SCMA nominees include local talent

He is up for country album of the year for “Let Your Spirit Grow,” roots artist of the year, and record producer of the year.

“I’m very humbled by the awards and very honored that my peers – who are basically the ones that do the nominations – have recognized and basically given validity to what I’ve been doing. It’s very humbling,” Krause said.

The Timberline Music Show, which Krause is a host and producer for, is also nominated for TV or radio show of the year. Plus, Krause’s manager and wife, Gail Krause is also up for manager of the year.

Krause said the transition between TV and music is easy, as one is an extension of the other. He called the TV show a pet project and felt good about the way it’s been able to help performers in Saskatchewan.

“It gives me an opportunity to kind of give back to the music industry that’s done an awful lot for me, in that I’m able to bring in both up and coming artists as well as well-established performers and song writers, and give them an opportunity to get on to TV, to get the exposure and the visibility that I really believe their talent warrants,” Krause said.

Being able to make music, and have people hear and appreciate it, is something all performers want and he’s been lucky to be able to do it.

Nominee Roland Corrigal

Roland Corrigal is a second generation country musician who currently lives in Air Ronge.

Corrigal is nominated for three awards: aboriginal artist of the year, emerging artist of the year and album of the year for “Small Town Life.”

“I was eligible for seven [awards] but I didn’t get my hopes up too high because there’s a lot of talent that was up for awards this year,” he said.

Corrigal picked up his first SCMA award last year for Aboriginal artist of the year. He has been playing festivals and concerts ever since, including a showcase at the Canadian Country Music Awards in Ontario.

Corrigal said the best thing about producing his album was he funded the whole project himself, designed the album cover and wrote all the music. From the album he was able to release a radio singe for I Don’t Want to Fight No More, a song that was picked up nationwide.

“The amount of radio stations for a relatively unknown artist just kind of blew me away … they’re playing my music everywhere from Newfoundland to B.C. That’s really awesome coming from a guy who grew up in small town Beauval, Saskatchewan, living up in northern Saskatchewan all my life,” Corrigal said.

Nominee Shawn Blackman

Prince Albert guitar player Shawn Blackman garnered a nomination this year for All Star Band (Guitar). He’s currently playing guitar for Kelsey Fitch, another SCMA award nominee.

“I know it sounds corny, but I mean it when I say it’s a real honour just to be nominated. To even be mentioned in the same breath as my fellow nominees is humbling. Saskatchewan generally, and especially the Prince Albert area, has always been a hot spot for musicians,” Blackman said.

He said musicians like Randle Currie of Brad Paisley, Rod Janzen formerly of Dierks Bentley, Chad Melchert and Robin Pelletier of Gord Bamford, and Donny Parenteau formerly of Neal McCoy are all musicians the community can be proud of.

“I think it has something to do with the cold winters, you’re either in the hockey rink or in the basement practicing guitar. If you saw my slap shot you’d know why I gravitated towards guitar,” Blackman said.

He said music encourages creativity which can contribute in all aspects of a person’s life. Music has shaped who he is today.

“Music has taken me places and introduced me to people and opportunities that I would of never thought possible, and I am so grateful for that,” Blackman said.

Other local musicians up for nominations include Jay and Jo Trudel, Janice Trudel, Donny Parenteau and Darlene Tuleta.

Winners will be announced on April 1 in Saskatoon.

swallace@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahthesquid

by Sarah Wallace

SCMA nominees include local talent

What's Trending