At Canada Country Aircheck we work hard each week to provide the industry with a quality magazine and daily newsletter that is full of information we can all use. While we put some spotlight on the stars of today our main focus is the emerging indie artists. We have been offering this service for five years now and our reach is big within the Canadian country industry. In fact we were just given an award by Constant Contact the All Star Award for • Level of engagement with email campaigns • Open, bounce, and click-through rates • Use of social sharing features We have many areas that are well read including our cover story, DMDS Report and one of our most popular areas is our Listening Room. As you can imagine this this a great deal of work and we thought we would offer the following: 1. A complete feature in the listening room with a link to the listen file, a picture and story of the song This would run twice over a months period. Cost $49.95 e-mail us today HERE Limited spots available
We encourage all artists to send us your news so we can keep the industry up to date with what is happening with your career. This includes news items, touring schedule or if you are doing a radio tour make sure you send us pictures. Send your news HERE Our magazine is reaching over 2,000 readers a weekand our daily newsletter is reaching over 500 daily readers five days a week. We are also working on an idea that will spotlight Indie artists and award you for all your hard work and creative talents that we will be announcing shortly. Watch for this exciting announcement. In this issue of Canada Country Aircheck we feature Brad James as our cover story, we have our top DMDS downloads for the week, we bring you what is happening in Nashville and we look at all the awards from this past weekend. We want to hear from you. E-mail us today HERE
MEET BRAD JAMES NEW SINGLE “WHISKEY” They say timing is everything Right now time is on Brad James’s side. Brad works and lives as a full time musician in the Hamilton area. He has been “paying his dues” at a punishing rate of over 200 shows a year. Brad is ready to go to the next level and it looks like 2017 is the year of the next step as he continually writes, and records new material with many of Canada’s biggest names. Sharp 9 Music is proud to introduce Brad James and his new single ‘Whiskey’ to Canadian Country Radio! Canadian Hit Music Producer Jeff Dalziel (Dan Davidson, Washboard Union, Autumn Hill, Brett Kissel, etc) delivers another outstanding Country music offering by an artist that you will be hearing much more about! Brad James is a tremendous talent that lives to play live and is constantly playing shows. With this first single ‘Whiskey’ I think you will hear why we are excited by the prospects for Brad James to become an elite Country artist. Brad is making a mark for himself with comments like “Brad James is a remarkable talent who has yet to be discovered. Everything else, the talent, the passion, the music and the personality are all there. Now it’s up to the country music industry and the rest of the world to catch up!” Randy Owen Country 107.3 “The result is an ear-pleasing, toe-tapping CD that covers all the bases when it comes the relationships,
from the apologetic ballad “Bitter” to the playful and sexy “If you like that sorta thing” through to the first single “Waitin’ on a Miracle.” The Hamilton Spectator “Brad’s got it all going for him; engaging performer, great songwriter and the girls tell me he’s easy on the eyes.” Pete Walker KX 96 “The Canadian country music up-and-comer may hail from Stoney Creek, but Brad James kicks the crap out of the 10 tracks here like his postal code is in Austin, TX…He swings and bashes hard, teasing out the songs’ hooks, snaring them in the cerebellums of the listener. This debut works fine on it’s own but also acts as aural coming attraction” London Scene “He’s solid live, very personable and committed to taking all the necessary steps to build his profile on a national level. His team, lead by Dale Penner, are committed to the task and have the experience and drive required to make this goal a reality. To quote Brad “I think my goals are pretty simple really…as things progress, I dream bigger and work harder” Randy Stark Brad James is an artist that destined for stardom and “Whiskey” is the perfect first single that we feel will climb the charts quickly. Check it out here
March 27th 1. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill “Speak To A Girl” (Sony) 2. Shane McNulty “Inside Out” (Indie) 3. Aaron Goodvin “Lonely Drum” (Warner) 4. Doc Walker “Heart of the Heartland” (Universal) 5. Chad Brownlee “Might As Well Be Me” (MDM/Dale Speaking Promo) March 28th 1. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill “Speak To A Girl” (Sony) 2. Maren Morris “I Could Use A Love Song” (Sony) 3. Lane Shields “Take The Long Way” (LR Music) 4. Nicole Rayy “Fireproof” (Indie/A. Wilson Promo) 5. Chad Brownlee “Might As Well Be Me” (MDM/Dale Speaking Promo) March 29th 1. Maren Morris “I Could Use A Love Song” (Sony) 2. Brock Andrews “Beer In Heaven” (Kazoo/L. Tutty Promo) 3. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill “Speak To A Girl” (Sony) 4. Brad James “Whiskey” (Indie/Sharp 9 Promo) 5. Lane Shields “Take The Long Way” (LR Music) March 30th 1. Brad James “Whiskey” (Indie/Sharp 9 Promo) 2. Maren Morris “I Could Use A Love Song” (Sony) 3. Brock Andrews “Beer In Heaven” (Kazoo/L. Tutty Promo) 4. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill “Speak To A Girl” (Sony) 5. Brad Sims “Maybe Tonight” (Indie/B. Martineau Promo) March 31st 1. Thomas Rhett f. Maren Morris “Craving You” (Valory/Big Machine) 2. Tim Hicks “Slide Over” (Open Road/Universal) 3. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill “Speak To A Girl” (Sony) 4. Maren Morris “I Could Use A Love Song” (Sony) 5. Ashlynne Vince “No Boys Allowed” (Indie/L. Tutty Promo)
NUMBER 1 SONG THIS WEEK Jason Aldean “Any Ol Barstool” First week at # 1
Top Can Con Song Dallas Smith “Side Effects” Moves up to # 4
New On The Charts Road Hammers “Crazy About You” Second week on Charts # 45
Most added Single This week Chad Brownlee “Might As Well Be Me”
Ones to Watch Hunter Brothers “Getaway” Aaron Goodvin “Lonely Drum” Midland “Drinking Problem” Tim McGraw & Faith Hill “Speak To A Girl”
CMA ANNOUNCES 2017 INTERNATIONAL AWARDS RECIPIENTS After a whirlwind month of international Country Music celebrations across Europe and Australia, CMA has announced the 2017 International Awards recipients. “CMA International Awards are a way to recognize our genre’s best ambassadors to fans globally. The recipients of these Awards are the ones on the front lines, continuously driving CMA’s mission to advance Country Music around the world,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. International Country Broadcaster Award – Bob Harris The International Country Broadcaster Award recognizes outstanding achievement by radio broadcasters outside the U.S. who have made important contributions to the development of Country Music in their country. A threetime CMA International Award recipient, Harris is one of the most visible proponents for Country Music abroad. As host of BBC Radio 2’s “Bob Harris Country,” the 40-year industry veteran brings CMA Awards coverage to the U.K. on the region’s most popular radio station. Harris received his Award from CMA Award winner Kristian Bush during the C2C Festival in London. Jo Walker-Meador International Award – Rob Potts Named for Country Music Hall
of Fame member and longtime Executive Director of CMA, the Jo Walker-Meador International Award recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual or company in advocating and supporting Country Music’s marketing development in territories outside the United States. Potts, one of Australia’s leading promotors, heads Rob Potts Entertainment Edge where he has been at the forefront of Country Music’s surge Down Under. He is one of the founders of the CMC Rocks festival franchise, including CMC Rocks QLD, Australia’s first soldout Country Music festival. Potts also serves as Chairman of the CMA Australian Advisory Group. Five-time CMA Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town presented Potts his trophy backstage at the
CMC Rocks QLD Festival in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award – The Shires The Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award recognizes outstanding achievements by a Country Music artist originally signed out-
side of the United States – in both furthering the popularity of Country Music and bringing attention to the Country Music format in their foreign-based territory. Comprised of Brits Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes, The Shires are among the U.K.’s most successful homegrown Country acts. Their latest album, My Universe, is the fastest-selling U.K. Country album in history, and their Gold-certified debut, Brave, was the first British Country album to hit Top 10 on the U.K. all-genre albums chart. They made their Grand Ole Opry debut in 2015. The Shires were surprised with the Award during the sold-out CMA Songwriters Series in London, which kicked off C2C weekend. International Artist Achievement Award – Carrie Underwood Formerly the International Touring Artist Award, the CMA International Artist Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who contributes to the awareness and development of Country Music outside the United States. Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award – Richard Wootton As the head of Richard Wootton Publicity, Wootton is at the forefront of the Country Music industry in the U.K. He has represented countless Country artists.
Bill Miller Sharp 9 Music Cell: 604-301-9985 Website: www.sharp9music.com
TEAGAN LITTLECHIEF “SCAR ON MY HEART” Teagan Littlechief from the White Bear First Nation (north of Carlyle, Saskatchewan) is set to release her next single “SCAR ON MY HEART” - a very personal, emotional song. “I wanted the next single to really mean something. So this is a dedication to my daddy, my momma (who has been a huge support for me and is now battling an incurable disease), my Goo Goo and Mushum, all my kukoms and a dedication to all First Nations missing and murdered women, children and men. I’m pretty sure this song will tug on your heart strings and I’m hoping you feel the power of it as I do.”
Ashlynne Vince “No Boys Allowed” Ashlynne Vince is breaking out into the Canadian Country Scene as an emerging Canadian Country artist dividing her time between Nashville, TN and her hometown of Welland, ON. Her original written music first gained recognition from the 2011 Niagara Music Awards as Ashlynne was awarded the winner for Rising Star of the Year at a young age of 13. In 2013 and 2014 Ashlynne made several trips to Nashville to record her debut self-written album “Tidal Wave” at the legendary CMT Studios. There she worked with studio engineer Rebekah Long (Cole Swindle, Stella Parton, Randy Houser) who went onto a position at The Tracking Room in the heart of Nashville’s Music Row. Rebekah invited Ashlynne (who was still in high-school at the time) to complete an internship in 2015 with her, and learn the engineering side of music to further her knowledge in the music industry and as an artist.
Nicole Rayy “Fireproof ” We are happy to see Nicole Rayy back with a new single and one we feel should see her chart well with “Fireproof ” Oakville, Ontario’s Nicole Rayy has released what many think is her best single yet! “Fireproof ” is a story of experience not only in love, but in life, proving that there is healing in endurance, eventually strengthening our will until we become, “Fireproof ”. Her last single, “Dig” from the album of the same name released last October has over 60,000 streams on Spotify. Produced by Doug Romanow ( eng. Justin Beiber, Johnny Reid) and mixed by Scott Cooke(Dallas Smith, PETRIC, Cold Creek County, Aaron Pritchett), we think you will hear and appreciate the growth in this young artist.
BRAD SIMS “MAYBE TONIGHT” “You’re never too young to chase your dream, and when you do, never give up, even when times get tough. Life is full of curvy roads, with a ton of speed bumps, but every obstacle makes you stronger. Good things DO come to those who wait, and hard work DOES pay off.” - Brad Sims Good advice from Brad and one that he lives by. Grande Prairie’s BRAD SIMS is back in the saddle with his newest release and debut EP named, “Maybe Tonight”.This single is well written with a great hook and well produced with a message that will have listeners singing along.
WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 52nd ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS™ JASON ALDEAN NAMED ACM ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR MIRANDA LAMBERT WINS FEMALE VOCALIST FOR THE EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR THOMAS RHETT WINS HIS FIRST MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR AWARD Winners have been announced for the 52ND ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS™, which aired LIVE earlier this evening on the CBS Television Network from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The industry named Jason Aldean as Entertainer of the Year, the evening’s biggest honor. This is the second consecutive win for Aldean in this category. Miranda Lambert won Female Vocalist of the Year for the eighth consecutive year, breaking her own record for consecutive wins in that category. She also won Album of the Year for The Weight of These Wings. Thomas Rhett won Male Vocalist of the Year for the first time. He was also awarded with Song of the Year for “Die a Happy Man,” win-
ning two trophies in that category as both Artist and Songwriter. Brothers Osborne won Vocal Duo of the Year. They also previously won New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year Presented by T-Mobile. Maren Morris and Jon Pardi were also previously announced winners for New Female Vocalist of the Year presented by T-Mobile and New Male Vocalist of the Year Presented by T-Mobile, respectively. Florida Georgia Line received two ACM Awards (off camera categories) for Vocal Event of the Year for “May We All” featuring Tim McGraw and Single Record of the Year for “H.O.L.Y.” ACM CEO Pete Fisher surprised the duo with these Awards at the ACM Party for a Cause: WME Bash at the Beach
event on Saturday April 1st. Little Big Town won the Vocal Group of the Year award for the third consecutive year, their fourth win in that category overall. “Forever Country” received Video of the Year Presented by XFINITY and was awarded to producers Nathan de la Rionda, Jil Hardin, Charleen Manca, Joanna Carter, Chandra LaPlume, Sarah Trahern, Damon Whiteside and Director Joseph Kahn. The show featured an unprecedented number of duos and special collaborations: 14-time ACM Award® winner and 14- time ACM Awards® host Reba McEntire and contemporary Christian artist Lauren Daigle performed “Back to God,”
Superstar duo Tim McGraw and Faith Hill performed the world television premiere of their new single “Speak To a Girl,” Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris sang “Craving You,” Cole Swindell and Dierks Bentley rocked out “Flatliner,” and Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban performed their hit single “The Fighter.” Plus Florida Georgia Line and the Backstreet Boys teamed up for “God, Your Mama & Me” followed by a powerful performance of the popular “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)”. Following is the list of winners in the 14 categories voted on by the membership: Entertainer of the Year Jason Aldean Male Vocalist of the year Thomas Rhett Female Vocalist of the year Miranda Lambert Vocal Duo of the year Brothers Osborne Vocal Group OF THE YEAR Little Big Town ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)] The Weight of These Wings – Miranda Lambert Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse, Glenn Worf
Record Labels: RCA Nashville, Vanner Records Song of the Year [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)] Die A Happy Man – Thomas Rhett Songwriters: Thomas Rhett, Sean Douglas, Joe Spargur Publishers: EMI Blackwood Music Inc (BMI), Cricket On The Line (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp (BMI), Eastman Pond Publishing (BMI), Music of Big Deal (BMI), Nice Life (BMI), Frederic And Reid Music (BMI), BMG Platinum Songs (BMI), Brodsky Spensive Publishing (BMI) Video of the Year PRESENTED BY XFINITY [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] Forever Country – Artists of Then, Now & Forever Director: Joseph Kahn
nounced) Maren Morris NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY T-MOBILE *(Previously Announced) Brothers Osborne Vocal Event of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]*(Off Camera Award) May We All – Florida Georgia Line Featuring Tim McGraw Producer: Joey Moi Record Label: Big Machine Label Group Single Record of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)] (Off Camera Award) H.O.L.Y. – Florida Georgia Line Producer: Joey Moi
Producers: Nathan de la Rionda, Jil Record Label: Big Machine Label Hardin, Charleen Manca, Joanna Group Carter, Chandra LaPlume, Sarah Trahern, SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR *(Off Camera Award) Damon Whiteside Lori McKenna NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY T-MOBILE *(Previously Announced) Jon Pardi NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY T-MOBILE *(Previously An-
2017 SCMA Award Winners
Single of the Year
Fan’s Choice Entertainer of the Year Jess Moskaluke
Take Me Home – Jess Moskaluke Video of the Year
A Long Time Comin’ – Glenna Switzer
Female Vocalist of the Year
Take Me Home – Jess Moskaluke
All Star Band (Guitar)
Jess Moskaluke
Album of the Year
Topher Mils
Male Vocalist of the Year
Tenille Arts – Tenille Arts
All Star Band (Bass)
Brody Siebert
Country Gospel Album of the Year
Curt Chabot
Group of the Year
Roots Album of the Year
All Star Band (Drums)
Hunter Brothers
Listen with Your Heart – Amanda Hagel
Emerging Artist Award
Aboriginal Artist of the Year
All Star Band (Keys)
Hunter Brothers
Roland Corrigal
Bart McKay
Song of the Year (Composer)
Roots Artist/Group of the Year
All Star Band (Fiddle)
Take Me Home – Jess Moskaluke, Kelly Archer, Emily Shackleton
Blake Berglund
Allison Tymiak
Jayson Brinkworth
Record Producer
Nightclub of the Year
Bart McKay
Hanks Tavern – Bradwell, SK.
Recording Studio
Legends & Legacy Award
Bart McKay Productions
Bill Wood
Manager of the Year
SCMA Achievement Award of Merit
Al Leblanc
Bart McKay
Country Music Person of the Year
Youth Development Bursary
Reg Wilke
Justin LaBrash
Fan’s Choice Radio Station (Major Market)
Congratulations to all the winners and nominnes. Saskatchewan is a hot bed of country music.
92.9 The Bull – Saskatoon Fan’s Choice Radio Station (Secondary Market) 105 CJVR – Melfort Music Director (Major Market) Cristy Beggs – 92.9 The Bull – Saskatoon Music Director (Secondary Market) Cal Gratton – 105 CJVR – Melfort On Air Personality (Major Market) Colin Lovequist – 620 CKRM – Regina Cristy Beggs – 92.9 The Bull – Saskatoon Sharon Jacobs – 600 CJWW – Saskatoon On Air Personality (Secondary Market) Cal Gratton – 105 CJVR – Melfort TV/Radio Show of the Year Made in Canada – 600 CJWW – Jay Richards – Saskatoon
Jess Moskaluke also won the Juno for Country Album of the year. A great weekend for Jess for sure.