Gold Winner Joel Plaskett
Silver Winner Daniel Ledwell
Bronze Winner Corey LeRue
“I am honoured,” says Dartmouth’s king of rock, Joel Plaskett. “It’s the highest compliment for me, to get acknowledged in that way. We’ve made a lot of records over the years and it means a lot to me that Halifax recognizes that. It makes me feel like I’m still doing something right.” We all know there’s no doubt about that. Plaskett’s latest album, The Park Avenue Sobriety Test, was among his 20 other releases over the last 20 years, the first produced at his new Portland Street studio, The New Scotland Yard, which opened last year. “I believe in the record we made this year, the songs are close to my heart, and so this means a lot to me,” he says. “And I have to share that credit with my engineer, Thomas Stajcer, who works at the studio and allows me to do what I do on a production level because I’m not worried about the technical stuff.” Together, they’ve worked on albums for Mo Kenney, Old Man Luedecke, James Hill and recently wrapped up the new one by Shotgun Jimmie, all while he is regularly on tour across the country playing sold-out shows to lifelong fans. From songwriting to production, Plaskett is one of the hardest working musicians on the east coast. Along with his studio, he’s now managing The New Scotland Yard Emporium, a record store, coffee shop and hair salon. “But everything we do is a group effort,” he says. “This is awesome, thank you.” Anytime, Joel.
