Yorkton's Samara Yung is once again up for a number of Saskatchewan Country Music Association awards.
Among the nominations, Yung is up for Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for 'Things I Can’t Turn Of', and Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year.
Yung's father, and a member of her band Murray Yung is up for Bass Player of the Year.
This is not Yung's first time to be nominated, but she said she remains excited every year.
"I don't think they will ever lose their importance," she said. "It's an honour to be nominated as I know there are so many other talented people in this province, and not everyone gets to be in the top-five.
"So I am truly grateful for everyone who decided to put that check mark beside my name.
"I still get nervous before the nominations come out because everyone just keeps getting better and better and one day my name may not be there anymore.
"I'm starting to become the old girl in the business," she added with a laugh.
Having won in the past helps as the feeling from those lingers.
"All of the nominations I have received over the years have meant the world to me," she told Yorkton This Week. "It's always great to get recognition for all of your hard work and I have been extremely lucky to have won seven SCMAS so far.
"The one that has stood out to me is the "Fans choice entertainer of the year award", that I won in 2019. It was a purely fan voted award and I was shocked to have received it. Being up against acts like the Hunter Brothers and having my fans pull through was an amazing feeling. It truly meant so much to receive that award because it was the public and my fans who took the time to vote, and believe in me."
So is there one nomination Yung is particularly happy to receive this year?
"I am happy to have received them all," she replied. "Like I said one day I may not be in these categories anymore as I am becoming the old girl in the business.
"It has been a tough year for everyone, and these nominations make it a little brighter."
The COVID pandemic has certainly impacted musicians.
"Watching so many of my music colleagues having to get 'day' jobs to pay the bills has been hard," said Yung. "I've been holding down a day job and my music career for 15 years so for me I was lucky. I am grateful for my day job to pay my bills but I've also almost been mourning the loss of my music career in a way, wondering what comes next and if/when we will ever get back to 'normal'.
"I honestly don't know the answer to that.
"But for now we will celebrate the little wins and try to adapt the best we can. Loving everyone around us and being so appreciative for all of the opportunities we have and had before the world flipping upside down."
Of course Yung keeps playing too.
"We finished recording this album ('Things I Can’t Turn Of') in February of 2020 in Nashville and it was the best trip with the best people," said Yung, adding "four-weeks later COVID shut the world down."
But the music remains fine.
"I am extremely proud of this project and feel like our team just keeps getting better and better," said Yung.
That said having COVID hit so soon after the recording was finished hurt.
"I'm not going to lie, It's been extremely hard watching the world turn upside down and not getting to perform and do all of my music things the way I know how," said Yung. "It's been an adjustment and I'm honestly not taking it very well at times.
"I'm trying to stay positive, and keep pushing though, but working in a pharmacy full time wearing a mask and shield for nine hours a day, as well as motivating at a spin studio which has had to adapt by going virtual, and having the music industry basically shut down as well as trying to go virtual, has been extremely hard and totally exhausting. I know all of our lives have changed but not everyday is easy.
"The only good thing about all of this is all the time I have gotten to spend with my daughter and husband."
The 32nd Annual Awards Show, hosted by Tim Day and Courtney Fielder, will be on Access Now and YouTube airing April 17, at 8:00 p.m.
