MB acts pick up 23 WCMA nominations

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This article was published 10/06/2022 (1240 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Boy Golden has struck gold.

The Winnipeg roots artist, who emerged in 2021 with the debut album Church of Better Daze, was nominated for BreakOut Artist of the Year for the 2022 Western Canadian Music Awards, which were announced Wednesday.

Liam Duncan, the man behind Boy Golden’s guitar-slinging-minister persona, also earned a nomination for producer of the year, while Winnipeg’s Martin LaFrenière earned a nomination for directing the video for the Boy Golden song Church of Better Daze.

The three nominations were among 23 earned by Manitoba artists Wednesday. The WCMAs will be handed out during BreakOut West Sept. 28-Oct. 2 in Calgary.

Another Winnipeg guitarist, Ariel Posen, received two WCMA nominations, for recording of the year and rock artist of the year, for his 2021 album Mile End.

Cassidy Mann and Jade Turner both received nominations for Indigenous artist of the year, while the Winnipeg duo of Erin Propp and Larry Roy will vie for jazz artist of the year with fellow nominee the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra.

Grant Davidson, who performs as Slow Leaves, earned a nomination for songwriter of the year for the tune Stick Around.

Other nominees are: Son of Dave (blues artist); Leith Ross (BreakOut artist); Jocelyne Baribeau (francophone artist); Field Guide (pop artist); Casimiro Nhussi (instrumental artist); Anthony OKS (rap and hip-hop artist); New Wales (rock artist); Royal Canoe (rock artist); Del Barber (roots artist); Sweet Alibi (roots artist); Landon Lake (video director of the year); and Mahogany Frog (visual media composer).

Birthday Cake Records, the Winnipeg label co-founded by Stu Anderson and Dave Landreth that represents some of the Manitoba acts nominated for WCMAs, earned two industry awards nominations, for impact in artist development and impact in music marketing.

Red Tie Productions, which works in concert production, was nominated for the community excellence award and the Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club earned a nod for impact in live music.

alan.small@winnipegfreepress.com