Tara Oram nabs another award

Hare Bay's Tara Oram can add another award to her ever-growing trophy case following her trip to the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMAs), held last weekend in Vancouver, B.C.

Ms. Oram walked away with the Rising Star Award at the 2009 edition of the awards show last Sunday.

"I grew up as a little girl in Newfoundland just watching this show," she said while accepting the honour during the awards show, which was broadcast on CBC Television.

"To be recognized as a rising star is obviously a dream come true," Ms. Oram wrote in an e-mail to The Beacon. "But it's also such an incredible accomplishment to be recognized by the CCMA organization. Thank you to my loyal fans for getting me to this point."

She was also up for Female Artist of the Year, which went to Crystal Shawanda, and Country Music Television (CMT) Video of the Year for "Go to Bed Angry." Johnny Reid, who won five awards overall, took that category.

The awards show was the culmination of a weekend event celebrating the country's home-grown talent. Ms. Oram said she was particularly pleased to meet some Vancouver fans.

"Another highlight of my weekend was playing at FanFest and being able to spend some time with the fans. Its always my favourite part," she wrote.

Next month, Ms. Oram will get another opportunity to treat fans to her musical talents when she hits the road for a tour of arts and culture centres across Newfoundland and Labrador.

The tour will feature eight stops, including an Oct. 24 concert at the Joseph R. Smallwood Arts and Culture Centre in Gander.

"The best thing about the tour will be the fact that I will be home, and I have waited so long to have the opportunity to perform across our beautiful province," said Ms. Oram, who last performed in Newfoundland and Labrador this summer at Salmon Fest in Grand Falls-Windsor.