Local gets CCMA nods

Photo: Facebook

Nominated artist Brett Kissel, left, and nominated Industry Person of the Year Jim Cressman, right.

Invictus Entertainment Group, a Penticton company, boasts a host of top-tier Canadian country musicians as clients, which the Canadian Country Music Association has just recognized with several nominations for the upcoming CCMA Awards.

For the past two years, the group's president and Penticton resident Jim Cressman was nominated and won the Industry Person of the Year and Promotor of the Year awards. He won the latter each time, and is nominated for both again. 

Invictus itself is also nominated, for Booking Agency of the Year and Management Company of the the Year.

Their artists raked in the nods as well. Gord Bamford is up for Apple Music Fans' Choice, Male Artist of the Year and Record Producer of the Year.

Brett Kissel, who recently played at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre and will be in Oliver on Nov. 26, is looking to defend his 2017 title as Male Artist of the Year, as well as hoping to pick up the Apple Music Fans' Choice, Ford Album of the Year, Video of the Year, Interactive Artist or Group of the Year and Record Producer of the Year. 

Up-and-comer Dan Davidson, of recent radio hits like "Found" and "Barn Burner," is nominated for the SiriusXM Rising Star award. 

Also notable is Madeline Merlo, who is not an Invictus client but is coming to Penticton for PeachFest in August, and has also earned a nod for Female Artist of the Year. 

The awards will be hosted in Hamilton, Ont. this year and will air live on Sept. 9.