CCMA AWARDS INDEPENDENT ARTISTS
AT COUNTRY MUSIC WEEK 2005

Calgary - (September 12) The CCMA "Gala Dinner" held this evening included the awarding of several Independent Artists in three categories for 2005. The Independent Awards are handed out during this exclusive industry event that seats over 1000 members of the entertainment community from across Canada, for a celebration of achievement for many areas of the industry, including the rising stars of the Independent sector.

The awards, sponsored by Galaxie, CBC's Continuous Music Network, included a gift to artists of $3,000.00 in recognition of their win in either Male, Female or Group categories. The following artists were awarded Sunday during the ceremony:

Independent Female Artist of the Year: Lisa Hewitt
Independent Group or Duo of the Year: The Corb Lund Band
Independent Male Artist of the Year: Aaron Pritchett

Independent Song of the Year was also announced and for 2005 went to "You Still Own Me" (written by Philip Douglas, Noah Gordon & Johnny Reid; recorded by Johnny Reid).

The final CCMA Awards will be handed out Monday night at the Pengrowth Saddledome, broadcast by CBC Television with encore presentations by CMT Canada. The show will also be broadcast in the U.S. on GAC, and in Australia on CMC.

-30-

For information on this release please contact:

Aimée Hill, Publicist
2005 CCMA Awards & Country Music Week
780-497-4548
hilla@macewan.ca