1991

CHARMAINE GALBRAITH

Charmaine Galbraith is most notably recognized in the B.C. Country Music Industry as co-founder of the B.C. Country Music Association along with fellow founders Tom Peacock, John Ford, Richard Watt, Ron Abrams and Dianne Giffen. While many people contributed time, effort and money to the building of the BCCMA Awards, Charmaine is unanimously credited with originating the awards show. Her unflagging spirit, determination and enthusiasm brought about the birth of an association that endures to this day enjoying ever increasing support and recognition throughout the province and beyond.  Writing letters, making phone calls, traveling the province, talking to anyone who would listen and packaging showcases, Charmaine eventually reached the combination of people to put together the first B.C. Country Muisc Awards show May 15, 1977. The awards, in the words of one winner, “brought the music community together like nothing else had done”. Charmaine had a background in public relations and promotions. She was a writer with the Columbia newspaper and organized Cancer Society benefit concerts.  Originally called the Charlie Awards after their founder, the name was changed to the Danny Awards in honor of the late Danny Ramaniuk at the first annual ceremony in the Commodore Ballroom. The following year, Molson Breweries became a major sponsor and the name was changed to the Molson Danny Awards. In 1983 the association opted for the B.C. Country Music Awards as the annual event’s official title.  Charmaine worked hard as a director at large with the BCCMA, as well as lobbying with the federal government for more Canadian content on radio stations across the country. Charmaine has always been one of the hardest working, true supporters of B.C. Country Music.