BreakOut West announces the winners of the 2011 Western Canadian Music Awards

Winnipeggers dominate as Del Barber wins two awards and Romi Mayes is Songwriter Of The Year for the third time

[PHOTO:Del Barber took the Independent Album of the Year award.]

In a brilliant stroke of inclusiveness, The Western Canadian Music Awards were held this year in Whitehorse, YT   at the northern city’s high-tech Yukon Arts Centre during BreakOut West 2011.

Hosted by Grant Lawrence of CBC, The Gala saw strong performances from many of the award winners including Del Barber, Romi Mayes, Ridley Bent, Raphael Freynet, Sweatshop Union, Peter Hannan, Don Amero, & The Sojourners as well as this year’s 2011 Hall Of Fame recipients 54-40. 

While the winners included many of the usual suspects, this year’s roster overall speaks of an increasing musical diversity on the Western landscape. Step it up,y’all.
Here’s a partial list of winners:

2011 Western Canadian Music Award Winners
Aboriginal Recording of the Year - Don Amero - The Long Way Home  


Blues Recording of the Year - Little Miss Higgins - Across The Plains  
Children's Recording of the Year - The Kerplunks - Number 3  


Classical Recording of the Year - Peter Hannan - Rethink Forever  


Contemporary Christian/Gospel Recording of the Year - The Sojourners - The Sojourners  

Songwriter of the year Romi Mayes
Country Recording of the Year - Ridley Bent - Rabbit On My Wheel
Francophone Recording of the Year - Raphaël Freynet - Le monde à voir


Independent Album of the Year - Del Barber - Love Songs For The Last Twenty  


Instrumental Recording of the Year - Five Alarm Funk - Anything is Possible  


Jazz Recording of the Year - Night Crawlers with The Big Band Sound - Down In The Bottom     


Pop Recording of the Year - Imaginary Cities - Temporary Resident  


Rap/Hip-Hop Recording of the Year - Sweatshop Union - The Bill Murray EP  


Rock Recording of the Year - The Sheepdogs - Learn & Burn  


Roots Duo/Group Recording of the Year - The Wailin' Jennys - Bright Morning Stars  
Roots Solo Recording of the Year - Del Barber - Love Songs For The Last Twenty  


Songwriter(s) of the Year - Romi Mayes – Ball and Chain  
Urban Recording of the Year - Souljah Fyah - I Wish 
World Recording of the Year -Trio Bembe - Oh my soul

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