East Pointers win three ECMAS
Ceremonies were held May 2 and May 5 in Charlottetown
“This is for Koady, who would have been in his element this week.”
Jake Charron
The East Pointers were the big winners at the 36th East Coast Music Awards in Charlottetown.
Tim Chaisson and Jake Charron of the East Pointers walked away with three wins at the award ceremonies held May 2 and May 5.
They were followed by Jenn Grant, Morgan Toney and Tim Baker who had each two.
Chaisson and Charron dedicated their wins to their late bandmate, Koady Chaisson, and his wife who has been supporting the band. Koady Chaisson died suddenly in 2022 at the age of 37.
“We would like to thank Chloe Goodyear, Koady’s wife who’s been such a big part of everything we’ve done. She believed in us from the start and it’s a big part of why we’re still going. This is for Koady, who would have been in his element this week. It’s all you, so thank you,” Charron said while accepting the award for contemporary roots recording of the year for their record, Safe In Sound.
The Stompin' Tom Award for P.E.I. was given posthumously to Kerri Wynne Macleod, former host of Ocean 100's radio morning show.
Jennifer Evans, general manager of Ocean 100 and HOT 105.5, along with other members of the Stingray Charlottetown team, accepted the award on Macleod’s behalf.
During the acceptance speech, Evans highlighted Macleod’s significant contributions to P.E.I. as the co-host of the morning radio show for nearly two decades, bringing “honesty, laughter and pure joy into so many of our lives.”
Evans also spoke of how Macleod dedicated much of her time performing at various events across the Island, including weddings, funerals and benefits.
“She had such love and respect for her fellow
performers. She so loved her time working with the East Coast Music Association,” Evans told the room. “We are very touched today. And we all know that Kerri Wynne would be so proud to receive this award and to recognize her contributions that she made to the East Coast Music Industry Association.”
Below is the full list of 2024 winners:
African Canadian artist of the year: Maggie Andrew (N.S.)
Album of the year: Neon Dreams – Love Child Baby Dolphin (N.S.)
Blues recording of the year: Charlie A’court – International Roots and Blues Kitchen Party (N.S.)
Children’s entertainer of the year: The Swinging Belles (N.L.)
Choral recording of the year: Luminos Ensemble – In the Crystaline Vault of Heaven (P.E.I.)
Classical composer of the year: Andrew Staniland – Blackwood Sketches (N.L.)
Classical recording of the year: Bill Brennan – Kaleidoscope – Music for Mallet Instruments (N.L.)
Contemporary roots recording of the year: The
East Pointers – Safe in Sound (P.E.I)
Country recording of the year: Jason Benoit – Time Traveller the album (N.L.)
Dance recording of the year: Cloverdale – Up To No Good (N.S.)
Electronic recording of the year: Rich Aucoin – Space (N.S.)
Folk recording of the year: Tim Baker – The Festival (N.L)
Enregistrement francophone de l’année: Julie Aubé – Contentement (N.B.)
Fusion recording of the year: Gina Burgess – Anuri (N.S.)
Global recording of the year: Cuerpos – En Dos Partes (N.L.)
Group recording of the year: The East Pointers – Safe In Sound (P.E.I.)
Indigenous artist of the year: Morgan Toney (Cape Breton)
Instrumental recording of the year: Flying Pooka! – Flying Pooka! The Ecstasy of Becoming (N.L.)
Jazz recording of the year: Paul Tynan – Bicoastal Collective; Chapter 6 (N.S.)
Loud recording of the year: Orchid’s Curse – The Decay (N.S.)
Pop recording of the year: The East Pointers – Safe In Sound (P.E.I.)
R&b/soul recording of the year: KAYO – Trip (N.S.).
Rap/hip-hop recording
of the year: City Natives – Still Chief’n (N.B.)
Rising star recording of
the year: The Bombadils – Tell Me I’m Not Dreaming (N.S.)
Rock recording of the year: Good Dear Good – Arrival (N.S.)
Roots/traditional recording of the year: Morgan Toney – Resilience (Cape Breton)
Solo recording of the
year: Tim Baker – The Festival (N.L.)
Song of the year: Jenn Grant – “Judy” (P.E.I./N.S.)
Songwriter of the year: Jenn Grant (P.E.I./N.S.)
TD fans’ choice entertainer of the year: Derina Harvey Band (N.L.)
TD fans’ choice video of the year: 2nd Generation – “Kina’mu”, directed by Matthew Ingraham (Cape Breton)
Artist management of
the year: Derrick Sturge – Pharos Music Inc. (N.L.)
Audio engineer of the year: Jamie Foulds (Cape Breton)
Event of the year: Halifax Jazz Festival (N.S.)
Innovator of the year: Lindsay Connolly (P.E.I.)
Media person of the year: Katie Kelly and Zach Snow (N.S. and N.L.)
Producer of the year:
Corey Lerue (N.S.)
Venue of the year: The Carleton (N.S.)
Video director of the year: Brothers Boyd (N.S.)
Visual artist of the year: Heidi-lyn O’connor – East Track Mind (N.B.)
Director’s Special Achievement Award: Bruce Guthro (Cape Breton)
Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award: Denis Parker (N.L.)
Musician’s achievement award: Deryl Gallant (P.E.I.)
Industry builder award: John Poirier (N.S.)
Bucky Adams Memorial Award: Scott Parsons (P.E.I.) Stompin’ Tom Awards:
Pamela Morgan (N.L.), Ian Allistair Gosbee (N.S.), Stephen Muise (Cape Breton), Zachary Atkinson (N.B.) and Kerri Wynne Macleod (P.E.I.)