Memorable ECMA moments
Guardian entertainment writer reflects on the 2017 festival in Saint John, N.B.
As I ran from showcase to showcase, writing stories and taking photographs last weekend at the ECMAs in Saint John, N.B., it was hard to look at the big picture.
There was so much music to feast on that sometimes my schedule turned into a hectic scramble as I navigated the streets. At one point, I was in a church and realized that I needed to be at another one for an important award presentation. Luckily it was a block away on so I was able to get there on time.
So there was a wonderful feeling of completion (and relief) when I filed my final story to The Guardian this past Sunday afternoon.
It is only after a few days that I’ve had time to step back and reflect on the music festival that I covered.
Appreciation, with kudos, is extended to the organizers of the 2017 ECMAS in Saint John, N.B. for a job well done. It was a
well-organized event that ran at a variety of downtown venues, interconnected through an enclosed pedway system. (This was a bonus, especially on the days it rained.) Other venues included theatres, churches and Harbour Station where the awards show took place.
Appreciation goes to Trevor Murphy of Pigeon Row who ran a first-class media room at the event, providing results, information and technical support to all the reporters in attendance.
Here are a few of many favourite moments:
- Listening to Paper Lions song, “End of July”, featuring Marlee Saulnier’s stirring saxophone solo at the 2017 East Coast Music Awards show on Thursday night. It made the little hairs stand up on the back of my neck. What a beautiful song.
- Getting swept away by the high-energy fiddle music and wanting to dance while listening to Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys at the Export Buyers Roots Showcase this past Friday night.
- Sitting with P.E.I.’s Garnet Buell and his partner, Mary MacQueen Elliott, after he received the Stompin’ Tom Award during the Industry Awards ceremony on Sunday. “I’m so glad to be here and so proud to accept this award. I thank everyone who has been behind me,” he said.
- Receiving an email from Jesse Periard, a member of Ten Strings and a Goat Skin, sharing the band’s excitement after it won roots/traditional album of the year. The band was on a tour of the Shetland Islands.
- Listening to two musical giants – Dave Gunning and J.P. Cormier – singing “Bonnie Doon” at the Warner Music Canada Roots Room showcase last Friday night. Their showcase was rewarded with a standing ovation.
- Hearing the audience backing up Lennie Gallant when he sang “Which Way Does the River Run?” and “Peter’s Dream” at the Folk Stage at
St. Andrew and St. David United Church on Saturday night (was that three-part harmony?) It was the same night he won folk recording of the year, bringing his award total to two for 2017.
- Seeing Heather Rankin show her talent and strength as a solo artist. She performed her new single, “We Walk As One”, as well as some favourite Rankin family songs at the Irving Fan Fest on Saturday.
- Listening to the Atlantic String Orchestra perform “Lost Time” by violinist Sean Kemp sent shivers of excitement up and down my spine as I sat in the audience at the Sanctuary Theatre during the classical showcase on Saturday.
- Sipping a coffee and enjoying the sunshine on the corner of Princess and Sydney streets last Saturday afternoon waiting for the folk stage to begin. From this vantage point, I could look down the hill to the harbour. What a beautiful location.
Speaking of location, Halifax, N.S., will host the ECMAs in 2018. And P.E.I.’s turn is coming. The ECMAs return to Charlottetown in 2019.