Emerson Drive, Terri Clark Bolster Canadian Awards

Emerson Drive photo courtesy of Splash Public Relations.

July 31, 2008 — Emerson Drive, Terri Clark and "My Heart Has A History" singer Paul Brandt are among the anchors on the nominations list for the 2008 Canadian Country Music Awards, released yesterday.

Paul, who had a pair of American hits in 1996, grabbed five nominations, according to the Canadian Country Music Association’s official tally. Emerson Drive received two, while several individual members were also tabbed as finalists in instrumental fields: Mike Melancon, drums; Dale Wallace, keyboards; and David Pichette, fiddle. Terri — slated to host the show Sept. 8 in Winnipeg, Manitoba — competes for Female Artist of the Year among such other acts as Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Crystal Shawanda, nominated twice on the ballot.

"It feels great to be nominated again this year in the group category," Emerson Drive vocalist Brad Mates says. "Each year, we are excited to go back home and catch up with our fellow artists and, of course, the fans."

Also listed in various CCMA categories are the Wilkinsons and Aaron Lines, who’ve had American hits in the last decade; and the Road Hammers, currently the subject of a GAC series.

Additionally, five American titles are in the running for Top Selling Album, a non-voting category: Carrie Underwood’s Carnival Ride; Robert Plant & Alison Krauss’ Raising Sand; Reba McEntire’s Reba Duets; Taylor Swift; and Garth Brooks’ The Ultimate Hits.

Among the artists who’ve already committed to perform on the show are Emerson Drive and Dierks Bentley, who has good reason to be headed north of the border. Deric Ruttan, who co-wrote Dierks’ hits "Lot Of Leavin’ Left To Do" and "What Was I Thinkin’," is nominated three times as an artist.