Vishtn, East Pointers big winners at Music P.E.I. awards

Vishtn and the The East Pointers each won three times at P.E.I. Music Awards on Sunday in Charlottetown.

Vishtn took home francophone artist, group recording and roots traditional recording awards. The East Pointers won for digital achievement, entertainer of the year and touring.

Double award winners included Dennis Ellsworth, Meaghan Blanchard and Rachel Beck.

Jon Matthews won producer of the year and his studio, The Sound Mill, won studio of the year.

The SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Award was presented toEllsworth on Jan. 24 at the SOCAN Songwriter of the Year concert.

Here is the the list of award winners:

• Achievement in Classical or Jazz Music Award: Atlantic String Machine.
• Album of the Year: Meaghan Blanchard The Great Escape.
• Country Recording of the Year: Lawrence Maxwell Not Your Outlaw.
• Cover Band/Artist of the Year: Danny Drouin.
• Digital Achievement of the Year: The East Pointers.
• Electronic Single Recording of the Year: Russell Louder Showdown.
• Entertainer of the Year: The East Pointers.
• Event of the Year: PEI Mutual Festival of Small Halls.
• Francophone Artist of the Year: Vishtn.
• Group Recording of the Year: Vishtn Horizons.
• Live Music Programmer of the Year: Pat Deighan.
• Musician of the Year: Evan McCosham.
• New Artist of the Year: Rachel Beck.
• Pop Recording of the Year: Rachel Beck Rachel Beck.
• Producer of the Year: Jon Matthews.
• Recording Studio of the Year: The Sound Mill Recording Studio.
• Rock/Loud Recording of the Year: Andrew Waite Tremors.
• Roots Contemporary Recording of the Year: Meaghan Blanchard The Great Escape.
• Roots Traditional Recording of the Year: Vishtn Horizons.
• SOCAN Songwriter of the Year: Dennis Ellsworth She's Never Wrong.
• Solo Recording of the Year: Dylan Menzie As the Clock Re-Winds.
• Song of the Year: Dennis Ellsworth She's Never Wrong.
• Touring Artist of the Year: The East Pointers.
• Urban Recording of the Year: Vince The Messenger Self Sabotage.
• SOCAN Venue of the Year: Trailside Music Caf & Inn.
• Video of the Year: Kinley Golden Days (Director, Jenna MacMillan).
• Visual Artist of the Year: Brendan Henry.

Awards given out by the Music PEI board of directors were:

• Community Contributor of the Year: Phase II.
• Educator of the Year: Christine Blanchard.
• Industry Person of the Year: Debbie Atkinson.
• Live Music Production Professional of the Year: Chris Knox.
• Lifetime Achievement: Paul Bernard.
• Rooted to the Island: Tracy Cantin.
• Volunteer of the Year: Mary Lee Little.

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