MUSIC NOTES: Surrey country artists dominate B.C. awards night – The Abbotsford News

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Several Surrey-area musicians and artists were in the spotlight during the 47th BC Country Music Association awards night, Sunday, May 4 at the Great Canadian Casino in Coquitlam.
Newton-raised Tyler Joe Miller won three of the biggest awards including Entertainer of the year, Top Performing Album (Going Home) and Top Performing Single („Broken Man“).
Surrey resident Stephano Barberis earned the BCCMA’s Video Director of the Year award for the 23rd time — an amazing run of video-making excellence.
„This brings the total award tally to 47 from different organizations, and I have no idea what I’ve done to be worthy of that,“ Barberis posted to Facebook. „All I know is that doing this is like breathing to me.
„Every video is an extension of me, and I get so emotional thinking how important the artists and labels are who trust me with this,“ he added. „My goal each time is to elevate an artist with unique, beautiful and cinematic flair to the point that they somehow become so popular that they don’t need a second job; they can just be in music.“
The association’s 2025 Male Artist of the Year award went to Surrey-based Tony Stevens, who also earned Songwriter of the Year honours for „Whiskey In Colorado,“ along with co-writers Dan Swinimer, Wes Mack and David Borys.
Meantime, Surrey’s Jackson Hollow won the Group/Duo award, along with the Gaylord Wood Traditional Country Artist nod, and fiddler/mandolinist Mike Sanyshyn was named to the Mike Norman All-Star Band.
Others honoured May 4 were four-time winner Alli Walker (Female Artist of the Year, also Interactive Artist, International Achievement and All-Star Band for special instrument on bagpipes), Mitch Zorn (Video, for „Home), Zach McPhee (Ray McAuley Emerging Artist, also Album of the Year for Feels Country to Me), The Renaissance (Recording Professional, Producer of the Year), Karen Lee Batten (Business Professional), Matthew Miller (Creation Professional or Team), Antonio Larosa (Roots Artist or Act), Curtis Pope (Country On-Air Personality), Studio Downe Under (Recording Studio), Celine Trimarchi (Don Adams BCCMA Industry Supporter), Boots N Boats (Country Event) and Cindy Giesbrecht (President’s Citation).
Other Mike Norman All-Star Band members are Matt Genereux (bass), Joseph Poulin (drums), Jon Tucker (guitar) and Marcus Ramsay (steel guitar).
The awards night featured performances by Jojo Mason, Tim & The Glory Boys and others, and the weekend-long BCCMA celebration included „music, education and community spirit,“ according to Cassandra Smith, association president.
„From the high-energy showcases to the inspirational panels and culminating in a spectacular awards night, the event was a resounding success.
„Festivities kicked off with an industry mixer sponsored by Women in Music and two nights of live music at the John B Pub on Friday and Saturday, where the venue came alive with incredible talent and a packed house. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to everyone who joined us — fans, artists, staff, sponsors and especially the dedicated KLB Entertainment team who helped bring the vision to life.“
 
About the Author: Tom Zillich
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