Columnist goes out on ledge and picks Canyon for ECMA for male solo recording
February 7, 2008 - Cape Breton Post
By Dan MacDonald
It’s time for me to wrap up all these ECMA predictions. This last group contains some of the more high-profile awards.
George Canyon or Jimmy Rankin should take the country award but they might just cancel each other out and allow either RyLee Madison or The Divorcees to take the prize.
I think that The Rankin Family has the edge over Sloan for the DVD of the year award and Joel Plaskett Emergency is likely the popular choice for the video of the year (although Two Hours Traffic and Classified also stand a good chance).
I think that it will either be Slowcoaster or Nathan Wiley who will take home the award for alternative recording.
Either Joel Plaskett Emergency or Wintersleep should take the award for rock recording of the year while Two Hours Traffic may hold a slight edge over Shaye for the pop award.
It should be either Jimmy Rankin or Joel Plaskett for the songwriter award. The recording of the year category is a traffic-jam of powerful music with no clear-cut winner. Jimmy Rankin and Joel Plaskett Emergency are likely the leaders but I couldn’t count out any of the others. Plaskett also has a solid shot in single of the year category, with both Shaye and Wintersleep also having a chance.
Our own Slowcoaster is one of the main contenders for group recording of the year but it’s hard to bet against Joel Plaskett Emergency or Wintersleep either.
Rose Cousins will likely take the female solo recording of the year, but sentiment (and the fact that the awards are being held in her home province), may allow veteran Jessica Rhaye to sneak by for the win.
It should be either George Canyon or Jimmy Rankin for male solo recording and I fully expect Canyon to make it four in a row and once again take home the award for entertainer of the year. If anyone might possibly unseat him it would be Joel Plaskett, who looks to be set up for an awesome year.
And that’s how I see it from here. Time will tell whether or not I need new batteries for my crystal ball.
*****
As you read this I plan to be in Fredericton, enjoying the music and
meeting with friends. Hopefully, there will be a lot of both. I will
likely try to make it to a workshop or two as well, but the music and
the meeting will have first priority.
The East Coast Music Awards are the perfect time to develop a split personality, considering there are usually at least three things you want to see at any given time. Something has to suffer, and it’s usually your body from lack of sleep and other indulgences.
Since the Awards Gala will not be broadcast live, there will be awards presentations taking place at different venues throughout the weekend, which will keep people hopping.
The lineup of events is intense with showcases in almost every genre of music, presentations by the Music Associations from each province and showcases hosted by companies such as Sennheiser and CD Plus.
One of the events I don’t want to miss is the
Festival Club on Saturday afternoon, hosted by Celtic Colours and
Music Nova Scotia.
I’ll have more to talk about when I get back.
Cape Breton musicians soaking up ECMA experience
February 8, 2008 - Cape Breton Post
By Laura Jean Grant
FREDERICTON, N.B. ECMA fever has struck New
Brunswick’s capital city and dozens of Cape Breton musicians are
along for the ride.
From first-time nominee Stephanie Hardy to the multi-award winning
Jimmy Rankin, the island is well-represented at the East Coast Music
Awards taking place in Fredericton, N.B., and each brings their own
unique perspective to the event which is celebrating its 20th
anniversary this year.
Hardy, 28, of Little Bras d’Or, was just eight years old when the
awards were first held in 1989 at the Flamingo Lounge in Halifax.
“I definitely grew up watching the ECMAs,” said Hardy, noting she
recalls being a bit star struck attending her first ECMAs about a
decade ago.
“My first experience with it was when I was with Slainte Mhath and I
was only about 16 so everybody was a rock star,” she said with a
laugh. “It was a big deal for us because we were so young then. We
were just excited to be there. It was really an exciting time and that
was 10 years ago now so it’s amazing that we’re at the 20th
anniversary.”
Hardy performed Friday on the Roots Room showcase stage, describing it
as a great opportunity.
“This gives me a chance to perform in front of industry
professionals from all over the world and show them what I’ve
got,” she said.
Hardy is also eager to catch up with friends.
“I’m looking forward to spending time with musicians I haven’t
seen in a year because everybody is on the road so that’s always
exciting. The jam sessions that happen after all the showcases are
done in the evenings are really incredible because a lot of really
creative music comes out of that and it’s fun. There’s no
pressure, it’s just having fun with friends,” she said.
And to cap off the weekend, Hardy is up for the CBC Galaxie Rising
Star Recording of the Year award at Sunday night’s gala awards.
“When you’re working so hard with a project and trying to get it
out there, it’s wonderful to see people recognize it and on such a
high level for the East Coast industry so I was thrilled,” she said
of her nomination.
While Hardy will be looking to secure her first ECMA, Jimmy Rankin
has the chance to add to an already impressive ECMA resume having won
more than a dozen awards nine with The Rankin Family and five in
his solo career.
Rankin will perform on Sunday night’s awards show and leads the way
for Cape Breton with a total of six nominations four on his own, as
well as two with The Rankin Family which reunited last year to release
a new album.
A veteran of the East Coast music scene, Rankin recalls the early
years of the ECMAs and said things really started taking off in the
1990s, when Atlantic Canadian musicians were gaining a lot of
attention across the country. The ECMAs, he said, played a big part in
establishing the region as a hot bed of musical talent.
“I think they brought exposure to not only us but to a lot of
artists on the East Coast at that time,” he said, noting one of the
first showcase performances The Rankin Family did at the ECMAs really
opened doors for the group. “The phones started ringing off the hook
and people wanted to sign us.”
The Mabou native said things have definitely changed since then the
ECMAs have grown to become a huge, four-day musical celebration and
the industry itself has seen a a big shift from major record labels to
small independents but the quality of music being put out by East
Coast artists remains consistent.
“I’m hearing about a lot of people. I like the whole wave of young
writers that are coming up. There’s tons of them which is great,”
he said.
As for his pick of ECMA 2008, Rankin singled out a fellow Cape Breton
group.
“One of my favourites of the weekend is Slowcoaster,” he said of
the Sydney-based band which is up for two awards. “I hope they get
something. They’re a good band.”
Performing never gets old for Jimmy Rankin
February 9, 2008 - Fredericton Daily Gleaner
By Michael Staples
Jimmy Rankin promises to surprise fans when he performs Sunday at the gala closing concert of the East Coast Music Awards in Fredericton.
The personable 43-year-old native of Cape Breton, N.S., says he's still deciding how he'll dazzle his audience when he steps on stage tomorrow.
"I can't say if I am going to do something slow, up tempo or in between," says Rankin. "I am just sort of debating."
Through his own admittance, Rankin is the type of performer who "jumps all over the map," entertaining the masses with a collection of ballads and songs, some of which are up-tempo and dripping with energy.
"Maybe it won't be a song that's on the radio," teases Rankin.
Rankin, who's thrived in recent years as a solo artist after a long career singing as part of The Rankin Family, is nominated for four ECMA awards: Country Recording of the Year, FACTOR Recording of the Year, Konica Minolta Male Solo Recording of the Year and SOCAN Songwriter of the Year.
Rankin said he's delighted by the recognition.
"I haven't had a record that was up for nomination in a few years. It is always good to be nominated for anything."
He said he's excited about coming to Fredericton to attend the ECMAs and views the upcoming celebration as a good chance to meet his fans and people from the recording industry.
Although The Rankin Family has been nominated for two ECMAs this year, including Roots/Traditional Group Recording of the Year and Pattison Outdoor DVD of the Year, Jimmy Rankin is the only one who made the trip to New Brunswick's capital city.
But he said he'll be ready to accept, if the family wins an award.
The Rankin Family's ECMA nominations follow a 2007 resurrection of the group which saw Raylene, Jimmy, Cookie and Heather return to the concert stage in a cross-country, 22-city tour.
It was their first in more than eight years.
Rankin said he enjoys his solo career but still gets a lot of satisfaction from performing with his musically gifted siblings.
"I hadn't played with that band in a long time," he said of the recent tour. "It was refreshing to get out again. I missed it and it was a lot of fun. We'll probably work together again, now that it has opened up."
Rankin said one of the things he likes about performing with The Rankin Family is there's less focus and pressure on him.
"But with my own solo career, I also enjoy the fact that I get to spend 90 or 100 minutes a night singing all of my songs and developing a rapport with the audience."
Rankin said while he sometimes finds travelling and hotels wearisome, he never gets tired of performing.
"Performing for people doesn't get old, and that has always been what I have enjoyed the most about it."
With that in mind, Rankin said he can't wait to take the stage in Fredericton.
Rankin's albums includes Song Dog, released in 2001, Handmade in 2003 and Edge of Day in 2007.
2008 ECMA Award Winners
Joel Plaskett Emergency wins six 2008 East Coast Music Awards at 20th Anniversary Celebrations; Dave Gunning, The Rankin Family and Jamie Sparks each pick up two
February 11, 2008 - ECMA Official Website
(Fredericton, NB) – Joel Plaskett Emergency was the big winner
tonight, winning six 2008 East Coast Music Awards at the ECMA Music Gala
at the Aitken Centre in Fredericton, New Brunwick as part of the 20th
Anniversary Celebrations; with Dave Gunning, The Rankin Family and Jamie
Sparks winning two each.
The 2008 East Coast Music Award winners are:
McDonald’s Entertainer of the Year: George Canyon
*** This makes Canyon the winner of the Fans' choice Entertainer of the
Year award for the fourth consecutive year
FACTOR Recording of the Year: Ashtray Rock (Joel Plaskett
Emergency)
Female Solo Recording of the Year, sponsored by Memorial University of
Newfoundland: If You Were For Me (Rose Cousins)
Group Recording of the Year, sponsored by Stantec: Ashtray Rock
(Joel Plaskett Emergency)
Konica Minolta Male Solo Recording of the Year: House For Sale
(Dave Gunning)
CBC Galaxie Rising Star Recording of the Year: Brand New Skin
(Stephanie Hardy)
*** This award comes with a cheque for $5,000.00 from Galaxie, CBC’s Continuous Music Network
Vibe Creative Group Single of the Year: "Fashionable
People" (Joel Plaskett Emergency)
SOCAN Songwriter of the Year: Joel Plaskett for "Fashionable
People" (performed by Joel Plaskett Emergency)
Video of the Year: "Fashionable People" directed by
Randall Thorne (Joel Plaskett Emergency)
Pattison Outdoor DVD of the Year: Back Stage Pass (The Rankin
Family)
African-Canadian Recording of the Year: It’s The Music (Jamie
Sparks)
Alternative Recording of the Year: The City Destroyed Me (Nathan
Wiley)
Bluegrass Recording of the Year sponsored by Musiplex: Saddle
River String Band (Saddle River String Band)
Blues Recording of the Year sponsored by Maritimes & Northeast
Pipeline: Into The Dirt (Thom Swift)
Classical Recording of the Year: Forbidden City Tour (New
Brunswick Youth Orchestra)
Country Recording of the Year sponsored by Samsung: You Ain’t Gettin’ My Country (The Divorcees)
CBC Galaxie Francophone Recording of the Year: 11 :11 (Vishten)
*** This award comes with a cheque for $5,000.00 from Galaxie, CBC’s
Continuous Music Network
Folk Recording of the Year sponsored by National Car Rental: Looking
Back - Volume 2: House For Sale (Dave Gunning)
Gospel Recording of the Year sponsored by Taylor Printing: New
Beginnings (Chelsea Nisbett)
Instrumental Recording of the Year: Live From the Music Room (Troy
MacGillivray)
Jazz Recording of the Year sponsored by Greater Fredericton Airport
Authority: For The Record (Bill Stevenson & Tom Easley)
Pop Recording of the Year sponsored by Tony’s Music Box: Little
Jabs (Two Hours Traffic)
Rap/Hip-Hop Single Track Recording of the Year: Hard To Be Hip Hop
(Classified)
Sirius Satellite Radio Rock Recording of the Year: Ashtray Rock
(Joel Plaskett Emergency)
Roots/Traditional Group Recording of the Year sponsored by Western
Destination Marketing Organization: Reunion (The Rankin Family)
Roots/Traditional Solo Recording of the Year: Falling On New
Ground (Kimberley Fraser)
Urban Single Track Recording of the Year: If You Were (Jamie
Sparks)
In addition, the Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award was
presented to New Brunswick group 1755. The groupwas instrumental in
popularizing Acadian music here in Atlantic Canada and have paved the way
for many francophone artists over the last 25 years. 1755 was
together from 1977 to 1984, having toured successfully in Canada, the
United States and France. After they disbanded in 1984, band members
Pierre Robichaud, Roland Gauvin, Ronald Dupuis, Donald Boudreau and
Kenneth Saulnier went on to achieve success in solo careers or with other
bands.
The ECMA Music Gala capped off a four-day extravaganza of multi-genre musical performances, conference events and workshops that attracted more than 2,000 delegates from as far away as Europe, Japan, Australia and the United States.
The 2008 East Coast Music, Awards, Festival & Conference will be featured in a one-hour national TV program titled BARENAKED EAST COAST MUSIC! hosted by Steven Page of the Barenaked Ladies. The special will celebrate Canadian Music, East Coast Style featuring the very best musical performances captured at various locations and events throughout the weekend. Performers include, Meaghan Smith, Jenn Grant, hey rosetta!, Joel Plaskett Emergency, Tom Fun Orchestra, Dave Gunning, and Ron Hynes. It will also include segments from a special ECMA 20th Anniversary Concert featuring Lennie Gallant, Damhnait Doyle, Ashley MacIsaac and Bruce Guthro. The program is produced by Dream Street Pictures in association with CBC and the East Coast Music Association. BARENAKED EAST COAST MUSIC! will be broadcast Sunday, March 2nd at 7:00 pm on CBC Television.
ECMA 2008 hands out 23 Industry Awards today
(Fredericton, NB) – The people who work diligently behind the scenes to make the East Coast Music industry strong and vibrant were honoured today, by their peers, during the 2008 ECMA Industry Awards Show, sponsored by FACTOR and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters. The event was held at the Aitken Centre as part of the 2008 East Coast Music Awards, Festival and Conference.
The Industry Awards winners are as follows:
Broadcast of the Year: East Coast Countdown (Syndicated Radio)
Event of the Year, sponsored by Lansbridge University: Celtic Colours International Festival
Graphic Designer of the Year: Jessica Rhaye (Jessica Rhaye Design)
Independent Company of the Year, sponsored by Gibson: Sonic Entertainment Group
Industry Professional of the Year, sponsored by CARAS: John Poirier
Manager of the Year sponsored by Delta Hotels – Atlantic Canada: Lynn Horne
Media Person of the Year, sponsored by ECMA 2009 Corner Brook: Doug Gallant
Photographer of the Year, sponsored by Coca-Cola: Chr!s Sm!th (Funk Factor)
Radio Station of the Year (Small Market), sponsored by FACTOR: 101.5 The Hawk (Port Hawkesbury, NS)
Radio Station of the Year (Major Market), sponsored by FACTOR: Q104 (Halifax, NS)
Record Company/Distributor/Indie Label of the Year, sponsored by World Vision Artist Associates Program: Landwash Music Distribution
Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Covey Basics: CD Plus
Studio of the Year, sponsored by Musicstop: The Sonic Temple
Technician/Engineer of the Year, sponsored by the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology: Mike Sheppie Sheppard
Venue of the Year, sponsored by Sabian: Savoy Theatre
“These are the people who work hard all year to support East Coast artists and their music, regionally, nationally and internationally,” said Wade Pinhorn, chair of the East Coast Music Association board of directors. “Our heartfelt thanks and congratulations go out to all the winners and the nominees. The industry is thriving due to your efforts.”
The Stompin’ Tom Awards, sponsored by EMI Music Canada, are presented annually to one individual or group from each of the ECMA’s five regions (Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Cape Breton and mainland Nova Scotia). Connors, one of Canada’s best-known musicians, was presented with the Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993. He accepted the award on the condition that he could return it and requested that an award be created to honour those who have made a long-term contribution to the East Coast Music industry, paving the way for the many successful artists of today. A committee of Atlantic Canadian folklorists, in consultation with the ECMA board of directors, determines the recipients.
The 2008 Stompin’ Tom Award recipients are:
For New Brunswick: Ivan and Vivian Hicks
For Nova Scotia: Oakley
For Cape Breton: Aldun MacVicar
For Prince Edward Island: The Tremtones
For Newfoundland & Labrador: The Ducats
The Musician’s Achievement Award recognizes a sideman/session musician who exemplifies professionalism and quality musicianship on recordings and/or live performances of East Coast Music. This recipient deserves to be recognized for his or her cumulative contributions. This year’s winner is New Brunswick’s Michael Doherty.
The Volunteer of the Year Award was chosen by the local event committee. The recipient this year is New Brunswick’s Valerie Hillier.
The East Coast Music Association is pleased to announce that New Brunswick’s Marc Chouinard is this year's recipient of the Industry Builder Award, sponsored by FACTOR and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters. Chouinard has played a significant role in the fostering of the music industry and the arts in New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada. He has served the East Coast Music Association in many roles in the last 10 years. He led a bid to secure the East Coast Music Awards to Moncton in 1997 and worked as the Event Coordinator. In his day job as Manager of the Capitol Theatre in Moncton, Marc has helped promote many East Coast artists over the last 7 years.
The Industry Awards Show was hosted this year Cape Breton comedian Bette MacDonald
Plaskett cleans up at ECMAs
Ashtray Rock takes six awards last night
February 11, 2008 - Halifax Daily News
By Chris Morris, The Canadian Press, Fredericton
A rocking song about fashionable people doing questionable things led a parade of awards for Halifax band Joel Plaskett Emergency, which cleaned up at the East Coast Music Awards last night.Plaskett and his band won six awards related to their album Ashtray Rock, a semi-biographical look at the world of Clayton Park.
Plaskett, along with drummer David Marsh and bass player Chris Pennell, creates a narrative on the album about three friends growing up, falling in and out of love and playing music.
The hit song from the album Fashionable People was named group single of the year and also won for best video.
"I want to thank all of the people who turned out for the video shoot - both the fashionable and the unfashionable," Plaskett said as he accepted the best video award.
As well, Plaskett won the prestigious songwriter of the year award for the bouncy tune filled with beat changes and background vocals.
Ashtray Rock also took group recording of the year, rock recording and recording of the year.
Nova Scotian performers took the lion's share of awards at the gala in Fredericton.
New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island also had several winners, while performers from Newfoundland and Labrador were shut out.
Plaskett has been nominated for a Juno Award, and Fashionable People recently received first-place honours in the pop song category of the 2007 Billboard Magazine World Song contest.
Although the lanky Plaskett just completed a whirlwind tour of Australia, he said nothing would keep him from the East Coast Music Awards - the annual, dead-of-winter tribute to Atlantic Canadian music and culture.
"The awards have always been a big part of my year," he said shortly after he arrived in Fredericton.
"The ECMAs mark a kind of beginning of a new year, but it's also an acknowledgment of what you did in the past year."
Plaskett had seven nominations heading into the gala. The only one he missed out on was the coveted entertainer of the year award, which once again went to Pictou County country singer George Canyon.
It was the fourth-consecutive win as entertainer of the year for Canyon, the square-jawed singer who came out of obscurity by finishing second on 2004's Nashville Star TV talent search.
Canyon was unable to attend the awards ceremony.
The gala awards show in Fredericton yesterday capped four hectic days of showcases and stage events held at various venues around the snowy New Brunswick capital.
A snowstorm that moved in yesterday wasn't enough to discourage more than 3,000 people from attending the ceremony, held in a large hockey arena.
For the first time in more than a decade, the awards show wasn't broadcast live nationally by CBC-TV.
Citing award-show fatigue and facing stiff competition from the Grammy Awards, which also were held last night, CBC decided on a different format this year for the East Coast extravaganza.
The CBC will air an hour-long, condensed version of the awards' performances on March 2, with host Steven Page of the band the Barenaked Ladies.
Dave Gunning, The Rankin Family and Jamie Sparks each picked up two awards.
Other Nova Scotian winners included rising star winner Stephanie Hardy.
WINNERS
Some winners at the East Coast Music Awards:
- Entertainer of the Year: George Canyon
- Recording of the Year: Ashtray Rock (Joel Plaskett Emergency)
- Female Solo Recording: If You Were For Me (Rose Cousins)
- Group Recording of the Year: Ashtray Rock (Joel Plaskett Emergency)
- Male Solo Recording: House For Sale (Dave Gunning)
- Rising Star Recording of the Year: Brand New Skin (Stephanie Hardy).
- Group Single of the Year: Fashionable People (Joel Plaskett Emergency)
- SOCAN Songwriter of the Year: Joel Plaskett for Fashionable People
- Video of the Year: Fashionable People directed by Randall Thorne (Joel Plaskett Emergency)
- DVD of the Year: Back Stage Pass (Rankin Family)
- African-Canadian Recording of the Year: It's The Music (Jamie Sparks)
- Alternative Recording of the Year: The City Destroyed Me (Nathan Wiley)
- Bluegrass Recording of the Year: Saddle River String Band (Saddle River String Band)
- Blues Recording of the Year: Into The Dirt (Thom Swift)
- Classical Recording of the Year: Forbidden City Tour (New Brunswick Youth Orchestra)
- Country Recording of the Year: You Ain't Gettin' My Country (The Divorcees)
- Francophone Recording: 11:11 (Vishten)
- Folk Recording of the Year: Looking Back - Volume 2: House For Sale (Dave Gunning)
- Gospel Recording of the Year: New Beginnings (Chelsea Nisbett)
- Instrumental Recording of the Year: Live From the Music Room (Troy MacGillvray)
- Jazz Recording of the Year: For The Record (Bill Stevenson & Tom Easley)
- Pop Recording: Little Jabs (Two Hours Traffic)
- Rap/Hip-Hop Single Track Recording: Hard To Be Hip Hop (Classified)
- Rock Recording: Ashtray Rock (Joel Plaskett Emergency)
Province shut out at ECMAs
Joel Plaskett wins six; Ducats honoured for lifetime achievement
February 11, 2008 - The Telegram
By Steve Bartlett
Newfoundland and Labrador musicians left last
night's East Coast Music Awards gala empty-handed.
The province failed to win a single category for the first time in a
number of years.
"This happens from time to time in different provinces,"
said Steve Horne, ECMA executive director, after the show.
There are a number of reasons why, he explained. One is that artists
are out of cycle and never released an album to qualify for the ECMAs.
Another factor is that members vote on the awards, so the number of
members in a province matters.
Wade Pinhorn agreed. He's the chair of the East Coast Music
Association and a Stephenville resident.
He said membership in Newfoundland and Labrador is low and suggested
the voting power wasn't there.
"Unfortunately, that's the way that the chips fell this
year," he said.
"If I take off my chair hat off and be a Newfoundlander, of
course, I want Newfoundlanders to win awards, as well."
Even though the province didn't win any ECMA honours, Pinhorn says
Newfoundland and Labrador musicians were well represented during the
ceremony and throughout the ECMA weekend.
Halifax's Joel Plaskett was the big winner at the gala.
He and his band, Joel Plaskett Emergency, left the Aitken Centre on
the University of New Brunswick campus with six ECMAs on the strength
of the album "Ashtray Rock."
The band won ECMAs for 2007's best recording, group recording, video,
rock recording, and group single for "Fashionable People."
That song also earned Plaskett songwriter of the year honours.
The six awards are an ECMA record.
The previous mark of five is shared by a number of acts, including
Great Big Sea. It accomplished the feat twice, in 1997 and 2003.
Other multiple award winners Sunday were Nova Scotia folk singer
Dave Gunning, Cape Breton's The Rankin Family and Halifax R&B
singer Jamie Sparks. Each picked up two awards.
Newfoundland and Labrador fared a little better when the ECMA industry
awards were handed out earlier in the evening.
The Ducats were honoured with a Stompin' Tom Award, presented annually
to an individual or group from each ECMA region.
Originating in Port aux Basques in the '60s, the band was the first
Newfoundland and Labrador band to release a rock 'n' and roll single.
As well, St. John's-based Landwash Music Distribution got the nod as
the year's best in the "company/ distributor/indie label"
category
And Chris Smith, a St. John's native who lives in Nova Scotia, was
named the ECMA's photographer of the year.
Pinhorn predicted that Newfoundland and Labrador would fare better in
2009, when Corner Brook hosts the ECMAs.
He expected there'll be an increase in the number of CDs released in
the province in 2008.
As well, he thinks ECMA membership will spike in Newfoundland and
Labrador because of the interest created by being a host.
"I would expect a much different outcome next year in Newfoundland," Pinhorn said.
Joel Plaskett Emergency lands 6 East Coast Music Awards
Recording of the Year is among honours for Nova Scotia band
February 11, 2008 - National Post
Joel Plaskett Emergency was the big winner at the
2008 East Coast Music Awards in Fredericton, N.B., taking home six
awards including recording of the year for their album, Ashtray Rock,
which also won the awards for group recording of the year and rock
recording of the year.
The Nova Scotia band was also recognized for group single of the year,
songwriter of the year and video of the year -- all for the single
Fashionable People.
Dave Gunning, The Rankin Family and Jamie Sparks each won two
awards.
Gunning, a Nova Scotia singer/storyteller, won the awards for male
solo recording of the year and folk recording of the year for House
for Sale.
Maritime Celtic music legends The Rankin Family received honours
for roots/traditional recording of the year for Reunion as well as the
DVD of the year award for Back Stage Pass. African-Canadian
recording of the year went to It's the Music by Jamie Sparks, who also
won the urban single of the year award for If You Were.
Party Hardy
Stephanie Hardy takes home Rising Star ECMA; The Rankin Family, Kimberley Fraser also win
February 11, 2008 - Cape Breton Post
By Laura Jean Grant
FREDERICTON It was a big night for two young
Cape Breton woman at the East Coast Music Awards while one of the most
successful bands the island has ever produced added to their
impressive award count.
Stephanie Hardy won in the CBC Galaxie Rising Star recording of the
year for her debut album, Brand New Skin, and Kimberley Fraser claimed
the roots/traditional solo recording of the year for her fiddling
release, Falling On New Ground.
It was the first ECMA for both.
Meanwhile, the renowned Rankin Family, which reunited last year to
release a new album and complete a national tour, took home the
Pattison Outdoor DVD of the year and roots/traditional group recording
of the year honours. The awards bring the Rankins’ award total at
the ECMAs to 11.
Hardy’s award was one of the first presented at the 2008 music
awards show held Sunday night at the Aitken Centre in Fredericton,
N.B.
“Wow, this is incredible,” said Hardy, in accepting the award,
which comes with a $5,000 cheque from Galaxie CBC’s Continuous Music
Network. “I want to thank the ECMAs and CBC who have been so
supportive of my music.”
Hardy said she had lots of people to thank after the show but singled
out Fred Lavery for his work on her album, describing him as a
fantastic friend and guide in the industry.
Backstage, the Little Bras d’Or resident said she was in a bit of
shock.
“Pleasantly shocked I guess is the best way to describe it. This is
my first one so this is fantastic,” she said, noting she’s happy
with the direction her career is taking. “It’s been like a steady
progression. It’s been great that way for me because I’m getting
to learn a lot about the industry and figuring out things as I go
along, giving me time to hone my craft and it’s been going really
well so far so I certainly can’t complain.”
Jimmy Rankin, who was also up for four ECMAs for his solo work,
accepted The Rankin Family awards on behalf of himself, sisters
Cookie, Raylene and Heather, and niece, Molly Rankin, who joined them
on the reunion tour.
“Wow, this is quite an honour. I can’t seem to shake this band,”
said Rankin to laughter in the audience. “On behalf of the Rankins,
thank you very much”
Rankin also paid tribute to his brother and former bandmate, the late
John Morris Rankin, who died in a motor-vehicle accident in 2000.
“This one’s for John Morris,” said Rankin, holding up the award.
Backstage, Rankin was asked if he ever thought he’d be back on stage
representing The Rankin Family at an awards show.
“No, I didn’t think I would be up here but here I am and it’s
great,” he responded, noting winning an ECMA never gets old. “It
always feels good to win an award and anybody who says differently is
a liar.”
Fraser’s award was one of the last presented of the evening and by
10 p.m. Sunday she had not yet made her way back to the media centre
to comment on her first ECMA win.
Overall, the big ECMA winner was Halifax’s Joel Plaskett Emergency
which picked up six ECMAs among seven nominations. George Canyon was
named entertainer of the year.
Plaskett fills his ECMA basket
Rocker wins six categories; Canyon picked top entertainer
February 11, 2008 - Halifax Herald
By Stephen Cooke, Entertainment Reporter
FREDERICTON Halifax rocker Joel Plaskett traded
in an ashtray for an armload of East Coast Music Awards on Sunday
night, winning a record-breaking six silver trophies at the 20th
anniversary of the annual ceremony held in Fredericton’s Aitken
Centre.
Ashtray Rock, the Joel Plaskett Emergency’s concept album about
teenage hijinks, young love and friendship in suburban Halifax was
named the FACTOR recording, group recording and rock recording of the
year, while the tune Fashionable People earned the indie-music icon
group single, video and SOCAN songwriter of the year honours.
"It’s humbling," admitted Plaskett after the gala, still a
bit jet lagged from a five-week solo tour of Australia. "It’s
really flattering and kind of embarass-ing at the same time.
""We set out to make a record as ridiculous and ambitious as
possible, and I’m glad it paid off creatively and captivated the
imagination of everyone who listened.""
Plaskett’s big night tops the five ECMAs won in one evening by
artists including Lennie Gallant in 1995, Ashley MacIsaac in 1997,
Bruce Guthro in 1999 and Great Big Sea for Sea of No Cares in 2003.
It’s been a good week for Plaskett; his sardonic hit Fashionable
People also picked up a Billboard World Song Contest honour in the pop
category on Thursday.
I like to write about where I’m from, I think any good writer tries
to do that," said the Clayton Park-raised musician. ""I
like to think I captured something of that in a fictional account of
growing up in suburbia.""
The only other multiple winners Sunday, with two apiece, were
fellow Nova Scotians Dave Gunning, Cherry Brook R&B favourite
Jamie Sparks and the reunited Rankins.
Pictou County bard Gunning’s House for Sale was named the male solo
recording and folk recording of the year.
""I did not expect this, it was a surprise,"" said
Gunning backstage. ""I’m writing a lot right now, getting
ready for the next record, but I’m certainly proud of this
one.""
The Rankin Family’s Reunion CD was picked for roots/traditional
group recording of the year, while the video chronicle of the Cape
Breton family band’s live show, Back Stage Pass, earned DVD of the
year.
""This is quite the honour . . . I can’t seem to shake
this band,"" grinned Jimmy Rankin after stepping to the
podium for the DVD award.
""(This reunion) is something I thought would never happen,
so on behalf of all the Rankins, thank you very much. This one’s for
John Morris.""
Other Nova Scotia winners included country star George Canyon, picking
up the coveted fan-voted entertainer of the year honour, Juno
Award-nominated MC Classified for rap/hip-hop single track recording
for Hard to be Hip-Hop and Halifax-based singer-songwriter Rose
Cousins in the female solo recording category.
Up-and-coming Sackville performer Chelsea Nisbett won gospel recording
for her debut CD New Beginnings, which has already won an African-Nova
Scotian Music Award and a Music Nova Scotia Award in recent months.
""I’m shocked, when I first had the idea of making an
album all I just thought of it as something people could buy at my
shows,"" said the petite singer-songwriter backstage.
""But since it came out it’s been one opportunity after
another, meeting more people playing more shows, things are really
starting to develop.""
Besides the Rankins, Nova Scotian Celtic music performers winning
ECMAs included Antigonish’s Troy MacGillivray for instrumental
recording for Live From the Music Room and Cape Breton fiddler
Kimberley Fraser for roots/traditional solo recording for Falling on
New Ground.
Former Slainte Mhath singer Stephanie Hardy was blessed with the CBC
Galaxie Rising Star Award (which comes with a $5,000 prize) for her
contemporary songwriting on Brand New Skin.
Veteran Halifax pianist Bill Stevenson earned jazz recording of the
year for For the Record, recorded with his nephew, Hot Toddy bassist
Tom Easley, while Hot Toddy singer/guitarist Thom Swift got props for
his solo debut, Into the Dirt, named blues recording of the year.
""I’ve been with Hot Toddy for about 10 years, and after a
while you build up a blanket of security,"" said New
Brunswick native Easley to reporters. ""Like any successful
group, you need those outside influences to keep growing.
"I’ve been playing with Bill since I was a teenager, and I
think if you’re a real musician, you want to keep playing until you
can’t play any more."
Hosted by This Hour Has 22 Minutes wit Mark Critch, the two-hour gala
featured performances by Joel Plaskett Emergency, hearty Newfoundland
folk band Shanneygannock, Jimmy Rankin, New Brunswick gospel group the
Lapointes and alternative recording winner Nathan Wiley.
"The big news this year is that the CBC isn’t broadcasting the
awards live," said Critch, to a chorus of boos from the crowd.
"Oh, you don’t have to tell me, I work for the CBC, I’ve seen
the ratings. But not being on the CBC means more people than ever will
see the ECMAs!""
Halifax band Wintersleep, which followed Plaskett with five
nominations, unfortunately left the Aitken Centre trophy-less.
However, the show was a great showcase for the broad variety of New
Brunswick performers, including country recording winners the
Divorcees, fiddler Samantha Robichaud, Swift and Moncton rocker Chris
Colepaugh and the Cosmic Crew.
A special honour of the evening was presented to New Brunswick’s
Acadian music pioneers 1755. The group’s achievements in
popularizing Atlantic Canadian Francophone music earned it the Dr.
Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award for a landmark career,
taking its music across North America and over the Atlantic between
1977 and 1984.
Earlier on Sunday afternoon, the East Coast Music Association honoured
behind-the-scenes figures and music business builders with its annual
Industry Awards.
The sound technician of the year, engineer Mike Shepherd from Cape
Breton’s much-honoured Lakewind Sound studio seemed pleased that for
once he wasn’t too busy to attend in person.
""I’d like to thank Fred Lavery and Gordie Sampson, the
co-owners of Lakewind,"" he said. ""They’re my
guys; working for them these past nine years has been absolutely
amazing.""
Halifax photographer Chris Sm!th, the Funk Factor founder, had a few
more people to thank after his win, rapidly reading off a list of
clients as long as his black T-shirt clad arm.
Media person of the year went to veteran P.E.I. writer Doug Gallant of
the daily Guardian newspaper, who remarked that his love of music has
deep roots.
""The people in this industry really make it worth getting
up in the morning,"" said the bearded island scribe.
""I’ve been around it since I was 14, hauling gear for
acts like Sam Moon and Matt Minglewood and I can’t imagine a better
industry to be involved in.""
Cape Breton’s Celtic Colours International Festival was named event
of the year, and co-founder Max MacDonald was effusive in his praise
of the ECMAs’ effect on the region.
Plaskett gets 6; local talent makes city proud
February 11, 2008 - The Daily Gleaner
By Shawn Berry
Capital-area musicians such as Hot Toddy's Thom Swift and Tom Easley, and The Divorcees' Alex Madsen were winners at the awards ceremony.
Local members of the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra also celebrated with their win in the classical recording category.
The night's big winner was the Joel Plaskett Emergency. The Nova Scotia group snagged six ECMAs, tying the previous record.
The Halifax-based rock trio, which was nominated in seven categories, won for Recording of the Year for Ashtray Rock, Group Recording of the Year, Group Single of the Year, Songwriter of the Year for Joel Plaskett, Video of the Year for the song Fashionable People, and Rock Recording of the Year.
The only category Plaskett's band didn't win was Entertainer of the Year.
Plaskett was blunt when asked how he felt about receiving several awards.
"It's great, thank you," said the singer, who's still overcoming the effects of jet lag.
He spent five weeks playing solo in Australia only to come home to the anticipation of the ECMAs and a community where he's so well-known.
Dave Gunning, The Rankin Family and Jamie Sparks each walked away with two awards.
George Canyon was named Entertainer of the Year for the fourth year in a row. Canyon, who has moved to Alberta, wasn't present to receive the fans' choice award.
But musicians who call Fredericton home were happy to celebrate among friends and family.
Swift and Easley, who usually perform together as two-thirds of the band Hot Toddy, each won an ECMA.
Swift, who took home a Maple Blues Award last month, won an ECMA for Blues Recording of the Year for his solo album Into the Dirt.
Easley won for his work with his uncle, Nova Scotia pianist Bill Stevenson, for their album For the Record.
Fredericton-raised Alex Madsen, a guitarist in Moncton-based country band The Divorcees, shared in his band's victory as winners of Country Recording of the Year.
Several area teens perform in the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra, which won in the Classical Recording of the Year category for Forbidden City Tour, which was recorded during their trip to China.
Being recognized on home turf held special significance for Swift.
"I'm just happy to have it in my backyard, my hometown," he said. "It's just good to give this city an idea of what takes place at one of these. I've been going to lots of these at other places."
Winning in the place where he grew up was also special Madsen of The Divorcees.
"It's really great to be able to be recognized for having those kinds of roots in your hometown," he said.
"If you're from Fredericton, you're from country. I don't know a single Fredericton resident who doesn't have a Merle Haggard record somewhere in their collection."
Matthieu Deveau, a 16-year-old from Fredericton who plays violin in the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra, said members were ecstatic about their win.
"Today, this was all we were talking about," said Deveau, a student at Ecole Saint-Anne.
The 72-piece group also opened the awards show with Barenaked Ladies front man Steven Page.
The group has played to large audiences in New Brunswick, China and New York City's Carnegie Hall.
But Deveau said he was still nervous about playing for the crowd.
"At first, it's a bit nerve-wracking, but once you get into the music, it's OK."
The feeling of being recognized is always special, said Jimmy Rankin of The Rankin Family, which earned DVD of the Year for their production of Back Stage Pass.
"It always feels good to win an award, and anyone who says differently is a liar," Rankin said.
Sunday night's awards gala capped off a four-day series of concerts that brought the best and brightest of the East Coast music scene to Fredericton.
Artists offered a multitude of performances in diverse genres and attended conferences, workshops and meetings.
Organizers said more than 2,000 delegates, including 50 international delegates from as far away as Europe, Japan, Australia and the United States, attended the event in Fredericton.
Tim Yerxa, chairman of the local organizing committee, said it had strong support from Fredericton's student population.
Organizers held a special show at the University of New Brunswick on Thursday night, and he thinks that paid off for the rest of the weekend.
"We saw a lot of those students make their way down to the other venues and showcase stages through the weekend as well."
Jimmy Rankin at the Algonquin
March 5, 2008 - Huntsville Forester
The artist who won four ECMA and Juno Songwriter of the Year awards for the chart-topping Fare Thee Well, You Feel the Same Way Too, Followed her Around and Midnight Angel, is touring his 2007 CD Edge of Day.
Rankin's solo career is a mix of inspirations and songs from everyday life, whether it is alternative country, adult-contemporary, or rock-flavoured arrangements, depicting his life, emotions and observations.
"To me, writing a song is almost like creating a painting," said Rankin, who offers 13 portraits on his new album.
Whether it's the roots-scented shuffle of Stranded, the guilt-tinged poignancy of the album's first single Slipping Away, the urgent fiddle-driven desperation of Got to Leave Louisiana, the romantic resignation of Hopeless or the euphoric optimism of When I Rise, the musical tales woven on Edge of Day are born from the days Rankin has spent living and travelling the planet since his 2003 release Handmade.
"Over the past three years I've taken a lot of my inspiration from the world I see around me," said Rankin, who recorded the album in Nashville and in Toronto during a busy year that also included a World Vision trip to Nicaragua and a recording reunion with The Rankins.
"Some of my songs are autobiographical, while others are about a story or something I heard. I do a lot of travelling, touring and reading and I think my songs reflect that. I'm always on the lookout for a good story and definitely tune into other peoples' experiences in the world."
While contemporary and country radio stations across Canada have readily embraced such memorable hits as California Dreamer and Morning Bound Train, the fact is that Rankin didn't choose songwriting, it chose him.
"Initially I had no intention of being a guy making records. I finished art school and thought I would form some kind of small pick-up band and play little legions and firehalls to support my art habit. As it turns out, it was the other way round."
Rankin eventually became the songwriting lynchpin of the Rankin Family, helping them to win 15 ECMAs, six Junos, three Canadian Country Music awards and propelling sales of over 2 million albums.
Tickets for Jimmy Rankin: Edge of Day are $35 plus GST and are available from the Algonquin Theatre box office, 789-4975, or online at www.algonquintheatre.ca. For more information visit www.jimmyrankin. com.
Musicians helping musicians
Jimmy Rankin to headline list of entertainers for fundraiser concert to benefit MacLennan Junior High music program
April 18, 2008 - Cape Breton Post
By Laura Jean Grant
Multi-award winning recording artist Jimmy Rankin will be joined by Kyle MacNeil, of the renowned Barra MacNeils, Bette MacDonald, Maynard Morrison, Aselin Debison, Jason MacDonald, CapeLand Dance Company, The Blues Merchants, and a house band featuring Dave McKeough, Fred Lavery, Allie Bennett, Aaron Lewis and Brian (Moon) MacInnis for the fundraiser concert in support of the MacLennan Junior High School music program, which includes a band, guitar program and choir.
The show will take place Thursday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre.
Local musician and MacLennan school teacher and band director Dave McKeough has been organizing the concert and pulling together lots of his well-known friends for the event.
"I was on tour with Jimmy. I play guitar for him every now and then so he was asking about my teaching and stuff and he said he'd come down and do something for us. I gave him a sideways glance and took him up on it. So once I heard that I started to come up with this idea of having a fundraising concert," said McKeough.
Since then local musicians have jumped on board to help out and he's thrilled with the lineup that's been put together.
"It should be a good night," he said.
All proceeds from the concert will go to the school's music program and McKeough said the money will be used in a variety of ways.
"It'll be used to buy larger instruments that the parents can't afford," he said, as an example.
Tickets for the show are $20 and can purchased at the Membertou box office, 539-2300, or at MacLennan Junior High School, 564-5621. Seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Reach for the top
May 1, 2008 - NB Beat
By Nelson Hansen
As you may recall, Top of the Town had been somewhat dormant and new management at the Fort Howe Hotel are trying to breathe new life into the room by making it a live music venue and offering intimate "unplugged" shows by a rather impressive list of performers.
A week and a half ago I got to enjoy the Top of the Town experience when Joel Plaskett, the darling of the Canadian indie music scene played a two-night stand at Top of the Town. The show itself truly was a great experience for myself and the 100 other Plaskett fans in the room. Plaskett played a stripped down set of crowd favourites along with some new material from an upcoming triple CD release he's got planned. Even back in the days of Thrush Hermit I can remember Joel Plaskett for not only his great songwriting but for his ability to connect with his audience. The show at Top of the Town showed another side of the performer and I can truly credit that to the uniqueness of the room.
I've seen live music in more venues than I care to recall. I've muddied my boots at outdoor festivals and had my ass fall asleep in fancy schmancy soft seaters. I've seen some incredibly cool acts at some glorious rat holes too. Having been to all kinds of live venues in all three Maritime provinces I can say there's truly something unique about Top of the Town.
Having the benefit of the uniqueness of being in a setting eight stories above the twinkling lights of the city and with a capacity of only 100 persons the room provides a cozy atmosphere unlike anything I've experienced in the region. With performer and audience literally inches away from each other in a setting that includes nice woodwork, a few fire places and even a comfy chair or two provides an unrivaled intimacy. During the Joel Plaskett show I got the impression that the wall between performer and fan had come down and the evening was nothing more than a night of friends gathered together to share music and stories. In this case, one of the friends just happened to be super-talented.
Is the venue perfect? Not yet, but it's on its way. Given the type of crowd the artists they have booked will be attracting I was disappointed that the beer and wine selection was quite limited with nothing available on tap. Given the good selection of New Brunswick based micro beers available along with a more sophisticated than ever local