Manitoba Nets 32 Nods at Fifth Annual Western Canadian Music Awards

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When the trophies are handed out next month in Moose Jaw, Manitoba music will be poised to bring home a few handfuls at the 2007 Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMA). Hometown artists and industry professionals account for 32 nominations in 20 different categories, 25 of which are artistic awards. The artistic trophies will be handed out at a gala event on October 21 at the Snowbirds Hangar 6.

The artistic nominations show the breadth and diversity of Manitoba’s music industry. This year’s nominees include five nods for roots quartet Nathan, for Outstanding Roots Recording ~ Duo/Group, Outstanding Independent Album, Songwriter(s) of the Year, as well as two nominations for Video of the Year. Recent Canadian Country Music Award winner Doc Walker is up for both Outstanding Country Recording and Outstanding Independent Album. Singer/songwriter Romi Mayes is another double nominee, for Outstanding Roots Recording ~ Solo and Songwriter(s) of the Year.

Also nominated this year is top-selling hardcore act Comeback Kid, Grammy-nominated neo-Celtic quintet The Duhks, singer/songwriters J.P. Hoe, Sheena Grobb and Monica Schroeder, hip-hop act Shadez, Aboriginal blues act the Slidin’ Clyde Roulette Band, Christian Rapper Fresh I.E., composer/pianist Alexander Tselyakov, funk collective Moses Mayes, Christian singer/songwriter Kerri Woelke, rock band The Harlots, and bluegrass misfits The D. Rangers.
Three local acts -- Ginette Roy, Johnny Cajun, and Pertinence Négligée –- dominate the Outstanding Francophone Recording category.

Industry professionals from Manitoba are also a force at this year’s Industry Awards, to be held at a brunch on October 20. Local talent buyers, managers, and, graphic designers, venues are up for seven awards. Nominees include Gilles Paquin and Paquin Entertainment, the West End Cultural Centre, Ron Sawchuk, Arbor Records, CBG Artist Development’s Chris Burke-Gaffney, and Casinos of Winnipeg’s Kelly Berehulka.

The awards gala is the pinnacle event of the fifth annual Western Canadian Music Week - held October 18 to 21, 2007 in Moose Jaw - which also features a conference and three-day music festival including over 50 showcasing acts. The WCMAs present an incredible opportunity for emerging and established artists to be a part of the western Canadian music community. Participating artists and other music professionals have the chance to meet key industry stakeholders – including Nettwerk guru Terry McBride -- creating the opportunity for a new wave of exciting industry developments from record deals to international tours.

For a complete list of 2007 WCMA nominees, please visit www.westerncanadianmusicawards.ca.

2007 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS - MANITOBA NOMINEES

Artistic Awards

Outstanding Aboriginal Recording
Slidin’ Clyde Roulette Band – Let’s Take A Ride

Oustanding Christian Recording Award
Fresh I.E. – The Warren Project
Kerri Woelke – Kerri Woelke

Outstanding Classical Recording
Alexander Tselyakov – Dmitry Shostakovich: Works for Two Pianos

Outstanding Country Recording
Doc Walker – Doc Walker

Outstanding Francophone Recording
Ginette Roy – D’or et de rêves
Johnny Cajun – Johnny Cajun
Pertinence Négligée – Attention: Batteur Féroce

Outstanding Instrumental Recording
Moses Mayes – Second Ring

Outstanding Pop Recording
JP Hoe – The Live Beta Project
Monica Schroeder – So Far
Sheena Grobb – Safe Guarded Space

Outstanding Rock Recording
Comeback Kid – Broadcasting...
The Harlots – Connoisseur of Ruin

Outstanding Roots Recording ~ Duo/Group
Nathan – Key Principles
The Duhks – Migrations

Outstanding Roots Recording ~ Solo
Romi Mayes – Sweet Somethin’ Steady

Outstanding Urban Recording
Shadez – Every Dollar Counts

Outstanding Independent Album Award
Doc Walker – Doc Walker
D. Rangers – The Paw Paw Patch
Nathan – Key Principles

Songwriter(s) of the Year
Nathan – Key Principles
Romi Mayes – Sweet Somethin’ Steady

Video of the Year
“The Wind” – Nathan, Director: Mighty Kraken Films
“Trans Am” - Nathan, Director: Yael Staav

Industry Awards

Agency of the Year
Paquin Entertainment

Best Album Design
Ron Sawchuk – Album: Firecracker by The Wailin’ Jennys

Independent Record Label of the Year
Arbor Records

Live Music Venue of the Year
West End Cultural Centre

Manager of the Year
Chris Burke-Gaffney
Gilles Paquin

Talent Buyer of the Year
Kelly Berehulka

 

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