CCMA Awards adds nominations for MacKenzie Porter and the Reklaws

The Reklaws accept the award for Group or Duo of the Year at the Canadian Country Music Awards in London, Ont., Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Geoff Robins

TORONTO — The Canadian Country Music Association Awards is tweaking the nominations in two categories this year - giving additional nods to MacKenzie Porter and the Reklaws - as it pledges to expand the audit committee that verifies who contends for the prizes.

The organization's president, Amy Jeninga, says the categories were updated after the CCMA Awards “received an inquiry prompting us to review all eligibility data used to tabulate the nominations.”

“Understanding that accuracy and transparency are core values of the Canadian Country Music Association, we took the inquiry seriously and conducted a detailed review of the eligibility-period data,” Jeninga said in a statement to The Canadian Press.

After further analysis, Porter was given a nomination for female artist of the year, putting her in the company of Tenille Arts, Lindsay Ell, Robyn Ottolini, Meghan Patrick and Tenille Townes.

Sibling duo the Reklaws landed themselves a spot in the fan choice award category, alongside 10 other acts that include Brett Kissel, Dean Brody, Dallas Smith, High Valley and the James Barker Band.

“Data categories are cumbersome in tabulation and have become increasingly so given fragmented release strategies across various channels, metadata and eligibility criteria,” Jeninga said.

“Moving forward we will expand our audit committee and verification process to ensure the integrity of our awards.”

Porter is now in the running for three awards, with the other two for songwriter and her special guest appearance in the “Pure Country Top 50 of 2021” show, which is up for country music program or special of the year.

The Reklaws also count three nominations in total, including their previously announced group or duo and interactive artist of the year nods.

Leading this year is Nashville-based Alberta native Townes who holds seven nominations. The show takes place Sept. 11 at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary and will be broadcast live on Global.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 27, 2022.