SaskMusic is pleased to congratulate Saskatchewan artists on their achievements at the 2018 Canadian Country Music Awards.
Jess Moskaluke brought home the prestigious Album of the Year* award for “Past the Past.” It represents the first time the award has gone to a female artist since 2004, and additionally represents the first time the award has gone to a Saskatchewan artist! Jess and Corus Entertainment also took home the CCMA for Country Music Program or Special of the Year for the “Jess Moskaluke Home Movie.” Jess is a previous three-time winner of Female Artist of the Year; in total, Jess has now won five CCMAs plus garnered twelve nominations.
During this year’s Country Music Week in Hamilton ON, Jess was incredibly busy, performing in the Legends and Legacy concert, including a duet with the iconic Michelle Wright; appearing in FanFest activities; and performing twice on the CBC-televised awards show - both as the show opener alongside Madeline Merlo and Kira Isabella in a Shania Twain tribute, and in the show closer, performing alongside Paul Brandt, High Valley and Hunter Brothers on a Johnny Cash cover. It was also revealed that Jess is among seventeen Canadian artists who collaborated under the moniker The Common Cause Collective (3XC) on a new version of Parachute Club’s “Rise Up.” Proceeds from the single will go to several charities via the Toronto Foundation: Canadian Roots Youth Reconciliation, Institute for Change Leaders, ECOJUSTICE, and the Sherbourne Health Centre - Supporting Our Youth.
If that weren’t enough: During the weekend at Fan Village, Jess was presented with her first SOCAN Music No. 1 Award!
Bart McKay brought home his tenth and eleventh CCMA awards, for Recording Studio of the Year, and Keyboard Player of the Year, repeating his 2017 wins in these categories! Bart has been nominated for a CCMA 28 times in addition to his now-twelve wins! Amazing accomplishment.
The Slaight Music Humanitarian Award for 2018 went to The Country Thunder Humboldt Broncos Tribute Concert, which was accepted by Troy Vollhoffer (Sask-born founder of Premier Global Production), Nick Meinema and Kelly Chase.
The Hunter Brothers had outstanding performances at the annual CCMA Gala Dinner & Awards and the aforementioned televised awards show as they celebrated three CCMA nominations this year. JJ and Ty Hunter also performed in the beloved CCMA Songwriters Series.
A contingent of Saskatchewan artists was present at Country Music Week to network and perform in private showcases, including Shantaia, Justin Labrash, Jordyn Pollard, Mabaleka, Aces Wyld, Samara Yung and Tenille Arts.
Once again congratulations to our 2018 CCMA nominees:
Jess Moskaluke:
- Album of the Year - Jess Moskaluke, “Past the Past” (WON)
- Country Music Program or Special of the Year - Jess Moskaluke Home Movie, Corus Entertainment (WON)
- Female Artist of the Year - Jess Moskaluke
- Fans’ Choice Award - Jess Moskaluke
- Single of the Year - Jess Moskaluke, “Drive Me Away”
- Video of the Year - Jess Moskaluke, “Drive Me Away”
- Songwriter(s) of the Year - Zach Abend, Corey Crowder, Jess Moskaluke for “Drive Me Away” (Performed by Jess Moskaluke)
Bart McKay:
- Keyboard Player of the Year - Bart McKay (WON)
- Recording Studio of the Year - Bart McKay Productions (WON)
- Record Producer(s) of the Year - Spencer Cheyne, Brett Kissel, Justin Kudding, Bart McKay, Matt McKay, Luke Wooten for “We Were That Song,” by Brett Kissel
Hunter Brothers:
- Group or Duo of the Year - Hunter Brothers
- SiriusXM Rising Star - Hunter Brothers
- Interactive Artist or Group of the Year - Hunter Brothers
And:
- The Slaight Music Humanitarian Award for 2018 - The Country Thunder Humboldt Broncos Tribute Concert (RECIPIENT).
- Interactive Artist or Group of the Year - Tenille Arts
- Music Director of the Year, Medium Or Small Market - Cal Gratton, CJVR-FM Melfort
- Country Music Program or Special of the Year - Canadian Coast to Coast, Fabmar Communications
Also congrats to nominees for Video Director of the Year with Saskatchewan artist connections:
- Gavin Michael Booth for “Born and Raised,” Hunter Brothers; “Slide Over”, Tim Hicks; “Sombrero,” Scotty James, “Those Were The Nights,” Hunter Brothers; “You Get To Me,” River Town Saints
- Ben Knechtel for ”Chills,” James Barker Band; “Drive Me Away,” Jess Moskaluke; ”Hometown Kids,” The Reklaws
- Joel Stewart for “All About Her,” Paul Brandt; “In Comes The Night,” Bobby Wills; “Kill Your Love,” Jess Moskaluke, “Past The Past,” Jess Moskaluke
The 2019 Country Music Week and CCMA Awards will be hosted by Calgary AB, September 5-8 (www.ccma.org).
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*Album of the Year is presented to the act for a Canadian country album, released to the public within the eligibility period. Consideration is given to all aspects of the project including market impact (sales, radio spins, YouTube views), artistic performance, production, design, art layout and liner notes.
**Recording Studios of the Year is presented to a Canadian recording establishment that facilitates the production of Canadian country music product released within the eligibility period.
