“We’re back for Tibbs Eve at The Rockhouse,” Whitty shared via social media. “A Christmas tradition now. Backing band featuring Nick Earle, Daniel George and Peter Green. Opening set by Andrew Rodgers.”

Tickets just $20 and are available at this link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/…/dave-whitty-tibbs-eve-at…

Official Bio: Dave Whitty has been a member of the music scene in St. John’s, Newfoundland since age seventeen. He got his start playing solo sets of original music and recording a couple small demos, while trying to learn how the music community worked.

As Dave’s talent developed, so did his focus. After three years of solo work, Dave formed At Ships End with a couple friends. The Celtic/Folk/Rock group soon gained notoriety in the St. John’s music scene, playing everything from Christmas kitchen parties to the infamous George Street Festival. Although At Ships End is still present in the St. John’s music scene, Dave decided after three years with the band to move on and pursue something different.

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Since then, Dave has been playing gigs around St. John’s, building his already loyal following, including a few weekly George Street residencies–one affectionately being called Quidi Whitty Tuesday at the historic Trapper John’s pub. During the other days of the week, Dave can be found in other venues, booked to open for touring acts as well as booking and promoting his own shows.

After a final round of awards, the 2021 East Coast Music Awards (ECMAs) concluded on Sunday, June 13th, and six talented Newfoundland and Labradorians left the virtual festival with awards in tow.

Children’s Entertainer of the Year:

The Swinging Belles – The Superstar Sibling Detective Agency

“We are so delighted to receive this award, especially after the last year and a half, which has been so difficult for the performing arts,” Duane Andrews told The Herald in an email, “We are grateful to the ECMA for their perseverance in making it all happen, despite the challenges of the Covid year. We’d like to thank everyone for their support and well-wishes.”

“It means the world to us and we cannot wait to perform for you all again soon!”

— Duane Andrews

For more information on The Swinging Belles, check out their Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or their official website.

Country Recording of the Year:

The Heavy Horses – With Darkness In My Eyes

The Country Recording of the Year award went to The Heavy Horses for the EP With Darkness In My Eyes. “Thanks to the (East Coast Music Association) for the award and support,” Justin Mahoney wrote in an announcement online. “A huge thanks to Laurence Currie and everyone who lent their time and talents to this album. Congratulations to all the winners, nominees, non-nominees, and anyone who is making the effort to create or support music!”

For more information, check out Heavy Horses’ Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or their official website.

Indigenous Artist of the Year:

Silver Wolf Band

Happy Valley-Goose Bay’s Silver Wolf Band took this year’s Indigenous Artist of the Year Award home to Labrador. “We were so excited to be in the conversation for Indigenous Artist of the Year in this year’s ECMAs,” the band told The Herald in an email, “especially alongside so many amazing artists and groups.”

“We are so stoked and proud to have won this award. It is extremely humbling and motivating for us moving forward.”

— Silver Wolf Band

For more information on Silver Wolf Band, check out their Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, or their official Website.

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Live or Virtual Sound Engineer of the Year:

Peter Green

The award for Virtual Sound Engineer of the Year went to Peter Green, who told The Herald that it’s “a sound engineer’s job to bridge the gap between the artist and the audience — to provide the audience the exact experience that the artist intended. To be recognized by your peers as somebody who’s succeeded at that goal is a great honour.”

“I can’t thank the ECMAs and everybody who has helped me along the way enough.”

— Peter Green

For more information on Peter Green, check him out on Twitter or Facebook.

Fans’ Choice Video of the Year:

Kellie Loder – “Molded Like A Monster” (Director: Ashlea Wessell)

The Fans’ Choice Award for video of the year went to Kellie Loder for Molded Like a Monster directed by Ashlea Wessell. “It’s not really something I expected to win based on the fact that it was a fan’s choice award,” Loder told The Herald in an email. “I knew the video was more than deserving, but there were multiple artists in the category with amazing videos who also have followings much larger than mine.”

“I already knew my fans were the best, but winning this award made it more apparent than ever.”

— Kellie Loder

For more information about Kellie Loder, check out her Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, or her official Website.

Stompin’ Tom Awards (NL):

Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers

This year’s Stompin’ Top Award (NL) was taken home by Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers. In an interview with The Herald, group member Wayne Chaulk explained they had been performers at the very same ECMAs in the early nineties.

” I think it was 1992 — when Stopin’ Tom got the Lifetime Achievement Award — and he gave a very eloquent speech,” Chaulk began. “He gracefully declined…and he wanted to dedicate it to all of the artists, singers, writers, performers, and the people who were out there in the trenches, who were doing this and not getting a lot of recognition for it.”

“It was a wonderful speech that he gave, and it was nice to be a part of it…and he did it so tastefully, too,” We feel that when somebody enjoys our concerts, CDs, video and television appearances it feels like an award. It’s nice to be appreciated, right?”

“We never ever aimed to receive awards of any kind, but we’ve gotten quite a few, and it’s just another way for somebody to say thank you to us, and whenever someone says ‘thank you for what you do’, it’s a good thing.”

— Wayne Chaulk

For more information on Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers, check them out on Facebook, or their official website.

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