Shania nets four CCMAs
CALGARY (CP) — The Canadian Country Music Awards had a solid dose of Shaniamania on Monday as the sultry songstress won four awards, but fan favourite Terri Clark was named entertainer of the year.
Shania Twain, nominated eight times in seven categories, picked up honours for best female artist, video, album and top-selling international album for Up!
“I really don’t feel deserving of this,” said the native of Timmins, Ont., who has now collected 23 CCMAs in her career. “I never dreamed that I’d ever be here. It seems so many great things have happened to me over the years, I just want to say thank you.”
But Alberta-born Terri Clark provided the most emotion of the night, scoring an upset over Twain for the top entertainer award.
“I can’t believe this — you guys are awesome!” shouted Clark as she jumped up on stage and bowed to the crowd of 7,500 at the Pengrowth Saddledome.
It was the third straight year Clark has won the award, the only one voted on by country music fans. It was the fourth time Clark has won the entertainer’s award, tying the record held by k.d. lang.
Clark also captured top single for the spunky I Just Wanna Be Mad, which topped international country charts earlier this year. Clark appeared stunned when her name was announced and the crowd jumped to its feet.
“This song has meant so much to me,” said Clark, wiping away tears. “To all the mad women out there, I appreciate this.”
Twain, who now lives a Swiss mansion with her producer husband Mutt Lange, paid tribute to the talents of the other nominees.
“There is so much humility in this room tonight — there don’t seem to be any airs and I love it,” she said. “There is so much talent here and I’m so proud.”
Newcomer Aaron Lines, whose debut single You Can’t Hide Beautiful cracked the U.S. top five, won best male artist and the rising star.
“I want to thank Shania for not being up for this award,” said Lines of Fort McMurray, Alta.
The SOCAN song of the year went to Rocket Girl, written by Jason McCoy and recorded by Manitoba indie band Doc Walker. The song, which was the last track added to Doc Walker’s breakthrough album Curve, was earlier named best independent song.
“This is a big surprise,” said McCoy, who wrote the tune after watching the movie October Sky, about a teenager whose love of rockets helps him to escape his coal-mining roots.
Doc Walker was also named top independent group on Sunday when artists not signed to major record labels were honoured. Gil Grand was best independent male artist and Lisa Brokop picked up the female independent award for the second year in a row.
On Sunday, Doc Walker was also named top independent group.
Twain’s Up, which has sold more than a million copies in Canada alone, has been an international sensation. It was the first album in five years for Twain, who retreated from the limelight to have a baby after the phenomenal success of Come On Over, which sold 35 million copies worldwide.
Twain presented a lifetime achievement award to folk legend Sylvia Tyson, noting that her songwriting abilities paved the way for other Canadian women.
“Thank you, Shania, I promise not to kiss you,” said Tyson, referring to the open-mouthed liplock between Madonna and Britanny Spears at the recent MTV awards.
Emerson Drive, which has lost several members since its first album scored two Top 5 releases in the United States, was named best group.
Sean Hogan of Sania, Ont., won best roots artist over East Coast heavyweights like Great Big Sea and Jimmy Rankin.
“I’m wearing my good-luck boots, I got married in them,” said Hogan. “I guess I should wear them more often.”
The Say Hay benefit concerts in Edmonton and Calgary, which raised about $2 million for drought-stricken prairie farmers last fall, were named the country event of the year.
Gil Grand was best independent male artist and Lisa Brokop picked up the female independent award for the second year in a row.
The awards show, hosted by Calgary crooner Paul Brandt, was broadcast on CBC television and on CMT in the United States.
CCMA WINNERS:
Fans’ Choice Entertainer: Terri Clark
Single: I Just Wanna Be Mad, Terri Clark
Album of the year: Up, Shania Twain
Song: Rocket Girl (written by Jason McCoy/Denny Carr, recorded by Doc Walker)
Video: I’m Gonna Getcha Good, Shania Twain
Top-selling album: Up, Shania Twain.
Female artist: Shania Twain
Male artist: Aaron Lines
Group or duo: Emerson Drive
Roots artist or group: Sean Hogan
Rising star: Aaron Lines
Independent male artist: Gil Grand
Independent female artist: Lisa Brokop
Independent group or duo: Doc Walker
Independent song: Rocket Girl, Doc Walker (Jason McCoy/Denny Carr)
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