By FYI Staff
Piers Henwood and Nick Blasko (top), Gary Slaight and Derrick Ross (left) and (r) Jessie Reyez, Mauricio Ruiz and Byron Wilson are to be recognized at the 14th annual Honour Roll at a virtual event on Oct. 27.
On October 27, Music Managers Forum Canada (MMF) will celebrate some notable leaders in Canada’s music management community with the 14th annual Honour Roll.
This year’s honourees are: Piers Henwood and Nick Blasko (Amelia Artists); Gary Slaight and Derrick Ross (Slaight Music); and Jessie Reyez, Mauricio Ruiz and Byron Wilson.
The event will take place online, and feature the premiere of a celebratory film, highlighting the accomplishments of each honouree.
Registration is open here.
"The Honour Roll was created fourteen years ago to shine a light on the contributions of our management community and their crucial role in a thriving Canadian music industry with impacts here at home and abroad,” says Amie Therrien, MMF Canada Executive Director. “Their work is not always seen or understood, but managers are hubs and connectors, keeping all the balls in the air, and helping artists thrive while continuously adapting to change. We recognize their resilience, innovation, and excellence with the annual Honour Roll Awards and invite you to join us on October 27 to celebrate this year's honourees."
Piers Henwood and Nick Blasko (Amelia Artists) are the recipients of this year’s Honour Roll Award, which recognizes outstanding achievements and excellence in Canadian and international artist management. After self-managing their own bands in the late ‘90s, the pair became professional managers in 2002 with Tegan and Sara as their first clients.
Supporting Tegan and Sara’s global career for over 18 years along with their longtime staff at Amelia Artists, they’ve also advocated for past and present clients including Bedouin Soundclash, Buck 65, Luca Fogale, The Librarian, The Funk Hunters, Astrocolor, Jets Overhead, Flash Lightnin', Gold & Youth, Luluc, and Fintan.
The Brian Chater Pioneer Award is to be given to Slaight Music's Gary Slaight and Derrick Ross. The trophy recognizes individuals who have been instrumental in creating the framework for music management in the Canadian entertainment industries.
Previous recipients of this award include Ron Sakamoto (2019), Riley O’Connor (2018), Duff Roman (2017) Michael Cohl (2016), Pegi Cecconi (2015), Brian Chater (2014), Neill Dixon & Steve Propas (2013), Donald Tarlton & Terry Flood (2012), Mary Martin (2011) and Leonard Rambeau (2010).
The 2021 Banner Year Award (sponsored by SOCAN Foundation) will go to Jessie Reyez and her mentors and managers Mauricio Ruiz and Byron Wilson.
MMF Canada is a national non-profit collective for Canadian music managers, their artists, and self-managed artists working at all levels and in all genres.
