Manitoba Artists Strong Contenders at 2003 WCMAs

Posted on

Nominees for the inaugural Western Canadian Music Awards were announced in press conferences across the western provinces on August 19. Manitoba artists are nominated for a total of 16 awards while 11 local industry professionals received nominations for the Industry Awards, held on September 28 and 27.

Recently repatriated Holly McNarland has been nominated for three WCMAs: Outstanding Songwriter of the Year, Outstanding Pop Recording, Outstanding Album (Major Label). Her producers - Warne Livesy, Mark Howars and Malcolm Burn - have been nominated for Outstanding Producer for McNarlands latest album Home is Where My Feet Are.

McNarland isnt the only Manitoba poised to take home the award that was formerly known as The Wheatie. The WCMAs, born out of the Prairie Music Awards, saw an expansion last fall include British Columbia and the Yukon. Pop chanteuse Chantal Kreviazuk is McNarlands competitor for Outstaning Album (Major Label) for What If It All Means Something, while The Watchmen are up for Entertainer of the Year. Jazz woodwind player Janice Finlays Shes Hip is up for Outstanding Jazz Recording, Damien Lussier and Fred Penner are going head-to-head for Outstanind Childrens Recording, Celtic outfit The Duhks are nominated for Outstanding Roots Recording, Equanim takes a nominates for Oustanding Instrumental Album, Mood Ruff is nominated for Outstanding Rap/Hip-Hop Recording, while Jon Buller and Starfield are both nominated for Outstanding Christian Recording. Kraink and Les Louis Boys are up for Outstanding Francophone Recording.

Local booking agency Paquin Entertainment is nominated for three Industry Awards, including Manager of the Year, Talent Buyer of the Year (Gilles Paquin) and Agent of the Year (Billy Collins). Two local venues, The Pyramid Cabaret and The West End Cultural Centre, are up for Live Music Venue of the year whole local entertainment weekly Uptown Magazine is nominated for Media Outlet of the Year. Private Ear Recording and Studio 11 are up for Recording Studio of the Year, Winnipeg Folk Festival Store has been nominated for Retail Store of the Year, Jon Loeppky take a nod for Best Album Design (for Jon Bullers Broken Drum) and Murray Pulver has been nominated for Musician of the Year.

The WCMAs are part of a week of events including Western Canadian Music Awards Conference with keynote speaker Buffy Sainte-Marie, workshops, panel discussions and live shows at venues across Regina. Despite the inclusion of B.C. and the Yukon, Manitoba is still well-represented at the conference, with 13 local artists making the trek west. Hip-hop gurus Mood Ruff, jazz vocalist Jodie Borle, singer/songwriters Dominique Reynolds and Alana Levandoski, roots darlings Nathan, rockabilly act The Rowdymen, bluegrass outfit House of Doc, rockers burnthe8track and Steeple Chaser. As well, Shadez, The Perms, Mark Reeves, and the Wailin Jennys will be off to Regina to showcase the wealth of Manitoba talent.

Streetheart will receive the 2003 Western Canadian Hall of Fame Award. During its seven year history, the band helped solidify the impact Canadian rock had on the worldwide stage in the late 70s and early 80s.

The WCMas are developed through a partnership between the five Western Canadian music industry associations; MARIA, SRIA, ARIA, PMIA, and RAIYA. For more information, please visit www.westerncanadianmusicawards.ca .

Read more news