Dean Brody wins big at Canadian Country Music Association Awards

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Dean Brody after winning the award for Album of the Year at the Canadian Country Music Awards in Saskatoon, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards (CP)

SASKATOON - Dean Brody, who sang about "Canadian Girls" looking sexy in their toques, choked back emotion Sunday as he was named male artist of the year at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards.

It was a good night for Brody.

He opened the show in Saskatoon with an enthusiastic performance of his hit single "Canadian Girls" before a crowd of more than 11,000 people and ended the night by winning album of the year for his record "DIRT."

The attention seemed to overwhelm the artist originally from Jaffray, B.C.

"It's kind of weird for me because I'm a pretty quiet person," Brody said backstage.

"I started this whole thing to be a songwriter. I actually moved to Nashville to be a songwriter and the whole artist thing just kind of evolved from being in Nashville and writing songs. Some people were like 'Man, it doesn't sound too bad when you sing. Maybe you should record 'em.'"

"One thing led to the next. So to be in the spotlight...I'm getting more used to it, but it's always a little uncomfortable for me."

The first award of the night went to a woman familiar with winning.

Carolyn Dawn Johnson was named female artist of the year — a title she's won four previous times. But Johnson said her heart was still pounding after her fifth win.

"I'm feeling very joyful right now and the kind of joyful that makes you want to cry. But anyway it doesn't get old. I'll say that," she said, her voice cracking with emotion.

Johnson, who has been writing and performing off and on since the 90s, said it's hard to describe how she got to this point in her career.

"I guess you just keep dreaming and you work hard," she said backstage.

"When I decided to do this I just went for it and worked my butt off and I still do. There's never a slacker day."

Johnson was presented her award by American country music superstar Taylor Swift, who praised the nominees for female artist of the year as inspirations for young girls.

Swift was at the show to receive the generation award.

"To country radio in Canada and to the music fans in Canada, you guys are the ones who chose to play my songs. You guys are the ones who chose to buy the albums and sell out the concerts," Swift said in her acceptance speech.

"And you're the ones who make me feel so at home that I can't wait to come back and see you every single time."

The generation award is a new award that celebrates those who have pushed country music forward to new audiences. Backstage, Swift said she appreciates country music fans cheering her on around the world.

"I'm just so grateful that country music has let me paint with so many different colours. The fact that they have let me stretch musically and they've been so incredibly encouraging," she said.

"For me, playing to countries where they don't speak English, but they know all the words to my songs it's the most amazing, gratifying feeling."

Jason Blaine's tribute to his grandparents' love story captured hearts at the award show. The Pembroke, Ont., native won single of the year for his song "They Don't Make 'Em Like That Anymore."

Blaine said his grandfather, who was in the audience Sunday, had a feeling something might happen.

"My grandpa is that old-fashioned kind of man of few words. He just gave me a big handshake and told me he was proud of me," Blaine said backstage.

Performers included Brody, Blaine, Gord Bamford, Paul Brandt, Chad Brownlee, George Canyon, Terri Clark, Doc Walker, Emerson Drive, Kira Isabella, Deric Ruttan, Johnny Reid, Dallas Smith, The Stellas, High Valley, Jason Aldean, Pistol Annies, Eric Church and Miranda Lambert.

Isabella won the rising star award.

Scottish-born, Toronto-bred crooner Reid won the fans' choice award. It was his fourth win in a row in that category.

"For me to be able to continue the only relationship that's ever really mattered in this business, and that's the relationship between me and the people, to be able to solidify that by picking up an award that's voted on by the people is both humbling and I'm very thankful for that," said Reid.

Reid said he thinks part of his appeal is that he doesn't try to write complicated songs.

"I believe that that's the reason why so many people connected to my music just because it speaks of love, it speaks of hard work, it speaks of passion, dedication, devotion," said Reid.

"These are things that connect all of us."

Husband and wife duo The Stellas won video of the year for "In This House."

For the second year in a row Hey Romeo was named group of the year.

"I think that's the most shocking thing because I thought last year was just some sort of fluke, that they maybe counted the numbers wrong," laughed Stacie Roper, who is part of the trio from Alberta.

Her bandmate, Darren Gusnowsky, joked that he was expecting a recount last year. This year, he's happy to win, knowing how hard Hey Romeo worked to get to this point.

"You do it all some how and you hope that it's good enough. And then when a night like this comes, it's just incredible and it's sweet and it's wonderful because we're not really a household name, but we're trying and we're working," he said.