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The East Coast Music Association unaminously selected Charlottetown as host for the 13th annual East Coast Music Awards. ECMA Chairperson Campbell Webster made the announcement at a press conference Jan. 31 at the Civic Center. The dates for the awards show is set for Feb. 8-11, 2001. Webster said there was talk of other locations hosting the four-day event, but it was Charlottetown's turn to host the awards, which are held in various Maritime locations each year. "The ECMA's always tour to different Maritime cities,² Webster said. "We're like a travelling circus." The awards show and conference is the biggest musical event in Atlantic Canada, and is an opportunity for the region's top musicians to showcase their talent. Webster referred to the announcement of the awards coming to Charlottetown next year as "the worst best kept secret". He pointed out in a small place like P.E.I. there's no way to keep a lid on something big from the media, referring to CBC's suppertime news, Compass, reporting the awards were coming to the Island in 2001 a week-and-a-half-earlier. Charlottetown Councillors Mitch Tweel and Roger Birt, Education Minister Chester Gillan, fiddler Richard Wood, and representatives from Celtic Tide and the Jive Kings, were among several dignitaries on hand at the packed press conference. "Our city is probably the best city to showcase east coast talent," Coun. Birt said. He added the stores and staff of Charlottetown are eager and willing to help out anyone. The ECMA's, broadcasted nationally on CBC, were last held in Charlottetown in 1996, when the Island festivities changed the direction the awards were headed in with a spectacular event put on by it's organizers.Next years' show will take place at the 3,000-plus seat Civic Centre. Gillan noted he had alot of fond memories from 1996 ECMA awards banquet, and expects there will be many more next year. "I have a lot of fond memories," Gillan said. "I'm sure they're will be just as many in 2001." Wood said it's a great honour to be among the elite and noted show in Sydney, N.S., this year will be great, but Charlottetown's show in 2001 will top it. "I'm sure it's going to be great in Sydney," Wood stated. "But, It will be even greater in Charlottetown." Jive Kings Perry Williams said having the show in P.E.I. is a chance for lesser-known Island musicians to showcase their stuff, without being expensive. However, he added the difference isn't much other then you save some money. "It's cheap, having the awards on the Island," Williams said after a Jan. 29 performance at Confederation Court Mall. "It's not a big difference, though." Grady Poe, manager of Island Francophone recording artists Barachois, said things took off for the group after the first ECMA's were held in P.E.I. in 1996 and feels being from the hosting province gave them an advantage. "We had a very successful showcase and things took off," Poe said. "The fact we were from the Island gave us a little more weight in the eyes of Islanders because I think it made them proud." Barachois schedule isn't affected by the announcement of the ECMA's coming to their home province, Poe said. "We're thinking more globally these days," Poe remarked. "So we'll just try to be around that weekend and hopefully have some fun." The ECMA's are handed out annually to the best Maritime musicians which, with the exception of the Entertainer of the Year award, are determined by the ECMA board members. The Entertainer of the Year award is decided by the fans through a fan voting line. Details of events to be held during the four-day music festival will be determined within the next few months, Campbell noted. "It's going to be fun, it's going to be great," Campbell said. "It's going to be something special."
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