The 31st annual Canadian Country Music Awards were held last night in Edmonton, and country singer Gord Bamford, who was the front-runner in nominations, took home five trophies.
Bamford picked up three 2013 CCMA Awards for “Album of the Year,” “Single of the Year,” and “CMT Video of the Year,” winning five awards in total having previously shared a win earlier in the week with Buddy Owens and Ray Stephenson for “Songwriter(s) of the Year,” and with Byron Hill for “Record Producer of the Year.”
Dean Brody won the award for “Male Artist of the Year,” while Kira Isabella, who took home last year’s CCMA Rising Star accolades, won “Female Artist of the Year.” This year’s Rising Star was given to newcomer Bobby Wills, while The Stellas were also recognized as Group or Duo of the Year.
The 2013 CCMA Awards Broadcast brought together Canadian country musicians with performances by Bamford, Autumn Hill, Jason Blaine, Brody, Chad Brownlee, George Canyon, Emerson Drive, Tim Hicks, High Valley, Isabella, Brett Kissel, Deric Ruttan, Small Town Pistols, Tebey, Dallas Smith, and Wills.
Multi-Platinum artists The Band Perry, Hunter Hayes, and Darius Rucker were also there and performed live, with Hayes and Rucker also presenting awards.
Photo: Gord Bamford