Canadian Country Music Association Announces Recipients For 2012 Slaight Music Humanitarian Award and Hank Smith Award of Excellence
June 26, 2012
Canadian Country Music Association® Announces Recipients For
2012 Slaight Music Humanitarian Award and Hank Smith Award of Excellence
Female country artist Tenille rewarded for efforts alongside voice of country music Larry Delaney
(Toronto, ON) June 26, 2012 - The Canadian Country Music Association is honoured to announce the recipients for the 2012 Slaight Music Humanitarian Award and the Hank Smith Award of Excellence. Recognizing a young woman who has one of the biggest hearts in country music, the Slaight Music Humanitarian Award will be presented to 2011 CCMA Award nominee, Tenille. Receiving the Hank Smith Award of Excellence is Larry Delaney who will be recognized for his efforts as the editor/publisher of Country Music News for 33 years.
As the founder of the annual music event 'Big Hearts for Big Kids', Tenille has single-handedly created, organized and executed one of the largest fundraising events in the city of Grande Prairie, raising $194,000 since its inception in 2010. Proceeds raised by this annual event benefit Sunrise House, the only youth emergency shelter north of Edmonton which would have been forced to close its doors if it weren't for Tenille's incredible fundraising efforts.
"I would like to congratulate Tenille on receiving the 2012 Slaight Music Humanitarian Award," said Gary Slaight, President & CEO Slaight Communications. "This Award celebrates artists who take it upon themselves to improve the lives of others and what Tenille has been able to accomplish at such a young age is inspiring and hopefully an inspiration for others."
"It has been a life changing experience being a part of this event and watching Grande Prairie come together through the power of music to make a difference for kids my own age in our community," said Tenille. "I am incredibly grateful to all of the sponsors, volunteers, audiences, and artists who have participated. The entire family of Canadian Country Music is one made of many "Big Hearts"- it is truly inspiring to be involved in the industry. Thank you so much to the Canadian Country Music Association and Slaight Music for the opportunity to receive this award. I am beyond honoured."
Recipient of the 2012 Hank Smith Award of Excellence, Larry Delaney, is 'the voice of country music in Canada'. Inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996, and eleven-time recipient of the CCMA Person of the Year Award, Larry Delaney is best known as the Publisher and Editor of Country Music News. Promoting Canadian country music, songwriters, and artists has always been Delaney's first priority, which has proven to create great exposure for country artists over the years.
"It is such an honour to be receiving this award from the Canadian Country Music Association," said Larry Delaney. "My goal has been to enjoy, promote and educate the public about all of the fantastic Canadian country artists that we have in this wonderful country. When we began Country Music News I had envisioned a publication that would highlight Canadian artists and the fantastic music that they were producing. I am thrilled to be a part of the country music industry and would like to thank the Canadian Country Music Association for this prestigious award."
Both award recipients will be celebrated at the 2012 CCMA Gala Awards presentation, which takes place at an industry only event on September 8th in Saskatoon. For more information about the CCMA Awards of Achievement, PotashCorp Country Music Week or the 2012 Canadian Country Music Association Awards, please visit www.ccma.org.
About Tenille
A gifted singer and songwriter with a huge charitable heart, 18-year-old Tenille has become an unstoppable force in Canadian country music. In 2011, she was awarded Alberta's Female Artist of the Year and also nominated at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards as the youngest ever Female Artist of the Year. Tenille's proudest achievement to date; however, has been founding, organizing, and hosting Big Hearts for Big Kids, a fundraiser that has raised more than $194,000 in the past three years for Grande Prairie's Youth Emergency Shelter Society- the Sunrise House. Tenille has also contributed to fundraising efforts for Slave Lake, Haiti, Canadian Cancer Relays, The Wounded Warriors Foundation, and she will be spending part of her summer with the Tim Horton Children's Foundation, sharing her joy of music with the kids at the Kananaskis camp. With a new radio single on the way, and an exciting schedule of upcoming events, Tenille has found time to finish her graduating year of high school and is currently working with Nashville producer Fred Mollin on her sophomore album, to be released in early 2013.
About Larry Delaney
Larry Delaney helped establish Capital Country News, an Ottawa-based Canadian country music publication, which launched nationally in 1980. In 1982 the publication underwent a name change to Country Music News, with Larry Delaney taking the helm as Editor/Publisher. During its long history of serving the Canadian country music industry, artists and fans, Country Music News effectively balanced its coverage of the legends of the past alongside the stars of today and the future. Many Canadian country music artists received their first-ever 'Cover Story' in Country Music News, while upcoming artists were provided with their first-ever print exposure at the national level. In addition to the many feature stories, album reviews and unique articles written and published in Country Music News, Larry Delaney, has also long been recognized as a Canadian country music historian. His extensive music collection and research material continues to provide the Canadian country music industry with a valuable reference source.
About Slaight Music
Slaight Music is a music company started by Gary Slaight and Derrick Ross with the mandate to support and enhance the Canadian music community through various initiatives, and to develop Canadian talent via strategic partnerships with industry peers.
About the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA)
Established in 1976, the CCMA® is committed to ensuring the growth of Canadian country music through education, communication, information, promotion and recognition. Core to the organization's efforts is Country Music Week - an annual event that heightens awareness and increases exposure for Canada's country artists. A culmination of Country Music Week the Canadian Country Music Association AwardsTM were inaugurated in 1982 and continue to celebrate the music and artists that represent Canada's unique culture.
