NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2008TCA0102-001362 Sept. 9, 2008	Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts
COUNTRY MUSIC WEEK 2008 A SUCCESS, B.C. TO HOST IN 2009

VANCOUVER – Country Music Week 2008 officially came to a close with last night’s live airing of the Canadian Country Music Awards in Winnipeg, and now Vancouver is poised to host Canada’s largest annual country music event in 2009, announced Tourism, Culture and the Arts Minister Bill Bennett.

 

“Once again, Country Music Week has been a big success, bringing the best of Canada’s country music scene together – including Vancouver’s own Jessie Farrell, the female country artist of the year,” said Bennett. “We’re looking forward to continuing the tradition of excellence that Winnipeg and previous hosts have demonstrated, while adding our own distinct ‘B.C.’ flavour to the event.”

 

            The 2009 Canadian Country Music Awards will feature live performances by some of Canada’s most popular country artists. In addition to hosting the awards, Vancouver will be home to Country Music Week, scheduled to take place Sept. 11-14, 2009. Activities for this event include showcase opportunities for newcomers, educational seminars and an all-day FanFest that is a chance for Canada’s artists to connect with fans.  

 

            “Country Music Week 2009 will further solidify British Columbia’s reputation as an ideal location for holding national and international events, as we continue to build towards the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Bennett.

 

The Canadian Country Music Association’s Country Music Week and Canadian Country Music Awards are funded by a combination of box office, government (municipal and provincial), public, corporate, artistic and individual donor and sponsor support. The government of B.C. is contributing $300,000 to support the costs of holding the events in Vancouver. 

 

             For more information on the Canadian Country Music Association, visit www.ccma.org.

 

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Media contact:	David Greer Communications Manager Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts 250 387-2799
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