Media Release
For immediate release:
February 9, 2010
The Rankin Family, Ashley MacIsaac Join ECMA 2010 Gala Lineup!
Gordie Johnson, Chris Kirby among incredible list of performers
(Sydney, NS) - A host of world-famous Cape Breton artists, including The Rankin Family and fiddling sensation Ashley MacIsaac, will deliver special performances at the 2010 Bell Aliant East Coast Music Awards Gala presented by RBC at Centre 200 in Sydney on March 7th.
The evening will honour the Island's rich musical past, including Grammy-winning artist Gordie Sampson among those performing in a tribute to honour Scotty Turner, the evening's recipient of the Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award. MacIsaac, along with fellow Cape Breton musicians Chrissy Crowley, JP Cormier, Colin Grant, Hilda Chiasson and more will pay tribute to late Cape Breton fiddler Jerry Holland. Both Holland and Turner passed away in 2009.
The evening's spectacular lineup of musical guests is now complete, with The Rankin Family added on the night they will receive the prestigious Director's Special Achievement Award. Other performers include Joel Plaskett, Classified, Fiona MacGillivray, Chris Kirby, Gary Beals, Gypsophilia, Gordie Johnson, Karla Pilgrim, Madison Violet, Faith Nolan, Jessica Rhaye, Kim Dunn, Kim Wempe, Old Man Leudecke, Molly Rankin, Pascal Lejeune, Sons of Membertou, Three Sheet, The Grass Mountain Hobos, The Once, and The Stanfields. Acclaimed Cape Breton musician Mary Jane Lamond will also be on hand to lend her storytelling talents to the show's narrative.
"The diversity of ECMA artists performing at this year's gala is impressive," said Su Hutchinson, executive director of the East Coast Music Association. "Crossing all genres of music, they will gather to present an entertaining roadmap to the history of music in Cape Breton. Construction is underway on two heartfelt tributes, to honour Scotty Turner and Jerry Holland, essential contributors and sorely missed characters on Cape Breton's music scene."
The music will begin with a taste of things to come at ECMA 2011 in Charlottetown, P.E.I. Launching the Gala at 7:30 p.m. will be Prince Edward Island performers Two Hours Traffic, Meaghan Blanchard, Rose Cousins, and Catherine MacLellan.
Live web broadcast
Gala awards tickets are on sale at the Centre 200 box office, or online through www.reservatech.net or www.ticketpro.ca. Can't be there in person? No problem. Simply log on to www.bellaliant.net/ecma the night of the gala, when Bell Aliant Brings ECMA Live to the World. This multi-camera, high definition shoot will take viewers on stage and through the audience from curtain rise to final applause. It's easy to access, the next best thing to being there, and absolutely free!
The 2010 Cape Breton event is an annual event organized bythe East Coast Music Association as a critical part of its mission statement. The 2010 event will take place in Sydney, NS from March 4-7, 2010.
The East Coast Music Association would like to acknowledge the financial support of FACTOR and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada's private radio broadcasters.
Media Contact:
B.J. Grechuk
The Joseph Scott Entertainment Agency
902.577.5115
bj@josephscott.ca