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Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport Minister Eric Robinson today congratulated the Manitoba artists who won 2008 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) awards presented in Winnipeg last night and this past weekend. 

 

“Manitoba is seen as the home of a vibrant country music industry scene. This year’s winners represent our province’s diversity and helped showcase Manitoba on the national country music stage,” said Robinson.  “I would also like to congratulate and thank all those volunteers who helped Winnipeg host such a successful and entertaining event.”

 

Portage la Prairie’s Doc Walker acted as ambassadors for the event. They were nominated for six awards and won them all.  The band took home trophies for single of the year (Beautiful Life), album of the year, CMT video of the year, group or duo of the year and the fans' choice award.  On Sunday night at the gala awards, the group won songwriter of the year, band member Murray Pulver was named guitar player of the year and Brent Pearen won bass player of the year.

 

Other Manitobans won at the CCMA Industry Awards Saturday brunch.  Management company of the year went to RGK Entertainment Group; website design to House of Bands for docwalker.ca; album design to Patrick Duffy, Traci Goudie and Jill Snell for Beautiful Life (Doc Walker); and booking agent of the year went to Paquin Entertainment.

It is estimated that hosting the awards generated $4 million for the province’s capital.

 

“Thanks to all the Manitoba artists who were nominated, helped make this year’s awards such a success and represented our province so well,” added Robinson.

 

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