Niagara Music Awards nominees announced
Niagara singer/songwriters Brad Battle, Ryan Lunn and Mel Monaco lead the pack with the most nominations for the 11th Niagara Music Awards.
Other multiple nominees for this year’s event include Jessica Wilson, Chelsea Crites, Rob Graham, Valerie Borghesi, Ashlee Standish and the Mighty Duck Blues Band.
Nominees were announced Thursday for the gala show, taking place Sept. 30 at the Champagne Banquet Hall in St. Catharines. It will be the first time in seven years the show hasn’t been in Niagara Falls.
“We wanted to go back to a banquet style event,” says organizer Todd Brown. “We had received a lot of feedback from the artists that one of their favourite things about the event is the ability to mix and mingle with other artists and music industry people. The banquet setting will give us that ability.”
The new location will have capacity for about 650 people. Last year’s sold-out show at the Greg Frewin Theatre in Niagara Falls held 600 people.
Battle says he is “blown away” to be nominated in five categories, the same amount he had last year when he won Country Artist and Songwriter of the Year.
“It’s been a rough year with a lot of ups and downs, and nothing renews my fire and passion more than being recognized by my peers,” he said. “I wish everyone the best of luck and hope everyone knows, win or lose, it’s a great community we have in Niagara.”
St. Catharines singer Mel Monaco gathered six nominations, including Female Songwriter, Songwriter and Album of the Year.
“I’m shocked and honoured – always a warm feeling to feel recognized,” she said.
Despite five nominations last year, Monaco went home empty handed. She’s hoping to “walk away with a shiny piece of Niagara music history” this time.
Lincoln’s Lunn led all nominees with seven.
Niagara Falls rocker Rob Graham nabbed three nominations, including Original Song and Male Singer of the Year. He’s hoping to win his first Niagara Music Award.
“I worked very hard this year and spent a lot more money on my music than I ever have in the past,” he says.
The awards cap off Niagara Music Week which runs Sept. 21 to Sept. 30. It includes Feast Street in Welland and Blues Night at Donnelly’s Pub in Thorold Sept. 26.
“The Niagara Music Awards has grown up and is now an event that is known throughout the Niagara region,” says Brown.