TRURO - Masters of bluegrass are coming back to the 28th annual Eastern Canada Bluegrass Music Awards this weekend.
For the first time in the awards show's history, previous award winners will be featured on stage.
"What happens is that once a band or musician receives a particular award five times, they are no longer eligible for receiving the award again and become a master," said Dennis Moore, chairman of this year's awards being held Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Cobequid Educational Centre. "This allows a chance for others to receive the awards."
In previous years, a number of awards were handed out before a band would take the stage. Once they finished performing, awards were handed out and another band played.
"This year, we've bunched the awards together in the first half of the show and in the second half we're bringing in the masters. They'll have a chance to jam onstage. It will be a great event.
"We were hoping to shorten the awards show this year, but with so many masters coming, it may be a little bit longer than usual, but it will be worth it," he said.
Leading the way this year is Shadow River with nine nominations, with Bluegrass Tradition and A New Shade of Blue following close with eight and seven, respectively. Mountain River has six nominations.
More than 20 awards will be given out during the evening in a variety of categories.
Shortts Lake's Megan Isenor is up for fiddle player of the year, while Stewiacke's Bob Sharples is nominated for emcee of the year.
Jerry Murphy of Lantz is looking for his fifth win as promoter of the year, while Truro's Doug Proctor, who is a member of Shadow River, has been nominated for dobro player of the year, mandolin player of the year and individual player of the year.
Tickets for the event are still available, with advance tickets on sale for $12 at all TicketPro outlets across the Maritimes, online at www.ticketpro.ca, or by calling 1-888-311-9090. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door for $14, subject to availability.
"Ticket sales have been relatively well and we expect to have a full house," said Moore.
The Downeast Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Society, a volunteer, non-profit organization, hosts the awards show each year. The society's aim is to preserve and promote bluegrass music in the region.
rtetanish@trurodaily.com
IF YOU GO
WHAT: 28th annual Eastern Canada Bluegrass Music Awards
WHEN: Oct. 20, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Cobequid Educational Centre, Lorne Street, Truro.
HOSTED BY: The Downeast Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Society.
TICKETS: Available in advance through all TicketPro outlets or at the door (subject to availability).
AWARD NOMINEES (in alphabetical order)
Banjo Player of the Year:
Ryan Dillman (Shadow River)
Kyle Doucet (Mountain River)
Darren Richard (Bluegrass Tradition)
Bass Player of the Year:
Karen Decoste (Bluegrass Tradition)
Brian Hazlett (Shadow River)
Terry Mumford (A New Shade Of Blue)
Dobro Player of the Year:
George Grant
Dan Fraser
Doug Proctor
Fiddle Player of the Year:
Megan Isenor (Megan Isenor & Connections)
Lukas Munroe (Blue Tie Affair)
Eddy Poirier (Poirier Family Band / Janet McGarry & Wildwood)
Guitar Player of the Year:
Kyle Doucet (Mountain River)
Todd Maccumber (A New Shade Of Blue)
Jeff Nauss (Eight Wheel Drive)
Mandolin Player of the Year:
Daniel Lewis (Mountain River)
Doug Proctor (Shadow River)
Dean Simm (A New Shade Of Blue)
Male Vocalist of the Year:
David Doyle (Shadow River)
Dean Simm (A New Shade Of Blue)
Glen Williams (Eight Wheel Drive)
Female Vocalist of the Year*:
Karen Decoste (Bluegrass Tradition)
Roxeen Roberts (Blue Tie Affair)
Allison Simm (A New Shade Of Blue)
Christal Thibault (New Ground)
Individual Entertainer of the Year:
Serge Bernard (Janet McGarry & Wildwood)
Darren Richard (Bluegrass Tradition)
Doug Proctor (Shadow River)
Vocal Group of the Year:
Bluegrass Tradition
Mountain River
Shadow River
Gospel Performance of the Year:
Bluegrass Tradition
Close to Home
Janet McGarry & Wildwood
Mountain River
Most Promising Band of the Year:
Eight Wheel Drive
Mountain River
Band of the Year:
A New Shade Of Blue
Bluegrass Tradition
Shadow River
Recording of the Year:
A New Shade of Blue
Janet McGarry
Joe Casey & Westwind
Composer of the Year:
Trevor Boutillier
Ryan Dillman
Laura Lee Jennex
Promoter of the Year:
Danisha Comeau
Anne-Marie & Maurice Melanson
Jerry Murphy
Emcee of the Year:
Ken Edwards
Wilson Moore
Bob Sharples
Radio / TV DJ of the Year:
Wayne Dugas - Vive la bluegrass (CIFA 104.1 FM Saulnierville)
Charlie Hansen - Bluegrass Island (CFCY 99.5 FM Charlottetown)
Wilson Moore - The Bluegrass Jam (CFTA 107.9 FM Amherst / CHMA 106.9 FM Sackville)
