Hometown Acts Receive 33 WCMA Nominations

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Manitoba artists have been honoured with numerous nominations at the 2006 Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMA), yet again showing the strength of the keystone province’s music industry on a national stage. Local artists account for 33 nominations in 19 different artistic and industry categories, the Western Canadian Music Alliance announced in Winnipeg on September 14. The artistic trophies will be handed out at a gala event held on October 22 at Winnipeg’s prestigious Burton Cummings Theatre for the Performing Arts.

This year’s nominees run the gamut from indie pop act Paper Moon to up-and-coming roots darling Alana Levandoski. Juno-winning Aboriginal rock act Eagle & Hawk is up for Outstanding Aboriginal Recording, along with singer/songwriter Don Freed. Manitoba acts dominate the Outstanding Christian Recording category, with two-time Grammy-nominated rapper Fresh I.E., folk/pop singer Meghan Pierce, and UK-born soul chanteuse Adé all vying for a trophy. Two local acts, Mood Ruff and Park-Like Setting, are up for Outstanding Hip-Hop Recording.

Also nominated in artistic categories; Juno-nominated blue trio The Perpetrators, a cappella world music septet Madrigaïa, classical musician Alexander Tselyakov, Francophone singer Nadia Gaudet, guitar virtuosi Art Turner, and rock outfit Novillero. Legendary Winnipeg rock band Harlequin was announced to be the 2006 WCMA Hall of Fame inductee.

Industry professionals from Manitoba are also a force at this year’s Industry Awards, to be held at a brunch on October 21. Local engineers, media, managers, studios, and venues are up for 16 awards. Nominees include Gilles Paquin and Paquin Entertainment, Brandon Friesen and 441 Studios, Glen Willows, the West End Cultural Centre, and all five of the Musician of the Year nominees.

“The list of nominees shows the diversity of talent within this province,” says Sam Baardman, Executive Director of the Manitoba Audio Recording Industry Association, WCMA board member and host of the press conference. “I’m constantly amazed at how dedicated and gifted our artists and industry professionals are and I am happy that we will have an opportunity to honour them for their achievements. We threw a fantastic party at the 2005 JUNO Awards and we’re ready to do it again with these festivities in October.”

“Every year Manitoba is well represented at the WCMAs, and this year is clearly no exception, “ says Carole Vivier, CEO of MANITOBA FILM & SOUND and co-chair of the WCMA Host Committee. “Our province’s talented recording artists and the industry professionals are the reason Manitoba’s music scene continues to thrive and receive national, as well as international acclaim. We are pleased to have supported so many of the Manitoba nominees and we congratulate them all for their outstanding accomplishments. It is a thrill and an honour to welcome the WCMAs to Winnipeg.”

The awards gala is the pinnacle event of the third annual Western Canadian Music Week - held October 19 to 22, 2006 in Winnipeg - which also features a conference and three-day music festival including over 25 showcased Manitoba 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, creating the opportunity for a new wave of exciting industry developments from record deals to international tours.

For a complete list of 2006 WCMA nominees, please visit www.westerncanadianmusicawards.ca.


2006 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS MANITOBA NOMINEES

Artistic Awards

Outstanding Album (Independent)
Madrigaïa - Pléaides

Outstanding Pop Recording
Paper Moon - Broken Hearts Break Faster Every Day

Outstanding Aboriginal Recording
Eagle & Hawk – Life Is
Don Freed - The Valley of Green and Blue

Outstanding Blues Recording
The Perpetrators – The Gas and the Clutch

Outstanding Christian Recording
Fresh I.E. - Truth Is Fallin' In Tha Streetz
Meghan Pierce – Meghan Pierce
Ade – 49 54

Outstanding Classical Recording
Alexander Tselyakov - Alexander Tselyakov plays variations on the theme of Paganini 

Outstanding Francophone Recording
Nadia Gaudet – La Honte

Outstanding Instrumental Recording
Art Turner - Sonora

Outstanding Rap/Hip-Hop Recording
Mood Ruff – I Do My Own Stunts
Park-Like Setting – Craftsmen

Outstanding Songwriter
Alana Levandoski – Unsettled Down

Video of the Year
Novillero - "The Hypothesist"

Industry Awards

Agency of the Year
Paquin Entertainment

Engineer of the Year
Brandon Friesen
Shawn Pierce

Manager of the Year
Gilles Paquin
Glen Willows

Musician of the Year
Colin Musulak
Daniel Roy
Gilles Fournier
Krisjanna Oleson
Murray Pulver

Radio, TV or Print Media Person of the Year
Lochlin Cross
Sook-yin Lee

Recording Studio of the Year
441 Studios

Live Music Venue of the Year
Burton Cummings Theatre for the Performing Arts
West End Cultural Centre

Talent Buyer of the Year
Kelly Berehulka, Casinos of Winnipeg

Best Album Design
Brian Kauste – My Dinner with Bruce (Steve Bell)
Michelle Zieske – Bethune (Twilight Hotel)
Ron Sawchuk – Fragmenti (Ron Sawchuk)


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