The Canadian Country Music Association has announced Winnipeg as host city for the 2008 Canadian Country Music Week and Awards, to be held September 5-8, 2008. This marks the third time Winnipeg will host Canada's largest country music event.

The Chair of the Canadian Country Music Association, Heather Ostertag, officially announced the awarding of Country Music Week 2008 to the City of Winnipeg, acknowledging that more than two decades had passed since the event was last held in that city (1986). Ostertag added, "The Canadian Country Music Association is very pleased to return to Winnipeg and the Board of Directors invites both the community and our industry to join in and help make this a wonderful celebration and a wonderful opportunity for Canada's talent."

Music is integrated into the fabric of Winnipeg and Manitoba, and shapes the heartland of Canada's musical tradition. Artists such as Neil Young, Doc Walker, The Guess Who, and countless others launched their careers here.

"Manitoba has always been a great place for music and artists," said Premier Gary Doer. "We were proud to host the JUNO Awards last year and just this year we hosted the Western Canadian Music Awards and the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards. With this announcement, we will show the country yet again that Winnipeg is a music town."

Canadian Country Music Week and Awards is one of the largest music events in Canada.