BRIAN FERRIMAN INDUCTED INTO CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME

Brian Ferriman, Canadian country music record label entrepreneur and artist manager, is the Canadian Country Music Association's 2008 Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductee in the Builder category. Ferriman was formally inducted into the Hall of Fame this past Sunday evening, September, 2008, before a star-studded SRO audience at a gala banquet held during this year's Country Music Week festivities in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Michelle Wright announces Ferriman's induction on CCMA Awards Show
Photo: Grant W. Martin

The induction was performed by Ferriman's long time management client, Canadian country music superstar Michelle Wright. Commenting on Ferriman's induction, Wright said, "What a great night for Brian's family, the industry and myself to be able to honour Brian and show our appreciation for his contributions to the building of the Canadian Country Music Industry. As I was gathering information and quotes from a number of music business people the common thread was how much respect they have for Brian. Words like vision, integrity, passion, excellence and love for the music were consistent. It was also fun to hear people comment on how he balanced career and family and would beam with pride as he shared his children's accomplishments and the love that he has for his wife of 36 years, Sue.

"Brian and I have been a team for 23 years now. We have travelled the world together and as I look back at our accomplishments, what a great journey it has been and I look forward to what the future holds. Based on past experience working with Brian as my manager, there has always been something new to achieve or conquer waiting just around the corner."

Wright also announced Ferriman's induction to the Hall of Fame on the nationally-televised CCMA Awards show the following evening, September 8.

In his acceptance speech, Ferriman sent the "world's biggest thanks" out to Sue, his 'life and career partner,' as he introduced her and their two grown kids, Kimberley and Kevin, all of whom came up from Nashville for the event. Ferriman continued with "a humble and heartfelt 'thank you' to all the people I have worked with over the years."

The jovial inductee
Photo: Grant W. Martin

Ferriman has achieved success in all facets of the music industry, from musician, record producer, label head, artist manager to industry executive. Originally from Southern Ontario where he operated his own recording studio, Ferriman would become instrumental in the management of the careers of Canadian artists Terry Sumsion, Terry Carisse, The Good Brothers, Gary Fjellgaard, Anita Perras & Tim Taylor, Matt Minglewood and Michelle Wright, all of whom released some of their major hit recordings on Savannah Records, a label founded by Ferriman. The international success of Michelle Wright in the early 1990s under Ferriman's guidance prompted the relocation of the Savannah Music Group to Nashville. Ferriman's success at the managerial level would result in him being named the Canadian Country Music Association's Manager of the Year on eight occasions, and Record Industry Person of the Year on four occasions. Ferriman has also held various offices on the Board of Directors of the CCMA, served as a Director of the Canadian Independent Record Production Association (CIRPA) and Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and as International Director of the Nashville-based Country Music Association (CMA). Currently Ferriman continues to manage Michelle Wright and handle the careers of two significant American cowboy entertainers, R.W. Hampton and Brenn Hill. Ferriman has also recently reactivated the Savannah Music label to market his artists' music around the world.