February 14, 2006

Mainville Up For Gospel ECMA

By Trudy Kelly Forsythe

DARLINGS ISLAND - A local gospel music artist is on the awards fast track with her debut album.

     Stephanie Mainville of Darlings Island independently released her debut CD, Family, a collection of 14 original compositions/arrangements in December 2004.  Since then it has won several national nominations and awards including Instrumental Song of the Year for Ern's Waltz at the 2005 Canadian Gospel Music Association's Covenant Awards.

     She also picked up a Covenant Award nomination for River Reel, a nomination for "Inspirational Album of the Year" for Vibe Gospel Music's 2005 Shai Awards - Canada's "People's Choice" Awards, and a nomination from the New Brunswick Gospel Music Hall of Fame as "Instrumentalist of the Year" for the 2005 Mercy Awards.

     And now, Mainville's debut release Family is up for the East Coast Music Awards' Gospel

Recording of the Year.

     Mainville has an extra ECMA honour.  She will perform music from Family during this year's ECMAs Girls Night Out Showcase at the Delta Prince Edward Mainstage on Friday, Feb. 24.

  All showcase performers submitted their names to the ECMA selection committees in September.  Juries of industry professionals representing the ECMA's five regions (Prince Edward Island, mainland Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick) make the final choices.

     "The ECMA's may be a great party and business opportunity, but most importantly, the event is a celebration of the best in local music," said Campbell Webster, ECMA 2006 event committee chair. "The variety of styles and the sheer talent represented in the 2006 ECMA showcases guarantee that music will be at the forefront this February in Charlottetown."

     The ECMA's take place in Charlottetown, P.E.I., Feb. 23 to 27.