A local artist is celebrating a breakthrough moment after earning seven nominations at the Manitoba Country Music Awards this weekend.
Zak Cudney, lead singer of Club Wagon Creek, says his band didn’t expect to see their name listed so many times when nominations were announced.
“We were excited to see our name on there once, and then we didn’t realize you could scroll down and see more,” said Cudney. “We got nominated seven times.”
Cudney says the recognition from both fans and industry members was unexpected but deeply meaningful.
“It was cool to see that lots of those nominations, like a couple of them, were from online when your friends can just call in or go online and nominate,” he said. “But then the rest were all from members of the association, so we’re like, wow, okay, they’re actually listening and they like us.”
From hard work to hometown recognition
Cudney says the past year has been one of growth and risk-taking for Club Wagon Creek. The band recently booked a show at Winnipeg’s Park Theatre, their biggest headlining venue yet, where they’ll debut two new singles.
“We have four new singles coming out soon, and the two we’ll be playing at the show just fit the show.”
He says the decision to step into larger venues and enter the MCMA awards came after years of steady effort and hesitation about whether they were ready.
“It just picked up because we’re working very hard,” said Cudney. “We were told last year to apply and we were like, well, we’re never going to get anything. So this year we applied and we lucked out to get a bunch of nominations.”
Manitoba’s country music community comes together
Miles Trach, president of the Manitoba Country Music Association, says this year’s awards celebrate not only musicians but the broader community that supports country music in Manitoba.
“It’s bringing the country music community together,” said Trach. “A lot of the artists and people in the industry, they kind of pass one another like ships in the night. This is that one night when everybody in the country music industry in Manitoba can get together and celebrate the achievements of the past year.”
Trach says Manitoba artists are continuing to make their mark both at home and abroad.
“Artists from Manitoba are going a little farther abroad than I’ve seen them in the past,” he said. “They’re out there on the road, bringing great music to Manitobans and beyond.”
Awards night details
The Manitoba Country Music Awards take place Saturday, November 8, at Club Regent Event Centre in Winnipeg. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8:00.
Performances will include 11 artists, with Doc Walker set to be inducted into the Manitoba Country Music Hall of Fame.
Trach says the night is a full celebration of Manitoba’s talent, onstage and behind the scenes.
“It’s got a lot to do with the entire country music scene in Manitoba, not just the artists,” he said.
As for Cudney, the nominations are motivation to keep building on the momentum.
“Whatever happens, we’re just really thankful people are listening.”
-With files from Carly Koop.