EDMONTON, AB (August 29, 2017) - Monday, August 28th, submissions for the
8th annual Edmonton Music Awards (EMAs) officially opened…and this year even more
Edmonton recording artists have the opportunity to have their music recognized and celebrated.
Francophone Recording Of The Year, Latin Recording Of The Year and Instrumental Recording Of The Year will be added to the annual gala celebration for 2018 and with the resurrection of the Blues Recording Of The Year award will bring the total number of awards to be handed out to 28.
“We’re constantly working to make sure we’re giving as many Edmonton recording artists as
possible the opportunity to be represented, recognized and celebrated,” says EMA Director,
Steve Derpack.
We look at what other musical genres and communities need to be represented and would be strong part of the event. We know Edmonton’s vibrant Francophone and Latin music communities produce some amazing music, so we were certain they would be an excellent addition this year,” Derpack says.
2017 was the inaugural year for the Indigenous Recording Of The Year, awarded to Edmonton
trio nêhiyawak. Magalie Bergeron, Regional Director, ACFA régionale d’Edmonton and actor,
producer and writer of Woodland Cree descent, Gerald Auger, presented the award.
About the Edmonton Music Awards
• 2018 will mark the eighth year of the Edmonton Music Awards.
• The annual Gala began in 2011 as a small intimate event in the Haven Social Club with the goal to bring Edmonton’s music community together – and acknowledge Edmonton and area artists.
• In 2012, the event moved to the Royal Alberta Museum and then to the Francis Winspear
Centre for Music in 2016. This upcoming year will mark the third at the Winspear Centre.
• Every award is the result of votes submitted by the Edmonton Association for Recording
Selection (EARS) Committee – 111 members of the music industry and music community and
includes writers, radio station hosts, producers, musicians, music instructors, venue managers
and others who love and support the advancement of music in Edmonton.
• EARS Committee members spend countless hours carefully listening and re-listening to over
300 submissions to determine award nominees, and then the eventual winners.
• The Edmonton Music Awards is a registered not-for-profit society run by volunteer directors who put in well over a thousand hours to make the event happen every year.