POLARIS MUSIC PRIZE ANNOUNCES THE 2016 SLAIGHT FAMILY POLARIS HERITAGE PRIZE SHORT LISTS

TORONTO, ON – Tuesday, September 27, 2016.The Polaris Music Prize, produced by Blue Ant Media, announced the Short Lists for the 2016 Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize. The Heritage Prize will feature a 10 album Short List for each of four distinct musical eras — 1960-1975, 1976-1985, 1986-1995 and 1996-2005. Expert panels of Canadian music media and historians curated each era’s Short List. The winner for each era will be determined by public vote. Voting opened on September 19 at the Polaris Music Prize Gala and will remain open until October 17. The winning albums in each era will be announced on October 24. Votes can be submitted here: polarismusicprize.ca/heritage-prize/2016-short-list.Four changes have been made for the Heritage Prize’s second year. 1) The four eras have been altered. They were: 1960s & 70s, the 1980s, the 1990s and the 00s (2000-05). They are now: 1960-1975, 1976-1985, 1986-1995 and 1996-2005.  2) The nominees for all eras were determined last year by a pool of 25 jurors. This year, each era has a specific pool of jurors. 3) Each era will have two winners; one selected by the public and one selected by the jury pool. 4) The Short Lists have been increased from five to 10 titles.Gary Slaight, President and CEO of Slaight Communications, commended the nominees, saying, “Congratulations to all the artists on the 2016 Polaris Prize.  I appreciate all the hard work and dedication that goes into creating these memorable recordings and am pleased to celebrate your achievement in receiving this recognition.”Here are the 2016 Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize Short Lists:1960-1975The Band – Music From Big PinkThe Band – The BandRobert Charlebois & Louise Forestier – LindbergLeonard Cohen – Songs Of Leonard CohenGordon Lightfoot – Lightfoot!Joni Mitchell – Court And SparkThe Oscar Peterson Trio – Night TrainJackie Shane – LiveNeil Young – Everybody Knows This Is NowhereNeil Young – After The Gold Rush1976-1985Bruce Cockburn – Stealing FireD.O.A. – Hardcore ’81Fifth Column – To Sir With HateGlenn Gould – Bach: The Goldberg VariationsMartha and the Muffins – This is the Ice AgeKate & Anna McGarrigle – Kate & Anna McGarrigleJackie Mittoo – Show Case Volume 3Rough Trade – Avoid FreudRush – Moving PicturesLeroy Sibbles – On Top1986-1995Blue Rodeo – Five Days In JulyDream Warriors – And Now the Legacy BeginsMaestro Fresh Wes – Symphony In EffectDaniel Lanois – AcadieSarah McLachlan – Fumbling Towards EcstasyMain Source – Breaking AtomsAlanis Morissette – Jagged Little PillMary Margaret O’Hara – Miss AmericaJohn Oswald – PlunderphonicsThe Tragically Hip – Fully Completely1996-2005Arcade Fire – FuneralBran Van 3000 – GleeBroken Social Scene – You Forgot It In PeopleConstantines – Shine A LightThe Dears – No Cities LeftDestroyer – StreethawkEsthero – Breath from AnotherFeist – Let It Diek-os – Joyful RebellionLhasa de Sela – La LloronaThis jury selected records in these periods in accordance with current Polaris selections; records of the highest artistic quality without regards to sales or affiliations. The winners will be announced on October 24^th. The programming team at Roy Thomson / Massey Hall will produce a tribute concert to the four winning albums of the Slaight Family Heritage Prize winners in 2017. Winners will receive a special trophy at the tribute show. Commemorative prints of each winning album will also be made available for purchase to the public.We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters.We acknowledge the OMDC for their continued support of the Polaris Music Prize.About the Polaris Music PrizePolaris Music Prize, produced by Blue Ant Media, is a not-for-profit organization that annually honours and rewards artists who produce Canadian music albums of distinction. A select panel of music critics judge and award the Prize without regard to musical genre or commercial popularity.About Slaight MusicSlaight Music was started in 2011 with a mandate to support the Canadian Music community through a variety of initiatives, and to develop Canadian talent via strategic partnerships with industry peers.About Blue Ant MediaBlue Ant Media is a privately held international media company that owns and operates 10 media brands including Cottage Life, Love Nature, Smithsonian Channel Canada and Makeful. Blue Ant Media creates and distributes content worldwide ranging from nature to DIY, outdoor living to music, engaging fans across television, digital, magazines and live events. The company also owns Omnia Media, a YouTube network and Choice TV, a broadcast channel in New Zealand. Blue Ant Media is based in Toronto and has offices in Los Angeles, London (UK) and Auckland. Blueantmedia.ca