Check out all of the entries here

Winners

1. Mandi Lang
2. Tara Menzies
3. Morgan Reid
4. Keith Bertrand
5. Lauryn Dingwall
6. Tanya Hnatyshyn
7. Robyn Schwarz
8. Jaycee Doyle
9. Ron Post
10. Sarah MacDonald

Delivering Canadian fans the best in country music for 30 years, the 2012 CCMA Awards will include performances by some of the most celebrated artists in the industry. Two of the most nominated artists at the 2011 CCMA Awards, Dean Brody and Deric Ruttan, are scheduled to perform while newly added Country Music superstars Miranda Lambert and Pistol Annies are sure to have country fans of all ages dancing in their seats to an epic performance, featuring the expressiveness in Lambert’s unmistakable voice and the sass of Pistol Annies.

The 2012 Canadian Country Music Association Awards will honour Canada’s finest country artists and fans should tune in for what are sure to be some of the most memorable performances of the year.

To learn more about the 2012 CCMA Awards and the CCMA, please visit www.ccma.org. The 2012 CCMA Awards nominees will be announced on Wednesday, July 18. Be sure to follow the excitement on twitter at @CCMAAwards (#countrynightincanada) and on Facebook at Canadian Country Music Association.

Tickets for the Canadian Country Music Association Awards are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.ca or charge by phone at 306.938.7800. Tickets are priced at $45, $75 and $90 (including all taxes and service charges) and are going fast so get yours today!

About Dean Brody

Dean Brody has become one of Canada’s brightest country stars to watch. In 2011, his sophomore album, Trail In Life, garnered three 2011 CCMA awards including Album of the Year along with a JUNO Award nomination. Brody has just released his highly anticipated third album, Dirt, on April 24 that debuted at #1 on the iTunes Canadian Country Album Chart. His first hit single off the album, “Canadian Girls,” gained Brody top praises, becoming the first Canadian country single to reach #1 since 2008 on the Nielsen BDS Canadian Country Singles Chart.

About Deric Ruttan

Deric Ruttan, has enjoyed great success as a singer and songwriter, in Canada and internationally, receiving multiple nominations for the 2011 Canadian Country Music Awards including Male Artist, Songwriter and Single of the Year. Ruttan’s song ‘Up All Night’, from the Juno-nominated (Country Album of the Year) album, Sunshine, was the most-played Canadian country single of 2010. In 2011, he released a live album, Up All Night – Deric Ruttan Live.

About Miranda Lambert

International Country Superstar Miranda Lambert made history when Four The Record debuted at Number 1 making her the first artist in the 47-year history of the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart to have all four of their first four albums debut at that spot. Lambert is country’s reigning female vocalist of the year, as bestowed by both the Country Music Association (for the second straight year) and the Academy of Country Music. She’s won the album of the year award from both organizations, as well – from the ACMs for her second record, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and from the CMAs and ACMs for her third, Revolution. Miranda also won the “ACM Album of the Year” Award this year for Four The Record. She received the top country female vocal performance honor at the most recent Grammy Awards for “The House That Built Me.” Miranda has been named one of People magazine’s Most Beautiful People and one of Maxim’s Hottest Women of Country.

About Pistol Annies

As most country fans know by now, the Annies are the all-gal trio that Lambert formed with friends Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley. Having made their official debut in April 2011 on national television via the Academy of Country Music’s Girls Night Out special on CBS, Pistol Annies have since been accompanying Lambert on her solo dates. “Hell on Heels” is both the title track and first single from Pistol Annies’ recently released album which debuted at No.1 on the country sales chart and in the pop top 10 in the U.S. and has been certified U.S. Gold for sales in excess of 500,000.

About the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®)

Established in 1976, the CCMA® is committed to ensuring the growth of Canadian country music through education, communication, information, promotion and recognition. Core to the organization’s efforts is Country Music Week – an annual event that heightens awareness and increases exposure for Canada’s country artists. A culmination of Country Music Week, the Canadian Country Music AwardsTM were inaugurated in 1982 and continue to celebrate the music and artists that represent Canada’s unique culture.

About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages, plus seven languages for international audiences. In 2011, CBC/Radio-Canada is celebrating 75 years of serving Canadians and being at the centre of the democratic, social and cultural life of Canada.

Costco Halifax is located at 230 Chain Lake Drive.

Dean will perform an acoustic set and sign copies of his new album, DIRT for the first 200 people in line*.

*Must be a costco member to attend.

Available in stores & online now.

Buy it on iTunes (Includes Digital Booklet)
Buy CD from the Dean Brody Online Store

By Jennifer Laraway – http://metronews.ca/

Even when he talks, Dean Brody’s words swirl out of his mouth with a hint of calculated rhythm.

He has that perfect mix of sensualism and shyness to his voice, even though he claims not to warm up his vocals before a performance.

Even while interviewing him, I can’t help but wonder, ‘Is that your real voice? Or do you just put that on for the ladies?’

Either way, his distinct singing style has become a calling card that has his latest record, Dirt, being one of the most anticipated albums of the year.

The first single, appropriately named Canadian Girls, hit the #1 spot on the Canadian country charts, making Brody the first Canadian artist to reach the top spot since Terri Clark in 2008.

The album also features a playful song called That’s Your Cousin that pokes fun at Brody’s small-town roots.

“The inspiration for the song came when my sister and I were out walking and discussing how some of the families have been here for generations. I said you better be careful who you date,” teases Brody, who says his album inspiration came from everything as simple as dirt to complicated relationships.

“It blends altogether because that’s life,” says Brody. “Sometimes there are tough times, sometimes there are funny times. Everyone can relate to that.”

Where Brody breaks the genre mould is by infusing heavy rock inspiration from his favourite bands, including Guns N’ Roses.

He’s hoping the strategy will serve him well on the upcoming Canadian tour.

“I really want to connect with our broadening fan base and take country in directions it hasn’t gone.”

Changing things up helps Brody to keep things fresh. “I think I’m ADD with my writing, so I switch things up to keep from getting bored,” he says.

But, perhaps what satisfies him most is when he’s about to take the stage.

“You go from zero to a hundred in about 30 seconds. It’s a huge rush.”

To see Brody perform, catch him April 27 from 4 – 6 p.m. at the Lammle’s store in West Edmonton Mall. You can also win your way in to the CISN Country 30th birthday bash headed by Brody. For more information, visit deanbrody.com.

Pre-Order ‘DIRT’ on iTunes
‘DIRT’ available in stores & online April 24, 2012, featuring the #1 single ‘Canadian Girls.’

Accolades

- Recently won album of the year, songwriter of the year and single of the year at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards.
- His album Trail In Life was also nominated for Country Album of the year at the 2011 Juno Awards.
- In 2011, he was the most played Canadian country artist and the fifth most played country artist overall.

The chat will be hosted on Country 105 and CISN Country 103.9 websites.

Country 105: http://www.country105.com/DeanBrody/index.aspx
CISN Country 103.9: http://www.cisnfm.com/DeanBrody/index.aspx

Dean Brody on CMT Canada Tuesday April 24th

1:00 PM EST:
Dean Brody: Spotlight

6:00 PM EST:
Naked: Dean Brody

6:30 PM EST:
XM Sessions: Dean Brody

Dean will also be on ‘Employee of the Week’ airing May 5, 2012. Check CMT’s schedule for the air-times in different areas:
www.cmt.ca/schedule