Vishtèn, The East Pointers Big Winners At Music PEI Awards

Vishtèn and the East Pointers were the two big winners at the 2019 Music PEI Awards, held yesterday afternoon (Jan. 27) at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel.

Each act took home three trophies. Vishtèn won the Congrès Mundial 2019 Francophone Artist, Group Recording and PEI Tea Company Roots Traditional Recording Awards, with The East Pointers winning the  Bandzoogle Digital Achievement of the Year, HopYard Entertainer of the Year and Fly PEI Touring artist of the Year Awards.

Double award winners included Dennis Ellsworth, Meaghan Blanchard and Rachel Beck, with Ellsworth accepting the SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Award on Jan. 24 at the SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Concert.

According to a Music PEI press release, the Awards show "was not a glitzy gala affair. A couple of years ago, Music PEI Executive Director Rob Oakie thought it would be more fun to create a party-like atmosphere. Galas in the music biz are becoming less popular and the Awards Party allows the nominees to relax, see old and new friends, have some fun and especially to celebrate each other. Of course, everyone still wants to win, but the music community on PEI is a pretty tight and supportive bunch. There were lots of high-fives all around."

Hosted by Tara MacLean, trophies were presented by many of the sponsors, funders, Music PEI Board members and some special guests.

The following is a list of winners:

Achievement in Classical or Jazz Music Award- Atlantic String Machine

Credit Union Album of the Year- Meaghan Blanchard – The Great Escape

Country Recording of the Year – Lawrence Maxwell – Not Your Outlaw

Cover Band/Artist of the Year – Danny Drouin

Bandzoogle Digital Achievement of the Year – The East Pointers

Electronic Single Recording of the Year – Russell Louder - Showdown

HopYard Entertainer of the Year – The East Pointers

The Buzz Event of the Year – PEI Mutual Festival of Small Halls

Congrès Mondial Acadien 2019 Francophone Artist of the Year – Vishtèn

The Buzz Group Recording of the Year – Vishtèn - Horizons

Live Music Programmer of the Year – Pat Deighan

ArsenaultBestCameronEllis Musician of the Year – Evan McCosham

Holland College/Lloyd Doyle New Artist of the Year – Rachel Beck – Rachel Beck

Downtown Charlottetown Inc. Pop Recording of the Year – Rachel Beck – Rachel Beck

Producer of the Year – Jon Matthews

Long & McQuade Recording Studio of the Year – The Sound Mill Recording Studio

3rd Degree Training Rock/Loud Recording of the Year – Andrew Waite - Tremors

Roots Contemporary Recording of the Year – Meaghan Blanchard – The Great Escape

PEI Tea Co. Roots Traditional Recording of the Year - Vishtèn - Horizons

SOCAN Songwriter of the Year – Dennis Ellsworth – She’s Never Wrong

Solo Recording of the Year – Dylan Menzie – As the Clock Re-Winds

HGS Song of the Year -  Dennis Ellsworth – She’s Never Wrong

Fly PEI Touring Artist of the Year – The East Pointers

Urban Recording of the Year – Vince The Messenger- Self Sabotage

SOCAN Venue of the Year – Trailside Music Café & Inn

Video of the Year – Kinley – Golden Days (Director Jenna MacMillan)

Visual Artist of the Year – Brendan Henry

A number of Awards are annually given out by the Music PEI Board of Directors. This year the Board awarded the following recipients:

Community Contributor of the Year – Phase II

Maritime Electric Educator of the Year – Christine Blanchard

Industry Person of the Year - Debbie Atkinson

Live Music Production Professional of the Year - Chris Knox

Lifetime Achievement - Paul Bernard

Deep Roots Distillery Rooted in the Island - Tracy Cantin

Volunteer of the Year - Mary Lee Little

Music PEI extends its gratitude to all the funders, sponsors and partners who helped to make Credit Union Music PEI Week 2019 a great success and offers huge congratulations to all the nominees and award winners.

Music PEI is the music industry association for the province of Prince Edward Island and its mandate is to assist PEI artists and industry professionals to develop sustainable careers. For further information contact Rob Oakie roboakie@musicpei.com.