Dallas Smith cleans up at Canadian country music awards on historic night

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Dallas Smith just makes everything feel “timeless” mostly because he’s always on the radio and always on the podium accepting awards.

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The Langley, B.C., native left London’s Budweiser Gardens Monday the biggest winner of the night at the Canadian Country Music Association awards show with three awards – entertainer of the year, male artist of the year and single of the year for Like a Man.

“I don’t know how I feel, it’s a really strange feeling because we’ve been away for so long” because of the pandemic, Smith said.

“But it feels like we’re back, picking up where we left off and I’m really just so very appreciative.”

It was an historic night with drag queen Priyanka co-hosting with Lindsay Ell. They came out singing a medley that included the cheeky Bonnie Raitt tune, Something to Talk About, and Shania Twain’s Man! I Feel Like A Woman, clearly referring to Priyanka’s talents and dress.

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“Growing up, I never saw people like me on television and I want to thank you so much for your acceptance and love,” said Priyanka in a break between award presentations.

“Country music is for everyone,” declared Ell.

In an interview after the show, Priyanka was elated.

“I was pretty shocked, everybody loved me,” said Priyanka, whose real name is Mark Suknanan.

“This one fan gave me a rose and said, ‘Thank you for doing this for us.’”

True to her word, Priyanka later sang and danced and drew cheers performing her new single, Country Queen.

“I just want a consensus from the crowd here tonight… Am I a country queen or what?” she asked the enthusiastic crowd that responded with cheers and a massive applause.

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First award of the night was for group or duo and it was claimed by the Reklaws, Jenna and Stuart Walker, who arrived with six nominations but left with just the one award, their third CCMA win since 2018.

“We’ve been nominated a lot and that’s huge, but to win is everything, it makes you want to cry,” said Jenna Walker.

“This has been our dream forever, thank you so much,” said Stuart.

Dallas Smith stole the show and drew a massive applause from the crowd at Budweiser Gardens throughout the night that he kicked off with a performance playing his newest release, Hide From A Broken Heart.

Singer songwriter Robyn Ottolini took home the rising star award. She was the only female nominee in the category.

Female artist of the year Tenille Townes rocked the stage with her engaging performance, and gave an emotional thank you to the crowd following the big win.

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“I’m so grateful for the way music brought us together this year. I love you Canada,” she said to the crowd cheering her on.

The night also saw live performances by Tim Hicks, High Valley, Tenille Arts, Don Amero and Mackenzie Porter and Dustin Lynch.

Hicks got the crowd rocking with his No Truck Song that topped the charts last year off his album, Wreck This, followed by rising star winner Ottolini who kept the emotions running with her hit, F-150.

“I don’t believe it, it just doesn’t feel real,” said Ottolini after the show.

Townes couldn’t hold back the tears when she was declared winner of the Ford F-150 Album of the year for The Lemonade Stand. It included two number 1 singles, Somebody’s Daughter and Jersey on the Wall (I’m Just Asking).

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“This is truly such a dream tonight,” she told the crowd of about 6,000.

“Thank you (fans) for wrapping your arms around this album and listening to the music.”

Townes also took home female artist of the year for the third time in a row.

“It’s crazy, it feels so surreal,” said Townes, dressed in a white pant suit trimmed with rhinestones.

“I’m so grateful. Just making this album was like a dream, and what makes it so special is people are listening to it and making these songs part of their lives.”

Londoner Annette Dawm presented the fans’ choice award, but Brett Kissel, one of her favorite artists whom she’s met several times, wasn’t able to attend the awards.

There were also virtual performances, the first by Thomas Rhett singing his number 1 hit, Country Again, unplugged with an accompanying guitarist. Walter Hayes later performed his own hit, Fancy Like, followed later by Chris Stapleton who played You Should Probably Leave.

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Inducted into the CCMA Hall of Fame were country star Patricia Conroy, who shared in the songwriter of the year award and who had a string of hits in the 1990s, including Somebody’s Leavin’ and What Else Can I Do?, and record company executive Randy Stark in the builder’s category.

jbelanger@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/JoeBatLFPress

2021 CCMA winners

Entertainer of the year: Dallas Smith

Album of the Year: Tenille Townes for The Lemonade Stand

Female artist of the year: Tenille Townes

Group or duo of the year: The Reklaws

Male artist of the year: Dallas Smith

Single of the year: Dallas Smith

Rising star: Robyn Ottolini

Alternative country album:  Agricultural Tragic by Corb Lund