Public Events

CCMA Rock'n Country Cabaret

Billed as a night for the 18+ crowd, this event will take place on the same stage as CCMA FanFest and will alternate local talent with well-known, national country acts. This is a public event; however, delegates will have access with their delegate badges.

CCMA Seminars

If you are looking to learn, listen up! Country Music Week has more to offer than great music; this is where some of the most innovative and accomplished figureheads offer their advice to those looking to make a name for themselves in country music. Whether you're an artist, songwriter, radio personality or simply want to broaden your skill set, be sure to take in some of our acclaimed seminars lead by experts in their field and you might just find yourself hosting a seminar of your own one day! CCMA Seminars are open to both registered Country Music Week delegates and individual ticket holders.

CCMA Songwriters' Café

It's impossible to ignore possibly the greatest aspect of country music and what makes it such a resonant genre - the songwriting! The Songwriters' Café celebrates the penning of original tunes and introduces you to some new and familiar faces behind the music we love. This three-day, acoustic in-the-round performance is sure to inspire and evoke some strong emotions in all of us. So stop by for a listen and you'll surely be glad you did. The Songwriters' Café presents non-established artists selected by a national jury process as well as some established songwriters and features some of our best talent in the field of songwriting.

CCMA Discovery Showcase

Of course, what country music event would be complete without hearing from a few of our up and coming stars? The CCMA Discovery Showcase brings together 6 of our country's most promising talent selected through a rigorous, nationwide jury selection process and the intensity of the method pays off well in the impressive acts that rise to the top! For many artists, this performance opportunity is all it takes to open the door to a record or management deal and this is your opportunity to witness their emergence. Just one of Country Music Week's talent showcases, the CCMA Discovery Showcase promises entertainment, great music and a few surprises along the way.

CCMA FanFest

Avid country music fans will be delighted by the stellar line up boasted at CCMA FanFest, a free larger than life festival held at the Prairieland Park in honour of our biggest and brightest country music stars and the fans that hoisted them to the top. FanFest itself has something for every level of fan from the die-hard album-wielding devotees to the entry-level music lovers who are looking for something new, not to mention the new and exciting KidZone for the younger crowd. Between song laden performances, merch stands, food vendors and numerous autograph and photo opportunities, this is a must attend event for even the most reserved of country music fans. CCMA FanFest is open to all, free of charge! 

CCMA All-Star Band Awards

Let's not forget those hard working musicians who spend hours on end perfecting their skills behind the scenes to make our artists sound good onstage, in the studio and on your favorite album. After an elaborate evening of commemoration, slip into something more comfortable and party with the best of the best in the world of musicianship at the All-Star Band Awards. If all Awards have been handed out and you're still ready for more, stick around for the star-studded jam session where you'll hear some of the best songs and collaborations of the week. The CCMA All-Star Band Awards is open to both registered Country Music Week delegates and those who have purchased a ticket; limited tickets will be available for public purchase.

CCMA Great Guitar Pull

If you've ever pondered the penning of some of the greatest hits that country music has to offer, look no further, the Great Guitar Pull will put your mind at ease! This truly unique collaborative performance is filled with some of the biggest names in country music songwriting and will let you in on the inspiration behind some of the most equally famous songs. The only thing better than hearing your favourite songs performed as they were originally intended to be heard in an intimate, acoustic in-the-round setting is hearing the stories behind these hits. This musically flavourful performance is always a Country Music Week treat that will certainly leave you wanting more every time. The CCMA Great Guitar Pull is open to both registered Country Music Week delegates and those who have purchased a ticket; limited tickets will be available for public purchase.

CCMA Awards

The final installment in our series of Awards ceremonies is also the biggest; the televised CCMA AwardsShow brings together the most current names in Canadian country music for an evening full of award presentations, star performances and special guest presenters with lots of 'moments' to remind you of what you're celebrating. Catch a glimpse of your favourite stars as they attend the ceremony or take the stage to perform and hopefully accept an award. This is the moment everyone has been waiting for, so take a seat and enjoy the show! This event is open to the public, with tickets available online and through all Ticketmaster locations. Registered Country Music Week delegates will receive a ticket for entrance within their delegate packages.

Private Events

CCMA Industry Opening Reception

Start the ball rolling at Canadian country music's biggest week by attending the CCMA Industry Opening Reception and you won't be disappointed. A 'family reunion' for industry aficionados, the Opening Reception is only a taste of what lay ahead in the four jam-packed days of everything country, so jump right in! This is the chance for long-time or newly proclaimed country music enthusiasts to reunite or connect for the first time over an evening of drinks, snacks and the very thing everyone's gathered to celebrate, country music. The CCMA Industry Opening Reception is a private event for delegates and invited guests.

CCMA Round Tables

There really is nothing more informative and intimate for the knowledge-thirsty country crusader than a CCMA Round Table session. With eight tables, each featuring two affluent industry professionals, there's no telling whose endless expertise you might benefit from. The CCMA roundtables present the advice of experts in various areas, from radio to record production and beyond, in a comfortable environment that invites everyone to take advantage of years of experience and the wisdom that these pros have to offer.

CCMA Industry Lunch & Awards

The first of four Award ceremonies, the Industry Brunch recognizes some of Canada's most deserving industry professionals in the areas of radio, retailer, album design, video director and record producer among other achievements. Always accompanied by great food and the promise of some enjoyable entertainment, (both musical and comical) the brunch is enough to get anyone up early enough to witness some of the industry's key players and participants acknowledged for all the hard work that they put into making country music an enticing market for all. The CCMA Industry Lunch & Awards is an industry only event and is not open to the public.

CCMA Gala Cocktail Reception

With all the anticipation that the Gala Dinner brings, it's no wonder that the preceding cocktail reception brings about such a buzz. The preemptive mixing and mingling of industry elite over drinks provides only a taste of the celestial celebrations to follow, not to mention that both the imminent ceremony and meal will be out of this world! The CCMA Gala cocktail Reception is open to registered delegates and invited guests; tickets are available for purchase by industry only.

CCMA Gala Dinner & Awards

The CCMA Gala Dinner & Awards continues the trend of distinguishing those who make country music great and displaying our appreciation for their efforts. This event is our most enchanting and formal event of the week, so be sure to iron your best shirt and put on your best dress for this evening of glamour and glitz. Mingle with everyone from high profile agents to high-charting artists and honour the achievements of them all. The CCMA Gala Dinner & Awards is open to registered delegates and invited guests; tickets are available for purchase by industry only and include access to the CCMA Gala Cocktail Reception.

CCMA Post Awards Reception

After the music has stopped and the awards have all been given out, join us in toasting this year's award winners and nominees at the CCMA Post Awards Reception. Again, great food and drinks make a welcomed appearance in addition to many artists and industry professionals, so make sure you have your ticket ready because the room fills fast! This event wraps up a year in country music and is the perfect conclusion to the week's festivities, promising to be an evening you'll surely never forget . . . until next year. The CCMA Post Awards Reception is open to registered delegates and invited guests; tickets are available for purchase by industry only and will be limited.

So join us for the best week in the country - Country Music Week!

All photos courtesy of Grant W. Martin Photography.