The Stanfields and Natalie MacMaster big winners at ECMAs
John Gillis

The Stanfields

Cape Bretoners once again fared very well at this year’s ECMAs, taking home plenty of hardware.

The Stanfields garnered top honours, winning two awards during a live national broadcast of the East Coast Music Awards on Sunday. The Halifax-based rockers (featuring Jason MacIsaac of Inverness) took home The Chronicle Herald Fan’s Choice Entertainer of the Year Award and Group Recording of the Year for their most recent CD, Death and Taxes.

Natalie MacMaster was awarded Traditional Instrumental Recording of the Year

for her album, Cape Breton Girl. MacMaster was also one of 13 artists presented with a special 25th anniversary award from the ECMA.

The late Raylene Rankin was awarded the ECMA Director’s Special Achievement Award.

Jamie Foulds of Sydney was presented with the Studio Engineer of the Year award.

Lakewind Studios of Sydney (owned by Gordie Sampson and Fred Lavery) was named Studio of the Year.

One of the Stompin’ Tom Awards was presented posthumously to Joe Peter MacLean of Cape Breton.

Max MacDonald (Celtic Colours co-founder) was one of twelve surprise 25th Anniversary Awards named.

Jimmie Inch of Cape Breton was named Media Person of the Year.

Rose Cousins was a big winner at Eastlink East Coast Music Week 2013, taking home three awards. The awards gala took place in front of a capacity crowd at Halifax’s Cunard Centre with Rose Cousins and David Myles hosting the Eastlink Presentation.

Other winners included:

Chronicle Herald Fan’s Choice Video of the Year

Saddle Up – George Canyon

Director: Warren Sonoda

Album of the Year

Coyote – Matt Mays

Producer: Matt Mays

Solo Recording of the Year

We Have Made A Spark – Rose Cousins

Song of the Year

These Hands – Dave Gunning

Aboriginal Recording of the Year

We Are Medicine People – Lone Cloud

African-Canadian Recording of the Year

Ocean Blue – Cam Smith

Blues Recording of the Year

Triumph and Disaster – Charlie A’Court

Children’s Recording of the Year

La vie pour moi – Donna and AndyClassical Composition of the Year

Between the Shore and the Ships – Derek Charke

Classical Recording of the Year

Between the Shore and the Ships – Helen Pridmore and Wesley Ferriera

Country Recording of the Year

Where Does The Time Go – RyLee Madison

Electronic Recording of the Year

Red Potion – English Words

Folk Recording of the Year

We Have Made A Spark – Rose Cousins

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pard cs51Gospel Recording of the Year

Old Man Winter – Stephanie Mainville

Jazz Recording of the Year

Swim – Joel Miller

Pop Recording of the Year

The Beautiful Wild – Jenn Grant

RandB/Soul Recording of the Year

Triumph and Disaster – Charlie A’Court

Rap/Hip– Hop Recording of the Year

Havre de Grâce – Radio Radio

Rising Star Recording of the Year

In the Time of the Great Remembering – Ben Caplan

Rock Recording of the Year

Scrappy Happiness – Joel Plaskett Emergency

Roots/Traditional Group Recording of the Year

Row Upon Row of the People They Know – The Once

Roots/Traditional Solo Recording of the Year

The Other Side – Tim Chaisson

Songwriter of the Year

Go First – Rose Cousins

Composer: Rose Cousins

Traditional Instrumental Recording of the Year

Cape Breton Girl – Natalie MacMaster

World Recording of the Year

Constellation – Gypsophilia

Producer of the Year

Daniel Ledwell

Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award

Bucky Adams

Other Industry Awards

Graphic/Media Artist of the Year – Jud Haynes

Live Sound Engineer of the Year – David Hillier

Management/Manager of the Year – Louis ThomasMedia Outlet of the Year – CBC Mainstreet Nova Scotia

Music Merchant of the Year – Fred’s Records

Venue of the Year – The Carleton Music Bar and Grill

Volunteer of the Year – Jim Power

Event of the Year – Halifax Pop Explosion

Musician’s Achievement Award – Cathy Porter

Industry Builder Award – Glen Meisner

Stompin’ Tom Award – Claudine Theriault / Jon Matthews / Neil Bishop / Joe Peter MacLean

Twelve surprise 25th Anniversary Awards were also handed out during the Mindsea Industry Brunch presented by FACTOR to recognized individuals who have consistently contributed to the East Coast Music Association through their support, membership, and involvement over the past 25 years. The recipients were:

Sheri Jones

Peter Hendrickson

Louis Thomas

Shelley Nordstrom

Mike Campbell

Andree Gracie

Max MacDonald

Brookes Diamond

Geoff D’Eon

Bob Mersereau

Bruce Morel

Glen Tilley

Finally, The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) is pleased to announce that Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island has been awarded the opportunity to host Eastlink East Coast Music Week 2014, April 2nd-6th.