Induction Criteria
The Hall of Fame Management Committee, Nominating Committee and Electors Committee will consider the following when casting their vote(s) in the current year:
Artist Category
The Artist (solo, duo or group) must be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant. Within a group or duo, at least 50% of the members must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants; – The Artist does NOT have to be a current member of the CCMA; – An Artist’s first recorded release must have occurred a minimum of 20 years prior to end of day January 1 of the current year; In addition, the Artist must be prominent in a minimum of three (3) out of the following five (5) categories: o Must have received nominations/awards/acknowledgements for music achievements, nationally; o Must have toured nationally, or internationally; o Must have appeared in nationally recognized concert halls, theatres, playgrounds, fairs, major television programs; o Must be responsible for a significant body of recorded work; o Must have had a Top 10 single. If a group is being submitted, all members of the group should be listed, including which periods of time they were active in the group. If inducted into the Hall of Fame, only the members listed on the Consideration Form will be inducted. Names cannot be added or removed after induction.
Builder Category
– The Builder must be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant;
– The Builder does NOT have to be a current member of the CCMA;
– A Builder becomes eligible for induction after a minimum of ten (10) years in the Canadian country music industry as of end of day January 1 of the current year;
– The Builder must have had a major impact on the Canadian country music industry;
In addition, the following factors will be considered in both the Artist and Builder categories:
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical components of business at the Canadian Country Music Association, and we are committed to making these values an integral part of our culture. All are encouraged to apply and will be considered with equal opportunity regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, colour, religion, language, age, size, disability and more.
Basic Standard – A Contender is to be judged on the degree of their impact on Canadian country music and on the degree of their contribution to the advancement of Canadian country music. This includes, but is not limited to, social, economic and artistic contributions.
Individual Candidacy – Only individuals may be inducted into the Hall of Fame (with the exception in the Artist category where groups/duos are eligible for induction). Companies, publications, radio stations and other groups – many of which significantly foster Canadian country music – are not eligible for induction.
Scope Of Activity – A Contender may have excelled in a narrow, specific sphere, such as songwriting, publishing, as a musician, or a recording artist, etc., or may have been active in several areas. In any event, a Contender must have achieved definitive leadership in their own field of country music activity. While it is not mandatory to honour the leader in every activity related to country music, a candidate truly must compete with all Contenders in all fields as well as with all Contenders in their own field.
Span Of Influence – A Contender’s impact on Canadian country music may cover an uninterrupted span of many years, or may cover two (2) or more distinct and separated time cycles. Conceivably, a Contender may be eligible by one transient act, momentary in time that had major impact on Canadian country music. Longevity of involvement within Canadian country music; therefore, will not in itself warrant induction.
Influence On Others – A most significant criterion in evaluating a Contender will be their inspirational effect on others; the degree to which they multiply their influence through others to create an impact on Canadian country music far beyond their own direct individual contribution.
Quantity Vs. Quality – A Contender’s ability to expand the popularity of Canadian country music is a quantitative virtue. The performance/execution of their activity is a “qualitative” one. Both quantitative and qualitative criteria are to be considered equally and separately; conceivably, one may be present without the other.
Devotion To Others – Furthering Canadian country music by selfless devotion to the interest of others may enhance the candidacy of an individual, but it is not essential to an induction. The activities of a Contender may be completely selfdevoted and still be considered significant enough to warrant recognition.
Conduct And Image – A Contender is expected to have practiced the highest caliber of conduct in order to enhance both their public image and the image of Canadian country music.
Personal Morals And Behaviour – The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame (the “CCMHF”) and its associated Awards celebrate Canadian country music and prides itself on promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. The CCMA and the CCMHF adhere to various policies and guidelines, including, without limitation, provincial and federal human rights legislation and is committed to a workplace and selection process free of harassment or conflict on any protected grounds, including, without limitation, race, gender, age, sexual orientation and/or personal beliefs. While this document sets out criteria for selection and consideration, the CCMA and/or CCMHF will have the right to withdraw the Award or remove any candidate from the selection process, at any time, (in addition to any other rights and remedies that the CCMA/CCMHF may have at law or in equity), including after any public announcements related to the Award, if the CCMA/CCMHF in its sole discretion decides that any act, omission, conduct, association or statement of the candidate, at any time, contravenes any of the CCMA/CCMHF policies and/or guidelines, or any provincial/federal human rights legislation. Upon any such disqualification, the CCMA/CCMHF will have no further obligations in relation to the Awards or the Awards process.
