A Simcoe County radio host has been nominated for a country music award on the world stage. Shannon Ella is heard locally on Pure Country 106 in Orillia, but her nationally syndicated show makes her the voice of country music for many Canadians coast to coast. Ella was nominated for the County Music Award’s international country broadcaster of the year. “There was a girl from a small town in Ontario who loved country music, loved radio and somehow believed there might be a place for her in this industry,” Ella said in a post on social media on Thursday. “Even though she didn’t take the traditional path to get here, I think she’d be pretty proud today.” The Country Music Association recognized her and other finalists from the United Kingdom and Australia. “Being recognized and representing Canada, I think, is so special and so cool and being only a Canadian nominee, I think is really cool,” Ella told CTV News. “It feels like magic, it feels like Disney World for me.” “Thank you to everyone who has listened, believed in me, taken a chance on me, worked alongside me or cheered me on and especially my family, who makes it possible for me to keep chasing these crazy dreams,” Ella said. The winner will be announced later this year. Both CTV News Barrie & Pure Country 106 are divisions of Bell Media.
