News Article

Music PEI is pleased to announce Stars, Dan Mangan, Plants and Animals, Murray McLauchlan, and The Spinney Brothers as the headlining acts for the inaugural Credit Union May Run Music Festival. Taking place in Charlottetown from May 13-17, the event celebrates the talents of PEI’s artists while featuring accomplished acts from across Canada.

Embracing nostalgia and named after the May Run long weekend, the festival happens in tandem with the Bell Aliant Canadian Song Conference, which takes place May 13-14. The new conference brings together leading music industry professionals from across North America to explore the art and commerce of songwriting.

Preceding the Bell Aliant Canadian Song Conference is a unique project called The Canadian Song Challenge. The result of support from Bell Media and a partnership between Music PEI and five provincial music industry associations, including Music BC, Alberta Music, SaskMusic, Manitoba Music, and Music Ontario, it pairs an artist from each of the five represented provinces with a PEI artist to write together for two days (May 11-12).

“We’re certainly looking forward to celebrating the achievements of our Island’s musicians while simultaneously engaging the industry and public with this year’s expanded event,” said Andrew King, President of the Music PEI Board of Directors. “Both the festival and conference have a lot of important eyes and ears directed our way, and we know we can deliver something special.”

The Credit Union May Run Music Festival kicks off with Bluegrass at the Brewery on May 14. Taking place at The PEI Brewing Company, the show features The Spinney Brothers along with Notre Dame de Grass from Montreal, local favourites Janet McGarry and Serge Bernard, and more.

The Songwriter Concert takes place on Friday, May 15th at Harmony House Theatre. Hosted by iconic Canadian folk artist Murray McLauchlan, the evening features performances from the five nominees for Music PEI SOCAN Songwriter of the Year, including Amy & Rachel Beck, Catherine MacLellan, Katie McGarry, Ten Strings and a Goat Skin, and The Meds. Friday also features another early show, The PEI Brewing Company House of Rock.

Saturday offers two more concerts: The Cavendish Beach Music Festival Country Jubilee at the Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside features Albertan cowboy crooner Tim Hus along with PEI artists to be announced. The second is The Dockside Concert in the Harbourview Room at the Delta Convention Centre. Fans in attendance will be treated to performances from Murray McLauchlan, Dan Mangan, and local talent to be announced. Music PEI also presents a free show for the family, the Confederation Court Mall Music in the Mall on Saturday afternoon.

On Friday and Saturday night, downtown Charlottetown comes alive with showcases at eight venues including: The Old Triangle, Hunter’s Ale House, The Factory, Fishbones, Marc’s Lounge, John Browns, The Guild, and the Olde Dublin Pub. Creative Saskatchewan is also presenting a special all Saskatchewan showcase Friday night at John Brown Richmond Street Grill.

Sunday’s Closing Concert is presented by AM Burgoyne Insurance and is split into two shows. The early portion features Dan Mangan (BC), Tim Hus (AB), Jay Semko of The Northern Pikes (SK), The Small Glories (MB), and their PEI counterparts from PEI the Canadian Song Challenge.

The late show finale sees Montreal indie pop/rock icons Stars and Plants and Animals take the stage along with Island artists to be announced.

The 2015 Music PEI Awards are presented at each concert and selected showcases during the Credit Union May Run Music Festival.

2015 Music PEI Award Nominees:

The Meds lead the 2015 Music PEI Award nominees with six nods, Catherine MacLellan and Coyote follow with five, and then Katie McGarry with four. The complete list of the 2015 Music PEI Award nominees is as follows:

Achievement in Classical or Jazz
Sirens – “Lost Voices”
PEI Symphony
Glen Strickey Quartet

Album of the Year
Catherine MacLellan – The Raven’s Sun (Producer: Chris Gauthier)
Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys – Pickin’ n Clickin (Producer: Nathan Wiley)
Irish Mythen – Irish Mythen (Producer: Liam Corcoran, Irish Mythen)
Katie McGarry – Waiting On (Producer: Katie McGarry, Dan Currie, Jon Matthews)
The Meds – South America (Producer: Colin MacDonald & The Meds)

Bell Aliant Weekend Warrior of the Year
David Woodside
Johnny Oliver
Peggy Clinton
Plain Dirty Blues Band
Ryan Merry

Country Recording of the Year
Brian J. Dunn – Death Do Us Part
Johnny Oliver – Easy Come Easy Go
Katie McGarry – Waiting On
Peggy Clinton – Peggy Clinton

Entertainer of the Year
Coyote
Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys
Paper Lions
Ten Strings and a Goat Skin
The Meds

Event of the Year
PEI 2014 – “The Celebration Zone”
PEI Symphony – “Celebrate Canada”
TD PEI Jazz and Blues Festival
The PEI Festival of Small Halls
Watermark Theatre – “Classic Music Reignited”

Female Solo Recording of the Year
Catherine MacLellan – The Raven’s Sun
Emma Doucette – Starling
Irish Mythen – Irish Mythen
Katie McGarry – Waiting On
Peggy Clinton – Peggy Clinton

Group Recording of the Year
Amy & Rachel Beck – Run
Coyote – Proof of Life
Death Valley Driver – Graveyard Dead
The East Pointers – The East Pointers
The Meds – South America

Male Solo Recording of the Year
Al Tuck – Stranger at the Wake
Brian J. Dunn – Death Do Us Part
Dennis Ellsworth – Love Knows Love
Gordon Belsher – Vagabond Minstrel
Johnny Oliver – Easy Come Easy Go

Media Person of the Year
Blair A. Dewar
Karen Mair
Maria McLean
PixbyLorne
Todd MacLean

Musician of the Year
Chris Gauthier
Dan Currie
Deryl Gallant
Nathan Condon

New Artist of the Year
Brian J. Dunn
Emma Doucette
Spencer Soloduka & The Tearaways Teem
The East Pointers

Pop Recording of the Year
Amy & Rachel Beck – Run
ARCHER – I’ll Never Let Go
Coyote – Proof of Life
Teem – Teem

Producer of the Year
Chris Gauthier
Colin Buchanan
Dan Currie
Jon Matthews
Tim Chaisson

Rock Recording of the Year
Banner Year – People Ruin Everything
Corey Poirier – Evil Anthems
Mindwaves – Horizons
Plain Dirty Blues Band – Slow Burn
The Meds – South America

SpinCount Roots Contemporary Recording of the Year
Al Tuck – Stranger at the Wake
Catherine MacLellan – The Raven’s Sun
Dennis Ellsworth – Love Knows Love
Irish Mythen – Irish Mythen
The Roots Project – Family

Roots Traditional Recording of the Year
Emma Doucette – Starling
The East Pointers – The East Pointers
The MacDonald Sisters – The Journey
The Ross Family – Puppet Strings

SOCAN Songwriter of the Year
Amy & Rachel Beck – “Run” (Composers: Amy & Rachel Beck)
Catherine MacLellan – “The Raven’s Sun” (Composer: Catherine MacLellan)
Katie McGarry – “Waiting On” (Composer: Katie McGarry)
Ten Strings And A Goat Skin – “The Night They Moved The House” (Composers: Lennie Gallant & Rowen Gallant)
The Meds – “South America” (Composer: Kyle Drake)

Touring Artist of the Year
Coyote
Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys
Paper Lions
Ten Strings and a Goat Skin
Tim Chaisson

Urban Recording of the Year
Cavy – The Country Roads
High School Drama Teacher – オンラインデート
HoodHaikus – High School Trappin’ Vol. 2
Spencer Soloduka & The Tearaways – Spencer Soloduka & The Tearaways

Venue of the Year
Harmony House Theatre
PEI 2014 Celebration Zone
St. Mary’s Church
The Albert & Crown Pub & Eatery Watermark Theatre

Video of the Year
Catherine MacLellan – “Tell Me Luella” (Director: Millefiore Clarkes)
Coyote – “Proof of Life” (Director: Mikey Wasnidge & Millefiore Clarkes)
Dennis Ellsworth – “Hazy Sunshine” (Director: Millefiore Clarkes)
Nudie – “Stompin’Tom Connors.com” (Director: Joey Wheale)
The Meds – “South America” (Director: Kyle Simpson)

Visual Artist of the Year
Darrell Theriault
Louise Vessey
Moe Chandler
PixbyLorne

Voting is now open for the awards. Full details are available at www.musicpei.com. Voting closes on April 20, 2015.

“The City of Charlottetown applauds the efforts of Music PEI to establish a new, annual festival and conference during a time of year when the tourism impact can be maximized,” said Charlottetown Mayor, Clifford Lee. “The Credit Union May Run Music Festival and Bell Aliant Canadian Song Conference will energize our city during the May holiday weekend and serve as a platform for our residents to get out to celebrate this country’s rich music scene and support Island artists.”

Ticket Information:

Tickets are now on sale via Ticketpro. A limited number of Festival Passes (early bird – $95) and Friday and Saturday Showcase Wristbands ($40) are now available along with individual concert tickets. Ticket details can be found at ticketpro.com or musicpei.com.

All festival proceeds from the festival go toward Music PEI’s efforts in assisting artists in developing careers.

Music PEI, founded in 2001 as the Prince Edward Island Music Awards Association, is a non-profit member services organization devoted to advancing careers of Island musicians. Music PEI is actively seeking ways to promote, foster and develop artists and the music industry on PEI. The Association acts as an advocate for the Island music industry and a representative at the national table. In addition to the Bell Aliant Canadian Song Conference and the Credit Union May Run Music Festival, Music PEI’s events include Showcase PEI and a funding program designed to encourage growth by providing financial assistance to the industry.

Music PEI acknowledges year round financial support from the provincial departments of Tourism and Culture and Innovation and Advanced Learning, ACOA, FACTOR and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters.

Partners and sponsors for the festival and conference include The City of Charlottetown and the SERF Fund, Title Sponsor PEI Credit Unions, Presenting Sponsor Bell Aliant and Community One, Platinum Sponsor Delta Hotel, Gold Sponsors AM Burgoyne Insurance, Lotto Max Presents Cavendish Beach Music Festival, PEI Brewing Company, PEI Liquor Control Commission, Maritime Electric and Ticketpro, Bronze Sponsors AIRS, Confederation Court Mall, Downtown Charlottetown Inc, SpinCount, Long & McQuade, Tim Hortons, Festival of Small Halls, and Pressed 4 Time, Media Sponsors The Guardian, The Journal Pioneer, The Buzz, Eastern & Western Graphic, Spud FM, Q93, CFCY, The Fox, Max 104.9, Big Dog, C100, The Bounce, CTV Atlantic, Presenting Partners Creative Saskatchewan, Alberta Music, Manitoba Music, Music BC, Music Ontario, SaskMusic and CCMIA.

Canadian Song Challenge sponsor Bell Media.

Official Beer Sponsor the PEI Brewing Company.

PEI Liquor Control Commission reminds you to Please Enjoy Responsibly.

Media Contact:

Matt Charlton – Pigeon Row
[email protected]
(902) 240-4928