Submitted. A few hundred people turned out to the Abbotsford Arts Centre Saturday evening for the inaugural Fraser Valley Music Awards. In addition to a dozen award presentations, the historical regional event featured live performances from thirteen Nominees: The Kwerks, Matt Lowen & Rick Genge, The Sylvia Platters, Paravel, Mollys Reech, Ria Jade, Alexis Lynn, Quinn Sojonky, James Buddy Rogers, Saint Soldier, Kin, and Harpdog Brown.
Pictured at right: For and By Youth Nominee Ishdafish on the red carpet prior to show time. Credit: Eileen Mendez
“CIVL listeners, FVMA attendees, nominees, winners, and volunteers have all been thanking us, saying we are leading the way in promoting and supporting Fraser Valley music, and that’s our only goal!” explains CIVL Radio station manager Aaron Levy, who hosted the show, along with local entertainer and M.C. Seth Bell.
The Winners list is as follows:
2016 FVMA Winners:
Hip Hop:
Saint Soldier
Folk/Roots:
Brennan Sinclair
Loud:
We Hunt Buffalo
Alt:
Doja
Rock:
Little Wild
For and By Youth:
Quinn Sojonky
Jazz:
Eli Bennett
Blues:
Harpdog Brown
Pop:
John Welsh
Rhythm & Dance:
YOU SAY PARTY
Experimental:
Cheap High
Musicianship:
Rick Genge
Penticton Peach Fest headlining spot: Kat & Tony
Abbotsford Agrifair Headlining Spots: Ria Jade, Alexis Lynn, Coalmont
What’s On Artist of the Year: The Burn Ins
Moda Events Art Battle Headlining Spot: Kin
Devon Clifford Music Foundation awarded $250 of Long & McQuade recording equipment to: Quinn Sojonky
Fraser Valley Blues Society supplemented the Blues award with a bye to the International Blues Challenge Finale being held Sunday, Sept. 11th, with the winner going on to Memphis, TN in Jan. 2017: Harpdog Brown
All Nominees received a photo session package ($370 value each) from Photo Art by Simpson
Long & McQuade awarded $50 gift cards to multiple Winners: Harpdog Brown, Saint Soldier, Rick Genge, Cheap High, YOU SAY PARTY, John Welsh, Quinn Sojonky, Little Wild, Brennan Sinclair, We Hunt Buffalo.
Glen Slingerland of 89.5 The Drive will provide “Getting Radio Airplay” music education session for FVMA Winner of The Drive’s choice: TBA