TORONTO — The Reklaws lead the artist categories for this year’s Canadian Country Music Association Awards.
Organizers say the Cambridge, Ont.-born sibling duo of Jenna and Stuart Walker have six nominations, including entertainer of the year, Amazon Music & Alexa Fans’ Choice and single of the year for “Where I’m From.”
Next with five nominations apiece are Dallas Smith of Langley, B.C., and Alberta artists Lindsay Ell and Brett Kissel.
Smith will be vying for categories including fans’ choice, entertainer of the year and Ford F-150 album of the year for “Timeless.”
Calgary-born Ell’s nominations include female artist of the year and album of the year for “Heart Theory” while St. Paul-born Kissel is a contender in categories including male artist of the year and album of the year for “What Is Life?”
An in-person, indoor bash will be presented by TD at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont., and broadcast live Nov. 29 on Global.
The artist nominations were announced Wednesday in livestreams on the official YouTube page of Global entertainment program “ET Canada.”
There are also nominees in industry, musician and radio categories. A full list is at ccma.org.
The CCMA recently announced a vaccination policy for all Country Music Week 2021 events,which include the Songwriters’ Series, Fan Village, CCMA Legends Show and a CCMA Awards red carpet.
Attendees including performers, presenters, their teams and guests must be fully vaccinated.
The organization says members who are not yet fully vaccinated have until Nov. 12 to receive their second dose.
Last year’s show was a multicity production filmed in Toronto and Nashville weeks before it was broadcast.
Kisselwas one of the big winners with three awards, including album of the year for “Now or Never.” He also earned an award before the broadcast, bringing his tally to four.
The CCMA Awards are voted upon by the membership.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2021.
Victoria Ahearn, The Canadian Press
