This is a great event that I really like going to and as is often the case there are a great many things happening during its course but I decided, when Laurent asked me to write a report about it, to look at the key points for me. The event was held in Hamilton in September and one of the most popular events of the weekend is what they called ‘The songwriter’s Cafe’. Spread over three days, the event features six acoustic sessions with each one showcasing four different Canadian writers. Each writer
explains how the song
came into being and performs it for the audience.
The next event was the Annual Kick Off Party. This is always the place where everyone gets to socialise and start networking and also
meeting new friends. leads
to to each the New Artist
Showcases where eight lucky and emerging artists have the opportunity
perform
three songs, while backed by a house band featuring some of Canada’s top musicians. The showcase artists
are judged
by anonymous judges, with the winner receiving an award plus a cash prize. The Fan Fest, appreciation
the free concert, was
the opportunity for fans to hear and meet their favorite artists. There were no barriers and the audience could sit on the grass or lawn chairs right up against the stage, much like a country festival in France, or a folk Festival. Top
Canadian artists gave
personal acoustic concerts for their fans. Among them were: Terry Clark; George Canyon; Michelle Wright; Gord Bamford and Codie Prevost… As talent
buyer, I had the opportunity to hire Gord Bamford and Codie Prevost for the Country Bike Rock Festival in Tours, France and their respective fi rst gig in Europe was a real success.
The Industry Awards Show produced by Country Music Television, was
one of the key events during the CCMA’s week. In between the awards were terrifi c performances and I would like to make a point of mentioning Shane Chisholm who gave a unique performance on his gas tank bass, Victoria Banks, Terri Clark and Katie Love Hess, did a musical tribute to Michelle Wright. Let me talk about the red carpet appearances before the awards show.
It was an outstanding success; More than 40 celebrities walked it. What a highlight for the fans who had waited for hours to be close by and what a great way to watch the real star power of the Canadian Country music scene. The awards show drew 7000 people and the most exciting moment for
me was when my buddies from Hey Romeo, were named 2011 CCMA‘s Group Of The year. I was proud for them and for me as well to have helped them perform for the fi rst time in Europe during the Canadian Country Music Night of the Country Bike Rock Festival in Tours, France in 2010. Make no mistake, Canadian Country is here to stay!
It
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