News Article

Many of Prince Edward Island’s music community gathered at The Rodd Charlottetown Hotel to learn who would take home the 2020 Music PEI Awards at the
Awards Party.

Credit Union Music PEI Week kicked off Wednesday with an opening reception and an informal and fun open mic take-over with included some pop-up performances by an incognito Irish Mythen, one of PEI’s top internationally touring artists. It continued on with the SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Concert Thursday and performances Friday and Saturday evenings at various concerts featuring all nominees of this year’s awards.

The Music PEI “Awards Party” as it has become known, is an invitation-only event with guests including the nominees, sponsors and special guests and has become a nominee favourite event. They get a chance to have fun while celebrating each other’s success. The PEI music community is tight and a win for one really is a win for all. It is still competitive but in the best way.

“Each year we see our artists continuing to gain new fans, recognition, tour the world playing bigger venues and larger festivals with the likes of Irish Mythen, The East Pointers and Vishtèn” said Music PEI Executive Director Rob Oakie. “We have been very fortunate to see new artists like Sorrey, The Atlantic String Machine, Cory Gallant and many more continue that development. PEI is without a doubt, a very special place musically.”

Hosted by Music PEI’s President and JUNO winning singer-songwriter Catherine MacLellan, the awards were presented by many of the sponsors, funders, Music PEI Board members and some special guests. The artist who took home the most glass trophies, created by Canoe Cove Studios was Sorrey. The 5 piece dream pop band from Charlottetown took home three awards; Credit Union Album of the Year, Downtown Charlottetown Inc. Pop Recording of the Year and Video of the Year.

Double award winners included Cory Gallant, Tara MacLean, Paper Lions and Irish Mythen. The SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Award was handed out earlier on Thursday, February 6th at the SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Concert. It was a tie between Andrew Waite for the song “Cash It In” and Tara MacLean for “Ghosting Me”.

The following is the list of those who took home awards:

Achievement in Classical Music Award – Atlantic String Machine
Credit Union Album of the Year – Sorrey
Digital Achievement of the Year – KINLEY
Electronic Single Recording of the Year – Vince The Messenger – Photosynthesis
Entertainer of the Year – Cory Gallant
Event of the Year – Cloggeroo – The Island Folk Festival
Francophone Artist of the Year – Vishtèn
Group Recording of the Year – Paper Lions
Live Music Programmer of the Year – Dan Rowswell
Holland College Lloyd Doyle New Artist of the Year – Cory Gallant
Downtown Charlottetown Inc. Pop Recording of the Year – Sorrey
Producer of the Year – Jon Matthews
Rock Recording of the Year – Dennis Ellsworth
Roots Contemporary Recording of the Year – Irish Mythen
Cavendish Beach Music Festival by Bell Roots Traditional Recording of the Year – Gordie
MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys
SOCAN Songwriter of the Year – Tara MacLean & Andrew Waite
Beltone Hearing Care Centre Solo Recording of the Year – Tara MacLean
Upstreet Song of the Year – Paper Lions
Fly PEI Touring Artist of the Year – Irish Mythen
SOCAN Venue of the Year – The Guild
Video of the Year – Sorrey
Visual Artist of the Year – Ashley Anne Clark
Lifetime Achievement Award – Alan Dowling
Live Music Production Professional of the Year – Peter Gallant
Volunteer of the Year – Leo Cheverie
Industry Person of the Year – John MacPhee
Maritime Electric Educator of the Year – Donnie Fraser
Deep Roots Distillery Rooted to the Island Award – Mitch Jay
ABCE Musician of the Year – Natalie Williams Calhoun
Community Contributor of the Year – Gary Chipman

Music PEI would like to extend our gratitude thanks to all the funders, sponsors and partners who helped to make Credit Union Music PEI Week 2020 a great success and huge congratulations to all the nominees and award winners.

Music PEI is the music industry association for the province of Prince Edward Island and our mandate is to assist PEI artists and industry professionals to develop sustainable careers.

For further information contact Rob Oakie [email protected].

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