NEWS: CBC Announces Top Ten East Coast Songs of All Time and special live ECMW broadcasts; ECMA announces free Red Bull outdoor concert in Grand Parade and details of 2013 Export Buyers Program

Press release provided by Pigeon Row 

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CBC is asking the public to choose the Top East Coast Song of All Time.

 In January, CBC Music and CBC Radio One's Atlantic Airwaves asked the public to nominate their favourite East Coast songs to help celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the East Coast Music Association (ECMA).  Over the last two weeks, they received more than 5,000 nominations and, beginning today, fans can see the Top 10 East Coast Songs list and vote for their favourite song at www.cbcmusic.ca/ecma.

“The range and variety of nominated songs speaks to the incredible number of great tunes from Atlantic Canada,” said Peggy Hemsworth, producer of Atlantic Airwaves. “In addition to songs that people would expect to see on the top 10 list, there are also a couple of surprises.”

All 10 songs will be performed in a countdown concert, starting with number 10 and working up to number one during a special live broadcast of CBC Radio One's Atlantic Airwaves at the Spatz Theatre in Halifax on Saturday, March 09 at 4:30 p.m. The concert will feature performances from George Canyon, Jenn Grant, Ben Caplan, Jimmy Rankin and Maureen Ennis. Tickets are $20 and are available at www.ticketpro.ca or by phoning 1-888-311-9090. The concert will also be broadcast to listeners in the entire region on a special edition of Atlantic Airwaves starting at 5 p.m. that day on CBC Radio One.

A special live broadcast of CBC Radio One’s Mainstreet will also air during Eastlink East Coast Music Week (ECMW). Hosted by Stephanie Domet and Ted Blades, the program will take place in front of a live studio audience at the Waterfront Warehouse to Atlantic Canada on Friday, March 8 from 3:00pm-6:00pm and will also air on CBC Radio One to listeners across Atlantic Canada. Admission to this event is free.

“CBC has been a remarkable Founding Partner for over 25 years and the ECMA would not be the organization we are today without their steadfast support.  CBC’s special programming for our 25^th Anniversary reflects their dedication to Canadian music, East Coast style,” said Scott Burke, ECMA executive director. “Everyone at ECMA anxiously awaits the reveal of the Top East Song of All Time and for these very special live broadcasts.” 

The Canadian Red Bull Tour Bus free outdoor concert

The Canadian Red Bull Tour Bus kicks off Eastlink ECMW with a free concert featuring Ashley MacIsaac, The Stanfields, Jenn Grant, and Heather Green in Grand Parade on Thursday, March 7 from 6-9pm. The Canadian Red Bull Tour Bus is a refurbished and customized 1970s GM Transit bus that features a live stage and a full-featured JBL sound system. Bringing exciting concerts to unique locales, from coast to coast, this is its first time in Atlantic Canada.

 

“To kick off Eastlink East Coast Music Week with the Red Bull Tour Bus in Grand Parade is a major national coup for ECMA,” said Scott Burke.

“We’re thrilled that the Red Bull Tour Bus will make its debut in Atlantic Canada at our 25^th Anniversary. The Grand Parade all-ages free outdoor concert in the heart of downtown is an incredible way to start our celebrations!" 

ECMA Announces the 2013 Export Buyers Program Delegates & Highlights
’25 Years Pure – Our Music Means Business’

 

The 2013 ECMA Export Buyers Program will see over 50 high-profile international delegates from the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and the Netherlands will descend upon Halifax to do business with the East Coast music industry during the 25^thanniversary celebration of Eastlink East Coast Music Week 2013.

 

“Now celebrating its 12^th year, Export Buyers Program provides East Coast artists and companies with the single best ‘business to business’ opportunity in Canada, said Shelley Nordstrom, international export manager for the ECMA. “This year, we are extremely thrilled to welcome the largest delegation of international and Canadian buyers in the programs history. This business opportunity for artists and industry professionals has resulted in millions of dollars in annual revenue and more importantly through strategic matchmaking builds long term relationships with international and Canadian booking agents, presenters, festival representatives, promoters, film and music placement supervisors, digital experts and media. The true impact of this program has assisted to elevate Atlantic Canadian artists and businesses into the global marketplace.”

 

Some of the international program delegates include; (US) Charlie Cran, co-founder of California’s legendary Strawberry Music Festival; David Silbaugh, Talent Buyer for Summerfest, The World’s largest festival annually attracting more than 800,000 visitors a year; Christine Baer White, Music Production Manager for the prestigious New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival; John Bissell, music supervisor and owner of Mothlight Music in California; Ryan Farlow, The Windish Agency in New York; Chloe Goodyear, Director Creative Partnerships and programmer for the Woodford Folk Festival, one of Australia’s largest folk festivals featuring over 550 acts across 32 venues in a 6 day event; Martin Elbourne, co-founder and creative director of the Glastonbury Festival and the Great Escape – Europe’s leading showcase festival and music convention; Clémence Vazard (France), booking agent and programmer with faontastic, le Trabendo and the Pitchfork Festival; Charles Gardier (Belguim), Exceutive Director for Francofolies de Spa, an annual event attended by 180,000 festival-goers with five days of festivities and a dozen stages holding 250 concerts across the city.

Some of the Canadian delegation include; Kurt Bagnell and Sue Panning (Canmore Folk Festival); Derek Andrews (Toronto’s Luminato Festival and Mundial Montreal); Sandra Butel (Regina Folk Festival); Kerry Clarke (Calgary Folk Festival); David Hayman (Supersonic Creative, Toronto); Brenda Heatherington (Burlington Performing Arts Centre); Mike Hill (Mariposa Folk Festival, Orillia); Michael Perlmutter (Instinct Entertainment, Toronto);  Rob Reid (World Famous Music, Ottawa); Phyllis Stenson (Harrison Festival, BC); Linda Tanaka (Vancouver Folk Festival); Ginette Lavack Walters and Julien Desaulnier (Winnipeg’s, Festival du Voyager); and Mikey Rishwain Bernard (M for Montreal). ECMA also welcomes many presenters, festival programmers and members of the Atlantic Presenters Association. 

A complete list of the 2013 Export Buyers Program delegates is available at www.ecma.com.
 
The 2013 ECMA Export Buyers Program highlights include a wide variety of Interactive Export Business Development sessions, pre-scheduled One-on-One Business Meetings, and the hugely popular Canadian Music East Coast Style Export Buyers Showcases, and ‘Two for the Show’ - Live Performance Pitch Sessions.