The 13th annual Canadian Radio Music Awards was the cherry on top after an impressive week-long line-up of artists who participated in Canadian Music Week in Toronto. The Awards, which took place last Friday at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, are given to Canadian artists who generated the most success on the radio.
The biggest names in Canadian music were acknowledged during the awards – Canadian rapper Drake (who first appeared on the celeb scene in the TV program “Degrassi: The Next Generation” and has since segued into music) won for best new solo artist (in the dance, urban, rhythmic category), while indie rock band Metric took home the award for best new group (in rock). Former “Canadian Idol” contestant and lead singer Jacob Hoggard and his band Hedley were the recipient of Fan’s Choice. And then there’s Nickelback, the homegrown band people love to hate, who were honoured with the Chart Topper prize.
Other winners included: best new CHR (Contemporary Hit Radio) group/solo artist for the Stereos and their hit track “Summer Girl”; hot adult contemporary went to Karl Wolf for “Africa,” the first single from his 2007 album “Bite the Bullet”; best country group to sister-duo One More Girl; and Songwriter of the Year went to Carly Rae Jepsen and Ryan Stewart for the album “Tug of War,” which was released in September ’08.
Apart from the Fan's Choice and Chart Topper honours, the remaining awards are based on votes cast by radio shows and directors.
Two Lifetime Achievement Awards were also handed out at the Canadian Radio Music Awards – one to the 1980s band Platinum Blonde and another to broadcast media consultant Rob Braide.
