Posted On: Apr. 24, 2017

BreakOut West Announced the Nominees for the 
2017 Western Canadian Music Awards and Industry Awards

The Western Canadian Music Alliance is excited to reveal the nominees for the 2017 Western Canadian Music Awards and Industry Awards! Winners will be announced and honoured at the Western Canadian Music Awards Networking Reception, and Industry Awards Brunch; September 13-17, 2017. The countdown is on to the 15th annual BreakOut West, hosted in Edmonton AB with special thanks to the Government of Alberta and the City of Edmonton.
 
Delegate registration is open now and may be purchased through breakoutwest.ca.
 
The nominee announcement also signals the commencement of the member voting period, which is open until May 8th, 2017 at 11:59pm CT. Members of Music BC, Alberta Music, SaskMusic, Manitoba Music, MusicYukon, and MusicNWT are eligible to vote for nominees in all categories and should have received their voting login from their MIA by email. If not, please contact johnny@breakoutwest.ca
 
2017 Western Canadian Music Awards Nominees:

Blues Artist of the Year
Big Dave McLean (MB)
Harpdog Brown (BC)
James Buddy Rogers (BC)
Kenny 'Blues Boss" Wayne (BC) 
Ryan McNally (YT)
Steve Kozak Band (BC)
 
BreakOut Artist of the Year, presented by CKUA Radio Network
Andy Shauf (SK)
Begonia (MB)
Dan Davidson (AB)
The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer (BC)
William Prince (MB)
 
Children's Artist of the Year
Ginalina (BC)
Madame Diva et Micah le Jeune Voyageur (MB)
Stella Swanson and the Rosie Joyfuls (BC)
The Oot n' Oots (BC)
Will Stroet (BC)
 
Classical Artist/Ensemble of the Year, presented by Canadian Music Centre
Alan Rinehart (BC)
Daniel Janke (YT)
duo corvi (BC)
Standing Wave (BC)
Vancouver Intercultural Orchestra & Laudate Singers (BC)
 
Classical Composition of the Year
“Magnetic North” - Carmen Braden (NT)
“Pots 'n Pans Falling” - Edward Top (BC)
“Immersion” - Jordan Nobles (BC)
“Raven Tales” - Marcus Goddard (BC)
“Choir Practice, A Comic Opera in One Act” - Stephen Chatman (BC)
 
Country Artist of the Year, presented by Dauphin's Countryfest
Aaron Pritchett (BC)
Dan Davidson (AB)
Doc Walker (MB)
Madeline Merlo (BC)
The Washboard Union (BC)
 
Electronic/Dance Artist of the Year
DiRTY RADiO (BC)
Esette (AB)
I M U R (BC)
iskwé (BC)
Kytami (BC)
 
Francophone Artist of the Year
Alpha Toshineza (MB)
Ariane Mahrÿke Lemire (AB)
Kelly Bado (MB)
Ponteix (SK)
Shawn Jobin (SK)
 
Indigenous Artist of the Year, presented by Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN)
Blue Moon Marquee (AB)
Cindy Paul (AB)
Indian City (MB)
Jade Turner (MB)
Jay Gilday (AB)
 
Instrumental Artist of the Year
Adam Dobres (BC)
Five Alarm Funk (BC)
Fond of Tigers (BC)
Kent Sangster's Obsessions Octet (AB)
The Fretless (BC)
 
Jazz Artist of the Year
Al Muirhead (AB)
Michael Kaeshammer (BC)
Quatuor André Lachance (BC)
Quinn Bachand's Brishen (BC)
Steve Kirby's Oceanic Jazz Orchestra (MB)
 
Metal/Hard Music Artist of the Year
All Else Fails (AB)
Black Thunder (SK)
Soul Mates (SK)
Striker (AB)
Untimely Demise (SK)
 
Pop Artist of the Year
Andy Shauf (SK)
Dear Rouge (BC)
Jocelyn Alice (AB)
Ruth B (AB)
The Zolas (BC)
 
Producer of the Year, presented by Nimbus School of Recording & Media
Andy Shauf - Andy Shauf ‘The Party’ (SK)
Clayton Bellamy - The Dungarees (AB)
Jesse Gander - The Pack AD ‘Positive Thinking’ (BC)
Jesse Zubot - Tanya Tagaq/Fond of Tigers (BC)
Russell Broom - Rebecca Lappa/David Bradford/JP Maurice/The Static Shift (AB
 
Rap/Hip Hop Artist of the Year
3PEAT (MB)
Factor Chandelier (SK)
Merkules (BC)
Snak The Ripper (BC)
The Lytics (MB)
 
Recording of the Year
Andy Shauf - The Party (SK)
Big Little Lions - Just Keep Moving (BC)
Dear Rouge - Black to Gold (BC)
Scenic Route to Alaska - Long Walk Home (AB)
The Zolas - Swooner (BC)
 
Rock Artist of the Year, presented by Radio Starmaker Fund
Dan Mangan (BC)
Mobina Galore (MB)
Scenic Route to Alaska (AB)
The Matinée (BC)
The Pack AD (BC)
 
Roots Duo/Group of the Year
100 Mile House (AB)
Big Little Lions (BC)
Kacy & Clayton (SK)
Karrnnel Sawitsky & Daniel Koulack (SK/MB)
The Bills (BC)
 
Roots Solo Artist of the Year
Corb Lund (AB)
Jen Lane (SK)
Joe Nolan (AB)
Maria Dunn (AB)
Sarah Jane Scouten (BC)
 
Songwriter(s) of the Year, presented by The Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers
Andy Shauf - "The Magician" (SK)
Corb Lund - "Washed-Up Rock Start Factory Blues" (AB)
Sam Tudor - "Joseph In The Bathroom" (BC)
The Zolas - "Swooner" (BC)
Alexa Dirks (Begonia) & Matt Schellenberg - "Juniper" (MB)
 
Spiritual Artist of the Year
Heritage Hill (BC)
Jaylene Johnson (MB)
Jon Bauer (AB)
Steve Bell (MB)
Warren Dean Flandez (BC)
 
Urban Artist of the Year
Damian La Grange (AB)
DANI (BC)
DGS Samurai Champs (SK)
Nuela Charles (AB)
Sophia Danai (BC)
 
Video Director of the Year
Alek Rzeszowski - Yes We Mystic "No Harm" (MB)
Anthony Creech - Andino Suns "Aire Libre" (SK)
Brandon Fletcher - Nuela Charles "Crumbling Down" (BC)
Dylan Roberts - King Dylan "Untouchable" (AB)
Zach Wilson - The Dead South "In Hell I'll Be In Good Company" (SK)
 
Visual Media Composer of the Year, presented by Green Sky Labs Inc.
Factor Eight - "The Lion" (SK)
James Murdoch - "Fishcamp Soundtrack" (AB)
Jared Robinson - "Music is a Part of All Our Lives" (SK)
Matthew Schellenberg - "Lovesick" (MB)
Mitch Dorge - "The Advocate" (MB)
 
World Artist of the Year
Andino Suns (SK)
Casimiro Nhussi (MB)
Jocelyn Petit (BC)
Kelly Bado (MB)
Papa Mambo (MB)
 
2017 Western Canadian Music Awards Industry Nominees:
 
Audio Engineering Award
Russell Broom - JP Maurice, Amy Metcalfe, Chixdiggit (AB)
Ryan Worsley - Said The Whale, Courage My Love, Derrival, Dear Rouge (BC)
Sheldon Zaharko - Plans & Disguises, Head, Ajaye Jardine (BC)
Spencer Cheyne - Jocelyn Alice, Ruben Young, Hello Moth, Al Muirhead (AB)
Steve Bays - The Zolas, We Are The City, Leeroy Stagger, Hot Hot Heat (BC)
 
Community Excellence Award
Fire Aid Organizing Committee - Fort McMurray Benefit Concert (BC)
Sunshine House (MB)
The Dungarees (AB)
The Exchange (SK)
West End Cultural Centre (MB)
Winnipeg Folk Festival (MB)
 
Excellence in Visual Design
Adin Wridgway - tune silo records (BC)
Bronwin Parks - Feisty Creative (BC)
Jared Robinson - Nebulus Entertainment (SK)
Matt Schuurman (AB)
Renée Mak (BC)
 
Impact in Artist Development
BOP Management & Consulting (AB)
Paquin Artist Agency (MB)
Prairie Mix (MB)
Sakamoto Agency (AB)
Tonic Records (BC)
 
Impact in Live Music
Festival du Voyageur (MB)
Rawk Entertainment Group Inc. (SK)
West End Cultural Centre (MB)
UP & Downtown Music Festival (AB)
Winnipeg Folk Festival (MB)
 
Impact in Music Marketing
Eric Burke - Le 100 NONS (MB) 
Kevin Mozdzen - The Park Theatre (MB) 
Live Nation Canada (BC) 
Pipe & Hat Music Group (MB) 
Susan Busse - Susan Busse PR (SK)
 
2017 Heritage Award:
Ken Regan - CKUA Radio Network
 
After years spent reporting from the CKUA newsroom in the 80's and 90's, Ken took over as CEO shortly after the station went dark (and was resurrected) in 1997. His dedication and leadership helped bring CKUA back from the edge and shaped the station into what it is today. Ken worked to help secure the station's future, including the move to the current HQ in Edmonton's Alberta Hotel. As soon as that big move was done, Ken set his eyes on Calgary. With the CEO of the National Music Centre, Ken shared a dream of creating a true home for music in Canada and to introduce its treasures to CKUA listeners. That led to 2016, when CKUA opened a new broadcast studio in Calgary - The Calgary Foundation CKUA Studio - at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre. More than just being the big boss, Ken has been an unfailingly friendly and warm presence for staff, volunteers and donors. He's a big supporter of arts and culture in Alberta, serving on numerous boards and involved with organizations across the province.
 
2017 Kevin Walters Industry Builder Award:
Kathy Kirby (posthumously)
 
In 2014 Edmonton's music scene lost one of its most passionate, generous and beloved champions, (Kathy) Kirby. Over the course of five decades, Kirby worked tirelessly as a venue booker, manager, publicist, writer, and live sound engineer. She was a priceless mentor to hundreds, if not thousands, of young musicians, writers, techs, and promoters, making them feel welcome and respected as she helped usher them into the music scene. The immense contribution Kirby made to the Canadian music scene will not be forgotten.
 
2017 Hall of Fame Inductee:
Paul Brandt
 
About BreakOut West:
BreakOut West is an annual gathering to celebrate, develop and support the best of western Canadian music, taking place this year in Edmonton, AB from September 13-17, 2017. Western Canadian artists are developing sustainable careers of national and international scope, and BreakOut West is an integral component of this development. Through the annual conference and festival, industry from around the world and western Canadian artists are given the opportunity to discover, educate, network and grow. The event consists of the BreakOut West Festival; showcasing the talent contained in the "left half" of Canada and delivering Western Canadian Music Awards to honoured nominees, and the Conference itself with educational panels, networking events, and so much more.
 
Use hashtag #BOW2017 when tweeting about BreakOut West and join in the conversation!

More exciting announcements are coming soon from BreakOut West, visit www.BreakOutWest.ca for the latest information.

Please contact Joelle May for all press requests, interviews, event accreditation and more information.