Under almost every category of honour being handed out at the BC Country Music Association (BCCMA) awards this weekend, guests will hear a Langley name being called.
With few exceptions, in fact, Chad Brownlee, Dallas Smith, Robyn & Ryleigh, Me and Mae, and Karen Lee Batten’s names appear.
Last year, Langley’s own Smith stole the show garnering album, entertainer, fan choice, mail vocalist, single, and website of the year awards. He garnered a similar quantity of bling the year before.
This time out, Smith and his neighbour and friend Brownlee are once again competing for entertainer, fan’s choice, male vocalist, single, and video of the year, with Brownlee also shortlisted for album, songwriter, and humanitarian of the year and Smith shortlisted for website of the year.
Also on the shortlist from Langley is Robyn & Ryleigh (the Gillespie sisters) up for album of the year, as well as group duo of the year, going up against fellow Langleyite Shawn Meehan and his band Me and Mae.
“We are so incredibly honoured to be nominated for two awards at the BC Country Music awards show this year,” Robyn said.
“We are super excited about this,” Ryleigh interjected.
“Being in amongst the other final nominees for album of the year, group duo of the year, and Gene Greenwood being nominated for video director of the year for our single By Heart is an amazing feeling of accomplishment,” she added.
Continuing to get support from the BC Country Music Association is “a feeling beyond words, Robyn explained.
“We feel like we are on the right path and we couldn’t do this without support. We thank everyone who supports us from the bottom of our hearts.”
Langley’s Mike Sanyshun shortlisted in the special instrument category, and Batten is back on the card this year female vocalist of the year.
"Having your industry nominate you for an award of any kind is an unexplained feeling, and winning an award is just the cherry on top," she told the Langley Advance.
"That being said, just to be recognized in any industry for being good at what you have chosen to do is a feeling I will never take for granted, especially as an independent artist," said Batten, who reached the Top 11 finals in season one of Canadian Idol in 2003.
"It’s almost like a parent looking at you when you are a kid and hearing them say, 'I’m super proud of you' except in this case it’s all your peers, friends, and colleagues," Batten added.
"The music industry is not an easy road to climb, sometimes you wish it could be 'all about the music' and not business. It’s the fans, the stages, and all the ridiculous moments that my bands and I have had over the years that will keep us laughing and coming back for more.
"To have won BC country female vocalist of the year five times, and be nominated again for 2016, is not only a super humbling feeling, it is also the most amazing compliment knowing that my music still matters. This is what hits my heart and soul, and I am forever grateful to those who support me, believe in me, and want to hear more."
In the video director category, two local acts are indirectly nominated. Gene Greenwood is in the running for a video produced for Robyn & Ryleigh, while Stephano Barberis is on the docket for video work done with both Smith and Brownlee.
Producer and musician Mitch Merrett is also up again this year for songwriter and producer awards.
Under the country music person of the year category, Langley’s Geoff Dueck (known for his work with the Cloverdale Rodeo, as well as Aldergrove Fair Days, and Fort Langley May Day) is on the ballot.
And also up for a humanitarian award are Langley twins Chris and Jamie Ruscheinski, who created the Gone Country cancer fundraising show held every summer in Cloverdale.
Also on the list is Fort Langley singer and songwriter Shylo Sharity is up for a Ray McAuley Horizon Award as a new artist.
The awards are being handed out on Sunday, Oct. 23 at the Hard Rock Casino in Coquitam.
It’s the 40th anniversary awards celebration, and it will kick off with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., and show at 6:30 p.m., with a number of special features.
In additions to the awards presentations, Patricia Conroy is being flown in to do a medley of some of her best songs, explained Linda Corscadden, the acting president and former long-time Langley resident immersed in organizing the annual BCCMAs.
“We have a special Hall of Fame induction happening, birthday cake, 13 performances. And the floor is sold out (525 seats) and the balcony is already half sold out (250 seats),” Corscadden said.
Tickets are $45 and available at 1-855-985-5000.
Among those performing during the show are Langley’s own Batten, as well as Robyn & Ryleigh.
“We have a spot on the main stage this year as well! Woohoo!” Ryleigh told the Langley Advance.
The awards celebrations wrap up a weekend of BCCMA events that include a showcase Friday night, workshops and pre-party Saturday – both at the Executive Plaza Hotel in Coquitlam – followed by the big awards show on Sunday.
CAPTION: Me and Mae
CAPTION: Mitch Merrett
CAPTION: Robyn & Ryleigh
CAPTION: Karen Lee Batten
CAPTION: Dallas Smith
CAPTION: Ruscheinski twins
CAPTION: Shylo Sharity
BC Country Music Association final nominees
Album / EP of the Year
Chad Brownlee – Hearts On Fire
Aaron Pritchett – The Score
Madeline Merlo – Free Soul
Ben Klick – Today
Robyn & Ryleigh – By Heart
Country Club Act of the Year
Appaloosa
Chris Buck Band
Andrew Christopher
Ben Klick
Rockin’ Chair
Country Venue of the Year
Cactus Annies – Merritt
The Duke Saloon - Victoria
The Roxy – Vancouver
Ok Corral – Kelowna
Cactus Jacks – Kamloops
Roosters Country Cabaret – Pitt Meadows
Country Music Person of the Year
Geoff Dueck
Linda Corscadden
David Wills
Paul Biro
Jeff Johnson
Country On Air Personality Area Code 250
Casey Clarke / Roo Phelps – Country 100.7 Kelowna/Penticton
TJ Connors – Country 103.1 Kamloops
Louis Big Rig McIvor – Country 103.1 Kamloops
Scott George – Country 100.7 Kelowna/Penticton
Gerry O’Day – Country 100.7 Kelowna/Penticton
Sarah Carmichael – 100.1 Moose FM
Country On Air Personality Area Code 604
Barbara Beam – Country 93.7 Vancouver
Curtis Pope – Country 107.1 Abbotsford
jaXon Hawks – Country 93.7 Vancouver
Kristen Jade – Country 93.7 Vancouver
Docc Andrews – Country 93.7 Vancouver
Entertainer of the Year
Aaron Pritchett
Chad Brownlee
Dallas Smith
Chris Buck Band
The Washboard Union
Fans Choice Award
Aaron Pritchett
Chad Brownlee
Dallas Smith
Ben Klick
Chris Buck Band
The Washboard Union
Female Vocalist of the Year
Karen Lee Batten
Madeline Merlo
Danielle Marie
Cash Crawford
Lisa Nicole
Ajaye Jardine
Gaylord Wood Traditional Country Award
Jackson Hollow
Kenny Hess
Mike Sanyshyn
Ben Klick
Todd Richard
Rollin’ Trainwreck
Group Duo of the Year
Me and Mae
Chris Buck Band
The Washboard Union
Jackson Hollow
Robyn & Ryleigh
Male Vocalist of the Year
Aaron Pritchett
Chad Brownlee
Dallas Smith
Ben Klick
JoJo Mason
Mike Norman All Star Band – Bass
Dennis Marcenko
Kirby Barber
Rob Becker
Scott Cooke
Michael Vanderlans
Phil Bell
Mike Norman All Star Band – Drums
Pat Steward
Tobi Duquette
Dylan Weightman
Seamus O’Neill
Taylor Allum
Flavio Cirillo
Mike Norman All Star Band – Guitar
Darren Savard
Jay Buettner
Ben Klick
Dave Barber
Jeremy Breaks
Jesse Burch
Mike Norman All Star Band – Keyboard
Carly McKillip
Darryl Havers
Marc Gladstone
Peter James
Robbie Buchanan
Simon Kendall
Mike Norman All Star Band – Special Instrument
John Ellis – Steel Guitar
Matt Rose – Banjo
Scott Smith – Steel Guitar
Mike Sanyshyn – Fiddle
Ben Beveridge – Fiddle
Philip Puxley – Banjo
Producer of the Year
Mitch Merrett
Scott Cooke
Jeff Johnson
Dan Swinimer
Sheldon Zaharko
Carly McKillip
Radio Station of the Year
Country 107.1 – Abbotsford
Country 103.1 – Kamloops
Country 100.7 – Kelowna/Penticton
Country 93.7 – Vancouver
Country 100.1 – Moose FM
Ray McAuley Horizon Award
The Heels
Andrew Christopher
Lanie McAuley
Dave Hartney
Shylo Sharity
Recording Studio of the Year
Zed Productions
Studio Downe Under
Manic Down Studios
604 Records
Bailey Way Entertainment
Roots Canadiana of the Year Award
Twin Kennedy
GB Roots
The Matinee
The Washboard Union
Ajaye Jardine
Single of the Year Award
Madeline Merlo – What Ya Wanna Do About It
Dallas Smith – One Little Kiss
JoJo Mason – Good Kinda Love
The Washboard Union – Maybe It’s The Moonshine
Chad Brownlee – I Hate You For It
Aaron Pritchett – Dirt Road In Em
Socan Songwriter of the Year Award
Chad Brownlee – I Hate You For It (Chad Brownlee, Mitch Merrett, Ben Glover)
JoJo Mason – Good Kinda Love (Dan Swinimer & JoJo Mason)
Chris Buck Band – Giddy Up (Jeff Johnson, Chris Buck, Phil Puxley & Mitch Merrett)
Danielle Marie – Drive Away (Danielle Marie, Byron Hill )
The Washboard Union – Maybe It’s The Moonshine (Chris Duncombe, David Roberts, Aaron Grain, Witt McKay & Grant Vogelfanger)
Ben Klick – Butterfly Tattoo (Ben Klick, Rylee Madison)
Video Director of the Year Award
Gene Greenwood (Robyn & Ryleigh)
Stephano Barberis (Dallas Smith/Chad Brownlee/Bucko & Toad/Jesse Mast)
Dermot King (Chris Buck Band)
Cole Northey (Aaron Pritchett)
Stefan Berrill (The Washboard Union)
Video of the Year Award
Chris Buck – Giddy Up
Aaron Pritchett – Dirt Road In Em
Dallas Smith – One Little Kiss
The Washboard Union – Maybe It’s The Moonshine
Madeline Merlo – War Paint
Chad Brownlee – I Hate You For It
Humanitarian of the Year Award
Chad Brownlee – Tim Hortons
Kenny Hess – Rockin’ River Music Schools/Food Bank
Casey Clarke/Roo Phelps – Purple Day (centre for epilepsy & seizure education)
Chris & Jamie Ruscheinski – Twins Cancer Gone Country
Todd Richard – Variety Club
Website of the Year Award
Ben Klick – Ben Klick www.benklick.com
The Washboard Union – Chris Duncombe www.thewashboardunion.com
Dallas Smith – Harmonic Concepts www.dallassmithmusic.com
Chris Buck Band – Chris Buck & Chris Smolko www.chrisbuckband.com
Aaron Pritchett – Bryan McCrae www.aaron-pritchett.com
Ajaye Jardine – Jasper Anson www.ajayejardine.com