Cal Gratton. (Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)

By Ronald Quaroni

Saskatchewan Talent

New faces and perennial contenders highlight Saskatchewan Country Music Award nominations

Feb 19, 2020 | 12:45 PM

This year’s crop of Saskatchewan country music talent is abundant.

Many of this year’s nominees for the Saskatchewan Country Music Awards (SCMA’s) are country stars making waves in the industry across the country.

One person who is well connected with all who perform, play and write country music in the province is Cal Gratton.

Gratton, a longstanding fixture in the province’s country music scene has once again been nominated for the On-Air Personality in a Secondary Market category.

“It never seems to get old and I always say that country music especially in Saskatchewan is so strong and it’s always so great to be nominated,” Gratton told paNOW. “It acts as validation for sure. It’s very pleasing to be nominated again.”

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Gratton explained Saskatchewan country music and its artists are ingrained into his DNA, being a part of his lifestyle over the last 30 years.

He is very impressed with the list of nominees this year.

“We can put this crop of talent against anything and anybody in Canada for sure. Tenille Arts, Jess Moskaluke are doing very well. The Hunter Brothers continue to promote not only Saskatchewan Country Music, but Canadian Country music wherever they play,” he said.

Gratton is the music director for 105.1 CJVR which is also nominated for Best Radio Station in a Secondary Market. Another radio station to secure a nomination in that category is the Battleford’s CJNB 1050.

Prince Albert’s E.A. Rawlinson is also getting a nod. After winning the category of Music Venue of the Year in 2019, they are thrilled to once again be nominated.

“It feels really good to be recognized for what we put on the stage. You look at the list and the nominees are from all over Saskatchewan which is a really cool thing to see all these places that put a highlight on local entertainment and country music,” Marketing and Events Coordinator for the E.A. Rawlinson Centre, Cara Stelmaschuk told paNOW.

Stelmaschuk noted people who support the shows at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre play a big role in supporting country music.

“Local support for local music is huge,” Stelmaschuk said. “Country music is very popular in Prince Albert and the E.A. Rawlinson Centre is a great place to watch an act.”

The Saskatchewan Country Music Award’s snow will be held in Regina on April 18 during the SCMA weekend.

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Ron.Quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni