Road Hammers, Canyon win at CCMAs
The Road Hammers set the pace at the Canadian Country Music Awards in Saint John Monday night, kicking off the awards ceremony with their current hit Girl on the Billboard, then grabbed some of the hardware for themselves.
Fronted by Ontario's Jason McCoy, the Road Hammerswon group of the year and video of the year for East Bound and Down.
It was the first time Canada's annual country music awards had been "eastbound" and the crowd attheHarbour Station in Saint John responded enthusiastically to the big hats and cowboy boots.
The greatest applause was reserved forNova Scotia's George Canyon, who won male artist of the year and single of the year for Somebody Wrote Love.
"It's awesome to be home in the Maritimes and get to experience it here and all I can think of when they called my name was sitting on the couch at home, watching the awards show, going, 'I wish I could just be there someday,' " he said after receiving the single of the year award.
Canyon struggled 14 years for recognition, but shot to fame three years ago as runner-up on the American country talent show, Nashville Star.
Last year he won four trophies at the CCMAs.
Canyon and Alberta's Carolyn Dawn Johnson, who captured thefemale artist of the year award, eachgave rousing performances and the event also highlightedseveral newer stars in the country universe.
But the fans' choice award went to a veteran singer Terri Clark.
The show also included a touching tribute by Anne Murray to longtime producer Brian Ahern and manager Bruce Allen.
"I know I'm in the Maritimes," Murray said as she received a standing ovation. "Home at last."
Allen,whoseother clientsinclude Bryan Adams and Michael Bublé,was given an international achievement award.
Ahern was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Albertan Corb Lund and his band performed the title track from Hair In My Eyes Like A Highland Steer, which was named album of the year. Lund also was named roots artist of the year.
Newcomer Johnny Reid won top independent artist and best song for Missing an Angel and was named rising star of theyear, a prize that comes with a Chevy truck.
Reid, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, but moved to Brampton, Ont., when he was a teenager, thanked Canada for letting him live his dream.
"I am humbled by this country I came to seeking opportunity," Reid said in his distinctive burr.
Dave Ryan of the local organizing committee said Saint John is also a big winnerafter four days of country music showcases.
"We're meeting people that are coming and saying, 'Hey, we're sticking around for two more days,' " he told CBC Radio.
"I've met people from Nashville who have never seen a Tim Hortons and they're going, 'I love Tim Hortons.' "
Ryan said the ceremony, which moves to Regina next year, should bring at least $10 millionineconomic spinoff to New Brunswick.
The CCMAs were carried live on CBC Television and will be repeated on Country Music Television.