Wintersleep Tops List Of ECMA Awards Winners

By FYI Staff

Originally scheduled as a gala event for April 29 at Mile One Centre in St. John’s, NL, the 2020 East Coast Music Awards (ECMAs), was shifted online because of the coronavirus pandemic. The pre-recorded digital gala was held over two nights (Friday, July 10 and 11) over the weekend. Hosted by Mary Walsh, it was aired on CBC Atlantic and CBC Gem.

Nova Scotia rock band Wintersleep was the big winner on the night(s), taking home four ECMAs. Former Hey Rosetta! leader Tim Baker won three, with The East Pointers, Dave Sampson, and Florian Hoefner earning two trophies apiece.

Performers on the show included Matt Mays, Damhnait  Doyle, Motherhood, Halifax’s Zamani, Eastern Owl, Tim Baker, Neon Dreams, Shanneyganock, Rose Cousins, Jimmy Rankin, and, to close the show, Wintersleep.

As part of the show, the late Newfoundland songwriting great Ron Hynes was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, five years after his death. His nephew, Joel Hynes, accepted the award on his behalf, and also performed with Glenn Simmons, Shaye, Colleen Power and Lennie Gallant in a tribute to Ron Hynes with a backing band that included former Wonderful Grand Band member, Sandy Morris. Sources: CBC, The Telegram

Full list of the winners:

MUSIC AWARDS

Album of the Year:
Wintersleep - In The Land Of (Producers: Tony Doogan, Wintersleep)

Blues Recording of the Year:
Myles Goodwyn - Myles Goodwyn and Friends of the Blues 2

Bucky Adams Memorial Award:
Jon Samuel

Classical Recording of the Year:
Marc Djokic - Solo Seven

Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year:
The East Pointers - Yours to Break

Country Recording of the Year:
Dave Sampson - All Types of Ways

Dance Recording of the Year:
Famba - “Swear to God”

Electronic Recording of the Year:
Rich Aucoin - Release

Folk Recording of the Year:
Tim Baker - Forever Overhead

Francophone Recording of the Year:
Jacobus - Caviar

Group Recording of the Year:
Wintersleep - In The Land Of

Indigenous Artist of the Year:
Eastern Owl

Inspirational Recording of the Year:
Ian Foster and Nancy Hynes - A Week in December

Instrumental Recording of the Year:
Florian Hoefner - First Spring

Jazz Recording of the Year:
Florian Hoefner - First Spring

Loud Recording of the Year:
Spirit of the Wildfire - Bittersweet Nothings

Pop Recording of the Year:
Neon Dreams - Sweet Dreams Till Sunbeams

R&B/Soul Recording of the Year:
Laura Roy - Forte

Rap/Hip-Hop Recording of the Year:
Jacobus - Caviar

Rising Star Recording of the Year:
Dave Sampson - All Types of Ways

Rock Recording of the Year:
Wintersleep - In The Land Of

Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year:
Natalie MacMaster - Sketches

Solo Recording of the Year:
Tim Baker - Forever Overhead

Song of the Year:
Wintersleep - “Beneficiary” (Producers: Tony Doogan, Wintersleep)

Songwriter of the Year:
The East Pointers

Fans' Choice Entertainer of the Year:
Jimmy Rankin

Fans' Choice Video of the Year:
Jason Benoit - “Slow Hand” feat. Leah Daniels (Director: Tim Deegan)

INDUSTRY AWARDS

Company of the Year:
The Syrup Factory

Event of the Year:
Celtic Colours International Festival

Graphic/Media Artist of the Year:
Deep Hollow Print

Management/Manager of the Year:
Jones & Co.

Media Outlet of the Year:
The East

Media Person of the Year:
Bill Roach

Producer of the Year:
Daniel Ledwell

Studio Engineer of the Year:
Thomas Stajcer

Studio of the Year:
Soundpark Studios

Venue of the Year:
The Ship Pub

Video of the Year:
Tim Baker - “All Hands” (Director: Jordan Canning)

HONORARY AWARDS

Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction:
Ron Hynes

Directors’ Special Achievement Award:
Measha Brueggergosman

Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award:
Shanneyganock

Industry Builder Award:
Tony Murray

Musician’s Achievement Award:

Kelly Russell

Stompin’ Tom Awards:

Kinnon & Betty Beaton (CB)

Chuck Teed (NB)

Wonderful Grand Band (NL)

Brent Williams (NS)

Paul Bernard (PE)