Alberta's Country Music Community Celebrates 15th Annual Awards Nominees
The vibrant country music scene in Alberta is gearing up for a major celebration as the nominees for the 15th annual Country Music Alberta Awards have been officially announced. This prestigious event highlights the exceptional talent emerging from the province, showcasing both established musicians and exciting new voices in the industry.
Leading the Pack with Multiple Nominations
At the forefront of this year's nominations is Brayden King, who has received an impressive five nominations. His recognition spans several categories, demonstrating his versatility and impact on the Alberta country music landscape. King is nominated for:
- Horizon Male Artist of the Year
- Horizon Single of the Year for "Good Ones"
- Horizon Album of the Year for "Stayin' Wild"
- Interactive Artist of the Year
- The fan-voted Fans' Choice Award
Matching King's five nominations is Drew Gregory, who has earned recognition for his work across multiple categories. Gregory's nominations include Horizon Single of the Year for "One for the Road," Horizon Album of the Year for the same title, Songwriter(s) of the Year for "Work in Progress," Video of the Year for "One for the Road," and the Fans' Choice Award.
Strong Contenders with Four Nominations Each
Close behind with four nominations apiece are two notable Alberta artists. Calgary-based singer-songwriter Mariya Stokes has received nominations for Horizon Single of the Year for "F**k Pretty," Horizon Album of the Year for "Mood Ring," Songwriter(s) of the Year for "F**k Pretty," and Visual Creative of the Year. Chevy Beaulieu has also secured four nominations, including Horizon Male Artist of the Year, Horizon Single of the Year for "If We Want To," Songwriter(s) of the Year for "Give a Damn," and Video of the Year for "If We Want To."
Artist of the Year Categories Feature Top Talent
The Female Artist of the Year category showcases a diverse array of Alberta's finest country musicians. This year's nominees include:
- Hailey Benedict
- Shawnee Kish
- MacKenzie Porter
- Noeline Hofmann
- Lindsay Ell
- Tenille Townes
Meanwhile, the Male Artist of the Year category features several prominent names in Alberta country music. The nominees for this prestigious award are:
- Dan Davidson
- Aaron Goodvin
- Brett Kissel
- Gord Bamford
- Kyle McKearney
Group or Duo of the Year Highlights Collaborative Excellence
The Group or Duo of the Year category recognizes the collaborative spirit that thrives in Alberta's country music community. Among the nominees are The Road Hammers, featuring Chris Byrne, Jason McCoy, and Clayton Bellamy. They are joined by The Prairie States, Thelma & James, and High Valley, all of whom have made significant contributions to the province's musical landscape.
Celebrating Alberta's Musical Heritage
Tom Barker, President of Country Music Alberta, expressed his enthusiasm for this year's nominees, stating, "The talent coming out of Alberta right now is incredible. This year's nominees truly represent the heart, grit, and passion of our country music community, and we couldn't be more excited to celebrate them as we head into our 15th annual awards."
The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 22 at the Edmonton Convention Centre. The event will be co-hosted and feature performances by Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Dan Davidson, both of whom are celebrated figures in Alberta's country music scene.
This year's nominations reflect the depth and diversity of talent within Alberta's country music industry, showcasing artists who are making significant contributions both locally and nationally. The 15th annual Country Music Alberta Awards promises to be a memorable celebration of the province's rich musical heritage and its promising future.
