Central Alberta’s singing cowboy Ivan Daines has given many talented Alberta country artists a boost by inviting them to perform at his annual Ivan Daines Country Music Picknic.
On Sunday it was pay-back time.
The Association of Country Music in Alberta (ACMA) Hall of Fame recognized Daines’s four-decade contribution as an Industry Builder by inducting him into its Hall of Fame at an awards show on Sunday in Red Deer.
The ACMA credited Daines with making many contributions to the western way of life, rodeo and country music.
“He is a cowboy, an artist and a promoter. By far his biggest contribution to country music has been with his Daines Country Pick-nic. For 42 years he has given artists a platform to showcase their talent,” stated ACMA president Bill Hanson.
Headliners like Russell DeCarle, Bobby Bare, Dan Seals, George Fox, Michelle Wright, Johner Brothers, Patricia Conroy, Duane Steele, Gord Bamford and many more have played his stage, — but Daines has always had space for young up and coming Alberta artists as well, added Hanson.
“Congratulations and thank you Ivan for your decades of support.”
Daines called it a “tremendous honour” to be recognized by Alberta’s country music industry.
The Innisfail native and former saddle bronc rider is already a member of the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.
As an Alberta native, who’s promoted this province through his music and its artists through his Picknic, he added he’s very proud to be a member of the ACMA Hall of Fame.