The Manitoba Country Music Association is hosting the annual award ceremony this Sunday and Quinton Blair is one of the many local artists nominated to win an award.
Blair is nominated for Male Artist of the Year, Fay Walker Song of the Year and Single of the Year with the song ‘Someday Sunday’.
He says that leading up to the big day, he is feeling excited to see everyone.
“A lot of times you don't get to see your friends unless you're at industry events or you're out doing different things. A lot of times we're playing at the same time, we've been travelling so much that I miss my friends’ shows when they're playing around and stuff. So, it's good to see everybody together. It's good to gather as an association and celebrate everybody's wins.”
Blair explains that they have had a fantastic year of playing music, meeting new people, and playing new venues, and the awards are just a cherry on top.
“I do always hold the stance that you can’t eat an award. It doesn't matter if you win it because it doesn't actually move your business or put bread on your table in the instance of actually winning the award, but it's the work that went into it that was building your career and putting you in front of the people that notice you and come on board and are in your corner.”
He notes, “Losing the award doesn't diminish the work and the progress that you made.”
Blair is competing against five others for Male Artist of the Year, and he says it is a strong list.
“I feel like it's probably one of the strongest lists that they've had. And maybe it's a result of the last couple of years, everyone's kind of finding their feet coming out of all the shutdowns and COVID and how our careers all changed at that point. So, it's nice.”
Miles Trach, President of the MCMA says the award ceremony started off 15 years ago and they were trying to rebuild the country music community in Manitoba.
“Celebrating country music in our province is really important to help these artists be able to practice their craft and to be recognized for the work that they do. And I think it's important for us to celebrate local Manitobans as much as we do celebrate the nationally recognized people or the internationally recognized people.”
He says we have some incredible talent and world-class entertainers in our province.
“I think it's important for us to celebrate those people and let them know that they're doing a great job and give the fans a chance to get up close and to actually see them perform and receive awards for their accomplishments.”
Local artists including Catie St. Germain, JR Charron, Jaryn Friesen, Daniel Desorcy, Jason Kirkness, and Banned & Outlawed are all up for nominations in different categories.
The awards take place on Sunday, November 10 at the Club Regent Casino and Event Centre.
With files from Carly Koop and Ryan Simpson