Music Nova Scotia nominates Liverpool residents

Music Nova Scotia announced Sept. 25 the music and industry nominations for the 11th annual Nova Scotia Music Awards. The event is Nov. 8-11 in Liverpool.

Queens County-based Southwind has been nominated in the Inspirational Artist/Recording of the Year category for Last Chance.

The band consists of Liverpool resident, Florence Morton on rhythm guitar, lead vocals and harmony, Mersey Point resident, Reginald Coolen on fiddle, mandolin and harmony, Milton resident, Gary Nowe on standup bass and vocals, and Oakhill, Lunenburg Co. resident, Diane Tipert on autoharp, lead vocals and harmony.

None of the band members could be reached for comment.

Liverpool music promoter Michael Loveridge has been nominated for an Industry Award as Booking Agent of the Year and The Mersey House, which he owns in Liverpool, has been nominated as Venue of the Year.

The industry awards celebrate those who work behind the scenes to build and maintain a strong Nova Scotia music industry, according to a Music Nova Scotia press release.

“It’s a privilege to be in Nova Scotia and be recognized by the music industry,” Loveridge said. “The rich vein of artists and talents in Nova Scotia are always a pleasure to do business with and the fact we’ve organized over 400 concerts in Mersey House has been clearly recognized by the arts community.”

He continued. “To be perfectly honest, I feel humbled by this because they are such a wonderful group of people to do business with.”

The Music Nova Scotia release also stated Hip hop sensation Classified and rockers the Joel Plaskett Emergency took top honours with six nominations each. Songstress Jill Barber came away with an impressive five nods and Matt Mays, Rose Cousins and In-Flight Safety each received four.

Music Nova Scotia’s executive director Gordon Lapp said, “The quality of the nominations this year has surpassed any list in recent years. This is a reflection on the level of talent in Nova Scotia that just keeps getting better each year.”

For the second year in a row, Nova Scotia Music Week will take place in Liverpool. The White Point Beach resort will host the conference, industry brunch, registration, and a slew of late night performances throughout the three-day event.

The majority of the awards will be given out at the Industry Awards Brunch on Sunday, 11:30 a.m. Nov. 11, with the remaining eight being handed out that evening at the Music Awards Show at the Astor Theatre at 8 p.m.

This year’s highlights include the ever-popular Songwriter’s Circle. ECMA award-winner Lennie Gallant will host the event, taking place 8 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Astor Theatre. Among the performers are critically acclaimed singer-songwriters Rose Cousins, Catherine MacLellan, David Myles, and Thom Swift.

Music Nova Scotia also announced the introduction of a new all-ages urban music event Hip Hop, The Culture, taking place 1 p.m. Nov. 10 at Liverpool Regional High School. The afternoon event will feature performances by local established and emerging urban artists and will be followed by an all-ages concert later at 7:30 p.m.

Other highlights include an 8 p.m. Nov. 8 Opening Concert at the Astor Theatre, Gypsophilia and El Viento Flamenco 8 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Astor Theatre, Roots/Songwriter showcases at The Mersey House Nov. 9-10 at 9:30 p.m., Jazz/Blues/Pop/World showcases at Lane’s Privateer Inn Nov. 9-10 at 9:30p.m., Pop/Country/Celtic showcases at On Golden Pond 10 p.m. Nov. 9-10, Rock/Urban showcases at Marlins 10:30 p.m. Nov. 9-10, and a noon Nov. 10 Drum Clinic with Bruce Aitken of the Cape Breton International Drum Festival.

Music Nova Scotia director and Nova Scotia Music Week co-chair Hayward Parrott said, "We are delighted to be returning to Liverpool this year after what was truly an amazing and very successful inaugural event. The support that was given by the local host committee and the community itself was a key factor in the event returning. It will enable us to refine the conference and take it to other communities. It is all part of Music Nova Scotia's goal to take music into the communities as part of the music outreach program."

Conference passes are available now by contacting Music Nova Scotia by phone at (902) 423-6271 or online at www.musicnovascotia.ca.

Festival passes and tickets to events went on sale Sept. 28 at the Astor Theatre box office. Charge by phone at (902) 354-5250.