Congratulations to this year’s final five nominees for Male Artist of the Year at the Canadian Country Music Awards!  The contenders are listed below along with a history of the award.

The CCMA “officially” recognizes this award as going back to 1982, but it actually goes back further. In 1973, RPM magazine held a two-day Big Country Conference at the Holiday Inn in Don Mills, Ontario. Two years later, RPM announced the formation of the Canadian Academy of Country Music Advancement (CACMA) to raise funds to start an academy. And RPM handed out the first awards that year. Eventually, the new Academy of Country Music Entertainment (yes, ACME) was formed and took over administration of the national awards. By 1987, ACME changed its name to the CCMA.

This list is among the most complete, going back further than even the CCMA acknowledges. Where possible, nominees are also included in a given year with the winner’s name highlighted in bold text.

1975 – Gary Buck

1976 – Dick Damron

1977 – Dick Damron

1978 – Dick Damron

1979 – Eddie Eastman

1980 – Terry Carisse

1981 – Terry Carisse

1982 – Terry Carisse

1983 – Dick Damron

1984 – Terry Carisse

1985 – Terry Carisse

1986 – Terry Carisse

1987 – Ian Tyson

1988 – Ian Tyson

1989 – Gary Fjellgaard

1990 – George Fox

1991 – George Fox

1992 – Ian Tyson

1993 – George Fox

1994 – Charlie Major

1995 – Charlie Major

1996 – Charlie Major

1997 – Paul Brandt

1998 – Paul Brandt

1999 – Paul Brandt

2000 – Paul Brandt

2001 – Jason McCoy

2002 – Paul Brandt

2003 – Aaron Lines

2004 – Jason McCoy

2005 – George Canyon

2006 – George Canyon

2007 – Brad Johner

2008 – Johnny Reid

2009 – Gord Bamford, Jason Blaine, Paul Brandt, George Canyon, Johnny Reid

2010 – Gord Bamford, Dean Brody, George Canyon, Corb Lund, Johnny Reid

2011 – Gord Bamford, Dean Brody, George Canyon, Johnny Reid, Deric Ruttan

2012 – Gord Bamford, Jason Blaine, Dean Brody, Chad Brownlee, Johnny Reid

2013 – Gord Bamford, Dean Brody, Chad Brownlee, Dallas Smith, Bobby Wills

2014 – Gord Bamford, Paul Brandt, Dean Brody, George Canyon, Johnny Reid

2015 – Gord Bamford, Dean Brody, Tim Hicks, Brett Kissel, Dallas Smith

2016 – Gord Bamford, Dean Brody, Brett Kissel, Johnny Reid, Dallas Smith

2017 – Gord Bamford, Chad Brownlee, Tim Hicks, Brett Kissel, Aaron Pritchett, Dallas Smith

2018 – Gord Bamford, Chad Brownlee, Brett Kissel, Dallas Smith, Bobby Wills

2019 – Paul Brandt, Dean Brody, Tim Hicks, Brett Kissel, Dallas Smith

2020 – Dean Brody, Jade Eagleson, Brett Kissel, Dallas Smith, Tebey

The late Terry Carrise still holds the record with the most wins at six.  And Paul Brandt holds the record for the most consecutive wins at 4 (1997-2000).

The awards show airs on Global on Sept. 27.