CCMA AWARDS OVERVIEW

Each year, the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) honours its members who have excelled during the past year, with a Canadian Country Music Association Award.

The CCMA Awards are voted upon by the membership* in a three stage ballot process; during the first of which, potential Candidates who have released product within the eligibility period and meet the criteria outlined in the Rules & Regulations, are brought forward for consideration and nominated by the voting membership through a ‘write-in’ ballot. The Second Ballot presents the top ten eligible contenders, as verified by the Awards and Balloting Committee, who have received the most votes in each category to be voted upon for the Third (and final) Ballot, which contains the top five contenders in each category, who become the final five nominees.

Click here to view the Rules & Regulations for the CCMA Awards Program.

Should you have an idea for a potential new CCMA Award category, please contact Alannah Cruickshank at the CCMA office at [email protected] or at 416-947-1331 ext. 214. Click here to review the CCMA Award Category Submission Form.

* Only CCMA Members who have renewed before May 1 may vote; this process does not apply to Fans’ Choice, Top Selling Album of the Year, Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year, and Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year, all of which have their own unique selection process (see 2023 CCMA Awards Rules & Regulations for details).

AWARD CATEGORIES

ARTIST AWARDS (15 AWARDS)

  • Entertainer of the Year (Award #1)
  • Album of the Year (Award #2)
  • Fans’ Choice (Award #3)
  • Female Artist of the Year (Award #4)
  • Group or Duo of the Year (Award #5)
  • Musical Collaboration of the Year (Award #6)
  • Male Artist of the Year (Award #7)
  • Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year (Award #8)
  • Alternative Country Album of the Year (Award #9)
  • Single of the Year (Award #10)
  • Songwriter(s) of the Year (Award #11)
  • Top Selling Album of the Year (Award #12)
  • Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year (Award #13)
  • Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year (Award #14)
  • Video of the Year (Award #15)

MUSICIAN AWARDS (7 AWARDS)

  • Bass Player of the Year (Award #16)
  • Drummer of the Year (Award #17)
  • Fiddle Player of the Year (Award #18)
  • Guitar Player of the Year (Award #19)
  • Keyboard Player of the Year (Award #20)
  • Specialty Instrument Player of the Year (Award #21)
  • Steel Guitar Player of the Year (Award #22)

RADIO AWARDS (3 AWARDS)

  • Country Personality(ies) of the Year (Award #23)
  • Radio Station of the Year (Large Market) (Award #24)
  • Radio Station of the Year (Medium or Small Market) (Award #25)

INDUSTRY AWARDS (15 AWARDS)

  • Booking Agency of the Year (Award #26)
  • Country Club of the Year (Award #27)
  • Country Festival, Fair or Exhibition of the Year (Award #28)
  • Country Music Program or Special of the Year (Award #29)
  • Management Company of the Year (Award #30)
  • Music Publishing Company of the Year (Award #31)
  • Record Company of the Year (Award #32)
  • Industry Person of the Year (Award #33)
  • Creative Team or Designer of the Year (Award #34)
  • Recording Studio of the Year (Award #35)
  • Record Producer(s) of the Year (Award #36)
  • Retailer or Commercial Platform of the Year (Award #37)
  • Ron Sakamoto Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year (Award #38)
  • Video Director of the Year (Award #39)
  • Innovative Campaign of the Year (Award #40)

KEY DATES

Eligibility Period:

The current eligibility period for the 2023 CCMA Awards Program is March 1, 2022 through to April 30, 2023, with the exception of Single of the Year, Top Selling Album of the Year, Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year and Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year, whose current eligibility periods are increased to January 1, 2022 through to April 30, 2023.

First Ballot:
Opens Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. ET – Closes Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. ET

Second Ballot:
Opens Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. ET – Closes Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. ET

Third and Final Ballot:
Opens Thursday, July 13, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. ET – Closes Wednesday July 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. ET