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The Wilkinsons Run Away with the Show! You could almost say that tonight's CCMA Awards could have been called the Wilkinsons and Shania Twain Show! Between the two acts, they totaled 9 of the 11 awards presented tonight, excluding the Hall of Fame inductee, Ronnie Prophet. The family group of three, The Wilkinsons, who include Steve, Amanda, and Tyler Wilkinson, won 5 awards.....Single of the Year (26 Cents, Giant/Warner Canada), Album of the Year (Nothing But Love, Giant/Warner Canada), SOCAN Song of the Year (26 Cents, writers: Steve Wilkinson/William Wallace), Group of the Year, and the Wrangler Rising Star of the Year. Shania, who wasn't present to accept her awards, won 4 awards....CMT/Maple Leaf Foods Fans' Choice Award, Video of the Year (That Don't Impress Me Much), Female Artist of the Year, and Vocal Collaboration of the Year (From This Moment On with Bryan White). Paul Brandt, who did a fantastic job hosting the awards, won the Male Artist of the Year award. He reminded me of Vince Gill as he made the stage his and appeared to be having a good time with his duties. He provided lots of humour, some of it rehearsed, but I'm sure some wasn't on the script. He was a welcome addition to the show and I would like to see him host again. The Dixie Chicks won the Top Selling Album Award for their CD, Wide Open Spaces. Ronnie Prophet was visibly moved when he did his speech after being inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. Ronnie and his wife of 18 years, Glory-Ann Carriere, live in Branson, Missouri, where they continue to entertain Country Music fans five nights a week. There was a fine line-up of entertainment on the show, provided by The Wilkinsons, Gil Grand, Shirley Myers, Jamie Warren, Beverley Mahood (who also backed Jamie Warren up on his song, "Cried All The Way Home"), Prairie Oyster (Randy Bachman of BTO accompanied the group), Lorrie Church, Terri Clark, Lisa Brokop, Rick Tippe, Farmer's Daughter, the Johner Brothers, Stephanie Beaumont, Julian Austin, and, last but definitely not the least, Paul Brandt. The CCMA's were broadcast live from the Ottawa Civic Centre on CBC Television. CMT Canada, who has been covering the CCMA's since August, will be rebroadcasting the Awards on Tuesday, September 14th at 8:30 pm EST. Stephanie Beaumont will host a 30-minute pre-show titled, Backstage at the CCMA's (starting at 8:00pm EST), offering a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this year's award show. Immediately after the Award show, Stephanie will be joined by Greg Shannon for a 30 minute post-award show, CCMA Party Zone. Beaumont and Shannon will report live from the gala parties that are normally reserved for artists and industry insiders. For the benefit of viewers in Western Canada, CMT will rebroadcast the three shows at 11:30pm EST.
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