The East Coast was well represented at the 2017 Canadian Folk Music Awards with fifteen bands receiving twenty-one nominations across nineteen different categories. With the talent we threw at them this year, some of those were bound to make it back to the Atlantic Provinces.
The competition was fierce; among them, Fred Penner. Fred “I’ve got a log leading to a magical place, and practically raised you” Penner. Naturally, he took the Children’s Album of the Year Award. Thankfully, he wasn’t competing in any other categories.
“The Canadian Folk Music Awards celebration weekend in Ottawa immersed us in the incredible and diverse amount of folk music being made across our country. From keeping traditional music alive to pushing contemporary folk music forward, we are so proud to be in our 13th year and have in our ranks such an impressive pool of musical talent. 75 nominees were named this year and 20 recipients were awarded. I hope that you’ll join us in exploring our list of great folk music from Canada” said President of the Canadian Folk Music Awards, Grit Laskin.
Here are the Atlantic Canadian musicians who were successful winning in their categories:
The Slaight Music Unsung Hero Award
Gerry Strong (Newfoundland and Labrador)
Traditional Album of the Year
Cassie and Maggie – The Willow Collection (Nova Scotia)
Ensemble of the Year
Mama’s Broke – Count the Wicked (Nova Scotia)
Instrumental Group of the Year
Scott Macmillan & Colin Grant – Good2Go (Nova Scotia)
Foremost of all, the east coast nominees were Cassie & Maggie, who opened the award show with a set.
“It certainly is an honour. The other nominees were exceptional this year, and the fact that the CFMAs are juried really means a lot to us,” says Cassie MacDonald.
“We took our parents with us, so we’re having a mini vacation in Ottawa. We kicked off the show last evening. We were happy to play first and then enjoy the rest of the evening!”
The Nova Scotian duo had been nominated in four categories, including Vocal Group of the Year, Traditional Album of the Year, Traditional Singer of the Year, Ensemble of the Year.
“We wanted them all!” laughs MacDonald. “But we were very honoured to receive the Traditional Album of the Year. We love every single album that was also nominated, so it was truly a surprise and we were very delighted. We were hoping Maggie would take home Traditional Singer of the Year… Next time.”
Other east coast musicians who were nominated for a 2017 Canadian Folk Music Award include Amelia Curran, The Bombadils, Shreem, Còig, Dave Penny, Tomato/Tomato, Lisa LeBlanc, Coco Love Alcorn Còig Natalie, MacMaster & Donnell Leahy, Don Ross, and Bill & Joel Plaskett.