2023 Western Canadian Music Award Nominees Announced

2023 Western Canadian Music
Award Nominees Announced

The Western Canadian Music Alliance are excited to announce the nominees for the 2023 Western Canadian Music Awards. Congrats to all of this year’s award nominees!

2023 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS
ARTISTIC NOMINEES

BreakOut Artist of the Year (Sponsored by FACTOR)
Boslen – BC
Katie Tupper – SK
Leith Ross – MB
Mariel Buckley – AB
MAUVEY – BC

Children’s Artist of the Year
Beppie – AB
Ginalina – BC
Ira Pettle – BC
Mom Bop – BC
Will et Seeka – BC

Classical Artist / Ensemble of the Year (Sponsored by Canadian Music Centre [CMC])
Karl Stobbe – MB
Krisztina Szabó – BC
Mark Takeshi McGregor – BC
Megumi Masaki – MB
musica intima – BC

Classical Composer of the Year    
Christopher Tyler Nickel – Oboe d’amore Quintet, IV. Con fuoco – BC
Jessica McMann – The Bear and the Wild Rose, Home, Muskwas Mountain Home – AB
Katerina Gimon – Borealis, Roots Beneath – BC
T Patrick Carrabré – Transformation, Orpheus 1 – BC
Vincent Ho – Sandman’s Castle, R1ddler – AB

Country Artist of the Year  
Gord Bamford – AB
Hunter Brothers – SK
JoJo Mason – BC
Nice Horse – AB
Whitehorse – MB

Electronic & Dance Artist of the Year    
Boogey The Beat – MB
Khanvict – BC
Modern Biology – BC
RUMPUS – SK
The Librarian – BC

Francophone Artist of the Year (sponsored by APCM (Association des professionnels de la chanson et de la musique)
Andrina Turenne – MB
Jérémie & The Delicious Hounds – MB
Jocelyne Baribeau – MB
Sala – MB
Sympa César – AB

Global Artist of the Year
Cristian de la Luna – AB
El Leon & The Strangers – MB
Gisela Romero – AB
Onna Lou – MB
Ruby Singh – BC

Indigenous Artist of the Year
Blue Moon Marquee – BC
Celeigh Cardinal – AB
Jayli Wolf – BC
PIQSIQ – BC
Snotty Nose Rez Kids – BC

Instrumental Artist of the Year   
Adam Dobres – BC
Elise Boeur & Adam Iredale-Gray – BC
Glen Gillis – SK
Hello Moth – AB
Jasmine Jazz – BC

Jazz Artist of the Year  
Chris Andrew – AB
Jocelyn Gould – MB
Melody Diachun – BC
Up and Over Trio – AB
Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra – MB

Metal & Hard Music Artist of the Year  
Gnarwhal – NT
Grimelda – SK
KEN mode – MB
New Jacobin Club – SK
Osyron – AB

Pop Artist of the Year   
Begonia – MB
Josh Ramsay – BC
Kaeley Jade – AB
Louise Burns – BC
MAUVEY – BC

Producer of the Year  
Boogey The Beat – MB
deadmen – MB
Jill Barber, Erik P. H. Nielsen – BC
Kevvy – BC
Louise Burns – BC

R&B Artist of the Year
Jérémie & The Delicious Hounds – MB
Katie Tupper – SK
Kuba Oms – BC
Major Funk – YT
ZENON – AB

Rap & Hip Hop Artist of the Year 
Arlo Maverick – AB
Boslen – BC
Cartel Madras – AB
Dill the Giant – MB
Snotty Nose Rez Kids – BC

Recording of the Year
Dear Rouge – BC
MAUVEY – BC
Snotty Nose Rez Kids – BC
Whitehorse – MB
William Prince – MB

Rock Artist of the Year 
Dan Mangan – BC
Hotel Mira – BC
Kris Anders – BC
The Royal Foundry – AB
The Zolas – BC

Roots Artist of the Year 
Jake Vaadeland – SK
Jill Barber – BC
Mariel Buckley – AB
The Bros. Landreth – MB
William Prince – MB

Songwriter(s) of the Year (Sponsored by The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada [SOCAN])
Alexa Dirks and Matt Peters – Begonia, Butterfly – MB
Leith Ross – We’ll Never Have Sex – MB
Ryan Dyck – Skinny Dyck, TV Blue – AB
William Prince – When You Miss Someone – MB
Young D, Yung Trybez – Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Hot Planet – BC

Spiritual Artist of the Year      
Andrea Menard – BC
Cikwes – AB
Dee Daniels – BC
Stirling John – AB
Two Late To The Party – AB

Video Director of the Year (Sponsored by Manitoba Film & Music)
Jayli Wolf – Holding On – BC
Lester Lyons-Hookham – Dan Mangan Fire Escape – BC
Mayumi Yoshida – Different Than Before – BC
Michael Linton – Mariel Buckley, Neon Blue – MB
Ryan Steel – Begonia, Married by Elvis – MB

2023 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS INDUSTRY NOMINEES:

Audio Engineering Award    
Andy Schichter – BC
Cam Loeppky – MB
Eric Cinnamon – AB
Johnny Gasparic – AB
Sheldon Zaharko – BC

Community Excellence Award  
ADVANCE Canada’s Black Music Business Collective – BC
Folk On The Rocks – NT
Good + Plenty Arts Collective – MB
Hitmakerz – NV
National Music Centre – AB

Excellence in Visual Design 
Feisty Creative – BC
Lyle Bell – AB
MAUVEY and Bree Laryea – BC
Roberta Landreth – MB
Sonny Assu – BC

Impact in Artist Development  
Birthday Cake Media – MB
Chris Wynters – AB
Paquin Artists Agency – MB
Tiny Kingdom – BC
UWIDO – BC

Impact in Live Music (Sponsored by Canadian Live Music Association)
Folk On The Rocks – NT
JazzYYC – AB
National Music Centre – AB
Paquin Artists Agency – MB
West End Cultural Centre – MB

Impact in Music Marketing 
All Good Promotion & Marketing – AB
Birthday Cake Media – MB
Chronograph Records – AB
National Music Centre – AB
West End Cultural Centre – MB

Voting is now open to members of all western Provincial and Territorial Music Industry Associations. Only MIA members will be sent an email regarding login information to vote (beginning today – Tuesday, July 4).

If any members do not receive an email, please check your junk/spam folder and then contact their Music Association regarding their membership.

Voting will conclude at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, on Tuesday, July 18.

Stay tuned for more details around member voting and the Western Canadian Music Award winners this fall.

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Brad Krauza - Publisher
Brad Krauza – Musician, Publisher & Entrepreneur Brad Krauza is a bassist, vocalist, acoustic guitarist, publisher, promoter, and CEO with more than 35 years of experience in the music and entertainment industry. First and foremost, he proudly considers himself a father, son, brother, and uncle, but music and community have always been at the heart of everything he does. A lifelong performer and passionate music fan, Brad has spent decades on stage delivering high-energy live performances while building a reputation as a tireless promoter and marketing powerhouse within the industry. As a bassist and vocalist, Brad’s love for performing is simple and genuine — he loves to sing, play, and share the experience of live music with audiences. For Brad, live music represents something deeper than entertainment. It’s about connection. The energy exchanged between performers and audiences is what keeps him inspired. “There’s nothing like the energy of live music — from the stage to the seats. When everyone is feeling that same vibe, it’s magic.” — Brad Krauza Over the past three decades, Brad has demonstrated a unique blend of creative vision, compassion, leadership, and strong marketing instincts, helping artists, venues, and events thrive. His work has included concert promotions ranging from local showcases to major international touring acts, including performances featuring artists such as INXS, Randy Travis, Creed, and Anthrax. Beyond performing and promoting, Brad is also the founder and publisher of Gonzo Okanagan, an influential arts, music, and entertainment platform that serves the Okanagan and beyond. Through the platform and its earlier print publication, Gonzo Magazine, Brad has interviewed and featured internationally recognized artists and celebrities including **The Offspring, Nicolas Cage, Drew Barrymore, Steven Spielberg, Angelina Jolie, Adam Sandler, and Martina McBride. Brad’s career has also extended into sales, publishing, marketing, web design, and digital media, all of which complement his lifelong dedication to supporting artists and growing the regional music community. Today, Brad continues to champion live music and creative culture throughout the Okanagan, working to spotlight local artists, promote new music, and bring people together through unforgettable live experiences. His mission remains simple: support the music community, inspire audiences, and keep the spirit of rock & roll alive. “Music is something people need in their lives. If we can help fill people’s cups with great music and positive energy, then we’re doing something right.” Be safe… and let’s ROCK ’N’ ROLL.

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