Cape Breton’s Goldie Boutilier takes home top awards at East Coast Music Awards Gala

The party has started as the East Coast Music Awards arrive in Sydney, N.S.

Cape Breton’s Goldie Boutilier took home two of the top awards at Thursday night’s East Coast Music Awards Gala at Centre 200 in Sydney, N.S.

Boutilier, who made her ECMA debut last year in St. John’s, won both Album of The Year and Breakthrough Artist of The Year.

“Coming home and having a night like I did last night was the most fulfilling and it matters the most because these are the people that have grown up with me, that have seen every version of me,” said Boutilier.

“I’m really proud to represent Cape Breton. Cape Breton has given me my grit, my stubbornness, my inability to argue in a way that makes any sense, and I’m so proud to be from here, so it was really nice.”

The Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award went to The Barra MacNeils, who are celebrating 40 years as a band.

In addition to award presentations, the gala included live performances by artists like Morgan Toney, Lennie Gallant, Maggie Andrew, City Natives, and Nick Earle & The Reckless Hearts.

Other winners included:

• African Canadian Artist of the Year – Blessing Tangban
• Entertainer of the Year – Fans’ Choice – Andree Pettipas
• Video of the Year – Fans’ Choice – Aaron MacDonald – “Beaches & Bands”
• Folk Release of the Year – Lennie Gallant
• Francophone Artist of the Year – La Famille LeBlanc
• Group of the Year – Cassie & Maggie
• Indigenous Artist of the Year – Morgan Toney
• Pop Release of the Year – Maggie Andrew
• Release of the Year – Elyse Aeryn
• Songwriter of the Year – Kellie Loder
• Loud Release of the Year – The Order of the Precious Blood

The ECMA Awards Gala was part of the five-day East Coast Music Awards: Festival and Conference, that includes networking events, live performances, export showcases and community celebrations.

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