December 18, 2007

(Fredericton, NB) – The East Coast Music Association announced the 2008 Music Award nominees today at the Cellar Pub & Grill on the UNB Campus in Fredericton. Leading the list with seven ECMA nominations is the Joel Plaskett Emergency.

Following closely is Wintersleep with five nominations, and Chucky Danger, Nathan Wiley and Jimmy Rankin each picking up four nominations. With three nominations each are George Canyon, Classified, Jamie Sparks, and Two Hours Traffic.

An amazing 15 artists received two nomination nods apiece: Alert the Medic, Chelsea Nesbitt, Dave Gunning, Don Brownrigg, Ian Sherwood, Jenn Grant, J-Bru, Jill Barber, Julie Doiron, Rebekah Higgs, Rose Cousins, Shaye, Slowcoaster, The Rankin Family and Vishten. For a complete list of nominees, see below. For biographies and photos of all nominees, visit www.ecma.com.

The ECMA Music Awards Gala will take place on Sunday, February 10^th, 2008, and will be hosted by Canadian comedian Mark Critch of This Hour has 22 Minutes.

“The 2008 East Coast Music Award nominees truly reflect the vibrant musical diversity among East Coast artists,” said Wade Pinhorn, chair of the East Coast Music Association. “They consist of not only well-established and popular bands and musicians, but also fresh new faces and sounds – the rising stars of East Coast music. The East Coast Music Awards continue to be a celebration of the region’s immense wealth of talent, once again bringing East Coast music into a national and international spotlight.”

Award nominees are chosen by juries of industry professionals from all five regions of the East Coast Music Association: New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island, mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island. Voting ballots will be sent to all eligible members of the East Coast Music Association, who will vote on the award winners.

The Entertainer of the Year award is the one East Coast Music Award that can be voted on by the public, in addition to members. This year’s nominees are George Canyon, Jill Barber, the Joel Plaskett Emergency, Ron Hynes, and the Trews. Voting details for the Entertainer of the Year award will be announced in early January. Stay tuned for more details.

Tickets for ECMA 2008 (February 7-10) are now on sale at the Playhouse and Aitken Centre box offices in Fredericton, by calling (506) 454-ECMA (3262), or by visiting www.ecma.com. Just in time for Christmas, these tickets and packages make great stocking stuffers!

The East Coast Music Awards, Festival & Conference is an annual event organized by the East Coast Music Association.  The ECMA is a not-for-profit organization whose mandate it is to foster, promote and celebrate East Coast music locally and globally.

The 2008 East Coast Music Awards, Festival & Conference has received financial support from the Government of Canada, Province of New Brunswick, and the City of Fredericton.  The East Coast Music Association would also like to acknowledge the financial support of FACTOR and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s private radio broadcasters.

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(Fredericton, NB) – L’Association de la musique de la Côte est a fait l’annonce aujourd’hui des artistes en nominations aux Prix de la musique 2008.  Cette annonce a eu lieu au Cellar Pub & Grill, sur le campus de l’université UNB à Fredericton.  Le Joel Plaskett Emergency se retrouve en tête avec sept nominations.

Wintersleep suit de près avec cinq nominations alors que Chucky Danger, Nathan Wiley et Jimmy Rankin reçoivent chacun quatre nominations. Pour leur part, George Canyon, Classified, Jamie Sparks, et Two Hours Traffic reçoivent trois nominations.Un nombre incroyable de 15 artistes ont reçu chacun deux nominations : Alert the Medic, Chelsea Nesbitt, Dave Gunning, Don Brownrigg, Ian Sherwood, Jenn Grant, J-Bru, Jill Barber,  Julie Doiron, Rebekah Higgs, Rose Cousins, Shaye, Slowcoaster, The Rankin Family, et Vishten. Pour obtenir la liste complète des artistes en nominations, veuillez consulter l’article documentaire ci-dessous.  Pour obtenir la biographie et les photos des artistes en nomination, veuillez consulter le www.ecma.com.

Les remises de prix auront lieu le dimanche, 10 février et seront acceulli par le comédien Canadien Mark Critch de This Hour Has 22 Minutes.

« Les nominations aux Prix de la musique de la Côte est 2008 reflètent réellement la diversité et le dynamisme musical des artistes de la Côte est », indique Wade Pinhorn, président de l’Association de la musique de la Côte est.  « Il s’agit non seulement d’artistes établis, de groupes et de musiciens populaires mais également de nouveaux visages et de nouveaux sons – les étoiles montantes de la musique de la Côte est.  Les Prix de la musique de la Côte est continuent d’être une célébration de l’immense richesse du talent de la région et permettent à la musique de la Côte est de se retrouver sous les feux de la scène nationale et internationale ».

Les artistes en nomination sont choisis par un jury composé de professionnels de l’industrie de chacune des cinq régions membres de l’Association de la musique de la Côte est : le Nouveau-Brunswick, Terre-Neuve et Labrador, l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard, la Nouvelle-Écosse continentale et l’île du Cap-Breton.  Les billets de vote seront remis à tous les membres admissibles de l’Association de la musique de la Côte est pour l’élection des récipiendaires des prix. 

Le prix de l’artiste de l’année est l’un des prix de la musique de la Côte est désigné par le public.  Les artistes en nomination cette année sont George Canyon, Jill Barber, the Joel Plaskett Emergency, Ron Hynes, et the Trews.  Les détails de vote pour le prix de l’artiste de l’année seront annoncer en janvier. Nous vous invitons à vous tenir au courant des derniers développements.

Les billets pour les Prix de la musique de la Côte est 2008 (du 7 au 10 février) sont en vente dès maintenant aux guichets du Playhouse et du centre Aitken de Fredericton.  Composez le (506) 454-ECMA (3262) ou rendez vous au www.ecma.com.  Les billets et les forfaits feront d’excellents cadeaux dans les bas de Noël !

La Conférence, le Festival et la Remise de prix de l’Association de la musique de la Côte est est un événement annuel organisé par l’Association de la musique de la Côte est.  L’AMCE est un organisme sans but lucratif dont le mandat est de favoriser, de promouvoir et de célébrer la musique de la Côte est tant localement que mondialement.

La Conférence, le Festival et la Remise de prix de l’Association de la musique de la Côte est a reçu un appui financier du gouvernement du Canada, de la province du Nouveau-Brunswick et de la ville de Fredericton.  L’Association de la musique de la Côte est aimerait également souligner la contribution financière de FACTOR et du gouvernement du Canada, par le biais du ministère du Patrimoine canadien (Fonds de la musique du Canada), ainsi que les radiodiffuseurs privés du Canada.

ECMA 2008 MUSIC AWARD NOMINEES / LES FINALISTES DE L’AMCE 2008

African-Canadian Recording of the Year / Enregistrement afro-canadien de l'année

Chelsea Nisbett – New Beginnings
Danté Hiscock – Calvary’s Cross
Jamie Sparks - It’s the music

Alternative Recording of the Year / Enregistrement alternatif de l’année

Battery Point – Battery Point
Down with the Butterfly - Rise
Julie Doiron – Woke Myself Up
Nathan Wiley – The City Destroyed Me
Slowcoaster – Future Radio 

Bluegrass Recording of the Year / Enregistrement bluegrass de l’année

Bluegrass Tradition – Midnight Walk
Catherine Lawrence – Stories From My Heart
Janet McGarry – Love & Learn
Roxeen and Ryan Roberts – Old Songs
Saddle River String Band – Saddle River String Band

Blues Recording of the Year / Enregistrement blues de l’année

Catahoula Brown – Let that boy boogie
Geoff Jardine – Once Was a Big Man
Ross Neilsen – Early Grave
Shirley Jackson & Her Good Rockin’ Daddys – Comfort Food
Thom Swift – Into the Dirt 

CBC Galaxie Rising Star Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – Révélation Étoiles Radio-Canada Galaxie

Alert The Medic – Alert The Medic
Don Brownrigg – Wander Songs
Ian Sherwood – Art of Conversation
Rebekah Higgs – Rebekah Higgs
Stephanie Hardy – Brand New Skin

Classical Recording of the Year / Enregistrement classique de l'année

Halifax Camerata Singers – Songs of the Stable: Christmas Music from Canada
New Brunswick Youth Orchestra – Forbidden City Tour
Nova Brilliante – Melodies of Love Volume 1
 

Country Recording of the Year / Enregistrement country de l’année

George Canyon - Classics
Jimmy Rankin –Edge of Day
Kevin Chase – I Won’t Fall
RyLee Madison – Me & Cinderella
The Divorcees – You Ain’t Gettin’ My Country

Pattison Outdoor DVD of the Year / DVD de l’année

Sloan – Keepin’ the tour alive
The Northern Ramblers – Jump The Gate
The Rankin Family – Back Stage Pass

Entertainer of the Year / Artiste de l'année

George Canyon
Jill Barber
Joel Plaskett Emergency
Ron Hynes
The Trews

CBC Galaxie Francophone Recording of the Year /Enregistrement francophone de l’année Radio-Canada Galaxie

Daniel Goguen – Une autre saison
Grand Dérangement - Live
Le Grand Cercle – Le Grand Cercle
Mathieu D’Astous – Les Méandres
Vishtèn – 11 :11

FACTOR Recording of the Year / Enregistrement sonore FACTOR de l'année

Chucky Danger – Chucky Danger (producer: Danny Blume)
Jimmy Rankin – Edge of Day (producer: Colin Linden)
Joel Plaskett Emergency – Ashtray Rock (producer: Gordie Johnson)
Nathan Wiley – The City Destroyed Me (producer: Steve Berlin)
Two Hours Traffic – Little Jabs (producer: Joel Plaskett)
Wintersleep – Welcome to the night sky (producer: Tony Doogan)

Female Solo Recording of the Year presented by Memorial University / Enregistrement de l’année – artiste solo féminine

Jenn Grant – Orchestra for the Moon
Jessica Rhaye – Short Stories
Julie Doiron – Woke Myself Up
Rebekah Higgs – Rebekah Higgs
Rose Cousins – If you were for me

Folk Recording of the Year / Enregistrement folklore/contemporain de l’année

Dave Gunning – House for Sale
Don Brownrigg – Wander Songs
Jenn Grant – Orchestra for the Moon
Madviolet - Caravan
Rose Cousins – If you were for me

Gospel Recording of the Year / Enregistrement gospel de l’année

Chelsea Nisbett – New Beginnings
Evangeline Inman – Free to Worship
Kelly-Ann Evans and Janet Cull – People Get Ready
Richard Paul – Because of Me
The Kelly Jay Band - Everything

Group Recording of the Year presented by Stantec / Enregistrement du groupe de l'année

Chucky Danger – Chucky Danger
hey rosetta! – Plan Your Escape
Joel Plaskett Emergency – Ashtray Rock
Slowcoaster – Future Radio
Wintersleep – Welcome to the night sky

Instrumental Recording of the Year / Enregistrement instrumental de l’année

George Morgan - Knockturns
MacCrimmon’s Revenge - Ecstasy
Ryan LeBlanc – Against The Grain
Sean Kemp – Moscow Madness
Troy MacGillivray – Live from the Music Room

Jazz Recording of the Year / Enregistrement jazz de l’année

Bill Stevenson and Tom Easley – For the Record
Gypsophilia – Minor Hope
Martin Alex Aucoin – So Far
Paul Tynan – Radio Infrequency
Tonic – Burton, Gatti, Riley, Mitchell – Tonic

Konica Minolta Male Solo Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – artiste solo masculin

Dave Gunning – House for Sale
George Canyon - Classics
Jamie Sparks – It’s the Music
Jimmy Rankin – Edge of Day
Nathan Wiley – The City Destroyed Me

Pop Recording of the Year / Enregistrement pop de l’année

Dana Parsons – It’s You Not Me
Ian Sherwood – Art of Conversation
Shaye – Lake of Fire
Timothy Chaisson - Even
Two Hours Traffic – Little Jabs

Rap/Hip-Hop Single Track Recording of the Year / Enregistrement simple rap / hip-hop de l’année

Classified – Hard to be Hip Hop
Hotbox (featuring Bonshah & Expedyte ) – Make ‘Em Holla
J-Bru (with Jay Bizzy and Ghettosocks) – Help! I’ve Been Robbed
MC Sean One – One Of The Best
Mick D (featuring JoFo) – Got It Locked

Sirius Satellite Radio Rock Recording of the Year / Enregistrement rock de l’année

Alert The Medic – Alert The Medic
Chucky Danger – Chucky Danger
Joel Plaskett Emergency – Ashtray Rock
The Contact – Canvas Tears
Wintersleep – Welcome to the night sky

Roots/Traditional Group Recording of the Year / Enregistrement folklore / traditionnel de l’année – groupe

Shanneyganock – Fling Out the Flag
The Cormiers – The Cormiers – Comin’ Home
The Irish Descendants – Southern Shore
The Punters – Beautiful Star
The Rankin Family – Reunion
Vishtèn – 11:11

Roots/Traditional Solo Recording of the Year / Enregistrement folklore / traditionnel de l’année – artiste solo

Cynthia MacLeod – Hot off the Floor
Gordon Belsher – Call up all the Neighbours
John Wesley Chisholm – When the Dirt Comes Down
Kimberley Fraser – Falling On New Ground
Leanne Aucoin – All Set

Vibe Creative Group Single of the Year / Chanson de l'année

Chris Colepaugh and the Cosmic Crew – Caught Up To You
Classified (featuring Chad Hatcher) – All About U
Joel Plaskett Emergency – Fashionable People
Shaye – Lake of Fire
Wintersleep – Weighty Ghost

SOCAN Songwriter of the Year / Compositeur ou compositrice SOCAN de l'année

Amelia Curran for “Scattered and Small” (performed by Amelia Curran)
Jill Barber for “Hard Line” (performed by Jill Barber)
Jimmy Rankin for “Slipping Away” (performed by Jimmy Rankin)
Joel Plaskett for “Fashionable People” (performed by Joel Plaskett Emergency)
Paul Murphy, Tim D’Eon, Loel Campbell & Jud Haynes for “Weighty Ghost” (performed by Wintersleep)

Urban Single Track Recording of the Year / Enregistrement simple urbain de l’année

D.N.A. & Catalyst – Take You Out
J-Bru – I Will Be Seen
Jamie Sparks – If You Were
Jordon Croucher – Selfish Times
Lindsay Barr – Riot Queen

Video of the Year / Vidéo de l'année

Chucky Danger – Travelling (director: Warren Sanoda)
Classified – Hard to be Hip-Hop (director: Harv)
Joel Plaskett Emergency – Fashionable People (director: Randall Thorne)
Nathan Wiley – North American Dream (director: Sean Wainsteim)
The Superfantastics – Tonight, Tonite (director: Mike Holmes)
Two Hours Traffic – Jezebel – (director: Ron Mann)

September 25, 2007
 

September 24, 2007
 

September 20, 2007

Three of Canada's most accomplished female folk artists are coming together for the first time for two very special evenings of music. Cindy Church, Susan Crowe and Raylene Rankin will perform together at Dartmouth's Alderney Landing Theatre on Thursday and Friday, October 11 and 12.  Both shows begin at 8:00 p.m. with doors opening at 7:30.  Tickets are now available at a cost of $25 plus HST (general seating) from the Alderney Landing Box Office (call 1-888-311-9090 or visit www.ticketpro.ca).  Accompanying the women on guitar will be two of Nova Scotia's finest musicians, Jamie Robinson and Clarence Deveau.

The performance on October 12 will be recorded for future broadcast by CBC Radio.

A stellar presence in the Canadian music scene, Cindy Church (www.cindychurch.com) is renowned for the clarity and emotive precision of her voice.  Originally from Bible Hill, Nova Scotia, Cindy has worked with Ian Tyson, is a member of the vocal group Quartette, and has developed diverse shows including The Nearness of You:  A Tribute to the Music of Hoagy Carmichael, and Lunch at Allen's with fellow singer-songwriters Murray McLauchlan, Ian Thomas and Marc Jordan.  She has been nominated for Juno and Canadian Country Music Awards, and was Female Artist of the Year at the Alberta Country Music Awards.  A frequent radio and television performer, as well as guest vocalist and collaborator on numerous recording projects, Cindy is currently working on a new solo album.

Considered a "writer's writer," Susan Crowe (www.susancrowe.com) is a two-time Juno nominee, a 2005 ECMA nominee, and past winner of the Music Nova Scotia Female Artist of the Year Award. With four albums to her credit, Susan has emerged as one of Canada's most respected artists in the folk genre, a label that barely scratches the surface of her compelling and polished approach to music.  At once complex, challenging and accessible, Susan's intelligent and moving songs have captivated audiences and reviewers from coast to coast, continent to continent.  She possesses, in the words of Britain's Folk Roots magazine, "that rare ability of crafting a lyric that bears scrutiny on its own terms."

For more than ten years, Raylene Rankin's (www.jproductions/raylene) sweet, pure voice joined those of her brothers and sisters as part of the internationally acclaimed Canadian recording act, "The Rankin Family". At the height of their popularity, the group toured the world and sold more than two million albums.  Raylene is "the voice" of the Rankin Family's hit song Rise Again. As a solo artist she has toured Atlantic and Western Canada, and recorded a solo CD, Lambs in Spring. In the fall of 1999, pop superstar Carly Simon invited Raylene and her sisters to her home studio in Martha's Vineyard to add their special harmonies to five tracks of her CD, Bedroom Tapes. The sisters have appeared with symphony orchestras coast to coast, and recorded a Christmas special for Bravo television filmed on location in Mabou, Cape Breton.
Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear three of Canada's finest voices and writers in a song circle format at Alderney Landing Theatre.

For more information, please visit www.alderneylanding.com

August 9, 2007

ATTENTION ALL RANKIN FAMILY FANS!

Tickets are now being released for an exclusive one night only Rankin Family reunion concert special.

Tickets to the show are absolutely free, but you must call ahead and get your name on the list.

Where's it at? MTV's Masonic Temple at 888 Yonge Street on the north west corner of Yonge and Davenport in downtown Toronto

When is this?: Thursday August 30, 2007 with both an afternoon and evening performance, specific timing information is forthcoming.

Who can come? ANYONE over the age of 14!

How do I get tickets? Easy! Call 416-214-9900 X 240 or 241 or 242 or 243 or 244 or 245 to reserve your tickets 24 hours a day 7 days a week. A representative will call you back to confirm if your request was successful and they will give you the ticket pick up information.

CALL NOW as tickets are sure to go fast!

August 1, 2007 - Regina, SK

The 2007 CCMA nominees were announced today and Jimmy Rankin has been nominated in the Roots Artist category.  View the complete list of nominees here.

Country Music Week will be held Sept. 7-10 in Regina.  The award ceremony on Sept. 10 will be broadcast on CBC and CMT.

More details at www.ccma.org
 

June 8, 2007 - Halifax, NS

Congratulations to Raylene Rankin who has just been named the 2007 "Successful Canadian Woman" by Adsum House in Nova Scotia.

From their recent newsletter:

"Adsum is thrilled to honour Raylene Rankin has this year's Successful Canadian Woman. As one of the original members of "The Rankin Family", Raylene is a well known voice in Atlantic Canada and around the world. Her incredible talent and life experience are, we believe, a powerful inspiration to others."

The 18th annual dinner will be held Thursday October 25th at Pier 21 in Halifax. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets for this year's dinner can call Adsum at (902) 423-5049.

Past winners of this award include Susan Aglukark, Margaret Trudeau, Measha Brueggergosman, Denise Djokic, Shelah Rogers, Anna Maria Tremonti, Mary Walsh, Natalie MacMaster, Anne Murray, Rita MacNeil, Ruth Goldblum and Shirley Carr.

http://adsumforwomen.org/

Congratulations Raylene!

May 7, 2007 - Toronto, ON

One of Canada's premiere singer/songwriters, Jimmy Rankin is back to make a lasting impression with his highly anticipated solo album Edge of
Day hitting stores May 8th, 2007.

A Cape Breton native, Rankins new album is a warm blend of roots-rock and alt-country tracks with an adult contemporary touch. A departure from his previous work, Rankin has explored new territory and pushed boundaries with his new material, such as the singles Slipping Away and the hit song Got To Leave Louisiana, which is currently climbing the radio charts. In addition, for the first time in his career, Rankin chose to collaborate on numerous songs with such great talents as Gordie Sampson, Tom Wilson, Jon Randall and Craig Northey.

Over the past three years I've taken a lot of my inspiration from the world I see around me.  I do a lot of touring, traveling and reading and I think that my songs reflect that. I'm always on the lookout for a good story and definitely tune into other peoples experiences in the world, states Rankin.

With an impressive solo career, Rankin is a seasoned veteran in the music industry, having toured with Keith Urban and John Prine and the recipient of numerous accolades, such as four SOCAN-sponsored ECMA, 3 Canadian Country Music Awards, and 6 JUNO Awards, including Songwriter of The Year.

In addition to his musical talents, Rankin is also involved in charitable work with World Vision, while balancing life as a proud father and family
man. Rankin will be touring in 2007 across Canada, dates TBA.

Weblinks: www.jimmyrankin.com
www.myspace.com/jimmyrankinmusic

March 23, 2007 - For Immediate Release

Home She'll Be: Rita MacNeil's Cape Breton Airs April 8 on CTV

Toronto, ON (March 24, 2007) - From the rolling hills of the majestic highlands to the coal-mining town of Glace Bay, Rita MacNeil and her fellow East Coast musicians entertain Canadians this Easter with Rita MacNeil's Cape Breton.

-- Easter special features performances by Jimmy Rankin, Ashley MacIsaac, Aselin Debison, Gary Beals and more --

 The spectacular one-hour music special airs Easter Sunday, April 8 at 7p.m. ET on CTV (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times).

"I've done many television specials but this one is my favourite," said Rita MacNeil. "It's the simplest, yet most beautiful. It captures the magic and spirituality of the island, which is the heart and soul of my music."

In Rita MacNeil's Cape Breton, the beloved songstress celebrates the island's stunning beauty and unique musical heritage with special guests Jimmy Rankin, Ashley MacIsaac, Aselin Debison, North America's only coal mining choir, Men of the Deeps, legendary gospel singer Mavis Staples, Canadian Idol's Gary Beals and native ensemble, Sons of Membertou.

Rita was thrilled to work with some of her favourite East Coast artists. "I was so completely blown away by Jimmy when we sang together, that, except for the chorus, I just hung back and let him go," she said. "What a voice. What a star!"

"All the guests brought something special," MacNeil added. "Aselin has the voice of an angel and she's only 16. Ashley is an original, a musical revolution unto himself - and Men of the Deeps tell us of the hardship they endured with every emotional note they sing."

"The nighttime chants on that silent fire-lit lake of the Sons of Membertou are with me still," continued MacNeil. "And, when we went to Arichat, even though many of the townspeople only speak French, they waited in line and packed the church to hear legendary gospel singer Mavis Staples who sang up a storm with Canadian Idol's Gary Beals."

Rita MacNeil's Cape Breton was shot entirely on location including Mabou in Inverness County, home to the Rankin family; Plaster Rock in Iona; Ingonish; Neils Harbour; the historic Savoy Theatre in the coal mining town of Glace Bay; Rita's famous tea room in Big Pond; one of Nova Scotia's oldest communities, the French town of Arichat and the breathtaking Middlehead Peninsula, a conservation area surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean.

"I've done lots of shows with Sandra [Faire, Executive Producer of the special], and she always takes us to the most remote areas - like Middlehead Peninsula where we shot the opening," said MacNeil. "To get there, you have to hike almost one mile by foot or helicopter in. Guess

which one I chose," joked MacNeil.

A native of Big Pond on Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island, Rita MacNeil is a legendary Canadian singer/songwriter. She is currently touring across Canada in support of her latest CD, Songs My Mother Loved. Rita MacNeil's Cape Breton is produced by Leopard Productions Inc. in association with CTV, with the assistance of the Canadian Film and Video Tax Credits and The Ontario Film and Television Tax Credits.

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