CHARLOTTETOWN – Long-time Cape Breton favourites The Barra MacNeils proved they’re Atlantic Canadian favourites as well when they received the prestigious Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year Award at this year’s East Coast Music Awards Show on Thursday night in Charlottetown.
Folk Recording of the Year was won by Dave Gunning and JP Cormier for their album, Gunning & Cormier – Two. And song of the year went to The East Pointers for “Two Weeks” produced by Gordie Sampson.
“What an incredible show,” said Andy McLean, CEO of the ECMA. “A huge congratulations is in order for all the awards winners and nominees. Thank you to tonight’s amazing performers and to Jonathan Torrens, who once again proved to be a hilarious and gracious awards show host. The week is still young and we have so many more fantastic events lined up, including the ECMA Friday and Saturday Night concerts, the Trinity Sessions showcases, the Celtic Brunch and much more.”
Other major winners included Jeremy Dutcher, Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire, Classified, and Reeny Smith.
Other ECMAs presented included:
Album of the Year:
Classified – Tomorrow Could Be The Day Things Change (Producer: Luke Boyd)
Bucky Adams Memorial Award:
Reeny Smith
Country Recording of the Year:
Mallory Johnson – Mallory Johnson
Enregistrement francophone de l’année:
Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire – Viens avec moi
Fans’ Choice Video of the Year:
Makayla Lynn – “Joyride” (Director: Scott Simpson)
Group Recording of the Year:
Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire – Viens avec moi
Indigenous Artist of the Year:
Jeremy Dutcher
Rap/Hip-Hop Recording of the Year:
Classified – Tomorrow Could Be The Day Things Change
Rising Star Recording of the Year:
Jeremy Dutcher – Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa
Pop Recording of the Year:
Paper Lions – At Long Creek II
The remaining 2019 East Coast Music Awards, including the Industry Awards, will be handed out on Sunday, May 5 as part of the East Coast Music and Industry Awards celebration taking place in the Confederation Ballroom at Delta Hotels by Marriott Prince Edward at 7:30 pm. The evening features performances by Paper Lions, Rose Cousins, Old Man Luedecke, and Postdata.