The Western Canadian Music Awards were held in Whitehorse, Yukon on October 23.
These awards have been happening in one form or the other since 1995 and were created to recognize musicians from, you guessed it, Western Canada. A link to all the winners is here. I have included some video and links to showcase some of the winners in categories I follow,.
Outstanding Blues Recording ~ Little Miss Higgins ~ Across The Plains
Little Miss Higgins was born in Brooks, Alberta, grew up in Lawrence, Kansas and now has roots in Saskatchewan. The award is for her 2010 album and the song I have attached is “Bargain Shop Panties”. Lots of Saskatchewania in this tune.
Outstanding Rock Recording ~ The Sheepdogs ~ Learn & Burn
On the Cover of the Rolling Stone. What a year for these Saskatoon players. They won the contest to be on the cover of Rolling Stone, they will clean up at the Junos and are taking the music world by storm. In the meantime, they have won Outstanding Rock Recording for their recent album. The Sheepdogs are riding the wave. The video is “I Don’t Know” off the album. I do believe they are channelling Lynyrd Skynyrd or something, what a great song.
Outstanding Roots Duo/Group Recording ~ The Wailin’ Jennys ~ Bright Morning Star
Winnipeg’s Wailin’ Jennys have been around since 2004 and have been creating excellent roots/folk music since that time. Attached is “Storm Comin'” off the album, performed live at CBC Radio 3.
