[CHARLOTTETOWN, PE] — A Cape Breton radio station and a veteran of the island’s music scene are taking home industry awards from East Coast Music Week.
Jamie Foulds and 89.7 The Coast were presented with East Coast Music Awards during the industry awards brunch held at the Delta Prince Edward in Charlottetown, P.E.I., Saturday.
Foulds, owner of Soundpark Studios in Sydney, was recognized as studio engineer of the year.
“This is a great shock. It’s been a little while since I had one of these but it means even more than any other year,” he said, in accepting the award.
Foulds also paid tribute to his family and his musical colleagues.
“I’d just like to thank all the incredible people I get to work with and all the great talent we have in Cape Breton, and I’d also like to recognize all the other nominees in the category. They’re all incredibly talented engineers and they work very hard and I look up to all of them as well,” he said.
Glace Bay-based radio station 89.7 The Coast was awarded radio station of the year, and Sandy MacDonald, a member of The Coast’s board of directors, was on hand to accept the award. He credited the station’s staff and volunteers, and in particular general manager Bill MacNeil, for The Coast’s success.
“Bill took on the idea of having a radio station that featured East Coast music and with the help of a tremendous staff, made it a reality, and we’re very pleased with the response and support we’ve had,” he said.
It was The Coast’s first ECMA win after several nominations in recent years.
“For us, it’s great,” MacDonald said afterwards. “Our format is to play a lot of East Coast music. It’s probably 80 per cent East Coast music and just to be recognized by the industry and show that they appreciate what we’re doing, it means a lot.”
Other Cape Breton artists and organizations which were nominated for ECMA industry awards include: 101.5 The Hawk, Jimmie Inch, Cheryl Smith, Darren Gallop, Company House Records, Marcato Digital Solutions, the Celtic Colours International Festival, Lakewind Sound Studios, Soundpark Studios, Michael Shepherd, and Fred Lavery.
