Jess Moskaluke shows off her female artist of the year award at the CCMA Awards in London, September 11, 2016. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News)Jess Moskaluke shows off her female artist of the year award at the CCMA Awards in London, September 11, 2016. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News)
London

Country Music Week Brings In $8.4M

When country music came to town last year it brought an $8.4-million economic boost for the province.

The figure from Country Music Week 2016, which was hosted in London, was announced on Monday by the Canadian Country Music Association.

An assessment by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance found that 18,500 music fans and industry professionals took in one or more of the events between September 8 and 11. Roughly 4,900 people came from outside of London for the festivities and workshops and over 7,800 people packed Budweiser Gardens for the culminating event, the CCMA Awards Show.

Tickets for the awards show sold out in minutes, making it the fastest sell out in CCMA history.

“To bring significant economic value to our host city and province, and to have maintained cultural significance in the Canadian arts landscape for 40 years is a testament to the Canadians from coast to coast who join us in embracing country music,” said Don Green, president of the CCMA. “We look forward to building on our tradition of educating, elevating and celebrating Canadian country music for years to come.”

The annual event is Canada’s largest combination of industry conference and music festival dedicated to the genre of country music. Last year was the first time London hosted Country Music Week.

"The economic assessment is a testament to how well the city came together and embraced Country Music Week. London proved itself once again to be an impeccable host city, this time opening the door for future major music, entertainment, and cultural events," said Chris Campbell, host committee chair of Country Music Week 2016 and director of culture and entertainment tourism for Tourism London.

This year, Country Music Week shifts to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on September 7 to 10.

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