The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) is pleased to announce the 2026 ECMA nominees for the 38th annual East Coast Music Awards, celebrating the best in East Coast music and industry excellence.
The East Coast Music Awards: Festival & Conference will take place in Sydney, Nova Scotia, from May 20–24, 2026, and will include the East Coast Music Awards Gala presented by Rogers, along with festival performances, industry programming, and networking events.
The five-day celebration will feature performances, industry conferences, and international networking opportunities, highlighting the depth and diversity of East Coast music talent.
Leading this year’s nominations is Goldie Boutilier with seven, followed by Daniel James McFadyen with six, and Cassie and Maggie and Mallory Johnson with five nominations each. A full list of nominees follows. Together, this year’s nominees represent a wide range of genres, communities, and regions, reflecting the ongoing strength and diversity of East Coast music.
“Nova Scotia has a proud tradition of diverse musical talent, which is why we’re proud to support the ECMAs again this year. Welcoming outstanding Atlantic Canadian musicians, along with their teams and fans, will kick off five days of celebration across Sydney. The ECMAs are more than an awards show — they’re an opportunity to learn, connect, and reflect upon the cultural, social, and economic impact of East Coast music.”
— The Honourable Dave Ritcey, Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
The marquee event of ECMA 2026 is the 38th annual East Coast Music Awards Gala presented by Rogers. The Gala will take place on Thursday, May 21, at Centre 200 in Sydney, Cape Breton.
“The passion for music in Canada’s Atlantic provinces is incredibly powerful,” said Edith Cloutier, President, Atlantic Canada. “Rogers is proud to continue to support the East Coast Music Festival, including the talented artists, deep cultural roots, and unique storytelling that it brings to Sydney, Nova Scotia.”
Public voting for 2026 TD Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year and 2026 TD Fans’ Choice Video of the Year begins January 28 and closes March 31, 2026. Fans can vote online at ECMA.com.
“For more than 10 years, TD has been proud to support the ECMAs as it commemorates and elevates the incredible talent that defines Atlantic Canada’s music scene. At TD, we understand the power of music to break down barriers and spark connections that unite communities. The ECMAs create the stage for the diverse artists of this region to tell their stories and inspire audiences, and we are thrilled to be a part of this year’s celebration.”
— Jenn Auld, Vice President, Atlantic Region, TD Canada Trust
Returning home to host the Awards Gala are Sydney favourites Bette MacDonald and Maynard Morrison. The award-winning performers and longtime collaborators are well known for their work in television, theatre, and live performance, and bring a strong connection to Cape Breton audiences and East Coast culture.
Tickets for the 38th annual East Coast Music Awards Gala presented by Rogers are on sale now at ECMA.com. The Gala will also be live-streamed worldwide at ECMA.com.
The 2026 East Coast Music Award & Industry Award nominees are as follows:
Artiste acadien(ne) ou francophone de l’année
• HieroPhunk & Wuzzô
• Jacques Surette
• Kristen Martell
• La famille LeBlanc
• Pierre Guitard
African Canadian Artist of the Year
• Blessing Tangban
• Judith Ifeadi
• JupiterReign
• Mayaya
• Michael J Foxx
• Rightflow
Album of the Year
• Cassie and Maggie – Gold and Coal
• Daniel James McFadyen – Back to the Country
• Goldie Boutilier – Goldie Boutilier Presents… Goldie Montana
• Kellie Loder – Transitions
• Morgan Toney – Heal The Divide
• The Irish Descendants – Those Were The Days
Blues Release of the Year
• Aging Disgracefully – Shatter the Mirror
• Angelo Spinazzola – Harp-Centric
• Geoff Arsenault – Hired Hand
• Jon Hines – Memphis Sun
• JP LeBlanc – All In My Blood / Je l’ai dans l’sang
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
• Ben Chase
• Elyse Aeryn
• Goldie Boutilier
• Lindsay Misiner
• Robert Thomas and the Sessionmen
• Sean Michael Ryan
Children’s Artist of the Year
• Donna & Andy
• Heather Feather
• Molly Whuppie
• Port-Aux-Poutines
• Sugarwoods
Classical Release of the Year
• Catherine Little & Greg Myra – Light and Dark
• Duo Concertante – MAIER FRANCK SCHUMANN: Sonatas for Violin and Piano
• India Gailey – Butterfly Lightning Shakes the Earth
• Jean-Guy Boisvert – Album pour la jeunesse XXI
• Jennifer King – Souvenance
Classical Composer of the Year
• Amy Brandon
• Andrew Staniland
• Bekah Simms
• Jason Noble
• Jim O’Leary
Country Release of the Year
• Danny Drouin – Five O’clock Shadow
• Jamie Fontaine – Jamie Fontaine
• Mallory Johnson – Over the Party
• The Mainlanders – Just About Ready
• The Martin Boys – Burn the Boats
Dance Release of the Year
• Apryll Aileen – Take Me
• Cloverdale – Dream Operator
• PINEO & LOEB – Love Yourself
• potem – What I Gotta Be
• Will Rad – Wonderland
Electronic Release of the Year
• Andrew Staniland – Dancer Portrait No. 4
• Green Eyes, Witch Hands – Gin
• HieroPhunk & Wuzzô – Fait de Terre
• Lee Rosevere – Float (Part 3)
• Rich Aucoin – Frequency Modulation
2026 TD Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year
• Andre Pettipas
• Bailey Jordan-Neil
• Cassie and Maggie
• Charlie A’Court
• Daniel James McFadyen
• DeeDee Austin
• Goldie Boutilier
• Kellie Loder
• Mallory Johnson
• Rachel Cousins
• Richard Wood
2026 TD Fans’ Choice Video of the Year
• Aaron MacDonald – Beaches and Bands
• Ben Chase – Small Town Talking
• Brett Matthews – Lucky Ones
• Burry – TV Glow
• Daniel James McFadyen – Landmine
• Elyse Aeryn – Unstoppable
• Goldie Boutilier – Favorite Fear
• Justin Fancy – Break My Heart Again
• Kellie Loder – When We Kiss
• Mallory Johnson – fck that
Folk Release of the Year
• Daniel James McFadyen – Back to the Country
• Joel Plaskett – One Real Reveal
• Lennie Gallant – Shelter From the Storms
• Logan Richard – Character Traits
• Mallory Johnson – Over the Party
Fusion Release of the Year
• Claire Porter – Time Alone
• Diana Delirio – Junto a mí
• Jason Noble & Steve Cowan – Folk Suite
• Morgan Toney – Golden Regalia
• Sacred Wolf Singers & Simon Walls – Powwow Crow Hopper
Global Music Release of the Year
• Ana Luísa Ramos – Clareia (Live)
• Dee Hernandez – Danzón
• Diana Delirio – Junto a mí
• HieroPhunk – Dragon Bone
• XIA-3 – Interworlds
Group of the Year
• Cassie and Maggie
• Les Hay Babies
• Nick Earle & The Reckless Hearts
• The Irish Descendants
• Two Hours Traffic
• XIA-3and Steve Cowanand Steve Cowanand Steve Cowan
Indigenous Artist of the Year
• Bailey Jordan-Neil
• Gearl
• Joseph Rue
• Little Stone Crow
• Morgan Toney
• Summer Bennett
Instrumental Release of the Year
• Adam Cicchillitti and Steve Cowan – Lyrique
• Andrew Staniland – The Laws of Nature
• Jennifer King – Souvenance
• Joel Miller – What If?
• Richard Wood – Richard Wood Live! An Evening of Celtic Music
Jazz Release of the Year
• Atlantic Jazz Collective feat. Norma Winstone & Joe LaBarbera – Seascape
• Claire Porter – Time Alone
• Joe Bowden – Music Is Life
• Joel Miller – What If?
• Kevin Brunkhorst – After the Fire
Loud Release of the Year
• Dali Van Gogh – Wicked Way
• Direwolf – Thunder Calls
• The Order of the Precious Blood – Dark Hallucinations
• Thunderor – Cape Breton Home
• Where Giants Once Stood – Dead To You
Pop Release of the Year
• Brett Matthews – Lucky Ones
• DeeDee Austin – Somebody New
• Logan Richard – The Grass Is Blue (Everywhere I Go)
• Maggie Andrew – How to Sing for Money
• Rachel Cousins – Nora
Producer of the Year
• Aaron Lewis
• Clint Curtis
• Cloverdale
• Colin Buchanan
• Daniel Adams
R&B / Soul Release of the Year
• Demixx – MY MEDICINE
• Judith Ifeadi – Fooling Me
• JupiterReign – All Mine
• Lindsay Misiner – I Saw an Angel
• Mayaya – Tha Vodou
Rap / Hip-Hop Release of the Year
• Gearl – Gearl Ji’j
• HINCH – Poetry Is the Art of Death
• Michael J Foxx – Off the Stoop Vol. 1
• Siddhu Sneh – i am
• Todd. – Plus One
Release of the Year
• Ben Chase – Saltwater Cowboy
• DeeDee Austin – Somebody New
• Elyse Aeryn – Unstoppable
• Kelly McMichael – Open (Hurts to Have a Heart)
• Mallory Johnson – the circus
• Rich Aucoin – Synthetic: Season 4
Rock / Alternative Release of the Year
• Absolute Losers – In the Crowd
• Goldie Boutilier – Goldie Boutilier Presents… Goldie Montana
• Nick Earle & The Reckless Hearts – Nostalgia Attack
• Strange Plants – Strange Plants
• Two Hours Traffic – I Never See You Anymore
• XIA-3 – Interworlds
Roots Release of the Year
• Cassie and Maggie – Gold and Coal
• Charlie A’Court – San Palarino
• Mike McKenna Jr. – Smokey Mountain High
• Morgan Toney – Heal The Divide
• Robert Thomas and the Sessionmen – The Way We Roll
• Shane Pendergast – Winter Grace
Solo Artist of the Year
• Daniel James McFadyen
• Goldie Boutilier
• Kelly McMichael
• Logan Richard
• Maggie Andrew
Songwriter of the Year
• Carleton Stone
• Daniel James McFadyen
• Goldie Boutilier
• Kellie Loder
• Maggie Andrew
• Rachel Cousins
Traditional Release of the Year
• Cassie and Maggie – Gold and Coal
• La famille LeBlanc – Perdrais-je mon temps…
• Matthew Byrne – Stealing Time
• Richard Wood – Richard Wood Live! An Evening of Celtic Music
• The Irish Descendants – Those Were The Days
INDUSTRY AWARD CATEGORIES
Artist Management of the Year
• Faye Williams
• Hilda Cousins
• Jayden Duplessis (NoLoveNorthern)
• Nik MacDonald
• Roger Lockyer
• Tiffany Martin
Event of the Year
• Celtic Colours International Festival
• Lawnya Vawnya 15
• Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival
• Makin’ Waves
• The Shediac Lobster Festival / Le Festival du homard de Shediac
Innovator of the Year
• Ben Chapman-Smith Music
• Chuck Boudreau
• Eirinn Fraser
• Katrina Lopes
• The Marigold Cultural Centre
Media Excellence Award
• Andrew Shaver
• Darcy Walsh
• Greg Smith
• Matt Harris
• Richard Lann
Recording Engineer of the Year
• Jamie Foulds
• John D.S. Adams
• John Mullane
• Matt Dines
• Mike “Sheppy” Shepherd
Technical Excellence Award
• Ben Czenze
• Devin Farrell
• Donnie MacNeil
• Nick Decker
Venue of the Year
• Chester Playhouse
• Colaisde na Gàidhlig / The Gaelic College
• Sanctuary Arts Centre
• The Majestic Theatre
• The Ship Pub
Visual Artist of the Year
• Anita Cazzola
• Ashley Anne Clark
• Max Kearns
• Richard Lann
• Sandra-Lee Layden