Rob Woloschuk of Performance Promotions in Yorkton, and the music festival he has become synonymous with, are both among the nominees for Canadian Country Music Association awards this year.
Woloschuk is among the finalists in the category of Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year.Dauphin Countryfest, which Woloschuk has worked with as promoter the past 20-years has been nominated in the category of Country Festival, Fair or Exhibition of the Year.
Asked which of the nominations meant the most to him, Woloschuk said the individual one is special."Probably the Promoter of the Year means the most," he said, adding he garnered a similar nomination several years ago, but did not win.
Woloschuk said while CountryFest is a major event he is involved with, he added "I do more events than that." That said, he recognizes people recognize his work with the long-running festival.As an example, he pointed to this year when Brooks & Dunn were a last minute cancellation. Losing such a headliner could have been disastrous, but he managed to fill the spot.
"It happened basically the week before the event," he said, adding "within 18-hours I was able to pull off getting Keith Urban. It was at the drop-of-the hat kind of thing."
Getting such a huge name at the last minute was possible because of experience, offered Woloschuk."Over the years you gain the contacts, especially in Nashville," he said, adding many managers of big acts have become friends over the years.
As for CountryFest's nomination, like Woloschuk's own, it has been up the same award in the past.Woloschuk said the Dauphin event has shown one thing over the years, an ability to survive when many festivals changed focus or folded.
"It's been country from the beginning," he said. "We've went through the tough times like everybody else, but we've stayed the course."
There was a time in the mid-1990s where there were thoughts of shutting down, but they kept managing to keep it going, said Woloschuk.
"Then all of a sudden we're selling out every year again," he said.
Woloschuk credits the venue for the festival's longevity.
"There's no venue like it at any other festival in Canada," he said, adding the organizers have always invested in improvements, including $500,000 this year. " I think that pays off in the long run."
Woloschuk said while nominations are great, he is hoping for wins this year, adding he is confident.
"We really feel different about this year," he said.
The 2010 CCMA Awards show will take place Sunday, September 12, at Rexall Place in Edmonton and will be broadcast nationally on CBC and CMT that night at 8 PM.
