Former Vipers Defenceman Brownlee Named Rising Star At CCMA's:

Former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Chad Brownlee won the Rising Star award at the CCMA's last night. Brownlee who played two years in Vernon (2001-03) has hung up his skates to become a country music artist. Brownlee was drafted in 2003 in the 6th round, by the NHL Vancouver Canucks.

This is on the CCMA website:

Hamilton, ON (September 12, 2011) – The 2011 Canadian Country Music Awards rocked Hamilton tonight during one of the most star-studded events in Canadian country music. Johnny Reid set the stage for an outstanding night of performances with this opening number, Let’s Go Higher; and it was clear from the start that it would be a night to remember for the 2011 nominee. With his most recent album, A Place Called Love receiving the title of Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year at last night’s Gala Awards, Johnny Reid received three 2011 Canadian Country Music Awards for CMT Video of the Year (Today I’m Gonna Try And Change The World), Male Artist of the Year and the coveted Fans’ Choice Award.

Dean Brody took home two 2011 Canadian Country Music Awards throughout the course of the night; Single of the Year for Trial of Life and Album of the Year for Trial of Life as well. Terri Clark went home with Female Artist of the Year and trio Hey Romeo took Group or Duo of the Year. Last year’s New Artist Showcase winner Chad Brownlee won his first Canadian Country Music Award for Rising Star.

One after another, Canada’s biggest names and most exciting Canadian country recording artists graced The Canadian Country Music Awards stage to the delight of a packed audience at Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum. Presenters included Deric Ruttan, Chantal Kreviazuk, Ronnie Dunn, Ron James, Howie Dorough and Michelle Wright as well as a rare duet with Doc Walker and Luke Bryan, collaborating on a performance of their songs that share the same name, Country Girl.

Eight Canadian Country Music Awards were bestowed throughout the night with wins going to the following:

FANS’ CHOICE AWARD - Johnny Reid

SINGLE OF THE YEAR - Trail In Life – Dean Brody

ALBUM OF THE YEAR - Trail In Life – Dean Brody

CMT VIDEO OF THE YEAR - Today I’m Gonna Try And Change The World – Johnny Reid

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR - Terri Clark

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR - Johnny Reid

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR - Hey Romeo

RISING STAR - Chad Brownlee

These wins marked the end of the 2011 Canadian Country Music Awards and Country Music Week which took place in Hamilton, ON September 9 – 12. The 2012 edition of Country Music Week will take place in Saskatoon, SK from September 6-9, coming to a culmination with the 2012 Canadian Country Music Awards on Sunday, September 9 broadcasting live from the Credit Union Centre.