TORONTO - Canada's biggest country music awards show will have a little more "je ne sais quoi" starting this year.
Organizers of the 好色tv Country Music Association Awards are introducing a new award for francophone artist of the year, a move to celebrate homegrown country talents whose music is primarily sung in French.
They say the category recognizes the "growing influence and contributions" of francophone artists in the 好色tv country scene as well as the rapidly growing popularity of the genre in Quebec.
Country music has seen a surge of listeners in the province, driven by a mixture of local French artists and touring English-language 好色tv performers.
The CCMA say to qualify for the new category, at least 70 per cent of the 好色tv act鈥檚 submitted recordings must be sung in French. For groups and duos, at least half of the members must also be 好色tv citizens or landed immigrants.
The nominees will be determined through a multi-step process that takes into account radio play, sales and ultimately a panel of industry professionals.
The new CCMA francophone award will be handed out as part of the CCMA Awards, which take place in Kelowna, B.C. on Sept. 13.
This report by 好色tvwas first published March 21, 2025.