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Carolyn Dawn Johnson tops at country awards
RELATED LINKS
· Canadian Country Music Association
· List of award winners
CALGARY (CP) — There was nothing complicated about Carolyn Dawn Johnson's dominance Monday night at the Canadian Country Music Awards.
The Alberta-born singer-songwriter took five awards, including single and SOCAN song of the year for Complicated, one of two No. 1 hits in Canada from her debut album, Room with a View.
"Wow," said the Nashville-based Johnson, who took an unprecedented 10 nominations into the ceremony, but had never before won an award for her own performing.
"I hope I keep making you proud," she told the audience, her voice quavering with emotion.
Prior to the awards, Johnson fretted that with her family attending the ceremony, she'd hate to go home empty-handed.
She needn't have worried. As it was, she took an armful of trophies.
She was honoured as top female artist of the year and rising star. Room with a View, which has topped Canada's country charts and cracked Billboard's Top 10 country list, was named top album.
Fellow Albertan Terri Clark won the fans' choice award as top entertainer. Clark's video No Fear, a tribute to the Special Olympics, was named best video.
In the evening's most emotional moment, dozens of special Olympians waving Canadian flags joined Clark on stage when she performed the song. Many were caught off guard when Clark presented her trophy to a young mentally disabled girl, saying: "This is for all of you."
"I'm so glad No Fear was seen as a song of inspiration," said Clark, who co-wrote the tune with Mary Chapin Carpenter.
Clark was shaking after being named the fans' choice.
"I've had a trying time the past few months — personally and professionally — and you still love me," said Clark, who earlier this year was arrested in Nashville on a charge of drunk driving. She pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of reckless driving.
Ontario's Jason McCoy was male artist of the year, while top group honours went to the Wilkinsons, the family trio from the Trenton, Ont., area, who were hosting the show.
Cape Breton fiddling sensation Natalie MacMaster, who was Grammy-nominated for best traditional folk album, was named the best roots artist — the first time Canadian country music has honoured the genre.
The awards show included a tribute to legendary singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, who was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Association's Hall of Fame.
"His work has characterized a nation and is held dear by its people," said Anne Murray, who recorded Lightfoot's Cotton Ginny.
An understated Lightfoot said he has been surprised at the length of his career: "When I first started out, I wasn't sure how long it would last. Now it's become quite simple — do it as long as I can."
Veteran Lisa Brokop took home two awards — best independent female artist and independent song of the year for Something Undeniable.
Duane Steele was named independent male artist, while the Poverty Plainsmen took home independent group.
Faith Hill's Breathe was named the top-selling album in Canada.
Edmonton's high-school heart-throb Adam Gregory, who was up for four awards, went home empty-handed.
also: try the CCMA site. at
www.ccma.org