2021-22 ECMA Board Voting NOW OPEN

2021-22 ECMA Board Voting NOW OPEN

The ECMA Board of Directors Election is NOW OPEN and will stay open until Thursday, November 18th, 2021 at 5:30 PM AST.

You must be an ECMA member to vote. Voting is taking place on www.www.ecma.com in your MyECMA section. Please log into your account, click “Vote” from the MyECMA drop-down menu and you will be guided to the online voting form.

Bands will be given a total of three (3) votes, whereas Corporate and Non-Profit members will be given (2) votes. All other members will be given (1) vote.

If you are not yet an ECMA member or your membership has lapsed, you can sign up here.

Nine nominees, including 1 uncontested and 1 incumbent, are vying for three spots on the East Coast Music Association (ECMA) Board of Directors, one from each region of the following regions: Cape Breton, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador.

Successful candidates will serve a two-year term from November 2021 until November 2023.

VOTE NOW

Candidates by region, in alphabetical order:

Cape Breton Candidates


Debbie Mullins - Uncontested

Currently I hold the position of Secretary on the Board of ECMA and I am Co-Chair of Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative. For many years I have been a huge fan of the ECMA and their mission to support and develop our talented East Coast Artists. I have attended this event every year for over 20 years. I am well known and very involved in the local music scene in Cape Breton and have booked numerous shows for our local artists.

Why do you want to join the ECMA Board of Directors? / Pourquoi voulez-vous être membre du Conseil d'administration de l'AMCE?

"Being on the Board I have seen firsthand the total commitment the whole board has to the growth and development of our East Coast Industry." - Debbie Mullins


New Brunswick Candidates


Alex Cook - Incumbent

As Editor-in-Chief of The East, Alex Cook has turned a passion for fostering community into thousands of articles on Atlantic Canadian music and art. Since 2014, he has captured the heart of the region’s music culture and has showcased it in festival recaps, album reviews, single write-ups and more.

With four East Coast Music Awards in the categories of Media Outlet of the Year (2019, 2020, 2021) and Media Person of the Year (2021), and as the only two-time winner of Music NB's award for Champion of the Year, Alex has worked hard to uplift the local music and arts community and has served on the board of the East Coast Music Association since 2019.

Why do you want to join the ECMA Board of Directors? / Pourquoi voulez-vous être membre du Conseil d'administration de l'AMCE?

“I believe in the importance of our arts and culture community, the value of the East Coast Music Association and the benefit that both have to our region and our members. I would like to continue contributing to their ongoing success.” - Alex Cook


Apryll Aileen

Classically trained pianist w/ a touch of science & spirituality. Alt-pop soulful singer-songwriter. Credits: The Family Channel, Netflix & BBC Worldwide.

Background in corporate marketing, sponsorships, & hosting events (such as with Sir Richard Branson, Gene Simmons, Theo Fleury, etc.). Attended and showcased for Canadian Music Week, Midem, MONDO.NYC, East Coast Music Awards, Liverpool Sound City & Music New Brunswick. This summer, performed at Area 506 Festival with Grammy nominated Measha Brueggergosman.

Touring and performance history from the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto, Ontario to the Viper Room & Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, California, to the Bitter End and Rockwood Music Hall in New York, NY. Great international rolodex for music industry contacts.

Aileen just finished a one month international artist residency at KIRA (Kingsbrae International Residency for the Arts) & is currently nominated for two Music NB Awards (Song of the Year, Video of the Year).

Why do you want to join the ECMA Board of Directors? / Pourquoi voulez-vous être membre du Conseil d'administration de l'AMCE?

“I truly believe in building the music scene on the East Coast and would love to contribute to what the association has built.” - Apryll Aileen


Jeff Shanks

I am a retired (early) individual who spends most of my time now going to live music events, every chance I get, and no matter what the genre. I simply love music. I do my best to attend as many local Fredericton area events and venues as possible, but that has been more recently limited due to various Covid restrictions. I try to attend the ECMA Awards when I can, was even prepared to attend in Sydney until they were forced to go 'virtual'.

I am not a musician or performer, and I think that offers me the ability to not have any type of conflict which I have seen on a rare occasion between Artists (bands). One genre or style should not take preference over another, and the new artists should have the same opportunities as the more well-established Artists.

I have been involved with the Harvest Music Festival (formerly, the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival) since it's inception, performing all most all of the volunteer positions and for the last 22 years, as a Security Chief. This has allowed me to have an "All Access" situation to thousands of Artists and Musicians over the years. I have heard (watched) many up and coming performers as well as mainstream and famous Musicians. I also volunteer as security for several other music festivals during the summer months.

Through all the contact and personal
involvement that I have had with the performers, I have personally seen where some of the issues lie when it comes to dealing with venues and performance spaces.

I have been a judge for the Canadian Folk Music Association, The Atlantic Bluegrass Society, and the New Brunswick Country Association in the past. I have also volunteered with the ECMA's (Fredericton & Saint John) doing Logistics, Green Room duties and Artist Relations.

I listen to the music! This has allowed me to meet a lot of talented (and an extremely varied scope) of people over the years.

I would be honoured to have a position on the Board, to do my best to represent the Association as well as all the amazing Members involved in the industry!

Why do you want to join the ECMA Board of Directors? / Pourquoi voulez-vous être membre du Conseil d'administration de l'AMCE?

"This would give me an opportunity to be more involved within the industry and, hopefully, represent the Association and all the members." - Jeff Shanks


Kate Butler

Kate Butler holds a background in media studies/journalism (St. Thomas BA ‘06) and communications (Royal Roads MA ‘16) and over the past 7 years has focused on music based projects including long standing contracts/work with The Cap, Shivering Songs Festival, Peppers Pub, and Tide and Boar Gastropub.

In 2018 Kate launched her own record label and music management company, She Said Feck Records. She Said Feck currently manages four acts full time (The Tortoise the Hare and the Millionaire, Diner Drugs, Sound Drown and Heat Sheets) and has worked with musicians such as The Hypochondriacs, Penny Blacks, and Janowskii for short term contracts including grant writing, album release support and more. In 2021 She Said Feck/Kate were nominated for an ECMA Award for Management/Manager of the Year. She Said Feck musicians Diner Drugs were nominated and won a 2021 ECMA Award for Loud Artist of the Year.

In 2020 SSF were approached to assist director Jillian Acreman with providing music supervision for her feature film, Queen of the Andes, which is currently in rotation at several film festivals across Canada has won three film festival awards across Canada and the US. The film features music from NB based artists including Josh Bravener, Kylie Fox, Diner Drugs, Les Hay Babies and more.

In 2019 Kate was 1 of 11 participants in the CMI Music Managers 8 week incubator program in Toronto. Kate has been a Music PEI Juror, ECMA Juror, and Harvest Jazz and Blues Stingray Rising Star Judge. Over the past five years SSF/Kate has provided knowledge and expertise as a workshop presenter/facilitator for Fest Forward, Fredericton Girls+ Rock Camp, and Flourish Festival.

In 2020 SSF committed to being an ally and ensuring venues, bars, and festivals provide and educate their teams, staff and volunteers on safer spaces policies. In the spring of 2021 Kate attended safer spaces training, “Project Soundcheck: Bystander Intervention Training for Large Events and Mass Gatherings” facilitated by Sexual Violence NB. SSF/Kate will continue this commitment moving forward and continue to educate herself and those in the industry on these polices and procedures.

Why do you want to join the ECMA Board of Directors? / Pourquoi voulez-vous être membre du Conseil d'administration de l'AMCE?

"I would bring a wealth of information, knowledge and experience to the BOD and add a different voice to the table, and ensuring to continue to be a safer spaces ally and ally to all genders and people alike." - Kate Butler


Newfoundland & Labrador Candidates


Glenn Pardy


Administrator of NL Live Events / Graduate of Harris Institute for the Arts / Former MusicNL Programs / Administrator / Former MusicNL Social Media / Former MusicNL Director/ ECMA & MusicNL Juror / Factor Juror / Recipient of MusicNL Volunteer of the year award / Professional musician for over 40 yrs.

Why do you want to join the ECMA Board of Directors? / Pourquoi voulez-vous être membre du Conseil d'administration de l'AMCE?

"To represent and be a voice for Newfoundland Musicians." - Glenn Pardy


Peter Daniel Newman

Peter Daniel Newman is a songwriter and producer who has written songs with platinum-selling artist Blanco Brown, EDM superstar David Guetta, Todd Tilghman (The Voice 2020), High Valley, Meghan Patrick, Sacha Visage, Nathan Carter, Eurovision artists, and more. His most recent cut, with Sony Nashville country artist Tyler Booth, was released in August 2021. “Johnny’s Online” , written with DJ Diablo/Camp Kubrick, has amassed almost two million Spotify spins to date. He has also produced records for Atlantic Canadian artists such as MusicNL award winners The Secrets, Canadian Idol alum Jason Greeley and Juno Nominated pop-folk artist Kellie Loder. Peter Daniel Newman has served as the Executive Director of the Majestic Theatre, St. John’s, NL. He has also served as chair of MusicNL and as a board member of the ECMAs. Peter has worked closely with city and government officials, the arts community, the general public, and key stakeholders in Atlantic Canada.

Why do you want to join the ECMA Board of Directors? / Pourquoi voulez-vous être membre du Conseil d'administration de l'AMCE?

"I have served on boards before and wish to contribute to making the Atlantic Canadian Music scene a more viable and prosperous scene for all its participants." - Peter Daniel Newman


Nigel Jenkins

Nigel Jenkins is a graduate of the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, with a Certificate in Entertainment Law from Osgoode Hall Law School. Nigel is an artist manager and record label owner based in Steady Brook, NL. Through his company, Laughing Heart Music, Nigel has worked with artists like Classified, Heather Rankin, Ben Caplan, Hillsburn, The Lytics, and many others as a manager, label owner, and consultant. Nigel is the Vice Chair for the Board of Directors for Music NL, and sits on the board for Navigate in Corner Brook, NL. He was nominated for the 2019 East Coast Music Award for Artist Manager of the Year and the 2018 Nova Scotia Music Week Artist Manager of the Year Award.

Why do you want to join the ECMA Board of Directors? / Pourquoi voulez-vous être membre du Conseil d'administration de l'AMCE?

"I have been asked to submit myself for consideration to the board because of a need for increased representation from Newfoundland and Labrador. My position as Vice Chair with the Music NL board of directors puts me in a strong position to be able to communicate on behalf of the members of our provincial MIA. My experience living and working in rural NL provides me with the perspective to speak to the needs and struggles of other industry professionals and artists in our province. I would like to be able to work at the board level with the ECMAs to effect positive changes from within the organization. The ECMAs have a long history of providing an important platform for artists from our region, and I hope to join the board and continue to build on that legacy." - Nigel Jenkins


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