MusicNL celebrated 31 years of supporting a vibrant and resilient music sector in 2023. Thank you for your support over the last 3 decades, it is appreciated. Thank you to those that had the foresight to start this association back in 1992.
Vision
Music cultivated at home and celebrated everywhere.
Diversity and Inclusion
- Awarded the Employer of Diversity by the Atlantic Business Magazine
- Granted $25,000 from Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for accessibility upgrades
Partnerships
Our partners played a huge role in our success during 2023. Partners include:
| CNA Indie Week Spirit of Newfoundland Trinity Hall Gower United Church HarbourVOICES! Atlantic Spotlight Easter Seals St. John’s Local Immigration Partnership | FFTNL Battery Cafe The Black Sheep The Ship ECMA Bridges to Hope Downtown St. John’s Gathering Place MUN School of Music | Music NS Music PEI Music NB CCMIA Downtown Safety Coalition The Rooms ANC 62 Broadway The Journey Project/Project Soundcheck |
Membership
MusicNL’s membership grew to 1000 in 2023, making us one of the largest membership based organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador and the second largest Music Industry Association in Canada! Not a member? Join now.
Financial Stewardship
MusicNL’s 2023 financial audit is in progress by Grant Thornton. Once approved by the board, the statement will be posted here.
The audit process challenges financial processes & practices. We look forward to implementing key learnings in 2024.
Events
MusicNL hosted over 40 online and in person events with approximately 1,060 participants. Events included everything from professional development sessions to our final event of the year our holiday open mic!
Follow our events here.
Advocacy
MusicNL effectively advocates using a range of activities including research, legislative analysis, organizing, mobilizing, educating and lobbying.
Programs
Funding Programs: We deliver funding to artists and those working in the sector through 3 funding programs on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Artist Development- 39 recipients, $157,450
- Touring – 79 recipients, $76,330
- Professional Development- 52 recipients, $95,622
Global Music Series: In partnership with The Rooms and the ANC we delivered one of the most diverse concert series in Canada with music from around the world heard at home! Providing a stage for more than 20 diverse musicians with over 600 audience members.
Community Presenters: The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador provided MusicNL with $150,000 to deliver funding throughout the province to hire musicians for events and festivities in 2023.
FORTIS Musician-in-Residence: For its second year our program was a success hosting award winning musician Anna Louisa Ramous in the beautiful community of Brigus.
Connector Program: A successful model to help retain talent, engage employers, and create a more welcoming community. A Connectee and a Connector meet for 30 minutes to gain insight knowledge about each other and their projects within the music industry then the Connector refers the Connectee to 2/3 more contacts within their network.
Master Corporal Jason Cull Mental Health Scholarship: With the help of the Canadian Mental Health Association NL, Lifewise, Curtis Dawe Lawyers and Daniel Glover we launched an annual scholarship to support the mental health of a student studying music. The 2023 recipient was Grace MacDonald, studying Music Therapy.
Gander, A Music City: MusicNL in partnership with the Town of Gander and the Centre for Music Ecosystems will explore and support policymakers and leaders to use music to its fullest extent to make places better!
The move to 99 Queens Road, Play on Gower has proven to be a great move for MusicNL and its membership. We are proud to say we are accessible and awarded $25,000 from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to continue to make the building more accessible in 2024.
We have created great partnerships with other companies such as Spirit of Newfoundland and The Oat Company with whom we share this beautiful space with.
Awards
Award Additions
MusicNL and La Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador created the L’artiste/Groupe francophone de l’année award to celebrate the francophone artists and community in our province. The winner of the first ever L’artiste/groupe francophone de l’année award was Port-Aux-Poutines.
ECMAs
Country Recording of the Year / Enregistrement country de l’année
Mallory Johnson – Surprise Party
Folk Recording of the Year / Enregistrement folk de l’année
Fortunate Ones – That Was You and Me
Inspirational/Gospel Recording of the Year / Enregistrement inspirant ou gospel de l’année
Yvette Lorraine – Same Story
Instrumental Recording of the Year / Enregistrement instrumental de l’année
Shannon Quinn & Tony Quinn – 20 Summers
Jazz Recording of the Year / Enregistrement jazz de l’année
Big Space – In Relation To
Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year / Enregistrement folklorique/traditionnel de l’année
Jing Xia – The Numinous Journey
Songwriter of the Year / Compositeur ou compositrice de l’année
Kellie Loder
INDUSTRY AWARDS
Artist Management of The Year / Gérant ou gérante, Maison de gérance de l’année
Mary Beth Waldram
Venue of the Year / Salle de spectacle de l’année
The Ship Pub
Video Director of the Year / Réalisateur ou réalisatrice de vidéoclip de l’année
Cecil Johnson
TD FANS’ CHOICE AWARDS
TD Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year / Artiste de l’année – TD choix du public
Kellie Loder
HONOURARY AWARDS
Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award / Prix Dr. Helen Creighton pour l’ensemble des réalisations:
Rawlins Cross
Stompin’ Tom Awards / Prix Stompin’ Tom:
The Flummies (NL)
Music Celebration Week
Album of the Year – Presented by FACTOR
Nico Paulo – Nico Paulo
Jing Xia – The Numinous Journey
Alternative Artist of the Year
Youngtree and the Blooms
Celtic/Traditional Artist of the Year Presented by Colemans Group of Companies
The Navigators
Classical Artist of the Year Presented by MUN School of Music
Bill Brennan
Country Artist of the Year
Mallory Johnson
Electronic Artist of the Year
It Could Be Franky
Fan’s Choice Entertainer of the Year Presented by SaltWire
Jason Benoit
L’Artiste Francophone de L’Année Presented by Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador
Port-Aux-Poutines
Folk/Roots Artist of the Year
Darcy Scott
Global Music Artist of the Year
Baraka
Group of the Year Presented by Yamaha
With Violet
Indigenous Artist of the Year
Jason Benoit
Instrumental Artist of the Year
XIA-3
Jazz Artist of the Year Presented by Coast 101.1
Duane Andrews and the Hot Club of Conception Bay
Loud Artist of the Year
Da Slyme
Music Video of the Year Presented by Up Sky Down
Rum Ragged – Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary’s
Directed by: Cecil Johnson
Pop Artist of the Year
Nico Paulo
Rap/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
Albert Dalton
Rising Star of the Year
XIA – 3
Rock Artist of the Year Presented by George Street Association
Fairgale
Side Musician of the Year
Clare Follett
Solo Artist of the Year
Jing Xia
Ron Hynes Songwriter of the Year Presented by SOCAN
Nico Paulo
Industry Awards
Event of the Year Presented by Canadian AV Inc.
We Stand on Guard Again – Benefit Concert
Graphic Artist of the Year Presented by College of North Atlantic
Nico Paulo
Industry Professional of the Year Presented by Keen Payroll
Dave Shears
Media Person of the Year Presented by Ray Agency
Zach Snow
Music Educator of the Year Presented by Long & McQuade
Andrew Kagumba
Outstanding Company of the Year Presented by Noseworthy Chapman
Atlantic Music
Recording Engineer/Producer of the Year Presented by Atlantic Music
Matt Dines
Venue of the Year Presented by 62 Broadway
First Light Centre for Performance and Creativity
Volunteer of the Year Presented by VOWR
Alick Tsui & Christopher Deacon
Directors of MusicNL also presented 3 honorary awards:
- Unsung Hero Award – Marlene Cahill & Amy House
- Denis Parker Industry Builder Award – Robert Buck
- Lifetime achievement Award – Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers
