Gord Bamford will be the one to beat at the 2010 Canadian Country Music Association Awards, with the Alberta singer getting a leading six nominations.

Organizers announced this year's nominees on Wednesday from Edmonton, where the gala will take place in September.

Bamford, whose critically acclaimed album Day Job was released in April, is nominated for every category for which he is eligible, including best single (Day Job), album (Day Job), songwriter (Day Job, a shared nomination with Byron Hill), video (Day Job), male artist and the coveted fans' choice award.

"I never dreamed we were going to lead the way with nominations," Bamford told The Canadian Press on Wednesday.

"It's so surreal for me because we've been at this for a lot of years, and our company is 100 per cent independent ... You've seen all the nominees. Everybody is great at what they do. It'll be tough to win, but hopefully, I don't get shut out."

Not far behind him are four strong competitors who are tied with five nominations each: hit group Doc Walker, fellow Albertan Corb Lund, bestselling singer Johnny Reid and popular newcomer Dean Brody.

Perennial favourites Terri Clark and George Canyon are among those with multiple nods, earning two and three nominations, respectively. B.C. sibling troupe the Higgins also picked up two nominations.

Selected nominees include:

  • Fans' Choice Award: Gord Bamford; George Canyon; Doc Walker; Corb Lund; Johnny Reid.
  • Single: Dance With Me, Johnny Reid; Day Job, Gord Bamford; Dirt Roads Scholar, Dean Brody; I Believe In Angels, George Canyon; If I Fall, Doc Walker.
  • Album: Day Job, Gord Bamford; Dean Brody, Dean Brody; GO, Doc Walker; The Long Way Home, Terri Clark; Losin' Lately Gambler, Corb Lund.
  • Songwriter(s): Dance With Me, Victoria Banks/Johnny Reid/Tia Sillers (recorded by Johnny Reid); Day Job, Gord Bamford/Byron Hill (recorded by Gord Bamford); Dirt Roads Scholar, Dean Brody (recorded by Dean Brody); Heart Of Gold, Jessie Farrell/Jesse Tucker (recorded by Jessie Farrell); If I Fall, Murray Pulver/Chris Thorsteinson/Dave Wasyliw (recorded by Doc Walker).
  • Female artist: Victoria Banks; Terri Clark; Jessie Farrell; Carolyn Dawn Johnson; Crystal Shawanda.
  • Male artist: Gord Bamford; Dean Brody; George Canyon; Corb Lund; Johnny Reid.
  • Group or duo: Doc Walker; Hey Romeo; the Higgins; One More Girl; The Road Hammers.
  • Roots artist or group: Ridley Bent; Blue Rodeo; Shane Chisholm; The Higgins; Corb Lund.
  • Rising star: Jaydee Bixby; Chad Brownlee; High Valley; One More Girl; Marlee Scott.
  • Video: Dance With Me, Johnny Reid; Day Job, Gord Bamford; Devil's Best Dress, Corb Lund; Watching You Walk Away, Shane Yellowbird; Wildflower, Dean Brody.

Awards are also presented for more specific instrumental categories, as well as for industry and technical achievements, including album design, video direction and producing.

Canadian Country Music Week will take place Sept. 8 to 12, culminating with the CCMA Awards gala at Rexall Place.

With file from The Canadian Press