Sask. Country Music Awards show moving to TV and online format, due to COVID-19 precautions

“These are challenging times and therefore we need creative solutions,” SCMA president Wes LaBrash said, adding people will now still be able to see Saskatchewan’s best county, roots and gospel music talent honoured but in a virtual setting.

He said no one knows how long the COVID-19 situation will go on for. If it continued until the summer the association looked at possibly postponing the show until October, but that would move into the time voting would start for the next year’s awards show so “the timing got a little close.”

LaBrash said the board of directors wanted to continue to hold the awards show in the spring and didn’t want to cancel the event and just announce the winners via a press release because to do that wouldn’t do enough justice for “all the great talent we have who put their hearts and souls into their music every year.”

“We wanted to make sure they had an opportunity to receive their awards with some proper profile to get them an opportunity to be on TV. The virtual awards was the only way to do that without violating the rules against mass gatherings,” he said.

The virtual show will include performances by SCMA artists, including past winners and current nominees. LaBrash said the segments for the show will be pre-recorded so artists can perform wherever they are located in advance.

The organizers are still confirming the details with the artists who will perform in the show, which will be announced later.

Anyone who pre-purchased tickets for the event originally scheduled for Regina in April can have their tickets refunded. LaBrash said as another option some people may also wish to donate the cost of their ticket to the non profit organization, as some others have done, to show their support for the organization.

LaBrash said the association is still trying to see if it can hold its showcases and workshops as individual events later in the year.

Matt Ryan, on-air announcer/programming with Saskatchewan Country 102.3 CJNS, who is nominated for two awards this year, On-air personality for a secondary market, and Country music person of the year, said he is glad the awards show will still be able to take place, with the virtual media making that possible.

“I think it’s super cool, with technology we’re still able to put on an awards show that is going to be very unique,” Ryan said, who will also co-host the event. “I really think this is a good idea; I’m looking forward to seeing how it all comes together. I’m very thankful to be part of the SCMA and the great group of people. Although we all wish we could celebrate all the accomplishments and hard work together, I know at some point we will be able to do that again but this is the next best thing.”

Here is the list of the 2020 SCMA Awards Nominees:

Fans Choice Entertainer of the Year

The Trudel Family
Tenille Arts
Hunter Brothers
Samara Yung
Amy Nelson
Justin LaBrash

According to the SCMA, the winner is selected by voting conducted through an online balloting system operated from the SCMA website, with the general public invited to each submit a single ballot. This award has no jury review process.

Female Artist

Samara Yung
Amanda Hagel
Stephanie Rose
Tenille Arts
Amy Nelson

Male Artist

Chris Henderson
Justin LaBrash
Brock Andrews
Alex Runions
Brody Siebert

Group/Duo of The Year

Scarecrow
Hunter Brothers
Aces Wyld
Munro & Patrick
The Trudel Family

Single of The Year

Lost – Hunter Brothers
Save Some of That Whiskey – Jess Moskaluke
Northern Lights – Hunter Brothers
Swerve – Samara Yung
Mad Crazy Love – Tenille Arts

The single that has the highest amount of spins throughout the eligibility period as reported by Trax Report will receive this award, according to the SCMA.

Songwriter(s) of the Year

Chris Henderson and Troy Kokol – Bad Memory (Performed by Chris Henderson)
Doug Sylvester, Jesse Weiman, Scott Patrick & Lane Shields – Lake Days (Performed by Lane Shields)
J.J. Voss, Mike Plume -Some People (Performed by J.J. Voss)
Tenille Arts, Alex Kline & Allison Veltz -Somebody Like That (Performed by Tenille Arts)
Alex Runions & Chris Burke-Gaffney – Heartland (Performed by Alex Runions)
Brody Siebert, Aaron Goodvin & Larry McCoy – Goodbye Drunk (Performed by Brody Siebert)

Album or EP of the Year

Point of View – Chris Henderson
Sending Heart Shaped Snowflakes for Christmas – Various Artists
State of Mind – Hunter Brothers
Good Intentions – Amy Nelson
Brody Siebert – Brody Siebert

Video of the Year

Way Crazy – Justin LaBrash (Directors: Francois DeNysschen, Brad Pederson, Andrew Sorsdahl)
Silver Lining – Hunter Brothers (Director: The Edde Brothers)
Some People – J.J. Voss (Director: Joel Stewart and Pre-Historic Productions)
Somebody Like That – Tenille Arts (Directors: Stephen & Alexa Kinigopoulos)
Goodbye Drunk – Brody Siebert (Director: Jody Weiman, Strike Films )

Emerging Artist of the Year

Jordyn Pollard
The North Sound
Tayler Tluchak
Stephanie Rose
Topher Mils
Lane Shields
L.J. Tyson

Interactive Artist or Group of the Year

Justin LaBrash
Samara Yung
Hunter Brothers
Lisa Moen
Tenille Arts
Amy Nelson

Roots Artist of the Year

The North Sound
Jay and Jo
Tommy John Ehman
Larry Krause
J.J. Voss

Music Festival of the Year

Country at the Creek
Country Thunder Saskatchewan
Chester Fest
Hillbilly Boogie
Ness Creek Music Festival

Music Venue of the Year

The Happy Nun Cafe, Forget, SK
Hank’s Tavern, Bradwell, SK
The Bassment, Saskatoon, SK
Longbranch Good Times Beverage Company, Saskatoon, SK
E.A. Rawlinson Centre, Prince Albert, SK

TV, Radio or Online Show of the Year

Pure Mornings with Chase and Lindsay ( Pure Country 92.7 FM Regina)
Pickin’ It Country (CJTR Regina)
Made in Canada (CJWW Saskatoon)

Country Music Person of the Year

Matt Ryan
Chris Henderson
Hal Schrenk
Brett Browatzke
Lisa Moen

Radio Station of the Year – Major Market

Saskatoon – CJWW 600 (600 AM)
Regina – 620 CKRM (620 AM)
Saskatoon – 92.9 The Bull (92.9 FM)
Prince Albert – Saskatchewan Country CKBI (900 AM)
Regina – Pure Country 92.7 (92.7 FM)

Radio Station of the Year – Secondary Market

Assiniboia – Cat Country 98.1 (98.1 FM)
Melfort – FM Country CJVR (105.1FM)
North Battleford – CJNB 1050 (1050 AM)
Swift Current – CKSW 570 (570 AM)
Yorkton – GX94 (940 AM)

On Air Personality of the Year – Major Market

Lindsay May – Pure Country Regina
Reg Wilke – CJTR Regina
Greg Krienke – 92.9 The Bull Saskatoon
Jay Richards – CJWW 600 Saskatoon
Jason Lee – CJWW 600 Saskatoon

On Air Personality of the Year – Secondary Market

Matt Ryan – CJNS Meadow Lake
Cal Gratton – CJVR-FM Melfort
Ken Landers – MBC Radio LA Ronge

Music Director of the Year – Major Market

Trevor Chikowski
Jason Lee

Guitar Player of the Year

Jordan Toppings
Scott Patrick
J.J. Hunter
Graeme Trudel
Topher Mils

Bass Player of the Year

Curt Chobot
Brandon Ziola
Rob Ehman
Jesse Dawson
Luke Hunter

Drummer of the Year

Jayson Brinkworth
Mike James
Aaron Pritchard
Dusty Hunter
Darcy Deschambault

Keyboard Player of the Year

Jordan Toppings
Steve Gerein
Amy Nelson

Record Producer of the Year

Bart McKay
Hal Schrenk
Jesse Weiman

Recording Studio Of the Year

Bart McKay Productions
Big Bang Studios
Nolita Studios

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

by Angela Brown