George Canyon, Shane Yellow lead Canadian CMA nominations

Canyon, of Nova Scotia, was nominated for Single of the Year, Album of the Year, and the coveted Fans' Choice Award. Yellowbird, from Hobbema, Alberta, received nominations including Chevy Rising Star and Independent Male Artist. Yellowbird's single "Pickup Truck," (written by Joni Delaurier and Troy Kokol) also picked up a nomination for SOCAN Songwriter(s) of the Year.

It was also a multi-nomination celebration for Paul Brandt, Doc Walker, Emerson Drive, Brad Johner and Carolyn Dawn Johnson all had four nominations each.

A few days earlier, the CCMA announced the nominees for the Kraft Cheez Whiz Fans' Choice Award and the opening of online voting for fans, at www.cmt.ca. The 2007 nominees are: Brandt, Canyon, Terri Clark, Doc Walker and Johnson.

Single of the year nominations went to Doc Walker for "Driving With the Brakes On," Canyon for "I Want You to Live," Johner for "I'd Rather Be Lucky," Emerson Drive for "Moments" an Yellowbird for "Pickup Truck."

Nominees for album of the year were Emerson Drive for "Countrified," Doc Walker for its self titled disc, Yellowbird for "Life Is Calling My Name," Johnson for 'Love & Negotiation" and Canyon for "Somebody Wrote Love."

Female artist of the year nominees were Lisa Brokop, Patricia Conroy, Jessie Farrell, Brokop and Johnson.

On the male side, Brandt, Canyon, Johner, Aaron Pritchett and Johnny Reid were nominated.

The group or duo of the year will come from among Ambush, Doc Walker, Emerson Drive, The Road Hammers and The Wilkinsons.

Nominated for the Rising Star award in addition to Yellowbird were Jason Blaine, Farrell, Jo Hikk, Brett Kissel and Donny Parenteau.

Awards will be handed out Sept. 10 at Brandt Centre, in Regina.