CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS

Canada’s Iconic Country Music Awards Show in Alberta

Project Background

Spotlighting the best in Canadian country music, we had the pleasure of helping deliver the Canadian Country Music Awards in both Calgary and Edmonton in 2022 and 2024 respectively.

Key Accomplishments

Calgary

Bird Creatives acted as the general management team, working with Tourism Calgary and the CCMA team. Stewarded by the diverse local Host Committee, we assisted in marketing and project management of CCMAs from a local perspective.

We were proud to work with a Host Committee guided by diversity and inclusion, spurring us to:

Produce a Land Welcome Resource Package
Liaise with Canadian Country Music Association and our broadcaster to include a dynamic Land Acknowledgment featuring Indigenous artists
Implement a new “Mentorship Delegate Pass” wherein eight emerging artists and music industry professionals from equity-seeking communities got to take advantage of the incredible educational and networking opportunities of Country Music Week

We supported marketing through activations and ticket and merchandise give-aways with:

Calgary Flames
Carly’s Angels (local drag show)
BIG COUNTRY GIVE-AWAY (three weeks of ticket giveaways via local influencers)
First Nations Arts Alliance Music Festival Artist Swap
Run As One (the largest Indigenous music festival in Canada)
Sashay, Fillet! (pride event combining drag and culinary arts)
Stampede Entertainment

We decked out the city with welcome signage along Stephen Avenue, overpass banners, window decals for business partners, installations and window designs at CCMAs’ venues created by local artists, and an online list of local businesses (‘Friends of CCMAs’) offering specials and promotions for visitors during Country Music Week.

Finally, we were especially excited to launch the OFF-COUNTRY Music Festival presented by Calgary Arts Development, RISE UP, and Calgary Hotel Association. Twenty-one free showcases—including Indigenous, women-in-song and emerging-artist showcases—brought 60 artists onto stages at 16 unique spaces across Calgary to entertain 1,360 attendees. This festival also highlighted artists who play country on fringes—pushing listeners into new audio experiences and keeping country as alive as ever.

Edmonton

Event Coordination & Partnership Collaboration:
- Successfully partnered with the Edmonton Host Committee, CCMA, Explore Edmonton, Edmonton Downtown Association, and more to deliver a signature, city-wide celebration for Country Music Week

Comprehensive Event Management:
- Coordinated multiple events, including the CCMA Country Crawl, Prairie West Market, Songwriters Unplugged, Top of the Country Concert, CCMA House, and the Legends Show, bringing together thousands of country music fans.
Showcasing Emerging Talent:
- Managed the CCMA Country Crawl, featuring performances by 85 emerging Canadian country artists at local Edmonton venues, enhancing local engagement and giving fans intimate access to rising musicians.
Supporting Local and Indigenous Creators:
- Platformed over 20 local vendors and Indigenous artisans through the Prairie West Market, a western-themed showcase featuring live music and unique craftsmanship.
Live Event Production
- Songwriters Unplugged Event:
  - Assisted in the production of a three-day acoustic event with SOCAN and Apple Music, where renowned Canadian and international songwriters performed intimate, in-the-round style sets.
- Top of the Country Competition:
  - Contributed to the successful execution of SiriusXM’s Top of the Country competition, spotlighting emerging talents Robert Adam, Trudy, and Zach McPhee.
- Celebrating Country Music Legends:
  - Assisted in organizing the Legends Show, which celebrated the rich history of Canadian country music, featuring performances by icons like Gord Bamford, Jade Eagleson, and Patricia Conroy.
- Industry Development & Networking:
  - Hosted a Seminar Series with leading industry experts, offering valuable insights, panel discussions, and networking opportunities for artists and professionals in the country music landscape.
- Seamless Event Experience:
  - Executed high-energy Pre- and Post-Award Shows in Edmonton’s ICE District, featuring performances by 12 country artists, energizing the city before and after the main event.
Team Coordination & Volunteer Engagement:
- Collaborated across a team split between Calgary and Edmonton to ensure flawless execution of dozens of events, managing volunteers, venue logistics, and artist engagements.