Winners of the 2025 East Coast Music Awards

The East Coast Music Awards: Festival and Conference (May 7-11, 2025) ended in a number of talented Eastern Canadian artists earning accolades in St. Johns, NFLD. This included Nova Scotia's Old Man Luedecke, a musician signed to Waterdown's True North Records.

• Songwriter of the Year: Old Man Luedecke - “The Raven and The Dove” (signed to Waterdown's True North Records)
  
  
  
  Links: Old Man Luedecke, More Old Man Luedecke Stories, Video above courtesy of OldManLuedecke
  
  
• Acadian or Francophone Artist of the Year: Les Hay Babies
• African Canadian Artist of the Year: Maggie Andrew
• Album of the Year: Vishtèn Connexions - Expansion
• Artist Management of the Year: Hurricane Music Artist Management
• Blues Release of the Year: Campbell & Johnston - “Find Your Way”
• Breakthrough Artist of the Year: Loviet
• Bucky Adams Memorial Award: Marc Perry
• Innovator of the Year: Chelsi Madonna
• Children’s Artist of the Year: Heather Feather
• Classical Composer of the Year: India Gailey - “Butterfly Lightning Shakes the Earth: I. SKY”
• Classical Release of the Year: Suzie LeBlanc - “pour une Amérique engloutie”
• Content Creator of the Year: Jud Haynes
• Country Release of the Year: Brett Matthews - “If I Die Today (feat. Classified)”
• Dance Release of the Year: Summer Bennett - “Just a Phase - Dave Aude Remix”
• Electronic Release of the Year: Rich Aucoin - “Sonica”
• Entertainer of the Year: Kellie Loder
• Event of the Year: Congrès mondial acadien 2024
• Folk Release of the Year: Vishtèn Connexions - “Kouma”
• Fusion Release of the Year: Vishtèn Connexions - “Kouma”
• Global Music Release of the Year: Ana Luísa Ramos - “Clouds”
• Group of the Year: Neon Dreams
• Indigenous Artist of the Year: Deantha Edmunds
• Industry Builder Award: Wade Pinhorn
• Instrumental Release of the Year: Mark Fewer - “The Simple Life (Arr. for Violin & String Orchestra by Andrew Downing)”
• Jazz Release of the Year: Measha Brueggergosman-Lee - “Zombie Blizzard”
• Lifetime Achievement Award: The Ennis Sisters
• Loud Release of the Year: The Order of the Precious Blood - “Suffer & Die”
• Media Person of the Year: Zach Snow
• Musician’s Achievement Award: Chris Ryan
• Pop Release of the Year: Noah Malcolm - “January”
• Producer of the Year: Classified
• Rap / Hip-Hop Release of the Year: Classified - “Sure Enough”
• R&B/Soul Release of the Year: Jah’Mila - “Never Fail”
• Release of the Year: Classified - “Amnesia”
• Rock / Alternative Release of the Year: Maggie Andrew - “DAY JOB”
• Roots Release of the Year: Quote The Raven - “Already Gone”
• Solo Artist of the Year: Classified
• Traditional Release of the Year: Rum Ragged - “Paddy Hyde”
• Venue of the Year: Shore Club
• Video of the Year: Kellie Loder - “Can't Go Back” (Directed by: Ashlea Wessel)
  
  
  
  Links: Kellie Loader, Video above courtesy of Kellie Loader
  
  
• Vocal Release of the Year: Laura Roy - “Lucy”

Stompin’ Tom Awards

• Newfoundland and Labrador: Korona Brophy
• Cape Breton: Monica MacNeil
• New Brunswick: Heidi Baird
• Nova Scotia: Mike Campbell
• Prince Edward Island: Ghislaine Cormier

Links: East Coast Music Awards, More ECMA Stories

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CONGRATS! Hamilton-Born Ben Caplan Wins Songwriter of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards

Picture courtesy of the East Coast Music Awadrs

Hamilton-born musician Ben Caplan is making quite a habit of winning The East Coast Music Awards. On April 27, he earned another one  - this time for Songwriter of the Year.

Here is what he had to say on social media: "Wow! I am honoured to have just won the East Coast Music Association (ECMA) Award for Songwriter of the Year! I am grateful for this recognition from my community! Thank you!"

CONGRATS BEN!

Links: Ben Caplan, More Ben Caplan Stories, Video above courtesy of Rockstone Sessions

The big winner of the night was rapper Classified, who received 3 awards. Double-award winners include Lennie Gallant, Ria Mae, Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire and Scott Macmillan.

• Songwriter: Ben Caplan
• Folk Recording: Lennie Gallant - Searching for Abegweit
• Fans' Choice Entertainer: Lennie Gallant
  
  
  
  Links: Lennie Gallant, More Lennie Gallant Stories, Video above courtesy of Lennie Gallant
  
• Fans' Choice Video: Hillsburn: Run Down (Director: Mat Barkley, Badfunmedia)
• Blues Recording: Beauwater - Lovers, Fools and Kings
• Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year - Ten Strings and a Goat Skin: Auprès du poêle
  
  
  
  Links: Ten Strings and a Goat Skin, More Ten Strings and a Goat Skin Stories, Video above courtesy of Ten Strings And A Goat Skin
  
  
• Country Recording: Tristan Horncastle - Turnin' Up A Sundown
• Jazz Recording: Joel Miller - Dream Cassette
• Album: Old Man Luedecke - Domestic Eccentric
• Rising Star Recording: Like A Motorcycle - High Hopes
• Francophone Album: Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire - Touche-moi pas là!
• Group Recording of the Year: Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire - Touche-moi pas là!
• Indigenous Artist: War Horses
• Gospel Recording: Rootsdeepdown - Awoke and Raised
• Bucky Adams Memorial Award: Ced Marty and Dave
• Rock Recording: The Motorleague - Holding Patterns
• Loud Recording: Lionsault - Are You Feeling Lucky?
• Solo Recording: Ria Mae: Ria Mae
• Pop Recording: Ria Mae: Ria Mae
• RnB/Soul Recording: Erin Costelo - Down Below, the Status Quo
• Dance Recording: Pineo and Loeb - Soul Shakin'
• Song: Classified - No Pressure
• Video: Classified - Work Away ft. David Myles (Director: Jason Levangie)
• Rap/Hip-Hop Recording: Classified - Greatful
• Electronic Recording: Rozalind MacPhail - From The River to the Ocean
• Traditional Instrumental Recording: Scott Macmillan and Colin Grant - GOOD2GO
• Classical Composition: Scott Macmillan - Currents of Sable Island
• Classical Recording: Duo Concertante - J.S. Bach Six Sonatas for Violin and Keyboard

Blast From the Past: Ben Wins Rising Star Award at 2013 ECMAs

Links: East Coast Music Awards, More ECMA stories

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GOOD LUCK! Hamilton-Born Ben Caplan Up for 4 East Coast Music Awards

The influence of the hammer is being felt on the east side of Canada! Hamilton-born singer-songwriter Ben Caplan has once again been nominated for The East Coast Music Awards (Solo Recording, Songwriter, Fan's Choice Entertainer, Fan's Choice Video). The awards gala is set for April 27 at Harbour Station in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Links: Ben Caplan, More Ben Caplan Stories, Video above courtesy of Ben Caplan

GOOD LUCK BEN!

Ekectronic group REPARTEE lead the pack with 5 nods. Ben Caplan joins Caroline Savoie, Les Hôtesses d'Hilaire, the Motorleague, Erin Costelo and Paper Lions in the second spot with 4 nominations.

Here are some of the nomination highlights. Click here for the full list:

Solo Recording

• Ben Caplan: Birds With Broken Wings 
• Classified: Greatful
• Erin Costelo: Down Below, the Status Quo
• Old Man Luedecke: Domestic Eccentric
• Ria Mae: Ria Mae

Songwriter

• Ben Caplan
• Dave Gunning
• Erin Costelo
• John McLaggan (Tomato/Tomato)
• Paper Lions
• Ria Mae

Fans' Choice Entertainer

• Ben Caplan
• Adam Baldwin
• Classified
• Dave Gunning
• Dylan Menzie
• The East Pointers
• Fortunate Ones
• Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys
• Lennie Gallant
• the Motorleague
• Paper Lions
• REPARTEE
• Ria Mae
• The Stanfields
• Ten Strings and A Goat Skin

Fans' Choice Video

• Ben Caplan: Birds With Broken Wings (Director: John Rosborough)
• Adam Baldwin: Daylight (Director: Scott Simpson)
• Alana Yorke: Anthem (Director: Paul McCurdy)
• Caroline Savoie: Y'en aura (Director: Dominique Laurence)
• Classified: Work Away ft. David Myles (Director: Jason Levangie)
• Heather Rankin: We Walk As One (Director: Scott Simpson)
• Hillsburn: Run Down (Director: Mat Barkley, Badfunmedia)
• Les Hôtesses d'Hilaire: Fais faillite (Director: Jean Vital Joliat)
• Long Distance Runners: You Gotta Remind Me (Director: Jeremy Rice)
• The Motorleague: The Boards (Directors: Don Levandier, The Motorleague)
• Paper Lions: Believer (Director: Mike Enns)
• Ria Mae: Gold (Director: Alon Isocianu)
• Walrus: Wearing It (Director: Jeff Miller)

Blues Recording

• Beauwater: Lovers, Fools and Kings
  
  
  
  Video above courtesy of Beauwater
  
  
• Blues Merchants: Davis Street
• Earle and Coffin: Live at the Citadel House
• Furlong and Smith: Blues You Can Use
• The Honeyboys: The Honeyboys

Folk Recording

• Dave Gunning: Lift
• Heather Rankin: A Fine Line
• Lennie Gallant: Searching for Abegweit
• Quiet Parade: Quiet Parade
• Thom Swift: The Legend of Roy Black

Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year

• Còig: Carols
• Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys: Laugh, Dance and Sing
• Rum Ragged: Rum Ragged
• Shannon Quinn: If All The Young Ladies
• Ten Strings and a Goat Skin: Auprès du poêle

Country Recording

• The Divorcees: From Labour to Refreshment
• Jason Price: Grit, Guts and Country Pride
• RyLee Madison: Live in Nashville
• Tj King: Feels Right
• Tristan Horncastle: Turnin' Up A Sundown

Jazz Recording

• Donald MacLennan: Belleville
• Florian Hoefner: Luminosity
• Joel Miller: Dream Cassette
• Scott 'n the Rocks: Live at Stayner's Wharf
• Zoe Leger: The Girl From Yesterday

Album

• Classified: Greatful
• Erin Costelo: Down Below, the Status Quo
• Old Man Luedecke: Domestic Eccentric
• REPARTEE: All Lit Up
• Willie Stratton: Della Rosa

Song

• Classified: No Pressure
• Caroline Savoie: Y'en aura
• David Myles: It Don't Matter
• REPARTEE: Dukes
• Ria Mae: Ooh Love

Video

• Classified: Work Away ft. David Myles (Director: Jason Levangie)
• Like A Motorcycle: Nobody Knows (Director: Dillon Garland)
• The Motorleague - "The Boards" (Directors: Don Levandier & The Motorleague)
• Ria Mae: Gold (Director: Alon Isocianu)
  
  
  
  Video above courtesy of RiaMaeVEVO
  
  
• The Town Heroes: Outer Space (Director: Dillon Garland)

Blast From the Past: Ben Wins Rising Star Award at 2013 ECMAs

Links: East Coast Music Awards, More ECMA stories

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GOOD LUCK! Hamilton-Born Ben Caplan Earns 3 East Coast Music Award Nominations

The East Coast Music Awards will have little Steeltown colour this year. Hamilton-Born Easterner Ben Caplan is in the running for three categories: Album, Folk Recording and Song.

Hopefully, he'll be bringing home som hardware at the ECMA gala on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at the Centre 200 in Sydney, NS.  GOOD LUCK BEN!



Links: Ben Caplan, More Ben Caplan Stories, Video above courtesy of Ben Caplan

Indie Rockers Hey Rosetta! lead with seven nominations. Folk singer/songwriter Jenn Grant earned six.

GOOD LUCK!

Click here for the winners

Here are some of the nomination highlights:

Album

• Ben Caplan: Birds With Broken Wings 
• Fortunate Ones: The Bliss
• Hey Rosetta!: Second Sight 
• Jenn Grant Compostela 
• Mo Kenney: In My Dreams 

Folk Recording

• Ben Caplan: Birds With Broken Wings
• Amelia Curran: They Promised You Mercy
• Jenn Grant: Compostela
• Gabrielle Papillon: The Tempest of Old
• Old Man Luedecke: Domestic Eccentric

Song

• Ben Caplan: Birds With Broken Wings
• Amelia Curran: Somebody Somewhere
• Christina Martin: It'll Be Alright
• Fortunate Ones: The Bliss
• Hey Rosetta!: Soft Offering (For the Oft Suffering)
  
  
  
  Video above courtesy of Sonic Records
  

Blues Recording

• The Carson Downey Band: Catch Me If You Can
• Ced Marty and Dave: To Our 3%
• Dan Doiron: Stand Back I Don't Know How Loud This Thing Gets
• John Campbelljohn: Chin Up
• The Matt Landry Band: Are You Ever Gonna Go?

Roots/Traditional Group Recording

• Ben Miller and Anita MacDonald: A Day at the Lake
• Danny Boudreau: DANNY PARTY
• The East Pointers: Secret Victory
• The Ennis Sisters: Stages
• Vishtèn: Terre Rouge

Country Recording

• The BackYard Devils: Honky Tonk Heartbreaker
• Pretty Archie: North End Sky
• Quentin Reddy: Diamond In the Rough
• Tim Chaisson: Lost In Light
• Whitney Rose: Heartbreaker of the Year

Gospel Recording

• Glenn Vincent Breen: Waiting
• Informants: Ezekiel
• Josh Lake: 40cm of Funk
• Kelley Mooney: Still
• Marcell Symonds: Just A Closer Walk

Jazz Recording 

• Gypsophilia: Night Swimming
• Jerry Granelli: What I Hear Now
• Kirk MacDonald: Vista Obscura
• Matt MacDougall: Boy Goes to City
• Ouroboros: Ouroboros

Rock Recording 

• Hey Rosetta!: Second Sight
• Jerry Stamp: Rogue Doubt
• Racoon Bandit: Close Your Eyes
• Rain Over St. Ambrose: Still Waking Up
• The Stanfields: Modem Operandi

Group Recording of the Year

• Coyote: Proof of Life
• Fortunate Ones: The Bliss
• Gypsophilia: Night Swimming
• Hey Rosetta!: Second Sight
• Rain Over St. Ambrose: Still Waking Up

The Bucky Adams Memorial Award

• Ced Marty and Dave: To Our 3%
• Chelsea Amber: Introducing Chelsea Amber
• Marcell Symonds: Just A Closer Walk
• Samm Splash: The Breakup EP

Rising Star Recording

• Alana Yorke: Dream Magic
• Brianna Gosse: AERA
• Coyote: Proof of Life
• Fortunate Ones: The Bliss
• Kat McLevey: Evergrown

Solo Recording

• Amelia Curran: They Promised You Mercy
• Gabrielle Papillon: The Tempest of Old
• Jenn Grant: Compostela
• Mo Kenney: In My Dreams
• Ryan Hemsworth: Alone For the First Time

Songwriter

• Andrew James O'Brien/Catherine Allan (Fortunate Ones)
• Amelia Curran
• Chris Luedecke (Old Man Luedecke)
• Jenn Grant
• Tim Baker (Hey Rosetta!)

Traditional Instrumental Recording 

• Aaron Collis and Duane Andrews: The Mallard Cottage Sessions
• DOC: DesRoches Ouellette Chaisson
• Jeff Jodrey: Carnival
• Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy: One
• Nuallan: The EP

Fans' Choice Entertainer

• Amelia Curran
• Christina Martin
• Hey Rosetta!
• In-Flight Safety
• Jenn Grant
• Joel Plaskett
• Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy
• The Once
• Ryan Hemsworth
• Tim Chaisson

Fans' Choice Video

• David Myles: Santa Never Brings Me A Banjo
• Everglow: Feel Your Heart
• Hey Rosetta!: Soft Offering (For The Oft Suffering)
• In-Flight Safety: Animals
• Jenn Grant: Bring Me A Rose
  
  
  
  Video above courtesy of Outside Music
  
  
• Mo Kenney: Telephones
• Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy: The Chase
• The Once: We Are All Running
• Raphaël Butler: Harley 1970
• Ria Mae: Clothes Off
• Tomato/Tomato: Toss It All Away

Video

• Christina Martin: Take Me Back In A Dream
• David Myles: Santa Never Brings Me A Banjo
• Mo Kenney: Telephones
• Ria Mae: Clothes Off
• Ryan Hemsworth: Snow In Newark

Click here for the complete nominee list

Blast From the Past: Ben Wins Rising Star Award at 2013 ECMAs

Links: East Coast Music Awards, More ECMA stories

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News Roundup (Chelsea Crites, Awards, Jesse Winchester, Wilber James)

Jesse Winchester Passes

Click picture for video

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Local

• Barber Shop Podcast w Chelsea Crites
  
  
  
  Links: Chelsea Crites,  More Chelsea Crites Stories,  Video above courtesy of Barber Shop Podcast 

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Jackie Richardson Music Award Winners (London)

Highlights below

• Blues: Bill Durst
  
  
  
  Links: Bill Durst, More Bill Durst Stories, Video above courtesy of LLELondon
  
  
• Rock: Texas King
• Traditional Folk/Roots: The Marrieds
• Contemporary singer/songwriter: Doug Varty
• Country: Doghouse Rose
• Jazz Instrumentalist (solo and group): London Jazz Orchestra
• Jazz Vocalist (solo and group): Denise Pelley
• World Music: Antler River Project
• London Music Hall of Fame: Garth Hudson (The Band), John Noubarian
• Live Venue: London Music Hall
• Producer/Engineer: Matt Grady
• Fan Favourite (original): Sarah Smith
• Fan Favourite (tribute): Rockology
• Contributor: Ian Davies
• Dennis Brown Lifetime Achievement: Minerva Figueroa

More Jackie Richardson Awards Stories

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East Coast Music Award Winners

Highlights below

• Blues Recording: Thom Swift: The Fortunate Few 
• Album: Old Man Luedecke: Tender is the Night
• Country Recording: Meaghan Blanchard: She's Gonna Fly
• Folk Recording: Old Man Luedecke: Tender is the Night
• Gospel Recording: Becka deHaan: Unexpected
• Jazz Recording: Paul Tynan: BiCoastal Collective: Chapter Three
• Group Recording: Mary Jane Lamond and Wendy MacIsaac: Seinn 
• Solo Recording: Dave Gunning: No More Pennies
• Song: Jenn Grant: I’ve Got Your Fire
• Songwriter: Dave Gunning: These Hands 
• PEI 2014 Fan’s Choice Entertainer: The Barra MacNeils
• Special Achievement: Rita MacNeil
• Lifetime Achievement: Chaisson Trio
• Musician’s Achievement: Jay Smith
• Aboriginal Recording: City Natives: Kingz 
• Pop Recording: Mo Kenney: Mo Kenney
• Producer: Daniel Ledwell
• R&B/Soul Recording: Erin Costelo: We Can Get Over
• Roots/Traditional Group Recording: Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys: Pickin N Clickin
• Roots/Traditional Solo Recording: Alan Jeffries: Coffee 'til Midnight
• Traditional Instrumental Recording: Duane Andrews and Craig Young: Charlie's Boogie
• World Recording: Asif Illyas: Synesthesia

More ECMA Stories

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Funny Stuff

• Warning Labels Modern Music Desperately Needs

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Recently Added

Our Performer List

• Wilber James Blues Band
  
  
  
  Video above courtesy of Wally Friesman
  

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Blasts From the Past 

• 2009: Melissa McClelland CD: Victoria Day
• 2010: Performer of the Week: The Overplayers
• 2011: Videos-Trickbag@Buddy's
• 2012: Videos-JP Riemens@Cat N Fiddle
• 2013: Daniel Lanois Earns Governor General Lifetime Achievement Award

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Upcoming Birthdays 

Monday, April 21

• Buddy Love

Wednesday, April 23

• Dan Scruton

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Daniel Lanois, Neil Young, Jim Byrnes Big Winners at Junos

Hamilton's own Daneil Lanois won for best producer at the Juno Awards on March 27, 2011. He was recognized for his work with Neil Young on the CD, Le Noise - which also won for for best adult alternative.

Congratulations!

Here are other wins of note:

Roots & Traditional Album, Solo: My Hands Are On Fire and Other Love Songs, Old Man Luedcke

Roots & Traditional Album, Group: La part du feu, Le Vent du Nord

Blues Album: Everywhere West, Jim Byrnes

Below is a bit of Lanois's acceptance speech


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