YYC Music Awards hitting new crescendo
The best in local music will be honoured at the YYC Music Awards gala on Sunday at the Palace Theatre.
The volunteer-run award show, which honours local music in 20 categories, is in its third year.
It has grown by “leaps and bounds,” said YYC Music Awards public relations and media director Shannon Ambrose.
This year saw more than 100 submissions from local musicians and the addition of the world music category. The selection committee, which is made up of music professionals from across Canada, narrowed down the submissions to five nominees in each category.
Nominees include Lisa Anderson, who is nominated for female artist of the year and pop recording of the year; Matt Blais, nominated for male artist of the year, rock recording of the year and single of the year; and Michelle Minke, the founder and artistic director of Cowtown Opera, who is nominated for female artist of the year and is performing at the gala on Sunday.
Other performers at the gala span five categories, while award presenters include JJ Shiplett and Amy Hef, the 2017 winners of male and female artist of the year, respectively.
“(Even) if you’re a fan of local music, there might be some names you’ve never even heard of," Ambrose said. "We run into that every year when we get submissions, which is really pretty cool. We’re like, ‘Oh, who are they?’ Then we go look them up and check them out and we end up going to shows.”