There’s a bit of cowboy wisdom that says, “Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.” The same could be said for the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) this coming Sunday at Rexall Place.
Reams of copy have been written about Gord Bamford, the Lacombe singer leading the pack with six CCMA nods. He’s named in every eligible category for his album, Day Job. There’s fan choice award, single of the year, album of the year, songwriter of the year, CMT video of the year and male artist of the year.
The other big names — Doc Walker, Corb Lund, Johnny Reid and Dean Brody — have five nominations apiece while Victoria Banks, George Canyon, Terri Clark, Jessie Farrell, the Higgins and One More Girl also nabbed multiple nods.
Since the CCMAs are held in Edmonton, it is only fitting for Alberta to preen its feathers with provincial artists from Bamford and Lund to Canyon and Clark. Carolyn Dawn Johnson is returning to the fold after a four-year absence to raise a family. And some lesser-acclaimed artists — Hey Romeo, Shane Yellowbird, Jaydee Bixby and Shane Chisholm are starting to get serious national recognition.
This year St. Albert also has a record-breaking four nominees: singer Marlee Scott, drummer Matthew Atkins, record company representative Ron Harwood and webmaster John Attrell.
As a first timer, Marlee Scott, 25, is one of five nominees for rising star of the year along with Jaydee Bixby, Chad Brownlee, High Valley and One More Girl.
Last year Scott released two singles Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow and Fight With You from her self-titled album.
“Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow was huge for us. It had a great rootsy message and she just sang the pants off of it,” said Jackie-Rae Greening, program director for CFCW. Greening, a St. Albert resident, is also CCMA chair of the board.
The edgier Fight With You instead was aired at CISN. “The product is great, well recorded. Marlee is a great singer and she sings songs that fit mainstream country,” added Chris Sheetz, CISN’s program director.
But he added that although Scott has had thousands of spins across the country, competition is tight and guessing the outcome is a coin toss at best.
While Scott is new to the nomination game, veteran drummer Matthew Atkins has been nominated 10 times and carried home the crystal hardware three times. One of Canada’s most respected country drummers, the local resident has provided the beat for everyone from Tommy Hunter, Patricia Conroy and George Fox to Valdy, Duane Steele and Deric Ruttan.
This year, he’s been cited in the all-star band drums category for his work with up and comer Jason Blaine.
“I first met Jason at the CCMAs about three or four years ago. We played at a jam and afterwards I was invited to play a few shows with him,” Atkins says. A few gigs evolved into a tour.
With more than 18 years experience as a freelance musician, Atkins has weathered all the peaks and valleys. But this nomination is as much a thrill as the first one.
“For me to be nominated again was unexpected, to have people think of me was a surprise. By all accounts I should have fallen into obscurity,” he chuckles referring to the short lifespan of some musicians.
Another veteran of the CCMAs is Ron Harwood of EMI Music, nominated as record company person of the year. Three years ago Harwood moved to EMI after a 17-year stint at Universal. As mid-west representative, he is responsible for promoting artists from Thunder Bay to the Rocky Mountains.
Since shifting to EMI, he’s dealt with more than 50 artists from Michelle Wright and Keith Urban to Stompin’ Tom and Lady Antebellum. And his know-how and enthusiasm for music has helped EMI sign Terri Clarke, Deric Ruttan and Johnny Reid.
He’s received six nominations and won three. “I love music. Every day I get to wake up and be with music.” So is the nomination old hat?
“Never. It’s really great to be recognized for something you’re passionate about. Having your peers nominate you never gets tiring.”
And finally webmaster John Attrell has his work for Hey Romeo nominated as website of the year. A retired business analyst, the St. Albert resident loves country music, and in 2004 offered to build a website for his cash-strapped band friends.
“There was a need. It was simple to do and lots of fun. Initially it was bright, shiny, new on the scene. It evolved as each of their two CDs came out.”
With a foot firmly entrenched in country, Attrell is now webmaster for the Alberta Country Music Association, and has built sites for CCMA nominees Shane Chisholm, Mattie McKay and Marc Branconnier.
Also highlighted at the CCMA Songwriters’ Showcase is local resident Aaron Goodvin, a successful writer with five singles on the Canadian charts.
