News Release
Thursday, May 4, 2023

For information contact:
Sarah Newell
(709) 754- 2574
sarah@musicnl.ca

NL TAKES 3 EAST COAST MUSIC AWARDS 2023
HALIFAX, NS – Fifteen 2023 East Coast Music Awards (ECMAs) were announced tonight at the 35th annual East Coast Music Awards presented by Rogers at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The show was broadcast live across the Rogers’ network and online via ECMA.com around the world.

MusicNL is thrilled with the results of the first awards night. NL takes home three awards, leading the way is Kellie Loder with 2, and Fortunate Ones with 1. There was also very special performances by Nick Earle, who played with the April Wine tribute band, Deantha Edmunds, Fortunate Ones, and Kellie Loder. 

The following ECMAs were presented:

Album of the Year / Album de l’année:

David Myles – It’s Only A Little Loneliness

African Canadian Artist of the Year / Artiste afro-canadien ou afro-canadienne de l’année:

Zamani Folade

Director’s Special Achievement / Prix de la réalisation spéciale des directeurs:

Natalie MacMaster

Enregistrement francophone de l’année / Francophone Recording of the Year:

Lisa LeBlanc – Chiac Disco

Folk Recording of the Year / Enregistrement folk de l’année:

Fortunate Ones – That Was You and Me

TD Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year / Artiste de l’année – Choix du public TD:

Kellie Loder

TD Fans’ Choice Video of the Year / Vidéoclip de l’année – Choix du public TD:

Nicole Ariana – “Master of Denial” (Directors: Griffin O’Toole, Brendan Lyle (MooseCanFly))

Global Music Recording of the Year / Enregistrement musique global de l’année:

Jah’Mila – Roots Girl

Group Recording of the Year / Enregistrement groupe de l’année:

The East Pointers – House of Dreams

Indigenous Artist of the Year / Artiste autochtone de l’année:

Morgan Toney

Rap/Hip-Hop Recording of the Year / Enregistrement rap/hip-hop de l’année:

City Natives – The People of the Dawn

Rock Recording of the Year / Enregistrement rock de l’année

The Trews – Wanderer

Solo Recording of the Year / Enregistrement artiste solo de l’année:

David Myles – It’s Only A Little Loneliness

Song of the Year / Chanson de l’année:

Adam Baldwin – Lighthouse in Little Lorraine

Songwriter of the Year / Compositeur ou compositrice de l’année:

Kellie Loder

AWARDS BREAKDOWN BY REGION

• Cape Breton: 2
• New Brunswick: 4
• Newfoundland & Labrador: 3
• Nova Scotia: 4
• Prince Edward Island: 1

The ECMA’s have additionally announced that Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island will host the 36th annual East Coast Music Awards: Festival & Conference from May 1 – 5, 2024.

The remaining 40 ECMA Awards will be handed out this Sunday, May 7 at 11 a.m., at the East Coast Music and Industry Awards Part II, taking place at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel. The show will be streamed live on ECMA.com.


Kellie Loder receiving Songwriter of the Year.

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