The Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) Board of Directors and the CCMA are proud to announce Dean Brody as the 2023 recipient of the Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award, honouring the multiple CCMA Award winner for his remarkable achievements across numerous initiatives through The Dean Brody Foundation. Awarded annually, the Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award recognizes an individual(s) and/or event(s) that have made an outstanding contribution of time and energy in the support of humanitarian causes through country music.

Brody Will Be Celebrated For The Remarkable Achievements Of The Dean Brody Foundation During Country Music Week 2023, September 14-16 In Hamilton, Ontario. 

“The Dean Brody Foundation was started after a life-changing trip, in hopes of giving a voice to the voiceless. I am incredibly honoured to be receiving this year’s Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award to be able to further shine a spotlight on the causes that I hold deeply to my heart and have supported through this foundation," says Brody. "Stepping into partnership with IJM a few years ago has allowed us to increase our reach and impact and it has been inspiring to see how much more we've been able to accomplish together. On behalf of every single exploited child we've been able to help, I want to thank both the CCMA and the Slaight family for this honour.”

“I am very impressed with the work and contributions Dean Brody has personally made to making the lives of so many people here in Canada and Internationally better and safer,” shares Gary Slaight President and CEO of The Slaight Family Foundation. “The Slaight Family Foundation starting with my father Allan, has always believed that giving back to those in need is the most important commodity we can provide as human beings and we champion Dean’s endeavour in doing the same. Dean's achievements are certainly deserving of this Humanitarian Award, and I congratulate him on this recognition.”

Founded in 2011, The Dean Brody Foundation began as a way for Brody to support the rescue and prevention of young girls being exploited and trafficked around the world. Initially focused on Brazil, he quietly committed himself to the cause after travelling and seeing the crisis first hand. Since the foundation’s inception, Brody has personally and privately donated over $500,000 to the organization, and has made over a dozen self-funded trips to Brazil to work alongside Meninadança and their “Pink Houses” initiative, providing safe homes for at-risk girls along Brazil’s “exploitation highway”, the BR-116.

In 2021, Brody expanded the foundation’s mission in partnership with the global organization International Justice Mission (IJM), supporting their efforts to combat the online exploitation of children (OSEC) in the Philippines and prevent harm before it happens. In his quiet and humble manner, Dean has also supported countless grassroots charities across Canada in addition to higher profile events including his 2022 partnership with the National Hockey League Players Association® (NHLPA®), donating $60,000 to the local minor hockey community in his hometown of Cranbrook, B.C. to ensure children of families facing financial barriers could access the sport.

“The extraordinary impact of The Dean Brody Foundation in communities across the world is awe-inspiring, and we are so pleased to be able to shine a spotlight on Dean and celebrate his selfless mission,” shares Amy Jeninga, President. CCMA. “Dean’s willingness to step-up and use his platform for change, along with his commitment to causes both global and right in his own backyard, are a testament to his character, and the CCMA is thrilled to highlight the work he continues to do.”

The CCMA Award of Achievement is named in recognition of generous donations made by the Slaight Music Foundation. The 2023 Slaight Music Humanitarian Award will be presented to Dean Brody during a private industry event as part of Country Music Week 2023, taking place September 14-16 in Hamilton, ON. For further details on the Slaight Music Humanitarian Award and other CCMA Awards of Achievement click HERE.

Tickets for Canada’s biggest night in country music go on sale today (6/22) at 10am ET. Tickets are available starting at $59.99 plus taxes/fees in-person through the FirstOntario Centre Box office or online at www.Ticketmaster.ca.

ABOUT DEAN BRODY

Since his debut single “Brothers” hit the US Top-40 back in 2008, Dean has become one of the most beloved Canadian country artists of his generation. A passionate storyteller and unmatched lyricist, Dean has risen and continues to remain at the top of the Canadian country landscape with an impressive 34 Top-10 singles (including 8 #1s), 18 CCMA Awards, 2 JUNOs, a CMA Global Award and more than 435+ million global streams and numerous gold and platinum certified singles (including 1 triple platinum and 4 double platinum). He currently holds the title of the most consumed Canadian country artist since 2020.

No country artist has ever owned the Canadian stage like Dean in recent years, consistently selling out arenas across the country, headlining Canada’s biggest music festivals and becoming the only Canadian country artist to hold a 7-year residency at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage. While a consistently celebrated entertainer, Dean also dedicates a large part of his life to philanthropic efforts through his charity, The Dean Brody Foundation. Learn more at https://www.deanbrody.com/

ABOUT THE DEAN BRODY FOUNDATION

Founded in 2011, The Dean Brody Foundation was started by Brody to support the rescue and prevention of young girls exploited in human trafficking in Brazil and around the world. After reading Remember Me, Rescue Me by Matt Roper, who went on to become Brody's partner in the Foundation, Brody knew he needed to use his platform to bring light to the injustices taking place for young women around the globe. To date, the Foundation has raised over $500K through self-funding by Brody and has saved countless girls from trafficking and exploitation.

ABOUT THE CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION® (CCMA®)

Established in 1976, the CCMA is a membership-based, not-for-profit organization committed to the promotion and recognition of Canadian country music. Built upon the foundation to educate, elevate, and celebrate Canadian talent, the CCMA progressively heralds the spirit, community, and creativity that country music fosters through year-round initiatives, culminating every fall with Country Music Week and the Canadian Country Music Association Awards. Sponsors of Country Music Week 2023 and the 2023 CCMA Awards Show include FACTOR, Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters, and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage’s “Canada Music Fund”.

ABOUT THE SLAIGHT FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Slaight Family Foundation was established in 2008 by John Allan Slaight.  Allan Slaight (1931-2021), known as Canada’s broadcast pioneer, was a leader in the music industry and a prominent Canadian philanthropist. Through his generosity, the Foundation proactively supports charitable initiatives in the areas of healthcare, at-risk youth, international development, social services, and culture. The foundation is overseen by Allan’s son, Gary Slaight, President & CEO, The Slaight Family Foundation.