Labradorian Musicians, The Flummies to Receive MusicNL’s Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award
For Immediate Release
News Release
November 26, 2021
For information contact:
Sarah Newell
(709) 754- 2574 Ext. 3
sarah@musicnl.ca
ST. JOHN’S, NL – Each year MusicNL’s Board of Directors present a number of honorary awards that acknowledge the longtime achievements in the province’s music industry.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award goes to “The Flummies”. Based in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, “The Flummies” take their name from the traditional Labrador trappers’ bread that uses a mixture of flour, salt, and baking powder.
Performing since 1978, “The Flummies” features aboriginal musicians of Inuit and Metis decent. Original group members Alton Best and Richard Dyson have, over the years, been joined by Tunker Campbell, Leander Baikie, Sim Asivak, and RaymondMontague.
“We dedicate this award to our friend Alton Best from Mud Lake who played with the Flummies until he was 77 years old.” Leander Baikie.
True to its namesake, the band is known for its deep-rooted Labrador influences, including the historical, cultural and traditional songs of Labrador. Over the last century, the Indigenous influences of Innu, Inuit and Metis people have intertwined, producing songs known as “Labrador Music.” These songs tell the story of a people who have survived hard times but who have also seen the immense beauty that the Labrador landscape has to offer.
With many albums to their credit, “The Flummies” continue to perform throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and across Nunavik. Their tours have included performances in Germany in 1989 and twenty-eight shows at the base of the CN Tower in June of 1999. In more recent years, “The Flummies” have spread their unique brand of Labrador Music across Canada’s northern territories.
Recipients of other awards, including MusicNL’s 2002 Aboriginal Group of the Year and the East Coast Music Award for Aboriginal Group of the Year in 2003 and 2009, Music NL is delighted to announce “The Flummies” as recipients of MusicNL’s Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award.