Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport Minister Eric Robinson today congratulated the Manitoba nominees for the Western Canadian Music Awards for 2007.  The minister will attend the awards event on Oct. 21 in Moose Jaw at the Snowbirds hangar.

 

Manitoba’s music artists and industry professionals received 32 nominations in 20 different categories, 25 of which are artistic awards.

 

“The impressive number of nominations show the strength and quality of Manitoba’s music industry,” said Robinson.  “Congratulations to those who were nominated and all who will perform at the awards for drawing the industry spotlight to our province’s vibrant music scene.”

 

This year’s nominee list includes five nominations for roots quartet Nathan, nominations for Doc Walker for outstanding country recording and outstanding independent album, and another double-nominee singer/songwriter Romi Mayes for outstanding roots solo recording and songwriter of the year.

 

Also nominated this year is Comeback Kid, Grammy-nominated quintet The Duhks, J.P. Hoe, Sheena Grobb, Kerri Woelke and Monica Schroeder, Shadez, the Slidin’ Clyde Roulette Band, Fresh I.E., composer/pianist Alexander Tselyakov, Moses Mayes, The Harlots and The D. Rangers. As well, three Manitoba artists Ginette Roy, Johnny Cajun, and Pertinence Négligée were nominated in the outstanding francophone recording category.

Industry professionals from Manitoba including local talent buyers, managers, graphic designers and venues are up for seven awards.  Nominees included Gilles Paquin, Paquin Entertainment, the West End Cultural Centre, album designer Ron Sawchuk, Arbor Records, CBG artist development’s Chris Burke-Gaffney, and Casinos of Winnipeg’s Kelly Berehulka.

The awards gala is the showcase event of the fifth annual Western Canadian Music Week which also features a conference and three-day music festival that includes over 50 acts.  Artists and other music professionals have the chance to network and meet key industry stakeholders.

 

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