Music runs deep in the roots of the province of Manitoba, and with the Manitoba Country Music Awards (MCMA) coming up, local nominee Nelson Little caught up with PortageOnline to discuss the honours.
Little is nominated for seven awards, and he says that number feels like foreign territory to him.
"It's huge! That itself is a feat, and the accolade itself is already in stone. I appreciate all the success the song is having," Little continues. "There's a couple (awards) we're really excited for; the Male Artist, I've never been in a category like that, that's a new level for me, and the Faye Walker Song of the Year is going out to the co-writers, which is Dave Rodgers and myself. We stand behind it. If we don't win, the nomination and recognition is already a win for us."
Little has been nominated at the MCMAs before, but never to this level, which has been partly a result of his latest radio single, Just Make It Happen. This year, he has been nominated for:
- Male Artist of the Year
- NCI FM Indigenous Country Music Award
- Faye Walker Song of the Year (Presented to songwriters)
- Roots Artist, Duo, or Group of the Year
- Music Video of the Year
- Single of the Year
- Fan's Choice Entertainer of the Year
Little notes that this wouldn't be possible without the people who have helped him 'make it happen.'
"That's what I think music is all about. It's what the people like, what they appreciate, what they are attracted to. So, we hope we're in the front when that race comes, but like I say, it's a humble approach for now. It's a lot of awards; I've been nominated for the Roots Artist and the NCI FM Indigenous Artist in the past. I brought home one of those awards for High Road, I believe it was. It's almost too many. It's overwhelming, but I'm very, very grateful."
The award show will be held on November 10 at the Club Regent Event Centre in Winnipeg.