The Canadian Country Music Association is honoured to announce the induction of recording artist Anne Murray and industry builder Art Snider into the Hall of Fame during Country Music Week in Calgary this September.

2002 Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee: Anne Murray
Anne Murray is one of Canada’s greatest international success stories. Her signature voice has graced our country on recordings since 1968. Now in her 34th year in the entertainment industry this phenomenal achievement is matched only by her high personal and professional standards.

Born in 1945 in Springhill, Nova Scotia to Dr. Carson and Marion Murray, Anne was the only daughter among five brothers. Music and sports were family pastimes so it was no surprise when Anne headed to University, grad! uating in 1966 from the University of New Brunswick with a degree in Physical Education.

During the course of her studies she auditioned for the Halifax based CBC television series Singalong Jubilee, but was told they “…had enough altos.” Murray was asked back in the summer of ’66 to join the chorus. After one year of teaching in PEI she signed on to the series full time as a featured soloist.

In 1968, Singalong musical director Brian Ahern convinced Anne Murray to join him in Toronto to record her first album “What About Me”. One year later, she signed with Capitol Records Canada and released her second album “This Way Is My Way” also produced by Ahern.

That album included Gene MacLellan’s “Snowbird” and in 1970 Anne would become the first Canadian solo female artist to receive an American Gold award. Hits such as “Danny’s Song”, “You Needed Me”, “Could I Have This Dance”, and “Love Song” soon followed solidifying Anne’s place in Canadian music history.

In 1989, A! nne proudly opened the Anne Murray Centre in her hometown of Springhill. A non-profit society, the Centre not only recognizes Anne’s accomplishments as a singer but has been a boost to the economy of Springhill.

To date Anne Murray has released 32 albums, selling more than 40 million copies around the world. In 1999 she released an inspirational CD titled “What A Wonderful World”, a recording that sustained a 70 week run on the charts and has now reached platinum sales.

She has sold out venues from Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall to the Palladium in London, England and today continues to play to capacity crowds.

The recipient of 4 Grammy Awards, 31 Juno Awards, a star at Hollywood and Vine in Los Angeles, and on Nashville’s Walkway of Stars, as well as a Companion of the Order of Canada, Anne Murray will release her 33rd album “Country Croonin” on August 27, 2002.

An entertainer with a liquid alto that has thrilled audiences for over 3 decades, we are honour! ed to celebrate the amazing contribution of our country’s national treasure, Anne Murray.

2002 Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Builder Inductee: Art Snider
Born in 1926 in Ottawa, Art Snider was on the road as a piano player for Toronto area dance bands while still in his teens. He went on to become a producer and record company owner, television network music conductor, and record studio owner, playing a key role in launching the careers of many Canadian artists.

By 1948 in Toronto, Art had established his own music school and began to produce records. From 1956 to 1965 he was music conductor for CBC television’s popular Country Hoedown series, which later evolved into The Tommy Hunter Show. Art continued with the show until 1970.

In the early 1960’s Art Snider established his own label Chateau/Canatal and throughout its history recorded only Canadian artists, including many CCMA Hall of Famers, Gordon Lightfoot, Gary Buck, The Mercey Brothers, Pat Hervey, ! Chef Adams, The Allan Sisters, Tommy Ambrose, Lucky Ambo, The Hames Sisters, Sons of the Saddle – many of which he also produced albums and singles for.

An early claim to fame for Art included his production of the highly collectible 1962 “Live At The Village Corner” album from The Two-Tones, which featured the recording debut of 2001 Hall of Fame inductee, Gordon Lightfoot. In the 1970’s Art began Periwinkle Records, featuring albums from The Good, Bad & Ugly, Shirley Field, Sweet Daddy Siki, J. Terry Hynes and famed dobroist Mickey Andrews.

Art also owned and operated several Toronto recording studios. Art Snider Studios was home to many of Canada’s top artists of the 50’s and 60’s. In 1967 Art Snider opened Sound Canada studios where many of this country’s top recordings of the time were recorded, including the Dick Damron career launcher “Countryfied”, produced by Gary Buck.

Art Snider was married to Jackie Allan of The Allan Sisters. He passed away in Toronto ! in 1987.

Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Inductions for 2002
Anne Murray and Art Snider will be inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame, during 2002 Canadian Country Music Week celebrations in Calgary, September 6th to 9th. The Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame is located on the grounds of the Calgary Stampede.


2002 Canadian Country Music Week takes place in Calgary September 6-9th. The Canadian Country Music Awards will be held at Pengrowth Saddledome Monday September 9th and tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.ca or at local Ticketmaster outlets.

The Awards’ show airs live at 8:00 pm on CBC Television in the eastern time zone. It is tape delayed to run at 8:00 pm in all other time zones, except east of Ontario, where it will run live at 9:00 pm, and in Newfoundland at 9:30 pm.