Press Release:
THE CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION® TO INDUCT LISA
BROKOP AND JOE WOOD INTO THE 2025 CANADIAN COUNTRY
MUSIC HALL OF FAME™
BROKOP AND WOOD TO BE HONOURED IN SPECIAL INDUCTION CEREMONY
DURING COUNTRY MUSIC WEEK 2025, SEPTEMBER 10-13 IN KELOWNA, BC
TORONTO, ON (June 2, 2025) – The Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) is proud to announce Lisa Brokop (Artist) and Joe Wood (Stan Klees Builder) as the 2025 inductees into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame™. Both will be formally inducted during an exclusive ceremony taking place as part of Country Music Week 2025, scheduled for September 10–13 in Kelowna, British Columbia.
“Country Music Week is a celebration of the talent, passion, and perseverance that define our industry, and this year we are proud to honour Lisa and Joe for their remarkable contributions,” said Amy Jeninga, President of the Canadian Country Music Association. “Lisa’s unforgettable voice and artistry has helped shape the sound of Canadian country music for generations, while Joe’s unwavering advocacy for independent artists and his visionary leadership through RDR Music Group have laid the groundwork for so many careers. Their induction is both a celebration of all they have accomplished and a tribute to the legacy they continue to build.”
Celebrating 35 years in country music, Lisa Brokop continues to capture hearts with her powerful voice and deep emotional connection to every lyric she sings. Her latest album, Who’s Gonna Fill Their Heels? is a powerful blend of homage and originality – showcasing both beloved classics and stirring new songs, including the title track and the standout single “Come Back Bobbie Gentry.”
Over the past decade, Brokop has kept the spotlight on country music’s female trailblazers through her touring shows The Legendary Ladies of Country Music and The Patsy Cline Project. A three-time CCMA (Independent) Female Artist of the Year winner, her body of work includes Gold-certified albums, U.S. charting singles, and hits recorded by Reba McEntire, Pam Tillis, and Terri Clark.
Her musical journey began in Vancouver, BC, performing with her family before going solo as a teenager. She rose quickly through the ranks, landing a starring role in Harmony Cats, signing with Capitol and Sony/Columbia Records, and earning an ACM nomination. Through all the changes, Brokop’s passion, voice, and songwriting have remained her trademarks.
“What an honour to be chosen to be included in the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame,” says Brokop. “I feel so grateful and blessed for the career I’ve been given, and I’m truly humbled to be added to the list of all of our Hall of Fame greats!”
With a legacy spanning nearly five decades, Joe Wood has been a tireless champion for Canadian country music – particularly its independent artists. A former touring musician, Wood transitioned in the early 1980s, under the mentorship of Rich Dodson, to become a record industry entrepreneur and visionary behind RDR Music Group, a company he co-founded with Trudy Wood. Over the last 35+ years, RDR has become synonymous with independent country music in Canada, adapting to every shift in format and technology.
From pressing vinyl and cassettes and CD’s to pioneering digital delivery via Yangaroo/DMDS, Wood has been at the forefront of innovation. He was among the first to create a compilation CD (Country Pak) of indie artists for radio and launched one of the earliest toll-free services to help artists market their work. Today, RDR has helped deliver more than 10,000 songs to Canadian radio – supporting artists such as Gord Bamford, Tenille Townes, The Reklaws, Michelle Wright, Ian Tyson, Brett Kissel, and even Garth Brooks.
Wood’s deep relationship with the CCMA began in 1991. He served on the Board of Directors from 1992 – 1996 and was instrumental in establishing the CCMA Independent Awards in 1997. For over 20 years, he has conducted Round Table Workshops during Country Music Week and has served as a juror, volunteer, sponsor, and passionate advocate for the Canadian country community
“I am honoured to be inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame,” shares Wood. “Stan Klees, for whom this award is named, was a close friend and mentor. I know he would be proud, and that means the world to me.”
Now 71, Wood remains active in the industry. “I’ve been lucky to work with two generations of artists – and if I stick around long enough, maybe even their grandkids!” he laughs.
The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame™ was established in 1984 to honour Canadian Artists and Builders who have made long-term contributions to the growth and development of Canadian country music. Its permanent physical home is located at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, in Calgary and consists of over 3,000 artifacts, including instruments and memorabilia. Inductees into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame™ (Hall of Fame™) are selected annually by their Canadian peers in the industry. The Hall of Fame™ is managed by the CCMA Board of Directors’ appointed Hall of Fame Management Committee (Management Committee). The Stan Klees Builder Award was established in recognition of RPM Magazine co-founder, Mr. Stan Klees, and his pioneering efforts in creating the CCMA Awards Program.
As the custodian of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame™, the National Music Centre will celebrate the legacies of the 2025 inductees and past honourees with a new exhibition opening on September 10, 2025. More details will be announced closer to its opening.
