Manitoba artists pick up six awards at the WCMAs

Manitobas music industry continued to shine at this year'sWestern Canadian Music Awards,pickingup nine awards, including six in the artistic categories, at the11thannual event. The hardware was handed out at a gala celebration on October 6 in Calgary, hosted by CBC Radio 3s Grant Lawrence, and at an invite-only industry brunch the day before. Local artists and music companies landed 31 nominations in 20 categories at the annual celebration of music from the western provinces and territories.

KEN modewon in the brand new Metal/Hard Music Recording of the Year category for its fifth album, the Polaris Music Prize long listedEntrench. The acclaimed trio, which also won the inaugural JUNO Award for metal in 2012 forVenerable, just finished up a month-long European tour and next heads across Canada in October and November.

Del Barberwon his second Roots Solo Recording of the Year award, this time for his latest album,Headwaters. Recently signed to True North Records, Barber won the WCMA in the same category, as well as Independent Album of the Year, for the JUNO-nominatedLove Songs for the Last Twentyin 2011.

Also with a second WCMA win this year,Don Amerowas on hand in Calgary to pick up Aboriginal Recording of the Year for his latest album,Heart On My Sleeve. The album has already landed a JUNO Award nominationand won at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards and Indian Summer Music Awards.

First time winnerMahogany Frogwas also at the festivities to receive its Instrumental Recording of the Year award forSENNA, its sixth studio album. The quartet is featured in the new music documentary,Alors, tas soif de quoi?, which is currently screening at film festivals in Canada.

Steve Bellwon his third WCMA, this time for Spiritual Recording of the Year for his Christmas album,Keening for the Dawn.

Rounding out this year's artistic winners,Erin ProppandLarry Roywon their first WCMA, for Jazz Recording of the Year, for their debut,Courage, My Love.

Manitoba's music industry also brought home top honours at the Industry Awards on October 5. For the tenthyear in a row,Paquin Entertainment Groupwas named Booking Agency of the Year. Manager of the Year went to Paquin's president and CEO, Gilles Paquin,whose roster includes Del Barber, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Randy Bachman. Newcomers Procter Bros. Industries won for Video of the Year forJP Hoe's "Nothing's Gonna Harm You".