Yorkton’s GX94 represents Saskatchewan in CCMA Station of the Year nomination

YORKTON, Sask. — GX94 has once again earned national recognition from the Canadian country music industry, receiving a nomination for Station of the Year (Small/Medium Market) at the 2026 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards.

The Yorkton-based station is one of five finalists in the category and is the only Saskatchewan station nominated. It is also the only AM station among the nominees.

"It's a pretty big honour for us," said GX94 music director and morning show host Danny Ismond. "We're very small compared to some of the cities and locations that are up for grabs. It's right across Canada. All country stations are eligible to be nominated, so it's a pretty big honour."

CCMA nominations are determined through an industry voting process involving members from across the Canadian country music sector, including artists, managers, record labels and other industry professionals.

GX94 vice-president of programming for Saskatchewan Brad Bazin said that industry-driven process makes the nomination especially meaningful.

"You don't apply for it. You are nominated by the industry people that are members of the CCMA," Bazin said. "The nomination really is a big win."

The station has received previous CCMA recognition, with Bazin noting this is GX94's third nomination and the second in the past few years.

He attributes the recent success to the station's willingness to support new music and emerging Canadian talent.

"GX94 plays new music and we play a lot of Canadian artists," Bazin said. "What's called their first spin, which means we're the first radio station in many cases to play some of these artists for the very first time."

In radio, a "spin" refers to how often a song is played on air. That information is tracked across North America, allowing industry professionals to see which stations are supporting artists and songs early in their release cycle.

Bazin said much of that credit belongs to Ismond, who has served as the station's music director for nearly two decades.

"Danny has the knowledge that he's garnered over his many years of doing music and realizing when a song is going to be one that we want to play and that our listeners are going to enjoy," Bazin said. "He doesn't wait to see how other radio stations are responding to it. He responds to it solely for the GX94 listeners."

Ismond said providing those early opportunities is something the station takes pride in.

"We support Canadian artists," he said. "There are a lot of artists that will be new, a new artist even, that has never had airplay and other stations are scared to play them."

He said the practice extends beyond emerging acts, with GX94 often among the first stations in Canada to add new releases from established country stars such as Dallas Smith and Saskatchewan's own Jess Moskaluke.

"A lot of times we're the first station in Canada playing a song," Ismond said. "That's pretty cool. I take pride in that."

Unlike many radio stations where playlists are selected by corporate programming departments, Ismond said GX94 has maintained a local approach to music decisions.

"I actually have the ability to be able to add whatever I want," he said. "If I can justify it and say it's a good song, people like it and it's being requested, then we'll play it."

That community-focused philosophy has been a hallmark of the station's success, according to Ismond, who has spent more than 24 years at GX94 after beginning his career on overnight shifts.

He believes the longevity of staff members helps create strong connections with listeners.

"A lot of staff have been here a long time," he said. "That's why when we go out people feel like they know us. We're a part of the community."

GX94 is currently in its 99th year of operation and is approaching its centennial anniversary in 2027.

Ismond, Bazin and newly appointed GX94 and CKRM program director Tanya Cherry will attend the CCMA Industry Awards Gala in Saskatoon, where the winners will be announced.

Whether or not the station brings home the trophy, both Ismond and Bazin say the nomination serves as recognition of the role a small-market Saskatchewan station can play on the national country music stage.

By Andrea Moss, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SaskToday.ca, SASKTODAY.ca | Copyright 2026, SASKTODAY.ca. All rights reserved.