Each year, the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) honours its Members who have excelled during the past year, with a Canadian Country Music Award (Award). The Awards are handed out each fall during Country Music Week. This document highlights the rules and regulations of these Awards.

Click here to view the Rules & Regulations for the Canadian Country Music Association Awards.

The Canadian Country Music Association Awards Awards are voted upon by the membership* in a three ballot process, during the first of which, potential candidates who have released product within the eligibility period and meet the criteria outlined in the Rules & Regulations, are brought forward for consideration and nominated by the voting membership through a 'write-in' ballot. The second ballot presents the top ten eligible contenders, as verified by the Awards and Balloting committee, who have received the most votes in each category to be voted upon for the third and final ballot, which contains the top five contenders in each category, who become the final five nominees.

* Only Industry, Corporate or Lifetime members who have renewed before April 30 may vote; this process does not apply to Fans' Choice, Top Selling Album and Top Selling Canadian Album, all of which have their own unique selection process (see 2011 Rules & Regulations for details)

Award Categories

Artist Awards

• Album Of The Year
• CMT Video of the Year
• Fans' Choice Award
• Female Artist of the Year
• Group or Duo of the Year
• Male Artist of the Year
• Rising Star Award
• Roots Artist or Group of the Year
• Single Of The Year
• Songwriter(s) of the Year
• Top Selling Album of the Year
• Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year

Industry Awards

• Album Design of the Year
• Booking Agency of the Year
• Country Club of the Year
• Country Festival, Fair or Exhibition of the Year
• Management Company of the Year
• Music Publishing Company of the Year
• Record Company of the Year
• Record Company Person of the Year
• Record Producer(s) of the Year:
• Recording Studio of the Year
• Retailer of the Year
• Ron Sakamoto Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year
• Video Director of the Year
• Website of the Year

Broadcast Awards

• Country Music Program or Special of the Year
• Music Director of the Year (Major Market)
• Music Director of the Year (Secondary Market)
• On-Air Personality(ies) of the Year (Major Market)
• On-Air Personality(ies) of the Year (Secondary Market)
• Radio Station of the Year (Major Market)
• Radio Station of the Year (Secondary Market)

All Star Band Awards

• Bass
• Drums
• Fiddle
• Guitar
• Keyboards
• Special Instruments
• Steel Guitar

Awards of Achievement

• Slaight Music Humanitarian Award
  
  This Award recognizes a person(s) and/or event(s) that have made an outstanding contribution of time and energy in the support of humanitarian causes through country music in Canada.

• Leonard T. Rambeau International Award
  
  This Award recognizes someone who has demonstrated extraordinary effort in assisting the aims and initiatives of the Canadian country music industry internationally (Named in honour of Leonard T. Rambeau in 1995).

• The Hank Smith Award of Excellence
  
  This Award recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond in contributing his or her time and talents behind the scenes for the advancement of Canadian country music (Named in honour of Hank Smith in 2003).

Key Dates

April 30: Membership Deadline - Membership must be renewed by April 30 to receive voting rights

Early May* : First Ballot opens

Late May *: First Ballot closes

Mid June*: Second Ballot closes

Mid July*: Second Ballot closes

Late July *: Third Ballot opens - Press conference announcing final nominees; 3 weeks to close

Mid August *: Third Ballot Closes

September*: Winners are announced at Country Music Week during the Industry Brunch, Gala Dinner, All Star Band Awards and the Canadian Country Music Association Awards.

* exact date varies each year