Twain tops bill at Canadian Country Music Awards
TORONTO (CP) -- Shania Twain is the hottest thing going in Canadian country and her eight nominations for the 1998 Canadian Country Music Awards certainly help underline that fact.
But there are other Canadian artists swiftly gaining recognition, among them Minesing, Ont., native Jason McCoy, who picked up six nominations, including best album and single.
"It's a big surprise," McCoy says of being the runner-up nominee. He's had a nomination before -- in the CCMA's rising star category -- but never the winner's hardware.
This year, he hopes that'll change.
"We've been to the wedding before but never as the bride," says McCoy.
The Canadian country music industry owes much to Twain, whose popularity around the world has helped attract young fans and opened the doors for a whole raft of young country stars.
The 32-year-old superstar from Timmins, Ont., has sold more than four million copies of her latest album, Come on Over. She's a household name, one of the few country artists ever to be splashed across the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
That kind of publicity certainly doesn't hurt other Canadian country artists hoping to make a name for themselves, McCoy says.
"It's definitely been a slow build for me over three years. People like Shania doing well in the United States has certainly helped us," says McCoy, who will be a featured performer at the televised awards gala Monday, Sept. 14 (CTV, 8 p.m. ET) at Calgary's Jubilee Auditorium.
Just having Twain at the show will attract the kind of attention other country artists can only dream of, McCoy says.
"Looking at things like major newspapers, the Sun, the Star, the Calgary Herald, they're calling us for an interview because they want to go through the nominees for entertainer of the year -- that's the big one," McCoy says. "In that respect it's a big boost."
There are many not-so-well-known names vying for that spotlight.
Last year's rising star award winner, Julian Austin, landed five nominations this year.
Rising star award nominations this year went to Chris Cummings, Gil Grand, Bruce Guthro, Beverley Mahood and Rick Tippe -- all newcomers.
Tracey Brown, a longtime veteran who grew up performing with the Family Brown and Prescott Brown, says she's pleased to see the annual awards show gaining prominence as Canadian stars rise on the international stage.
"It's so nice to know that it's finally being recognized," says Brown, who's nominated alongside Twain for best female vocalist for her first solo album Woman's Work.
"We fought long and hard. I've been going to these things since they started in '76 -- I've been there every year. It's nice that it's finally happening," says Brown.
How does she feel about being up against Twain -- not to mention this year's host, Terri Clark and Michelle Wright and Lisa Brokop?
"It was just astounding to get in there," says Brown, who was surprised to get the nomination.
"It's a real vote of confidence from your peers that they respect you and they like what you're doing. That means a lot."
Twain is also up for awards for top album, single, song, video and vocal collaboration, and is cited in the fan's choice category. Her eighth nomination is in the best-selling country albums category, where Come on Over was the only Canadian entry recognized by the association.
Other best-album nominees were Charlie Major for Everything's
Alright, Paul Brandt for Outside the Frame, McCoy for Playin' for
Keeps, and Austin for What My Heart Already Knows.
Best single nominations were given to McCoy for Born Again in Dixieland, Brokop for How Do I Let Go?, Austin for Little Ol' Kisses, Guthro for Walk This Road and Twain for You're Still the One.
Nominees for male vocalist of the year were Austin, Brandt, Grand, McCoy and Duane Steele.
This year's best group award will be a contest between country award perennials Blue Rodeo, Prairie Oyster and Thomas Wade and Wayward and rookies Leahy and Farmer's Daughter.
The awards, which top off the annual industry conference, Canadian Country Music Week, give artists a chance to catch their breath and evaluate the past year in Canadian country music.
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