The Provincial Government congratulates the winners and nominees from the 26th MusicNL Awards and Gala held last night in Twillingate. At the event, the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, presented the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award to Ralph O’Brien. This award is given to the individual who has had a profound and lasting effect on the music industry of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Singer/ songwriter Mark Bragg won three awards, including male artist of the year, while Fortunate Ones also won three awards, including album of the year. Other winners from last night’s awards and gala:
- Fan’s Choice/ Entertainer of the Year – Swinging Belles
- Female Artist of the Year – Sherry Ryan
- Songwriter of the Year – Mark Bragg
- Group of the Year – Rum Ragged
- Rising Star of the Year – Rube & Rake
- Pop Artist of the Year – Fortunate Ones
- Alternative Artist of the Year – Mark Bragg
- Video of the Year – Fortunate Ones
- Traditional Artist of the Year – Rum Ragged
- Folk/Roots Artist of the Year – Rube & Rake
- Jazz/Blue Artist of the Year – Earle and Coffin
- Rap/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year – ChessClub
- Rock Artist of the Year – Mick Davis and Thin Love
- Country Artist of the Year – Carolina East
- Electronic Artist of the Year – Game Boy
- Instrumental Artist/Group of the Year – Ouroboros
The MusicNL Awards and Gala concludes 2018 MusicNL Week, the association’s annual conference and festival that includes a week-long series of educational sessions, showcase performances and networking events.
The Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation provides $350,000 annually to MusicNL for the organization’s operating budget. MusicNL aims to increase awareness locally, nationally and internationally of provincially produced music as an art form and as a viable industry with significant impact on the economy.
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“Congratulations to all the nominees and winners from the MusicNL Awards and Gala in Twillingate. I attended the event last night, and I continue to be amazed by the musical talent that exists in Newfoundland and Labrador. MusicNL provides artists from this province a wonderful opportunity to reach as broad an audience as possible, and that is why we proudly support this organization, as it continues to grow and evolve in our province.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
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Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4918, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca