Canyon
top male artist
By CHRIS MORRIS The Canadian Press
SAINT
JOHN, N.B. — The rocking country group Road Hammers
pounded their competition as the Canadian Country Music Association
honoured its brightest stars at a gala awards show Monday
night.
The
band’s hard-driving mix of country, rock and blues earned
its three members top group award for the second consecutive
year.
The
group, fronted by Toronto resident Jason McCoy, also won video
of the year.
The
wins are icing on the cake for the Hammers, who collected
a Juno in April for country recording of the year.
The
annual awards ceremony started off with a bang as the Road
Hammers performed their current single Girl on the Billboard
before a packed house in Saint John.
Performances
by Nova Scotia’s George Canyon and Alberta’s Carolyn
Dawn Johnson were followed by their wins for male and female
artist of the year, with Canyon also picking up the single-of-the-year
award for Somebody Wrote Love.
For
Canyon, 35, it is a continuation of the enormous success he
has enjoyed since he catapulted to fame almost three years
ago as runner-up on the American country talent show, Nashville
Star.
Prior
to his discovery on the Idol-type show, Canyon struggled for
14 years for recognition.
Last
year at the Canadian Country Music Awards, Canyon stole the
show with four big wins, including the coveted fan’s
choice as top entertainer.
This
year, the Kraft Cheez Whiz Fans’ Choice Award, voted
on by fans from coast to coast, was won by Montreal-born Terri
Clark, who grew up in Medicine Hat, Alta.
Clark,
a singer and songwriter known both for her soft ballads and
rocking country tunes, set a record by winning the award for
the sixth time.
Albertan
Corb Lund and his band performed the title track from Hair
In My Eyes Like A Highland Steer, which was named album of
the year.
Lund
also won roots artist of the year.
This
year’s Chevy Trucks Rising Star of the Year winner,
Johnny Reid, walked away not only with the award but also
a 2007 truck, courtesy of the presenting sponsor.
Reid
also won two major independent artist awards, including top
male artist and best song, Missing an Angel.
The
two-hour show, broadcast on CBC, featured a whirlwind of live
performances by an all-Canadian cast of performers.
No
big-name U.S. groups were available for the show because of
9-11 commemorative events in the United States.
The
show will be aired on country networks in the United States
and Australia.
It
is the first time in 20 years that the awards show has been
held on the East Coast. Regina will play host next year.
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