New Brunswick natives Chris Colepaugh, Matt Andersen, Measha Brueggergosman and David Myles were among the winners at this past weekend’s East Coast Music Awards Ceremonies, held in Charlottetown, PEI.
What can be said that hasn’t already been said? New Brunswick has always been a hotbed of musical talent and nowhere is this more obvious than in this year’s winners.
I am extremely happy to see David Myles walk away with a pair of awards. Myles just might be the nicest guy ever; I have only seen him play once (and at that, it was only a few songs) but his charisma and sense of humor was obvious and only cements my feeling that he is one of the region’s best talents. He has a new live record out which you can read about on his website.
By the various online accounts I read over the weekend, bluesman Matt Andersen reportedly had the crowd in the palm of his hand at his shows and deservedly so. Mark my words, this guy is going to blow up big. He is already garnering praise and accolades outside of Canada so be sure to catch him live the next time you have the opportunity to do so.
With all due respect to all winners, perhaps my biggest source of pride stemming from the weekend was hearing that Chris Colepaugh and The Cosmic Crew walked away with two awards. The friendship between Chris and I goes back a remarkable 23 years when we were in junior high school. Chris was always the consummate musician, seemingly able to master whatever instrument he picked up. Chris and his band were nominated for ECMAs in the past however this is the first year that he walked away a winner. In my opinion, the wins were long overdue. Congratulations my old friend.
Here is a complete list of winners from the 2011 ECMA’s. See you next year in Moncton!
ECMA 2011 Music Award Winners:
Alternative Recording of the Year: Slowcoaster – The Darkest of Discos
Blues Recording of the Year: Matt Andersen – Piggyback
Children’s Recording of the Year: Rik Barron – Over in the Meadow
Classical Recording of the Year: Measha Brueggergosman – Nights and Dreams
Country Recording of the Year presented by Cavendish Beach Music Festival: Meaghan Blanchard – Chasin’ Lonely Again
DVD of the Year: The Trews – The Trews Acoustic – Friends & Total Strangers (Director: Tim Martin)
Bell Aliant Fan’s Choice Entertainer of the Year: Chris Colepaugh & The Crew
Bell Aliant Fan’s Choice Video of the Year: Highway of Heroes (Director: Tim Martin).
Female Solo Recording of the Year presented by Budget Rent-A-Car: Rose Cousins – The Send Off
Folk Recording of the Year: David Myles – Turn Time Off
Francophone Recording of the Year: Lennie Gallant – Le Coeur Hanté
Gospel Recording of the Year: Chelsea Nisbett – Anchored Roots
Group Recording of the Year: The Once – The Once
Instrumental Recording of the Year: Gypsophilia – Sa‐ba‐da‐OW!
Jazz Recording of the Year: Dwayne Cote & Duane Andrews – Dwayne Cote &
Duane Andrews
Loud Recording of the Year: The Fed Pennies – Brain Disaster
Konica Minolta Male Solo Recording of the Year: Matt Andersen – Piggyback
Pop Recording of the Year presented by Coca-Cola: Meaghan Smith – The Cricket’s Orchestra
R&B/Soul Single Track Recording of the Year presented by BMO: Chelsea Nisbett – Anchored Roots
Rap/Hip‐Hop Single Track Recording of the Year: Ghettosocks – Don’t Turn Around (feat. Edgar Allen Floe)
FACTOR Recording of the Year: Wintersleep – New Inheritors (Producer: Tony Doogan)
Rising Star Recording of the Year: The Stanfields – Vanguard of the Young and Reckless
Rock Recording of the Year presented by Roland Canada: Chris Colepaugh & The Crew – Missed a Page
Roots/Traditional Group Recording of the Year: Ennis – Lessons Learned
Roots/Traditional Solo Recording of the Year presented by Purity Dairy: Dave Gunning – A Tribute To John Allan Cameron
Vibe Creative Group Single of the Year: David Myles – Need A Break (Producer: Joel Plaskett)
SOCAN Songwriter of the Year: Rose Cousins – “I Were the Bird” (Performed by: Rose Cousins)
World Recording of the Year: The Idlers – Keep Out