Country music fans gathered for an unforgettable evening as the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) celebrated the 41st annual CCMA Awards presented by TD.
This star-studded event showcased the best of Canadian country music. It was a great night, and featured performances from some of the biggest stars in country music.
Hosted by The Reklaws, they kicked off the show with their latest single “Honky Tonkin’ About” with Drake Milligan. Other performancers included: Sam Hunt, Tenille Towns and Train, Sacha and Tyler Shaw,
Jade Eagleson’s Double Triumph
The spotlight shone brightest on Jade Eagleson, who walked away with not one, but two of the night’s most prestigious awards. The talented artist was named both Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year.
Tenille Townes’ Historic Win
Tenille Townes made history by becoming the first artist ever to claim the title of Female Artist of the Year for the fifth consecutive year. Her remarkable feat is a testament to her unmatched talent and unwavering dedication to her craft.
She also took the stage this year, joined by Train, to perform their new song “I Know”.
James Barker Band’s Stellar Night
The James Barker Band had every reason to celebrate as they clinched their first-ever victory in the Group or Duo of the Year category. Adding to their accolades, they also secured the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Fans’ Choice Award, demonstrating the depth of their connection with their dedicated fanbase.
They closed out the show with Dalton Dover joining them on stage to perform their new single “On The Water”.
Josh Ross: The Breakthrough Star
Emerging talent Josh Ross was a standout of the evening, winning his first CCMA Award for Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year. His win signifies the beginning of what promises to be a promising career in the world of country music.
To top off a big weekend, Josh woke up today to a number one song with “Trouble”.
Listen To Our Chat With Josh Ross
Lindsay Ell’s Wins Her First CCMA Awards for Single Of The Year
Lindsay Ell’s hit “Right On Time” earned her the coveted Single of the Year award. Her excitement was contageous! She danced and skipped across the stage to accept the award.
This marks her first CCMA Award ever!
For a complete list of the 2023 CCMA Award winners presented by TD, scroll to the bottom of this post.
The 2023 CCMA Awards presented by TD delivered an incredible night of performances, recognition, and celebration of the best in Canadian country music. Congratulations to all the winners, making it a night to remember in the heart of Hamilton.
Highlights From The 2023 CCMA Awards in Hamilton
Full List of Nominees and Winners for the 2023 CCMA Awards
Winners of each category are bolded.
Entertainer of the Year (Award #1):
- Dean Brody
- Jade Eagleson
- Dallas Smith
- Tenille Townes
- Shania Twain
Album of the Year (Award #2):
- Four Good Years – Andrew Hyatt
- Good Ol’ Days -The Reklaws
- Planes Don’t Wait – Shawn Austin
- Talk To Time – Tim Hicks
- Tim & The Glory Boys – Tim & The Glory Boys
TD Aeroplan Visa Fans’ Choice (Award #3):
- Dean Brody
- Jade Eagleson
- Tim Hicks
- High Valley
- James Barker Band
- Brett Kissel
- The Reklaws
- Josh Ross
- Dallas Smith
- Tenille Townes
Female Artist of the Year (Award #4):
- Tenille Arts
- Lindsay Ell
- MacKenzie Porter
- Tenille Townes
- Shania Twain
Group or Duo of the Year (Award #5):
- High Valley
- Hunter Brothers
- James Barker Band
- The Reklaws
- Tim & The Glory Boys
Musical Collaboration of the Year (Award #6):
There was a tie for this award category.
- 11 Beers – The Reklaws feat. Jake Owen
- Do This Life – High Valley, Alison Krauss
- I Ain’t Drunk – Gord Bamford ft. Terri Clark
- Never Met A Beer – Tyler Joe Miller, Matt Lang
- One Too – Dallas Smith & MacKenzie Porter
Male Artist of the Year (Award #7):
- Dean Brody
- Jade Eagleson
- Brett Kissel
- Josh Ross
- Dallas Smith
Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year (Award #8):
- Dax
- Nate Haller
- Griffen Palmer
- Orville Peck
- Josh Ross
Alternative Country Album of the Year (Award #9):
- Come Morning – The Bros. Landreth
- I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying – Whitehorse
- Surprise Party – Mallory Johnson
- Time Traveller – Jason Benoit
- A Traveler’s Lament – Kyle McKearney
Single of the Year (Award #10):
- 11 Beers – Reklaws feat Jake Owen
- On A Different Night – Josh Ross
- Right On Time – Lindsay Ell
- Wastin’ Whiskey – James Barker Band
- Where’d You Learn How To Do That – Dean Brody
- Wild As Her – Tyler Joe Miller
Songwriter(s) of the Year (Award #11):
- Back To Drinkin’ Whiskey (Artist: Tyler Joe Miller)Kelly Archer, Danick Dupelle, Tyler Joe Miller
- Float (Artist: Tim & The Glory Boys) Rodney Clawson, Tim Neufeld, Allen Salmon
- Greatest Show On Dirt (Artist: Meghan Patrick) Trannie Anderson, Matt McGinn, Jake Mitchell, Meghan Patrick
- The Thing That Wrecks You (Artist: Tenille Townes feat. Bryan Adams) Bryan Adams, Daniel Tashian, Tenille Townes, Kate York
- Trouble (Artist: Josh Ross) Josh Ross, Mason Thornley
Video of the Year (Award #15):
- Float – Tim & The Glory Boys
- One Too – Dallas Smith & MacKenzie Porter
- She Don’t Know – Jade Eagleson
- The Thing That Wrecks You – Tenille Townes feat. Bryan Adams
- Trouble – Josh Ross
INDUSTRY AWARDS
Bass Player of the Year
- Lisa Dodd Watts
- Lisa Jacobs
- Justin Kudding
- Mark Rynkun
- Holt Stuart Hitchcox
Drummer of the Year
- Matthew Atkins
- Flavio Cirillo
- Rich DaSilva
- Brendan Lyons
- Greg Williamson
Fiddle Player of the Year
- Tyler Beckett
- Denis Dufresne
- Julie Kennedy
- Ben Rutz
- Mike Sanyshyn
Guitar Player of the Year
- Jeff Brown
- Ryan Davidson
- Johnny Gasparic
- Chad Murphy
- Brennan Wall
Keyboard Player of the Year
- Matt Koebel
- Brendon Schmidt
- Brendan Waters
- Scott Wilkinson
Speciality Instrument of the Year
- Johnny Gasparic
- Shane Guse
- Mitch Jay
Steel Guitar Player of the Year
- Chris Altmann
- Michael Eckert
- Doug Johnson
- Marcus Ramsay
Booking Agency of the Year
- Action Entertainment Collaborative
- The Feldman Agency
- Invictus Entertainment Group
- Paquin Artists Agency
- Sakamoto Agency
Country Club of the Year
- Cook County Saloon (Edmonton, AB)
- The King Eddy (Calgary, AB)
- Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall (Calgary, AB)
- Rock ‘N’ Horse Saloon (Toronto, ON)
Country Festival, Fair or Exhibition of the Year
- Big Valley Jamboree (Camrose, AB)
- Boots And Hearts Music Festival (Oro-Medonte, ON)
- Calgary Stampede (Calgary, AB)
- Cavendish Beach Music Festival (Cavendish, PEI)
- LASSO Montreal (Montreal, QC)
Country Music Program or Special of the Year
- Boomers Canadian Club (Rogers Digital Media)
- Canada’s Country Radio (Apple Music)
- Christmas Time with Tenille Townes 2022 (Sony Music Entertainment (Canada) Inc)
- The Road Less Travelled (Stingray)
- A Washboard Union Christmas Special (Washboard Union Prod Inc)
Management Company of the Year
- Big Loud Management
- The Core Entertainment
- MDM Artist Management Services
- Simkin Artist Management
- Starseed Entertainment
Music Publishing Company of the Year
- Anthem Entertainment Group
- Big Loud Publishing
- Sony Music Publishing
- Universal Music Publishing
- Warner Chappell Music Canada
Record Company of the Year
- Big Loud Records
- MDM Recordings Inc.
- Sony Music Entertainment (Canada) Inc.
- Universal Music Canada
- Warner Music Canada
Industry Person of the Year
- Paul Biro (Sakamoto Agency)
- Warren Copnick (Sony Music Entertainment (Canada) Inc)
- Mike Denney (MDM Recordings Inc.)
- Brianne Deslippe (Big Loud Records)
- Amanda Kingsland (Universal Music Canada)
Creative Team or Director of the Year
- Design Team: Austin ChaffeSingle: Beer Me (Artist: James Barker Band), Shakin’ In Them Boots (Artist: Jade Eagleson) Marketing Campaign: Dean Brody x NHLPA (Artist: Dean Brody) Tour Marketing/Live Show Element: Northern Anthem (Artist: Dean Brody), Brand Launch: EPK (Artist: Griffen Palmer), Album Marketing: Good Ol’ Days (Artist: The Reklaws), Merch: (Artist: The Reklaws)
- Design Team: Devin Cooper, Chad MurphyAlbum: Good Things Deluxe Album Package, Brand Guide, Limited Edition Record Book (Artist: Devin Cooper)
- Design Team: Chris Doi, Roberta Landreth, Kyle McKearney, Jeff OjedaAlbum, single art: A Traveler’s Lament (Artist: Kyle McKearney)
- Design Team: Brandon Ferguson, Lloyd NormanSome Things Never Change Tour, Tour Photography Album, Tour Videography Assets, Tour Merch Promo (Artists: Dallas Smith, Shawn Austin, Jojo Mason, Andrew Hyatt, Kelly Prescott)
- Design Team: Mitchell NevinsAlbum: Talk To Time (Artist: Tim Hicks), Tour Poster: Zero To Sixty Tour (Artist: Tim Hicks), Album: Back To The Trailer, Marketing Assets (Artist: Dayna Reid)
Recording Studio of the Year
- Barrytone Studios (Miramichi, NB)
- Bart McKay Productions (Saskatoon, SK)
- MCC Recording Studio (Calgary, AB)
- OCL Studios (Chestermere, AB)
- Revolution Recording (Toronto, ON)
Record Producer(s) of the Year
- Russell Broom, Kyle McKearneyAlbum: A Traveler’s Lament (Artist: Kyle McKearney)
- Scott CookeAlbum: Four Good Years (Artist: Andrew Hyatt)
- Jeff Coplan, Deric RuttanAlbum: Talk To Time (Artist: Tim Hicks)
- Danick DupelleSingle: Back To Drinkin’ Whiskey (Artist: Tyler Joe Miller)Single: Never Met A Beer (Artist: Tyler Joe Miller, Matt Lang)
- Joey MoiSingle: One Too (Artist: Dallas Smith, MacKenzie Porter)
Retailer or Commercial Platform of the Year
- Apple Music
- Amazon Music
- Spotify Canada Inc.
Talent Buyer of the Year
- Paul Biro (Sakamoto Agency)
- Dan Clapson (Blue Jay Sessions)
- Jim Cressman (Invictus Entertainment Group)
- Brooke Dunford (Republic Live)
- Adam Oppenheim (Stampede Entertainment)
Video Director of the Year
- AJ Astle
- Ben Knechtel
- Travis Nesbitt
- Ryan Nolan
- OUDi (Crystal Leigh)
Innovative Campaign of the Year
- “Let ‘Em Lie” Release Highlights(Kyle McKearney & Don Amero)
- Mastering of “Master of Puppets”(Hailey Benedict)
- “She Don’t Know” Wedding Contest(Jade Eagleson)
- “Surprise Party” Album Release(Mallory Johnson)
- “What Colour You Drive” Content and Fan Contest(Hunter Brothers)
Photos by Matt Barnes
In country music, the Front Porch has long been a place of reflection. A place where you can look at the life you have inside that front door. A place where time almost seems to stand still, where you can get away. It’s also a place where you can go to observe the world as it passes by you. To think about your place out there beyond the driveway.
