New Brunswickers hit Vancouver for the CCMA's
Published Thursday September 24th, 2009
There was a strong Maritime presence in Vancouver for the 2009 Canadian Country Music Awards, including New Brunswickers. One former New Brunswick resident even nabbed an award.
Phil O'Donnell, from Norton, was chosen as one of the producers of the year for his work on Tara Oram's debut CD Chasing the Sun. Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Chris Perry and Murray Pulver also won for production on that album. Oram won the Rising Star award. Damian Marshall, who was also produced by O'Donnell, was also nominated for Rising Star. Another one of O'Donnell's co-productions, the Craig Morgan song Bonfire has made it into the top 20 country songs in America.
One of O'Donnell's competitors in the producer category was Jason Barry, from Derby Junction in the Miramichi region. Barry was also competing against himself, as he was nominated twice in the category, once for work with Diane Chase and once for the debut from Sussex's Darren McGinnis, What's Your Story?
"We had a blast playing for the citation awards," Barry wrote to me. "Willie Mack, Darren McGinnis, Wendall Ferguson and Shane Chislom on that show."
Barry took part in a panel discussion, answering questions about album production. He also hit the EMI Music party with Terri Clark and Shane Yellowbird and played guitar with his old friend Jason McCoy. Clark did work on her new album in Barry's studio and he is currently producing Yellowbird's next CD.
Barry was backstage at the beginning of the televised awards show, then went into the audience.
"Now that's the way to watch the show," he said. "I'm always watching it from the monitors backstage, might as well stay home, eh?"
Then it was off to the Ole Music Publishing party, where most of the musicians from the awards show turned up to jam.
"A real wonderful week all in all, Canada's talent pool is very impressive."
A previous CCMA winner, Barry had five nominations this year.
Darren McGinnis said he landed about 10:30 p.m. Thursday night, settled in and then hit the festivities, taking in some songwriting showcases. He was also part of showcase for new artists, so he went to the sound check and was amazed by the renowned musicians in the band.
"By the time I took to the stage, it was 11:30, then I realized it was 3:30 back home and I'd been up 25 hours."
This was McGinnis' third time at the CCMA's after attending in Calgary and Saint John. His goal this time was to hit a lot of seminars. He had an opportunity to meet radio personalities he had done phone interviews with, and was glad they can now put a face to his songs.
McGinnis found Vancouver had many breathtaking views, and prices that take your breath away as well. He performed at the All-Star Band Awards and went to the gala dinner hosted by George Canyon. Sunday was a quiet day until it was time to head out to the televised awards show. He said he had great seats close to the stage and was surrounded by a lot of other people from New Brunswick and sat next to a Cap-Pelé native, recording artist Melanie Morgan. He also ran into Julian Austin a few times, and met Shane Yellowbird. He really wanted to meet Dean Brody, but didn't manage it this year.
McGinnis' new single I'll Find Me Another, which he co-wrote with Duane Steele, is released later in September.
Morgan performed in the songwriter's circle and at the gala dinner, where she sang her current single Good-bye Birmingham. She has videos and picturess of her time in Vancouver posted on her Facebook profile.
Snowbird Jammers in Petitcodiac
On Sunday October 4, C Company will be presenting the Snowbird Jammers Country and Western Oldies but Goodies Show at the Petitcodiac Legion. There are 22 Snowbird Jammers, who spend the winter months in Arizona, coming for the show. Tickets are $5 and showtime is 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Valley Jamboree
The Valley Jamboree is going to hit Riverview on Saturday September 26. Now running over 20 years in Sussex, the show comes to Riverview Arts Centre and features Gary and Tammy Morris; Ivan and Viviain Hicks; Mavis O'Donnell; Shelby Murray; Larry Mattson; Heather Morton; Dale Butland; Geraldine Charters; Cheryl Ellis; Susan Layton; Sylvia Campbell; Jaylee Hebert and Norma Gale. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door and can be purchased at Sobey's and Jean Coutu on Coverdale Road in Riverview and Frank's Music in Moncton or online at www.RiverviewArtsCentre.ca
* NB Country is a regular This Week feature about New Brunswick country music and performers. If you have an idea for a future NB Country column, contact Tony McGarrigle at kingscountycountry@yahoo.com.
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