Dallas Smith Crowned CCMA ‘Entertainer Of The Year’

Dallas Smith was the big winner at the 2021 CCMA (Canadian Country Music Association) Awards in London, Ontario earlier this week. He took home four trophies, including the coveted ‘Entertainer of the Year’ (for the third consecutive year) as well as ‘Male Artist Of The Year’, ‘Top-Selling Canadian Album of the Year’ for Timeless and ‘Single of the Year’ for Like A Man.

Brett Kissel won three awards for ‘Fans’ Choice’, ‘Country Music Program or Special of the Year’ and ‘Live Innovation Award’, a new award handed out this year to celebrate a live, virtual event or concert series that strove to continue to celebrate live Canadian country music during the global pandemic. His single Make A Life, Not A Living also took home the ‘Video Of The Year’ Award – which you can watch here as a former Song of the Day.

Tenille Townes and sibling duo, The Reklaws were each awarded two awards. Townes for ‘Female Artist of the Year’ and ‘Album of the Year’ for The Lemonade Stand, and The Reklaws for ‘Group or Duo of the Year’ and ‘Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year’ for Can’t Help Myself with Dean Brody, respectively.

Robyn Ottolini not only made her performance debut, but earned her first CCMA Award win for ‘Rising Star’. Patricia Conroy and Randy Stark were also inducted into the 2021 Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.

The artist awards were handed out over two nights – the Music Industry and Gala Awards, held on Sunday November 28, and the main 2021 CCMA Awards broadcast show, held on November 29.

The two-hour CCMA Awards show included performances from Smith, Tenille Arts, Tim Hicks, MacKenzie Porter, Dustin Lynch, Don Amero, Lindsay Ell, Ottolini, Townes, Jess Moskaluke, The Reklaws featuring Sacha, Tyler Joe Miller, JoJo Mason, and High Valley, with virtual appearances by Walker Hayes, Thomas Rhett and Chris Stapleton.

Co-hosted by Ell and Canada’s Drag Race champion Priyanka, who also performed her current single Country Queen, presenters included Bryce Montgomery, Luke Evangelista and Brett Brochu (London Knights), The Washboard Union, Steven Lee Olsen, Ty Hunter (Hunter Brothers), Shawn Austin, Andrew Hyatt, among others.

Before the Awards, Ell said, “Ever since I was a little girl, I have dreamed about being a part of the CCMAs in a big way. To be co-hosting this year with Priyanka is such an incredible honour and I am so proud to be a part of CCMA history because of it. As Priyanka has said to me many times, country music is so beautiful, and we are both big fans.”

The Music Industry and Gala Awards, hosted by Amero, Mason and Moskaluke, also featured a strong line-up of performers, including Jade Eagleson, Genevieve Fisher, Aaron Goodvin, Corb Lund featuring Katie Rox and Brandi Sidoryk (Nice Horse), Sacha, and Tim and The Glory Boys.

Here is the full list of 2021 CCMA Awards winners:

Entertainer Of The Year

Dallas Smith

Album Of The Year

The Lemonade Stand– Tenille Townes

Fans’ Choice

Brett Kissel

Female Artist Of The Year

Tenille Townes

Group Or Duo Of The Year

The Reklaws

Interactive Artist Or Group Of The Year

Lindsay Ell

Male Artist Of The Year

Dallas Smith

Rising Star

Robyn Ottolini

Single Of The Year

Like A Man- Dallas Smith

2021 CCMA Music Industry Gala Dinner + Awards Presented By Music Canada Winners

Drummer of the Year
Matthew Atkins*
Ben Bradley*
*Tie

Fiddle Player of the Year
Tyler Vollrath

Specialty Instrument Player of the Year
Mitch Jay

Creative Director(s) of the Year
Bronwin Parks, Emma-Lee
Album: Everbound, Stage Banner (Artist: The Washboard Union)

Country Music Program or Special of the Year
Brett Kissel: Live At The Drive-In – BAK 2 BAK Entertainment Inc, Backroad Productions

Management Company of the Year
MDM Artist Management Services

Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year presented by Music Canada
Timeless – Dallas Smith

Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year
Can’t Help Myself – Dean Brody & The Reklaws

Recording Studio of the Year
MCC Recording Studio – Calgary, AB

Music Publishing Company of the Year presented by CMRRA
Warner Chappell Music Canada

Music Director of the Year (Medium or Small Market)
Paul Ferguson – CHCQ – FM Belleville, ON

Music Director of the Year (Large Market)
Amanda Kingsland – CKBY-FM – Ottawa, ON

Ron Sakamoto Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year
Paul Biro – Sakamoto Agency

Interactive Artist or Group of the Year
Lindsay Ell

Booking Agency of the Year
Sakamoto Agency

Industry Person of the Year presented by MNP
Brianne Deslippe – Vice President, International – Big Loud Records

Country Personality(ies) of the Year
Jennifer Campbell – CIKZ – FM

Radio Station of the Year (Medium or Small Market)
CHCQ – FM – Bellville, ON
CKGY – FM – Red Deer, AB
*Tie

Radio Station of the Year (Large Market)
CFCW – Edmonton, AB

Alternative Country Album of the Year
Agricultural Tragic – Corb Lund

Record Company of the Year presented by MRC Data
Warner Music Canada

Songwriter(s) of the Year presented by SOCAN
Patricia Conroy, Ester Dean, Andrew DeRoberts, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Shane McAnally, Madeline Merlo, Tina Parol, Hillary Scott, Ryan Tedder, Dave Thomson — “Champagne Night”

Record Producer(s) of the Year
Danick Dupelle
(Sometimes I Don’t, But Sometimes I Do, Tyler Joe Miller)

Retailer of the Year
Apple Music

Video Director of the Year
Stephano Barberis

PRS Guitars Video of the Year
Make A Life, Not A Living – Brett Kissel

Live Innovation Award
Brett Kissel: Live At The Drive-In

Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award
CP Holiday Train

CCMA Hall of Fame Inductions
Patricia Conroy (Artist Inductee)
Randy Stark (Stan Klees Builder)

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Image: Supplied