Manitoba Bands Head to Country Music Week in Edmonton

Country music fans are going to get a taste Manitoba when Edmonton hosts this year's Country Music Week. The annual celebration runs September 4-8 and includes a number of free and ticketed events as well as the popular Canadian Country Music Awards.

Western Canadian Music Award-winning duo Keith & Renee will be hitting the The Songwriters' Café at the Citadel Theatre on September 5, along with expat Heather Longstaffe. Watch Keith & Renee perform new single "Steamboat" for the Loft Sessions

Jason Petric will be the Diamon in the Rough Showcase on September 6, where newcomer Frannie Klein will also make her CCMA debut.

Fresh off the release of his new album, Down Dusty Roads, Bryce Pallister will perform at the label showcase for MDM Recordings on September 7 at the Courtyard Marriot Hotel. 

Manitoba producer and artist manager Chris Burke-Gaffney will also be in The Big E with his new Alberta-based artist, Mackenzie Porter, who plays at the Discovery Showcase on September 5, the Industry Luncheon on September 6, and the Industry Gala on September 7.

Local artists and music companies have landed over half a dozen Canadian Country Music Award nominations this year, including All-Star Band nods for Doc Walker's Murray Pulver and Steve Broadhurst and guitarist Darren Savard (Deric Ruttan, Dallas Smith). Industry nominees include Paquin Entertainment, Casinos of Winnipeg's Kelly Berehulka, and Dauphin's Countryfest. Click here for more

The 2013 CCMA Awards will be live from Rexall Place in Edmonton and will air on September 8 on CBC-TV, with encore airings on CMT Canada.