Alberta's Men and Women of Country Music
9th Annual Event
May 9th 2009
Sponsored by
Jim Pattison Broadcast Group

ALBERTA'S MEN AND WOMEN OF COUNTRY MUSIC was a great success. The crowd was smaller than last year but they made up for it with their enthusiasm ... they were on their feet and clapping all through the show. They showed their appreciation of the performers and their talent with many standing ovations ... in fact I think every entertainer got at least one for their erformances.

The show started off with Lloyd Dolenand the Double Diamond Band delivering their great Western songs with so much ease... Lloyd's CD, Songs of Sweat and Leather is a great collaboration of Cowboy poets and Western Music combined to make great songs. Lloyds originals are awesome to.. Some of the songs were penned by the late Glen Rafuse and the prolific Buddy Gale. Lloyds grandfather must be smiling down from heaven every time he performs.

Jessica St Dennis has not only grown in talent and ability but in height (almost 6') She is turning into a beautiful young woman. She received the AWOCM Rising Star Award for 2009. And she received a standing ovation as well.... way to go Jessica.

Jessie Jo Charles wowed the crowd with her angelic voice doing many country classics. I don't think the crowd ever totally stopped clapping and a much deserved standing ovation went on for minutes. Way to go Jessie.

Pat Hatherly received the 2009 AWOCM Lifetime Achievement Award and she put on quite a show for the crowd and showed them why she is so deserving of this award. The crowd was on their feet for a long time... Pat has a new CD out that she is so proud of.  It is a preciated his great style and his original material. He received a well deserved standing ovation as well. He and Jessie sure do complement each other on the stage.

Next came Al Owchar and I don't think the clapping ever totally stopped through his whole show. He is the recipient of the 2009 AMOCM Lifetime Achievement Award and such a talent. There were many of his hand made instruments on display as well. He is a man of many talents and so deserving of this award ... Looks good on you Al.

Next was the wonderful supper put on by the committee and Shirley and her crew outdid themselves... if anyone left hungry it was their own fault.

Alex Dion was next up and his George Strait classic country had everyone cheering for him. His original song for his wife caused a tear or two I noticed ... The crowd showed their appreciation for his talent with yet another standing ovation...

Lesley Schatz is always a crowd pleaser... she is the ultimate entertainer, not just a musician and a singer/songwriter... Her set was well received and again the crowd was on their feet ...

Terry Knutson from Edmonton was in Hoadley for the first time and on AMOCM for the first time... He is such a talent... His band Raisin' Cain came out to support him in his show and they all had fun and the crowd loved them.... again on their feet.

Last but not least was Myrol a great award wining Mother / Daughter duo. They are known for their great harmony and song writing ability and musical ability as well The crowd loved them. After a couple of songs they invited Mrs Music, Jean Myrol up Mother to Joanne and Grandmother to Haley. She didn't know it but we had a surprise for her ... Since I hadn't given out an award in 2001, I presented her with the second AWOCM Lifetime Achievement Award of the night. She was in shock and so thankful and humble ... She is one of those talented people who has worked behind the scenes supporting everyone else and only now in her senior years has she began to share her incredible talent with everyone. She is a great musician and can sing those Bluegrass tunes so right. She was pretty emotional but she did 3 songs before letting Joanne and Haley finish their set and the crowd was on their feet for her as well. Now the 10th Anniversary show next year will be a true 10 years of giving out 10 awards ... All the recipients have been so deserving. Joanne wrote a 3 page tribute for her Mom unfortunately I didn't have time to read it all so I am going to put it on here as soon as I can get the time. It is worth the read. I was in tears and it is the best tribute to a mother I have ever read so look for it. Joanne and Haley did more great originals and then closed out the night by calling up all the artists still there and having a hoedown on the last song ... The crowd was on their feet and gave them a long standing ovation.

Shirley and the committee once again pulled it off and it was a great show...

My line-up was spectacular and there is so much talent in Alberta we could have a show for a month straight and not run out of performers ...

Special thank you to BIG WEST COUNTRY RADIO AND JIM PATTISON BROADCAST FOR SUPPORTING THIS SHOW SINCE DAY ONE ... WITHOUT YOU IT WOULD BE REALLY HARD TO PUT ON A SHOW ... THANK YOU DAVE FROM BIG WEST COUNTRY RADIO FOR AN AWESOME JOB OF MC-ING THE SHOW.

THANK YOU TO ALL THE OTHER SPONSORS !!

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR
Dianne Brandson