The East Coast Music Association announces 2025 Honourary Award Recipients
Press Release
April 28, 2025
The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) is excited to announce the 2025 Honourary Award Recipients. Nine awards will be given out at ECMA 2025 in St. John’s, NL, May 7 – 11.
The Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented on stage at the Mary Brown’s Centre during the 37th East Coast Music Awards Gala, presented by Rogers on Thursday, May 8, with the balance of the awards to be presented at the East Coast Music & Industry Awards at the JAG Soundhouse on Sunday, May 11.
Tickets for both events can be purchased at ECMA.com
The 2025 Honorary East Coast Music Awards recipients are as follows:
Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award: The Ennis Sisters (NL)
This award recognizes an individual or group who has had a profound and lasting effect on the Atlantic Canadian music industry.
This year, the ECMA will honour The Ennis Sisters, a JUNO Award-winning trio from St. John’s, NL, known for their seamless harmonies and Celtic-infused folk music. With 15 ECMA nominations, four wins, and 14 albums, they’ve captivated audiences worldwide for over 25 years. Currently on a 23-date tour, the original sister lineup continues to celebrate Newfoundland’s musical spirit.
Musician’s Achievement Award: Chris Ryan (NL)The Musician’s Achievement Award recognizes a session musician who exemplifies professionalism and quality musicianship on recordings and/or live performances of East Coast music.
Chris Ryan was a celebrated singer-songwriter from Newfoundland whose career spanned national tours, award-winning showcases, and multiple song placements in Hallmark films. He released a self-titled debut album and several successful singles, opened for artists like Toby Keith and Blue Rodeo, and toured with Johnny Reid. A fixture in the East Coast music scene, Chris’s talent and drive earned him recognition across Canada and beyond.
Industry Builder Award: Wade Pinhorn (NL)
The Industry Builder Award recognizes an individual, group, or organization that has made a significant impact on the welfare of the music industry in Atlantic Canada. The award recognizes the recipients’ genuine contributions to the East Coast music industry that are made not simply for personal gain but for the greater development of the East Coast music industry.
This year, ECMA shines the light on Wade Pinhorn, a JUNO-winning musician, producer, and educator from St. John’s, NL, with over 40 album credits and decades of performance across North America and Ireland. A leader in the East Coast music industry, he’s held key roles with MusicNL, ECMA, and FACTOR, while mentoring hundreds through his nearly 30-year tenure at CNA’s Applied Music program. His influence as an artist, educator, and industry advocate continues to shape the future of Canadian music.
Bucky Adams Memorial Award: Marc Perry (NS)
The Bucky Adams Memorial Award recognizes a member of the African Canadian / Black community that has had a significant impact on the African Canadian / Black and/or overall music industry in Atlantic Canada.
Marc Perry is a visionary force in Atlantic Canada’s music industry, with over 30 years of leadership in artist development, promotions, and community building. A former EMI exec and co-founder of ANSMA, he has championed Black and Indigenous artists, curated landmark compilations, and managed award-winning talent like Reeny Smith. His continued advocacy and mentorship have helped shape a more inclusive and vibrant music scene across the East Coast.
Stompin’ Tom Awards
The five Stompin’ Tom Awards recognize one individual in each of ECMA’s five geographical regions who has made a long-term contribution to the East Coast music industry and has paved the road for many successful East Coast artists of today.
Newfoundland and Labrador: Korona Brophy
Korona Brophy is a renowned music educator and cultural ambassador from St. John’s, NL, with nearly five decades of teaching and mentoring. Founder of The Celtic Fiddlers and recipient of multiple national honours—including MusicNL’s Educator of the Year and the King Charles III Medal—Korona has championed traditional music worldwide through performance, education, and community service. Her impact continues to resonate through generations of musicians.
Cape Breton: Monica MacNeil
Monica MacNeil is an award-winning music educator whose innovative, inclusive programming at Riverview High School has transformed music education in Cape Breton. With a career spanning over 25 years, she’s created acclaimed courses like Rock Class and Traditional Celtic Class, making music accessible to all students. Recognized with the CMEA Builders Award, Monica continues to inspire a lifelong love of music in her students and community.
New Brunswick: Heidi Baird
Heidi Baird is the founder and Artistic Director of the Larlee Creek Hullabaloo, the five-day, multi-genre music festival held annually in Perth-Andover, New Brunswick. Since its founding in 2008, the Hullabaloo has become one of Atlantic Canada’s most beloved musical gatherings—celebrated for its hometown hospitality, undeniable sense of community, and deep commitment to showcasing local and East Coast talent. Heidi is especially committed to supporting local youth, fostering musical aspiration, and mentoring emerging talent. Her work has helped cultivate a thriving arts scene in rural New Brunswick and made the Larlee Creek Hullabaloo a must-experience event.
Nova Scotia: Mike Campbell
Mike has been in the music industry his entire working life – in record retail, record companies, independent promotion, television, talent booking, artist management, event production – and is currently the Programming Director of The Carleton. He is also the music curator of the Halifax Urban Folk Festival (HUFF), which runs annually in the last week of August through the Labour Day weekend. 2019 marked the festival’s 10th year.
He also worked for MuchMusic for 18 years as host of Mike & Mike’s Excellent X Canada Adventures, MuchEast and Going Coastal.
Prince Edward Island: Ghislaine Cormier
Ghislaine Cormier is the Executive Director of the Fédération culturelle de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard, where she leads cultural and artistic development for the Acadian and Francophone community. As a producer of Festival Route 11 and a champion of professional and export development, she works to amplify the cultural vitality of PEI’s Francophone artists and organizations.
Bios and photos of this year’s Honourary Award recipients can be found HERE
To volunteer at ECMA 2025, apply here: ECMA.com
For more information on the 2025 East Coast Music Awards, Festival, and Conference, taking place May 7-11, visit: ECMA.com.
ECMA would like to acknowledge the generous support of its sponsors and funding partners, including the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador, the City of St. John’s, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), FACTOR, MUSICACTION, TD, Rogers, Stingray, and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) of Canada’s private radio broadcasters.
About ECMA
The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) is a regional collaboration of people in the music industry of Atlantic Canada that fosters, develops, and celebrates East Coast music and its artists locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. The ECMA annually produces the ECMAs, one of the top music industry events in Canada, which includes an Award Show, a Festival, an Industry Conference, and the Accelerator Program. For more information, visit: ECMA.com
Media assets: HERE
Media contacts:
Wendy Phillips, Phillips PR
wendy@pprl.ca
Virginie Ouellet, Director of Engagement
marketing@ecma.com
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