Leading nominee Jeremy Dutcher withdraws from East Coast Music Awards amid leadership turmoil
Jeremy Dutcher Withdraws Eight Nominations from East Coast Music Awards
Jeremy Dutcher has decided to withdraw his eight nominations from the East Coast Music Awards in solidarity with other musicians who are boycotting the event. The Polaris and Juno winner made this decision as questions continue to swirl about the organization’s direction following the removal of CEO Blanche Israel in January.
The East Coast Music Association, a non-profit organization formed to support local artists and run the awards show, has been facing turmoil for months over its future direction. After Israel attempted to implement structural changes, a petition by founding ECMA director Sheri Jones raised concerns about the lack of consultation with members and other leaders. The petition, which called for transparency and better communication, garnered 648 signatures.
Israel was ultimately dismissed by the board of directors and replaced with former CEO Andy McLean on an interim basis earlier this year. Many, including Dutcher, supported Israel’s efforts to reform the awards application process and diversify the East Coast music genres represented. Dutcher was this year’s leading nominee alongside Halifax hip-hop artist Classified.
Following the announcement of the ECMA nominees in February, several musicians requested to be removed from contention, including Dartmouth, N.S., singer-songwriter Mo Kenney and rap acts Wolf Castle of the Pabineau First Nation in New Brunswick and Stephen Hero of Saint John. Despite these requests, the ECMA website has not been updated to reflect the changes.
Several other performers have also pulled out of the ECMA’s annual showcase of East Coast talent, including Halifax duo Moira & Claire and rock trio June Body. An ECMA representative stated that no one was immediately available to comment on the situation.
The East Coast Music Awards are still scheduled to take place on May 8 as part of a five-day conference in St. John’s.
