Carolyn Dawn Johnson Joins Growing List of Canadian Stars

GAC Music Beat

By Ronna Rubin

Canadian country music singer/songwriter Carolyn Dawn Johnson.

Sept. 4, 2006—When it comes to the creation of country music stars, Canada is second only to the United States. Recording artists including Anne Murray, Shania Twain, Terri Clark, Paul Brandt and Carolyn Dawn Johnson all hail from the great white north and have enjoyed successful careers courtesy of contracts with US-based record labels.

This year's Canadian Country Music Awards—airing on GAC at 7 pm ET, Monday, Sept. 11—marks the 30th anniversary of the Canadian Country Music Association. The federally-chartered nonprofit, professional trade organization's purpose is to preserve and further develop Canadian country music.

This year's telecast will include performances by the likes of Michelle Wright, Aaron Lines, Amanda Wilkinson, George Canyon and Carolyn Dawn Johnson. Johnson, a multiple nominee as well as a past winner of more than a dozen CCMA awards, will perform her new single, "Taking Back My Brave."

"The CCMAs are like coming home for me," the Alberta-born artist says. "I feel like it's a chance to spend time with my fellow Canadian artists and appreciate the talent that comes from our country."

The rise of country music in Canada can be traced to the 1920s, when the genre first became popular in parts of Ontario, British Columbia and the maritime provinces. Seems these particular regions shared similar traditions with the Appalachian region of the US, and country music became quite popular quite quickly in these areas.

Johnson points out that a few differences still exist between mainstream country music in the US and in Canada. "It encompasses a wider range of style's," she notes. "For example, Inuit, Celtic and traditional country music can all fit within the genre."

Growing up on a farm, the 35-year-old singer/songwriter listened to all types of music. "I was influenced by singers and writers from everywhere. It wasn't just about Canadian music; we listened to it all," she says. "Some of the Canadian artists did not cross the American border, but we didn't know that. We thought everyone knew who they were. A few Canadian artists—like Michelle Wright and Shania Twain—inspired me to cross the border and try and get things going in Nashville."

Before landing her own record deal, Johnson had success writing hit songs for other artists, including Pam Tillis, Patty Loveless and SHeDAISY. Fortunately, she saved some songs for her own album and has racked up Top 10 hits like "Complicated," "Georgia" and "I Don't Want You To Go."

Johnson can also be seen on GAC's CCMA Show Preview Sunday, Sept. 10, at 8 pm ET.

(Ronna Rubin, a 21-year veteran of the music industry, can be contacted at ronna@gacmusicbeat.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)