June 23, 2014
News
Wendell Ferguson and Ron Sakamoto announced as 2014 Canadian Country Hall of Fame Inductees
Wendell Ferguson and Ron Sakamoto announced as
2014 Canadian Country Hall of Fame Inductees
(Toronto, ON) June 23, 2014 – The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) announced today that Wendell Ferguson and Ron Sakamoto have been selected as the 2014 inductees into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
“The passion and commitment both Wendell Ferguson and Ron Sakamoto have exemplified for the Canadian country music industry throughout the years make them ideal inductees to the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame,” said Don Green, CCMA President. “I commend the Hall of Fame Electors Committee for selecting such worthy recipients for this cherished accolade.”
A true behind-the-scenes dynamo, Wendell Ferguson is known just as well for his wit and humour as he is for his unparalleled instrumental capabilities. A Juno-nominated performer, Ferguson is also a multiple CCMA Award nominee, has won the CCMA All Star Band – Guitar Award six times, and served on the CCMA Board of Directors as well.
Born and raised in Streetsville, Ontario, Ferguson has performed live and recorded with an astute collection of Canada’s top stars, including George Fox, Duane Steele, Shania Twain and Gordon Lightfoot. A leading force and songwriter for the country group Coda The West in the 80s, Ferguson continues to be a highly sought producer, musical director and band leader. Wendell Ferguson is the 2014 Artist Inductee into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
“Thank you to the Hall of Fame Electors Committee, the CCMA staff, and Members and all of the musical friends I’ve made over the years in this crazy business,” said Wendell Ferguson. “I was honoured, humbled and totally shocked to find out that I was being inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.”
With a career in live event production and management that spans 48 years, Ron Sakamoto has worked tirelessly to create opportunity for Canadian country music artists both in Canada, and the U.S. Born and raised in small-town Southern Alberta, Sakamoto has always advocated the benefits of bringing acts to secondary markets, and consistently gives back to those communities himself. He now manages his business Gold & Gold Productions Ltd. alongside his son, Shawn.
Over the years, Sakamoto has won over 40 awards in the music industry, including an unprecedented 17 consecutive CCMA Awards for Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year, which resulted in the Award being named after him. Sakamoto has served on the board of the Country Music Association (CMA) in Nashville as well as the CCMA, and currently sits on the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) Board of Directors. Ron Sakamoto is the 2014 Builder Inductee into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
“This is such a tremendous honour,” said Ron Sakamoto. “I want to thank the Hall of Fame Electors Committee for selecting me to receive the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Stan Klees Builder Award. I’m very humbled to be in the company of all of the notable past recipients.”
Inductees of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame are chosen annually by a selected Hall of Fame Electors Committee, comprised of over seventy industry peers. The three-stage voting process begins in January of each year. The inductee in the Builder category receives the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Stan Klees Builder Award, established in recognition of RPM Magazine co-founder, Mr. Stan Klees, and his pioneering efforts in the creation of the CCMA Awards program.
The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at a private industry event held during Country Music Week, which takes place September 4 – 7 in Edmonton, Alberta.
-30-
About the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame® Since 1984, the Canadian Country Music Association® has been honouring Canadian artists and industry builders who have made long-term contributions to the growth and development of Canadian country music. In 1999, the CCMA formally merged its recognition program with a program of similar scope founded by Mr. Gary Buck, to create what today is known as the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. The CCMA has partnerships with the Canadian Country Music Heritage Society (www.ccmhalloffame.com), based in Merritt, British Columbia, and the National Music Centre (www.nmc.ca), based in Calgary, Alberta to collaboratively promote and bring recognition to the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame program.
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.
Media Contact
Sonya Koson
Communications Lead, CCMA
skoson@ccma.org
416-947-1331 x210