Smith wins best song, album at CCMA Awards
Canadian country star Dallas Smith is getting used to the side effects of fame.
Smith won the Album of the Year at the CCMA Awards Sunday night at SaskTel Centre for Side Effects. And he followed that up with single of the year for his song Autograph.
“I’m not the judge of that,” Smith said when asked if this was his best album so far.
“That’s up to my fans. I’m proud of it, but I’m also proud of the accomplishments of the other records.”
Eight awards were handed out in front of a lively live audience, which was treated to numerous performances on the night.
Male artist of the year and video of the year (I Didn’t Fall In Love With Your Hair) went to Brett Kissel.
“It was extremely important to release that song, and for it to be received this way is incredibly special,” said Kissel.
It’s been a good week for the affable Albertan.
He won interactive artist of the year the night before, his fourth in a row. Kissel makes frequent trips to the host city of Saskatoon, recording at Bart McKay Productions, which won the CCMA Award for studio of the year.
Female artist of the year went to Meghan Patrick, unseating fellow nominee Jess Moskaluke of Langenburg, Sask., who’s won three years in a row.
Patrick said she started taking voice lessons after doing a school musical as an 11-year-old.
“Since I started doing that, I can’t remember ever wanting to do anything else,” Patrick said, clearly delighted with her win.
Dean Brody won songwriter of the year for Time and the fan’s choice award. He also won best selling Canadian single of the year for Bush Party.
The Road Hammers — Jason McCoy, Clayton Bellamy and Chris Byrne won group of the year, their fourth since forming in 2004.
“I don’t think it ever gets old. We were all rubber legged and flabbergasted when they called our names,” said Bellamy.
Paul Brandt, inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, said that being in country music and Canadian country music “is an honour and a privilege and a sacred opportunity.”
The awards show was the kicker to four busy days at PotashCorp Music Week, featuring numerous songwriting circles, the Legends Concert featuring Ian Tyson, invitation-only parties and fan events like the John Deere Green Carpet and pre-show concert outside SaskTel Centre. It was Saskatoon’s second hosting experience after the CCMA Awards made their debut in 2012.