WIINIPEG (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The Canadian Country Music Association has named Winnipeg as host city for the 2008 Canadian Country Music Week and Awards to be held September 5-8, 2008. This marks the third time Winnipeg will host Canada's largest country music event. Country Music Week 2007 will be held in Regina, Saskatchewan from September 7-10.
"The Canadian Country Music Association is very pleased to return to Winnipeg, and the Board of Directors invites both the community and our industry to join in and help make this a wonderful celebration and a wonderful opportunity for Canada's talent," said Heather Ostertag, chair of the Canadian Country Music Association, noting that the awarding of Country Music Week 2008 to the City of Winnipeg acknowledging that more than two decades had passed since the event was last held in that city (1986).
"Manitoba has always been a great place for music and artists," said Premier Gary Doer. "We were proud to host the JUNO Awards last year, and just this year we hosted the Western Canadian Music Awards and the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards. With this announcement, we will show the country yet again that Winnipeg is a music town."
Artists such as Neil Young, Doc Walker, The Guess Who and countless others launched their careers in Manitoba.
Canadian Country Music Week and Awards is one of the largest music events in Canada.
"The Canadian Country Music Awards will be another tremendous opportunity to showcase our city to a national audience," said Mayor Sam Katz. "Winnipeg is certainly excited to play host to the hottest talent in Canadian country music and I know our city will once again step up to the plate and deliver a world class event."
Winnipeg presented a strong bid to the Canadian Country Music Association and was awarded the event based on a combination of solid commitments from the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg, excellent host facilities, a solid track record in hosting major events, and a long established reputation as a city that embraces Canadian music and culture. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
