Airdrie-based country musician, Kyle McKearney, won The Alternative Country Album of the Year Award for his newest album A Traveler’s Lament at the 2023 Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMAs). The awards, which were dubbed as 'Canada’s biggest night in country music' took place on Saturday, September 16, at Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre. 

McKearney was the only local artist nominated for the CCMAs this year. However, he was in good company among other Alberta country artists who were also nominated and won in several different categories. 

Calgary-born Lindsay Ell won Single of the Year for Right On Time, while country singer, Tenille Townes from Grande Prairie won the Female Artist of the Year.

Townes beat out country music superstar, Shania Twain for the award. Townes also won the Country Music Program or Special of the Year award for Christmas Time with Tenille Townes 2022, as well as the Songwriter(s) of the Year for the song The Thing That Wrecks You, which featured Bryan Adams. 

Townes was also nominated for Entertainer of the Year, the Fans’ Choice Award and Video of the Year categories.

Brett Kissel, another Albertan, hailing from St.Paul, was also nominated for the Fans’ Choice Award, as well as Male Artist of the Year.

While Lacombe's Gord Bamford was nominated for Musical Collaboration of the Year, for his song I Ain’t Drunk, which features artist Terri Clark.

MacKenzie Porter who is from the Medicine Hat area, won Musical Collaboration of the Year, for One Too, which she collaborated on with singer Dallas Smith. Porter was also nominated for Female Artist of the Year, Video of the Year, and Record Producer(s) of the Year. Porter won Musical Collaboration of the Year, alongside High Valley, a Christian country band from Blumenort, Alberta. 

High Valley was also nominated for the Fans’ Choice Award, as well as Group or Duo of the Year.

During the 2022 CCMAs, local female quartet country band, Nice Horse nabbed several nominations and won in the Video of the Year category for their music video “High School".

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