Achi news desk-
The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) recognizes long-time contributions to the industry with 10 honorary awards.
ECMA 2024 is set to take place in Charlottetown from May 1 to 5. Most of the honorary awards will be handed out on May 5 during the East Coast Music Awards: Part II, while the Director’s Special Achievement Award will to be presented at East Coast 2024. Music Awards on May 2.
“The ECMA Board of Directors is proud to recognize the dedication and commitment of our industry professionals,” said Debbie Mullins, ECMA chair, in an ECMA news release.
According to the statement, the Director’s Special Achievement Award recognizes “an outstanding contribution to the music industry at a national and/or international level.” This year it will be awarded posthumously to beloved Cape Breton musician Bruce Guthro, who died in 2023.
Guthro’s professional music career spanned nearly 30 years. He released his first solo album, “Sails to the Wind,” in 1994 and performed to sell-out audiences in Canada, the United Kingdom, and across Europe. In addition to his solo career, Guthro was the lead singer of the Celtic rock band Runrig.
A troubadour and storyteller, Guthro was also known for his ‘Songwriter’s Circle,’ where he spoke with fellow Canadian music legends such as Alan Doyle, Jim Cuddy, and Matt Minglewood.
Other honorary award recipients are:
- Dennis Parker – Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
- Deryl Gallant – Musician Achievement Award Recipient
- John Poirier – Industry Builder Award Recipient
- Scott Parsons – Bucky Adams Memorial Award Recipient
- Pamela Morgan, Ian Alistair Gosbee, Stephen Muise, Zachary Atkinson, and Kerri Wynne Macleod – recipients of the Stompin’ Tom Award
