Manitobans soar at Western Canadian Music Awards

Manitoba performers and those behind the scenes aren’t just surviving the COVID-19 pandemic, they’re thriving, if the 2021 Western Canadian Music Awards are any indication.

The province claimed 14 of the 22 music and industry awards announced during a livestream Friday evening.

Two Winnipeg singers, Begonia and Kelly Bado, won two apiece.

Bado was named francophone artist of the year and global artist of the year. Begonia (stage name for Alexa Dirks) claimed recording of the year for The Fear Tour (Live), her concert album recorded at the West End Cultural Centre, and pop artist of the year.

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Deadmen (duo Matt Peters and Matt Schellenberg) were named producer of the year. Winnipeg graphic designer Roberta Landreth won for excellence in visual design. (Birthday Cake represents both.)

Three special awards were handed to Manitobans as well Friday night.

Carole Vivier, head of Manitoba Film & Music for three decades until retiring in 2019, was recipient of the Kevin Walters Industry Builder Award.

Country singer Ray St. Germain — whose music and television career goes back more than 60 years and a trail blazer for Métis artists — received the 2021 Heritage Award.

The Watchmen — formed in 1988 by Daniel Greaves, Joey Serlin, Sammy Kohn and Pete Loewen, earning one platinum and three gold records during the rock group’s heyday in the 1990s — were named to the WCMA Hall of Fame. Read More