George Canyon, Road Hammers, Carolyn Dawn Johnson Big CCMA Winners

George Canyon photo courtesy of Universal South

Carolyn Dawn Johnson photo courtesy of Equity Records

September 12, 2006--The Canadian Country Music Awards showcased some of Canada’s biggest country stars at Harbour Station in Saint John, New Brunswick on Monday night. The evening started off with a bang as The Road Hammers pounded out their current single, "Girl on the Billboard", before taking home CCMAs for Video of the Year and Group or Duo of the Year. Performances from George Canyon and Carolyn Dawn Johnson were followed by their wins for Male and Female Artist of the Year, with George also picking up the award for Single of the Year. Self-proclaimed "scruffy" Albertan Corb Lund performed with his band the title track from what was awarded that evening’s Album of the Year. Corb Lund also won Roots Artist of the Year.

In an unprecedented event, this year’s Chevy Trucks Rising Star of the Year winner Johnny Reid walked away with not only the award but also a 2007 truck, courtesy of the presenting sponsor.

The annual Kraft Cheez Whiz Fans’ Choice Award, voted on by fans from coast to coast was presented on stage by the Ultimate Fan contest winner to Terri Clark, who set yet another new record this year by winning for the sixth time.

Fans were also treated to performances by Aaron Lines, Emerson Drive, Amanda Wilkinson, Aaron Pritchett & Tyler Connelly and East Coasts Great Big Sea.

Highlights from this year’s broadcast included a touching tribute to Hall of Fame Inductee Brian Ahern by international superstar Anne Murray. Anne was also on hand to present her manager Bruce Allen with the Leonard T. Rambeau International Award of Achievement. Michelle Wright and Brad Johner took to the stage for a special tribute celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Canadian Country Music Association, singing a collection of songs from the past including one from this year’s Hall of Fame Artist Inductee, the late Terry Carisse.

This year’s CCMA show was broadcast live on GAC. A full listing of CCMA Awards winners is below.

2006 CCMA Award Winners

Kraft Cheez Whiz Fans’ Choice Award: Terri Clark

Single of the Year: "Somebody Wrote Love" (George Canyon, Universal Music Canada)

Album of the Year: Hair In My Eyes Like A Highland Steer (Corb Lund, Stony Plain Recording Co. Ltd.)

SOCAN Songwriter(s) of the Year: Brett James, Hillary Lindsey & Gordie Sampson for "Jesus, Take The Wheel" by Carrie Underwood

Video of the Year: East Bound and Down by The Road Hammers

Female Artist of the Year: Carolyn Dawn Johnson

Male Artist of the Year: George Canyon

Group or Duo of the Year: The Road Hammers

Roost Artist or Group of the Year: Corb Lund

Chevy Trucks Rising Star Award: Johnny Reid

Leonard T. Rambeau International Award: Bruce Allen

Hall of Fame Induction, Builder: Brian Ahern

Hall of Fame Induction, Artist: Terry Carisse

2006 CCMA Independent Award Winners
Independent Female Artist of the Year: Patricia Conroy

Independent Group or Duo of the Year: The Poverty Plainsmen

Independent Male Artist of the Year: Johnny Reid

Independent Single of the Year: "Missing An Angel" by Johnny Reid, Open Road/Universal

Independent Record Company of the Year: Open Road Recordings

2006 CCMA Industry Award Winners

Booking Agent of the Year: Julien Paquin, Paquin Entertainment

Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year: Ron Sakamoto, Gold & Gold Productions Ltd.

Country Club of the Year: Ranchman’s Restaurant, Calgary, AB

Album Design of the Year: Hair In My Eyes Like A Highland Steer, Dustin Delfs & Jeff Sylvester (Corb Lund)

Website of the Year: georgecanyon.com, Wendy Gilmour (George Canyon)

Video Director of the Year: Margaret Malandruccolo (Crybaby, Carolyn Dawn Johnson)

Recording Studio of the Year: The Armory Studio, Vancouver, BC

Country Festival, Fair or Exhibition of the Year: Big Valley Jamboree, Camrose, AB

Music Director of the Year (Major Market) : Dawn Woroniuk, CJWW, Saskatoon, SK

Top Selling Album: The Legend of Johnny Cash by Johnny Cash

Manager of the Year: Ron Kitchener (Corb Lund/Doc Walker/Jason McCoy/The Road Hammers)

Record Producer(s) of the Year: Joel Feeney & Gil Grand (Somebody’s Someone, Gil Grand)

Music Publishing Company of the Year: Universal Music Publishing Group

Major Record Company of the Year: Universal Music Canada

Record Company Person of the Year: Ron Harwood, Universal Music Canada

2006 CCMA Broadcast Award Winners

Country Music Program or Special of the Year: George Canyon’s Christmas, CMT

Radio Station of the Year Major Market: CFCW, Edmonton, AB

Radio Station of the Year Secondary Market: KICX-FM, Midland, ON

On Air Personality(s) of the Year (Major Market) : The Odd Squad, Doug, Robyn, Dan, CKRY-FM, Calgary, AB

On Air Personality(s) of the Year (Secondary Market) : Roop & Carey, KICX-FM, Midland, ON

Hall of Fame Induction, Broadcaster: Curley Gurlock


2006 CCMA All Star Band Winners

Drums: Chris Sutherland (Doc Walker)

Bass: John Dymond (Lisa Brokop)

Guitar: Jason Barry (Jason Blaine, Aaron Lines, Charlie Major)

Keyboards: Dale Wallace (Emerson Drive)

Fiddle: David Pichette (Emerson Drive)