The 2026 East Coast Music Awards (ECMAs) in Sydney, Cape Breton wrapped up yesterday with artists from Newfoundland & Labrador celebrating six additional wins.
MusicNL says it has been a remarkable year for the province’s music community from packed showcase rooms and career-building industry opportunities to award recognition.
This year’s industry award winners include VOCM’s Greg Smith, who received the Media Excellence, the Majestic Theatre, the Venue of the Year, and Sandra-Lee Layden, Visual Artist of the Year.
ECMA Award to VOCM’s Greg Smith (MusicNL Photo)
MusicNL says the momentum continues this fall as MusicNL Week returns October 1–4, taking over downtown St. John’s with more than 30 artists showcasing in front of local audiences and an international crowd of buyers and industry professionals.
The umbrella group says that will be the next major opportunity to bring the world’s attention to the extraordinary talent coming out of Newfoundland and Labrador, and to drive cultural economic growth for the province’s music industry and the communities it calls home.
Full List of ECMA Winners
Blues Release of the Year
JP LeBlanc — All In My Blood / Je l’ai dans l’sang
(New Brunswick)
Presented by East Coast Blues Society
Children’s Artist of the Year
Donna & Andy
(Nova Scotia)
Presented by Downtown Sydney
Classical Release of the Year
Duo Concertante — Maier, Franck, Schumann: Sonatas for Violin & Piano
(Newfoundland and Labrador)
Presented by Canadian Music Center / Debut Atlantic
Classical Composer of the Year
Amy Brandon
(Nova Scotia)
Presented by Canadian Music Center / Debut Atlantic
Country Release of the Year
The Martin Boys — Burn the Boats
(New Brunswick)
Presented by City of Moncton
Dance Release of the Year
PINEO & LOEB — Love Yourself
(Nova Scotia)
Presented by Mayflower Mall
Electronic Release of the Year
Rich Aucoin — Frequency Modulation
(Nova Scotia)
Presented by Nova Scotia Power
Fusion Release of the Year
Morgan Toney — Golden Regalia
(Cape Breton)
Presented by Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation
Global Music Release of the Year
XIA-3 — Interworlds
(Newfoundland and Labrador)
Presented by JA Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport
Indigenous Artist of the Year
Morgan Toney
(Cape Breton)
Presented by Membertou First Nation & Eskasoni First Nation
Instrumental Release of the Year
Adam Cicchillitti — Lyric
(New Brunswick)
Presented by Lightfoot & Wolfville
Jazz Release of the Year
Joe Bowden — Music Is Life
(Nova Scotia)
Presented by the Canadian Federation of Musicians
Producer of the Year
Colin Buchanan
(Prince Edward Island)
Presented by Atlantic Lottery
R&B / Soul Release of the Year
Lindsay Misiner — I Saw An Angel
(Nova Scotia)
Presented by Rogers
Rap / Hip-Hop Release of the Year
HINCH — Poetry Is The Art Of Death
(New Brunswick)
Presented by Nova Scotia Spirit Co.
Rock / Alternative Release of the Year
Goldie Boutilier — Goldie Boutilier Presents… Goldie Montana
(Cape Breton)
Presented by Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Roots Release of the Year
Cassie and Maggie — Gold and Coal
(Nova Scotia)
Presented by FACTOR
Solo Artist of the Year
Logan Richard
(Prince Edward Island)
Presented by Needs
Songwriter of the Year
Kellie Loder
(Newfoundland and Labrador)
Presented by SOCAN
Traditional Release of the Year
Cassie and Maggie — Gold and Coal
(Nova Scotia)
Presented by Cape Breton Beverages
2026 ECMA Industry Award Winners
Artist Management of the Year
Nik MacDonald
(Nova Scotia)
Presented by Stingray
Event of the Year
Celtic Colors International Festival
(Cape Breton)
Presented by Canadian Live Music Association
Innovator of the Year
Katrina Lopes
(Nova Scotia)
Presented by Midland
Media Excellence Award
Greg Smith
(Newfoundland and Labrador)
Presented by Pattison Outdoor Advertising
Recording Engineer of the Year
John Mullane
(Nova Scotia)
Presented by Destination Cape Smokey
Technical Excellence Award
Donnie MacNeil
(Cape Breton)
Presented by Atlantic Music & Merch
Venue of the Year
The Majestic Theater
(Newfoundland and Labrador)
Presented by TIXR
Visual Artist of the Year
Sandra-Lee Layden
(Newfoundland and Labrador)
Presented by Nova Scotia Loyal
