Canadian Country Music Awards

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Gord Bamford was nominated for six CCMA Awards. Photo courtesy Gord Bamford.

Canada’s reigning king of country Gord Bamford proved once again why he wears the crown as the Canadian Country Music Association Awards returned to Halifax for the first time in 33 years.

Bamford was the night’s big winner, taking home three awards including Male Artist of the Year, Songwriter and Single of the Year for his song “Where a Farm Used To Be.”

The 39-year-old Bamford, who was born in Australia but moved to Canada as a young boy, said he attributes his continued success to his hard-working attitude, instilled by his family upbringing in Alberta.

It’s the third year in a row Bamford has cleaned up at the awards — he won Male Artist of the Year and Single of the Year honours in 2014.

For his first CCMA ever, former Default rocker-turned country singer Dallas Smith took home the Album of the Year award for Lifted. The 37-year-old B.C. native opened the show with a rousing rendition of his song “Cheap Seats” with help from a local drumline.

Jess Moskaluke, 25, won Female Artist of the Year for the second year in a row. The pop-country singer from Langenburg, Sask., recently released her new EP Kiss Me Quiet.

The Nova Scotia-based Dean Brody, who was poised to win big having received seven nominations, won Video of the Year for “Upside Down.”

Brett Kissel, whose tune, “Airwaves”, is currently the #1 single in Canada, won his second straight CCMA Award for Interactive Artist of the Year.

Scottish-born veteran vocalist Johnny Reid claimed the fans’ choice award for the sixth time in the past seven years. He said being recognized by the people who listen to your music is an honour.