. Tickets will go on sale later this year.

Full list of 2015 CCMA Award winners announced on the CCMA Awards Show:

FANS’ CHOICE AWARD
Johnny Reid

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Lifted - Dallas Smith

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jess Moskaluke

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Gord Bamford

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
High Valley

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Where A Farm Used To Be - Gord Bamford

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Upside Down - Dean Brody

RISING STAR
Madeline Merlo

MEDIA NOTE: A complete list of 2015 CCMA Award winners can be found at ccma.org.

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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.