BIBLE HILL, N.S. — Tom and Belinda Bennickes visit to the Canadian County Music Association Awards is something they’ll never forget.
The Bible Hill couple drove to Calgary in September to take in the show. They were standing outside with their sign, which said ‘Hey Truro, Nova Scotia’ on one side and ‘Hello Richard’- for their son, on the other, when officials invited them to stand along the red carpet.
“I’m still on a high,” said Belinda. “I couldn’t believe I got to stand on the red carpet. It was beyond my wildest dreams.”
While most people were taking selfies with the stars, the Bennickes used their sign to collect autographs.
“They’re all from people who were on the red carpet, but I can’t make some of them out,” said Belinda. “It was amazing. They were all so friendly and the dresses and clothes…”
Number one on the list of who she wanted to see was Billy Ray Cyrus, who sang Achy Breaky Heart during the show.
Brett Kissel, The Washboard Union, Charlie Major, Dallas Smith, Dean Brody, and the Hunter Brothers are just a few of the others they saw.
They made the trip to Calgary by car so they could stop in Winnipeg and Toronto to visit Belinda’s brothers.
“It was well worth going and driving, if you have the time, is the way to go,” said Tom. “It was a nice trip.”
Although they’re both big country fans, and have seen See Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Waylon Jennings perform, they also enjoy other music. In May they went to Montreal to see Pink.
“Going to the awards and being on the red carpet was one of the most interesting things that ever happened to me,” said Belinda. “It was very, very, very exciting.”
