Today the East Coast Music Association did very little to settle the debate over which island is the island, with host and PEI native Jonathan Torrens squaring off, mid-musical number, against Newfoundland’s The Once. If anything, they only drew national attention to it. However, we have learned in the process, who is taking home the bulk of the East Coast Music Awards.
During the naturally star-studded event at the Confederation Ballroom at Delta Hotels by Marriott Prince Edward in Charlottetown, PE., the annual music industry celebrations honoured the year’s brightest.
The evening featured performances by Classified, Catherine MacLellan, Dave Gunning, Fortunate Ones, Hillsburn, Jimmy Rankin, Lennie Gallant, Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire, Mallory Johnson, Rachel Beck, Reeny Smith, Vishtèn, and a whole bunch of trophies being handed out.
At the very top of the list of winners are Classified, Jeremy Dutcher, and Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire, each taking home two wins apiece.
“What an incredible show! 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,” said Andy McLean, CEO of the ECMA. “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. We’re excited to see the streets of Charlottetown come alive with music all weekend long!”
The 2019 East Coast Music Award nominees are as follows (winners in bold):
Album of the Year
Classified – Tomorrow Could Be The Day Things Change (Producer: Luke Boyd)
Dylan Menzie – As The Clock Rewinds (Producer: Adam Gallant)
Fortunate Ones – Hold Fast (Producer: Daniel Ledwell)
Paper Lions – At Long Creek II (Producer: Colin Buchanan)
Postdata – Let’s Be Wilderness (Producer: Tony Doogan)
Bucky Adams Memorial Award
Jody Upshaw
Keonté Beals
Owen Lee
Reeny Smith
Tachichi
Country Recording of the Year
Cameron Nickerson – Detours
Carolina East – Crossroads
Mallory Johnson – Mallory Johnson
Ryan Cook – Having a Great Time
Thomas Stajcer – Will I Learn To Love Again?
Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year
Barra MacNeils
Ben Caplan
David Myles
Fortunate Ones
Heather Rankin
Hillsburn
Lennie Gallant
Mo Kenney
Neon Dreams
Paper Lions
Port Cities
The East Pointers
Fans’ Choice Video of the Year
Ben Caplan – “Minimum Intervals”
(Director: FPS – Filet Production Services, Catherine Brown)
BRDGS – “All My Friends” (Director: Loggo Lionel)
Christina Martin – “Always Reminding” (Director: Ryan Thompson)
Classified – “Powerless” (Director: Andrew Hines)
Hillsburn – “Strange Clouds” (Director: Paul Aarntzen)
Jimmy Rankin – “Been Away” (Director: Jeth Weinrich)
KINLEY – “Golden Days” (Director: Jenna MacMillan)
LeRiche – “River Runs” (Director: Charlotte Rabate)
Makayla Lynn – “Joyride” (Director: Scott Simpson)
Neon Dreams – “Shape Of My Mind” (Director: Zack Facts)
Folk Recording of the Year
Ben Caplan – Old Stock
Gunning & Cormier – Two
Heather Rankin – Imagine
Ian Sherwood – Bring The Light
The Ennis Sisters – Keeping Time
The Once – Time Enough
Francophone Recording of the Year
Chloé Breault – Love
Joannie Benoît – Feux de bengale
Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire – Viens avec moi
Raphaël Butler – Raphaël Butler
Simon Daniel – Nightcrawler
Group Recording of the Year
ChessClub – These Flowers Are For You
Fortunate Ones – Hold Fast
Hillsburn – The Wilder Beyond
Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire – Viens avec moi
Paper Lions – At Long Creek II
The Town Heroes – Everything (Will Be Fine When We Get To Where We Think We’re Going)
Vishtèn – Horizons
Indigenous Artist of the Year
Alan Syliboy and The Thundermakers
Brandon Arnold
Jeremy Dutcher
Old Self & Kam Speech
SHiFT FROM THA 902
Pop Recording of the Year
Adyn Townes – After The Fall
Neon Dreams – Shape Of My Mind
Paper Lions – At Long Creek II
Rachel Beck – Rachel Beck
Simon Daniel – Nightcrawler
Rap/Hip-Hop Recording of the Year
Brandon Arnold – A Leo’s Dream
Classified – Tomorrow Could Be The Day Things Change
Kayo – Winter in St Lucia
Mitchell Bailey – Season One
Quake Matthews – Drinking Games
Rising Star Recording of the Year
FM Berlin – At Least You’re Having Fun
Jenni & The Hummingbird – Your Masterpiece
Jeremy Dutcher – Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa
LeRiche – X-Dreamers
Rachel Beck – Rachel Beck
Song of the Year
Ben Caplan – “Lullaby” (Producer: Graham Scott)
Gabrielle Papillon – “When The Heart Attacks”
(Producers: Corey LeRue, Daniel Ledwell)
Postdata – “Black Cloud” (Producer: Tony Doogan)
Quake Matthews – “Confessions” feat. Neon Dreams (Producer: Street Runner)
The East Pointers – “Two Weeks” (Producer: Gordie Sampson)
The awards aren’t over yet! The remaining 2019 East Coast Music Awards, including the extremely important Industry Awards, will be handed out on Sunday, May 5 in the Confederation Ballroom at Delta Hotels by Marriott Prince Edward at 7:30pm. The final ceremonies will include performances by Paper Lions, Rose Cousins, Old Man Luedecke, and Postdata.