Miranda Lambert will perform at the CCMA awards.

Everything’s bigger in Saskatoon — at least for a few days.

The city is hosting the Canadian Country Music Association Awards Sept. 9 at the Credit Union Centre and will see artists and fans from around the country ride into the city for the weekend.

The awards, which take place during PotashCorp’s country music week, Sept. 6-9, celebrate the past year of country music in Canada. It will feature performances from popular Canadian artists including Jason Blaine, Miranda Lambert, newcomers Kira Isabella and Dallas Smith, as well as a collaboration between Doc Walker and Emerson Drive, who are competing for the group duo of the year award.

CBC Radio 3 personality Lana Gay will host the awards and guest appearances will include Gord Bramford, Jason Aldean, Emerson Drive and Eric Church to name a few.

Taylor Swift, who is not Canadian, has been chosen as the first-ever Generation Award recipient. The award, which honours international artists who expand country music’s reach to new audiences, will be presented to her via video by acclaimed artist Bryan Adams.

Other artists up for awards include Blaine, who’s been nominated for four CCMA awards including male artist of the year. He is up against Gord Bramford, Dean Brody and Johnny Reid, who is nominated for an impressive total of eight awards.

Terri Clark, Hey Romeo and married couple Marylynne and Brad Stella’s band, The Stellas, are each nominated for three awards. Hey Romeo is up for the fan’s choice award while The Stellas are nominated for their first-ever award in the rising star category. Competition for The Stellas include Isabella and Smith.

The CCMA has hosted the event since 1982. It expects this years event to generate $5 to 7 million dollars for the city.

In addition to the awards, the CCMA is responsible for an array of other events during the week. These events include CCMA seminars, songwriter’s café, new artist showcase and the rock’n country cabaret night for the 19+ crowd. The cabaret will cost $25 at the door and will include performances by some of Saskatchewan’s biggest country stars.

“We were very impressed with Saskatoon’s solid and comprehensive bid package. It will be an unforgettable event for both industry and fans alike,” CCMA executive director Don Green said in a press release.

The 2012 Canadian Country Music Association Awards will be broadcast on CBC from Saskatoon Credit Union Centre on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m.

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Photo: asterix611/Flickr