After dropping some 'bows to get to the coffee station we (myself and the Music Nova Scotia Award nominated media profesh Stephanie Johns, NBD) perched ourselves in the back of the Atlantic Room for the brunch portion of the awards. The morning kicked off with Willie Stratton ensuring the crowd rubbed the sleep out of their eyes by belting out a lively, guitar-string-breaking rendition of "Runaway" before MNS prez Brian Doherty got to giving out the goods. It rolled along smoothly with the Modern Grass grabbing their first two trophies (er, drinking glasses?), Jason Burns accepting two on behalf of Rich Aucoin and J-Bru giving a right-sweet acceptance speech.
Just when people started to get a little stir-crazy in swooped Erin Costelo with her massive voice to shut everyone the hell up, and get the room refocussed for the industry portiong of the awards. Stephanie restrained herself from throwing a drink in repeat-winner Stephen Cooke's face in defeat (jokes, we have major love for Stephen), Kimberly Sinclair and her SpinCount grabbed a pair of awards and Atlantic Airwaves' Glenn Meisner got a well-deserved standing O.
Though we made our way back to the big city, the winning continued into the evening's Gala Awards Show where the ever-boisterous, ever-bearded Ben Caplan, was crowned Entertainer of the Year.
We send congrats to all of 2012's winners (see the full list below) and thank Music Nova Scotia, and Liverpool, for another NSMW for the books. One request though. Could everyone learn this song for next year? Late night lobby singalong?
Presented at the NSLC Gala Awards Show:
New Artist Recording of the Year - Dylan Guthro, All That's True
Music Video of the Year - Rich Aucoin/Noah Pink, It
Male Artist Recording of the Year - David Myles, Into The Sun
Female Artist Recording of the Year - Christina Martin, Sleeping With A Stranger
SOCAN Songwriter of the Year - Joel Plaskett, You're Mine
Group Recording of the Year - Wintersleep, Hello Hum
Recording of the Year - Wintersleep, Hello Hum
Music Nova Scotia Entertainer of the Year - Ben Caplan
Presented at the Music & Industry Awards Brunch:
Music:
Aboriginal Recording of the Year - Angelo Spinazzola, The First Nations Songwriting Sessions
Alternative Recording of the Year - Wintersleep, Hello Hum
Blues Recording of the Year - John Campbelljohn, Celtic Blues
Children's Recording of the Year - Keith Mullins/Thom Swift, The Wood Buffalo Youth Song Project
Classical Recording of the Year - The Barra MacNeils, The Barra MacNeils with Symphony Nova Scotia Live in Concert
Country/Bluegrass Recording of the Year (TIE) - Dale Murray, Dream Mountain Dream AND The Modern Grass, High On The Mountain
DJ of the Year - A.A. Wallace
Digital Artist of the Year - Rich Aucoin
Electronic Recording of the Year - Rich Aucoin, We're All Dying To Live
Folk Recording of the Year - Rose Cousins, We Have Made A Spark
Francophone Recording of the Year - Donna & Andy, La Vie Pour Moi
Hip Hop Recording of the Year - J-Bru, 12 Years and Counting
Inspirational Recording of the Year - Andru Branch, Step Into The Light
Jazz Recording of the Year - Gypsophilia, Constellation
Loud Recording of the Year - Chaos Theory, Chaos Theory
Musician of the Year - Kev Corbett
Rock Recording of the Year - Carleton Stone, Carleton Stone
Traditional/Roots Recording of the Year - The Modern Grass, High On The Mountain
Urban Recording of the Year - J-Bru, 12 Years and Counting
Industry:
Booking Agent of the Year (TIE) - Heather Gibson AND Jason MacIsaac
Community Presenter of the Year - Chester Playhouse
Company of the Year - SpinCount Music & Promotions
Corporate Sponsor of the Year - Casino Nova Scotia
Educator of the Year - Keith Mullins
Event of the Year - Halifax Pop Explosion
Industry Professional of the Year - Kimberly Sinclair
Manager of the Year - Jason Burns
Media Professional of the Year - Stephen Cooke, The Chronicle Herald
Promoter of the Year - Sonic Concerts
Production Company of the Year - Tour Tech East
Producer Of The Year - Daniel Ledwell
Publicist of the Year - Wendy Phillips
Radio Program of the Year - Atlantic Airwaves, CBC
Radio Station of the Year - CKDU 88.1FM
Recording Studio of the Year - Echo Chamber
Studio Engineer Of The Year - Charles Austin
Technician of the Year - Trevor DeSouza
Venue of the Year - The Carleton Music Bar & Grill
Visual Artist of the Year - Mat Dunlap
Volunteer of the Year - Pam Samson