ST. JOHN’S, NL – Today MusicNL announced the best in class for 2020. Leading the way are Rube & Rake and The Heavy Horses with six nominations apiece. Other plentiful award nominees include Jason Benoit (5) followed by Rachel Cousins and Rum Ragged (4 each).

MusicNL members are invited to cast their votes for the winners on our website www.musicnl.ca.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Everyone can vote for The Telegram Fans Choice Entertainer of the Year by visiting www.thetelegram.com.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Online celebrations will take place during MusicNL Week February 1st -7th, 2021.

“There will be something for everyone in the music industry at this year’s conference,” stated Chair Amy House. “With a focus on topics such as: publishing and sync, hip hop, growing your business online, women and gender minorities and mental health supports.” 

MusicNL will release their full conference, awards and AGM schedule early in the New Year.

THE FULL LIST OF AWARD NOMINEES INCLUDE:

MUSIC AWARDS

FACTOR Album of the Year
David Pomeroy – Great Tenor Arias
Jason Benoit – Revolution Pt. 1
Matthew Byrne – In Concert w/ Lady Cove Women’s Choir
Rube & Rake – Leaving With Nothing
Rum Ragged – The Thing About Fish
The Heavy Horses – With Darkness in My Eyes

Quidi Vidi Alternative Artist of the Year
Adam Baxter
Adrian House
Kirk Wells

O’Reilly’s Irish Newfoundland Pub Celtic/Traditional Artist of the Year
Atlantic Union
Dave Penny
From Stage to Stage
Matthew Byrne
Rosemary Lawton
Rum Ragged

MUN School of Music Classical Artist of the Year
Atlantic String Quartet
David Chafe
David Pomeroy

Due South Promotions Country Artist of the Year
Blair Lane
Jason Benoit
Justin Fancy
Lorna Lovell
Ol Billy Bob Boy
The Heavy Horses

The Jibfest Weekender Electronic Artist of the Year
Alex Byrne
Chalk
Quinn

The Citadel House Folk/Roots Artist of the Year
Christian Howse
Jackie Sullivan
Rev. Dave & The Sin Eaters
Rube & Rake
Sherman Downey
The Likes of Jeff Pittman

Yamaha Group of the Year
Beauwater
Nick Earle & The Reckless Hearts
Rube & Rake
Rum Ragged
Silver Wolf Band
The Hellfire Club

First Light Indigenous Artist of the Year
Jason Benoit
Lorna Lovell
Silver Wolf Band

Canadian Mental Health Association NL Inspirational Artist of the Year
Asetha Power
Kathy Stock

AFM/CFM Local 820 Instrumental Artist of the Year
Sarkastodon
Wade Tarling

Black Sheep on George Jazz/Blues Artist of the Year
Beauwater
Dave Mundy & Callum Latta
Michael Bursey
Natasha Blackwood

Heavy NFLD Loud Artist of the Year
Qyn
The Hellfire Club
Wastecase
WinterheartH
Yes, Officer

St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival Music Video of the Year
Fairgale – What Doesn’t Kill Us (Dir: Centre City Media and Film)
Jason Benoit – Two Wrongs (Dir: Ryan Daramsing)
Madeline – Vain (Dir: Madeline Salter)
Rube & Rake – 10-33 (Dir: Tom Cochrane)
The Heavy Horses – Weight in My Lungs (Dir: Patrick Canning)
The Swinging Belles – Cool Cat (Dir: Erin Power, Laura Winter, Duane Andrews)

Bell Aliant Pop Artist of the Year
Clare Follett
Pete
Rachel Cousins
Rea
The Duds
Xander Duffy

HipHopShopNL Rap/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
Albert Dalton
King Sway

MDIIO Rising Star of the Year
Justin Fancy
Natasha Blackwood
Ol Billy Bob Boy
Peter Fewer
Saint Scarlett
The Duds

College of the North Atlantic, Music and Applied Arts Rock Artist of the Year
Fourthright
Jeremy Rice
Mike Fisher
Nick Earle & The Reckless Hearts
Saint Scarlett
The Lodge

Live at Heart- Vision 360 Productions Side Musician of the Year
Dan George
Dave Connors
Justin Mahoney
Kathy Stock
Rozalind MacPhail

The Bee’s Knees/Posie Row Solo Artist of the Year
Clare Follett
Matthew Byrne
Rachel Cousins
Rea
Sherman Downey
The Heavy Horses

Ron Hynes SOCAN Songwriter of the Year
Mallory Johnson, Tenille Arts, Krystan Bellows
(Mallory Johnson – Drunk Mind, Sober Heart)

Chris Kirby, Jordan Coaker, Kirsten Rodden-Clarke, Peter MacDonald
(Quote the Raven – Hope)

Aaron Hickey, Blair Lane, Jenson Vaughan, Lauren Eddy, & Rachel Cousins
(Rachel Cousins – Man of Stone)

Josh Sandu
(Rube & Rake – Crying)

Sherman Downey
(Sherman Downey – Front Porch)

Justin Mahoney
(The Heavy Horses – Weight in My Lungs)

The Telegram Fans Choice Entertainer of the Year
**Vote online at www.thetelegram.com** 
Beauwater
Fairgale
Ian Foster & Nancy Hynes
Jason Benoit
Mallory Johnson
Nick Earle & The Reckless Hearts
Quote the Raven
Rachel Cousins
Rea
Rube & Rake
Rum Ragged
With Violet

INDUSTRY AWARDS

Canadian AV Event of the Year
Atlantic Guitar Society Virtual Guitar Retreat
Saltwater Noise – Sure Beats a Good Time Release
Spirit Song Festival
The Jibfest Weekender
Trails Tales and Tunes Festival

Pattison Outdoor Graphic Artist of the Year
Aaron Bishop
Caroline Clarke

Stewart McKelvey Industry Professional of the Year
Carter Snow
Dustin Parsons
Jenelle Duval
Mary Beth Waldram
Michelle LaCour
Mike McDonald

Ray Agency Media Person of the Year
Dillon Collins
Greg Smith
Jake Thompson
Zach Snow

Long & McQuade Music Educator of the Year
Adam Baxter
Joanna Barker
Marystown School of Music
Melanie O’Brien
Rozalind MacPhail

Noseworthy Chapman Outstanding Company of the Year
618 Entertainment
Cartermusic
Foleymore Entertainment
Steady Entertainment
VOCM
VOWR

George Street Association Venue of the Year
First Light Centre for Performance and Creativity
Rotary Arts Centre
The Gate
The Ship Pub

Volunteer of the Year
Gary Wilton
Glenn Pardy
Greg Smith
Joshua Roberts

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Founded in 1992, MusicNL is a professional membership organization that works to address key issues affecting the Newfoundland and Labrador music industry. Implementing positive change and presenting a strong voice to government, business and the community.

 MusicNL increases awareness locally, nationally and internationally of provincially produced music as an art form and as a viable industry with significant impact on the economy. 

MusicNL creates and encourages opportunities which stimulate growth of the industry.