Cory Cruise

Thorold singer/songwriter Cory Cruise and St. Catharines rockers Savour the Moment lead the way for the ninth annual Niagara Music Awards.

Cruise, a three-time winner, is up for eight awards for the Sept. 27 event, to be held at the former Lundy’s Lane United Church in Niagara Falls. Among the nominations are Adult Contemporary Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Original Song of the Year.

Nominees in 23 categories were announced Tuesday night at Boston Pizza in Welland.

“I’m still in complete shock from hearing the announcements last night,” said Cruise when reached Wednesday morning. “Not only have my fans made me feel blessed, it’s the warmth of our great Niagara community which has allowed me to continuously grow as a musician.”

Cruise crowdfunded his latest album, 1221, raising more than $10,000 in one month. It’s up for Album of the Year.

Cruise, who won Adult Contemporary Artist and People’s Choice award at the NMAs in 2014, says he performed more than 90 shows this summer - a sign of a strong local scene.

“We really have something special here in Niagara, and having a platform like the NMAs to come together in celebration and recognition is truly wonderful, and in my opinion, essential as well.”

Newcomers Savour the Moment are up for seven awards, including Rock Group and Best New Artist of the Year. Theatre Crisp, Original Group and Album of the Year winners in 2014, are back with five nominations, including Original Song and Engineer of the Year.

Other multiple nominees include The Maysides with five, The Jay Diem Band and Spitt with four, and Mel Monaco, Chloe Rabideau, The Maysides and The Bryan Sorensen Groove Trio with three each.

NMA co-organizer Todd Brown says this year’s show is getting a technical overhaul, with higher production values. It will adapt a ‘Dressed to the Nines’ theme to coincide with its ninth anniversary.

The past two events have been held at Taps Brewery in Niagara Falls. Brown says the switch to the former church – now called Battlefield Centre – will offer more space and “provide more of a gala awards show feel.”

Last year eliminated entry fees for the awards, resulting in many more submissions. This year streamlined the process, forcing artists to submit songs in each individual category instead of mass submitting them in several.

Even with the increase in entries, there will be no Blues, Jazz or Rising Star awards this year because of a lack of submissions. There were about 360 entries total this year, says Brown.

Scheduled to perform are CD Onofrio, Glass Apple Bonsai, Theatre Crisp, Cristian Lalama, Crutch, Angela Siracusa, Paige Kopp and The Bryan Sorenson Groove Trio.

This year’s eight judges are Rita Carrey, Ashlee Standish, Corey Motley, Rick Rose, Steve Stumble, Paul Morris, John Navarolli and Thomas Salter.
Red carpet is at 6:30 p.m., show is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. www.niagaramusicawards.ca

Nominees for the 9th annual Niagara Music Awards:

ADULT CONTEMPORARY ARTIST:
Bryan Sorensen Groove Trio
Cory Cruise
Jay Diem Band

COUNTRY ARTIST:
Cory Cruise
Deborah Frappier
Jay Diem Band

ENGINEER OF THE YEAR:
Chris Curry
Daniel Belasco
Jay Baty
Kyle Whittaker

FEMALE VOCALIST:
Chloe Rabideau
Spitt

MALE VOCALIST:
Chris Scott
Cory Cruise
Jay Diem Band
JOSH
Kevin Teng
Savour the Moment
Thunderclap!

ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC:
Glass Apple Bonzai
Kevin Teng
Ryan Smith
The Status Update
Todd Murphy
Unit 42

FOLK ARTIST:
Deborah Frappier
Ron Hurst

HIP HOP ARTIST:
AWOL
EZEC
JOSH
Kevin Teng
Theatre Crisp
Sese

INSTRUMENTAL:
Kevin Richard Hotte
Paul Layton

HEAVY METAL ARTIST:
Blindside Incentive
Dorian Gray

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR:
Chris Dipardo
Dean Malton
Kyle Whittaker
Rabby Teng

ORIGINAL GROUP:
Avenue Inn
Bryan Sorenson Groove Trio
Back in the Daze
Savour the Moment
Theatre Crisp

ORIGINAL SONG:
‘Jealous of Your Phone’ - Bryan Sorensen Groove Trio
‘Blossom’ - Chloe Rabideau
‘Where I Belong’ - Deborah Frappier
‘Always Be My Girl’ - Cory Cruise
‘Poison’ - Kevin Teng
‘You’re Mine’ - Mel Monaco
‘Country Soul’ - MJ Laflair
‘Closer’ - Savour the Moment
‘Devil Under Her Skin’ - Spencer Mackenzie
‘Growing Up’ - Theatre Crisp
‘Biological Waste’ - The Rob Graham Band
’Stagnant Stereo’ - The Rouge Collective

NEW GROUP:
Eklectik
The Maysides
To Much of Jon
Savour the Moment

PROGRESSIVE ROCK:
Avenue Inn
Blindside Incentive

NEW ARTIST:
Deborah Frappier
Jakob Bell
JOSH
Kevin Teng
Ron Hurst
Savour the Moment
Spitt
The Maysides

PUNK ARTIST:
Blindside Incentive
Lost Generation
The Maysides

ROCK GROUP:
Avenue Inn
Blindside Incentive
The Advancing Low Lives
The Maysides
The Rogue Collective
Savour the Moment
Vinyl Flux

MUSIC VIDEO:
‘Pray For the World’ - Kevin Teng
‘Words & Water’ - Limestone Chorus
’Single Again’ - Mel Monaco
‘Stagnant Stereo’ - The Rogue Collective
‘The Future is here’ - Thunderclap
‘Moving Along - Spurts

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR:
Cory Cruise
Mel Monaco
Savour the Moment
Spencer Mackenzie
Spitt
Theatre Crisp
The Rob Graham Band
Thunderclap!

ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
‘1221’ - Cory Cruise
‘#TCBW’ - Jae Ari
‘From the Heart’ - Josh Mills
‘Infected With the Blues’ - Spencer Mackenzie
‘Off the Floor’ - The Jay Diem Band
‘Loved and Lost’ - The Maysides

BEST BAR BAND:
Cory Cruise
Off the Record
Renegade
Rock of ‘80s
351 Cleveland
The Rogue Collective
Spencer Mackenzie & Band

PEOPLE’S CHOICE:
Cory Cruise
David Dablock Tyrell
Josh Coulter
Spitt
The Rob Graham Band - Post Media: The Niagara Falls Review, The St. Catharines Standard & The Welland Tribune

High above the Welland Recreational Canal is where Cory Cruise finds his groove.

Hours and hours on end are spent in the studio space the 36-year-old musician rents on Division St. in Welland.

He makes the drive from his home in Thorold and records his songs and sometimes goes up on the deck and enjoys the incredible view.

Cruise’s musical journey began when he was 11 years old, but since 2012 he has been focusing on his solo career. This change in focus brought the St. Catharines native quite a few trophies, the most recent one being the 2014 Niagara Music Award for adult contemporary artist of the year plus the People’s Choice Award.

In 2013 Cruise won Festivals Got Talent and his music was compared to a mix of Jack Johnson and Neil Young. Asked how he would describe his sound now, he said it was one of the hardest things for him to pinpoint.

“The music I put out there, I guess it’s kind of acoustic rock.”

Inspiration for his music comes from everywhere. It could be something as simple as looking out the window or sitting in a coffee shop, observing people interact, he said.

When it comes to his musical idol, it changes quite frequently.

“Sometimes I’m a Nirvana kind of guy, the next I’m a Neil Young kind of guy,” he said smiling.

The best part of music, Cruise said, it has the power to put you in a different place and feel a certain way, even with just the simplest of songs.

“There have been so many amazing moments,” he said when he was asked for his biggest moment in his musical career.

But for him it goes far beyond that.

“Just being confident in myself and getting out there would be the biggest thing still.”

When he is on stage, Cruise said, he is definitely different than when off-stage. While performing, everything but the music fades away and he becomes an introvert compared to the outgoing person he is with his friends.

“All around I would say I’m a bit of a shy guy, but I definitely have lots of feelings and lots to say, and I kind of express it all through music.”

Cruise recently finished recording and mixing his album, which will be due for release by the end of the year.

Until then, Cruise will be heating up stages in the region with his guitar.

He will be performing at Figg Street Co. as part of the Thorold series First Thursdays this week, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The event will be a collaboration with his friend Barry Smith, owner of B Squared Photography.

Smith’s pictures will be on display throughout the month of October at the Store on 40 Front St. S. - Jen Hardy - Post Media Network, Thorold News

The edgy arts group that has taken Welland by storm is being credited with bringing new life to the Rose City arts scene.


Black Lantern Experience — BLX for short — was among four 2014 Welland Arts and Culture Awards winners.

Honours were presented during a small, informal ceremony Sunday afternoon at Welland Community Wellness Complex.

BLX, which has remained in the media spotlight since forming in June 2013,was recognized for hosting more than a dozen art shows, multiple poetry readings and its month-long storefront art gallery project this summer on Hellems Ave. — TheHardWay.

One of its founding members, James Takeo, took home the city’s literary arts award.

The outspoken advocate for the arts in the city was recognized for his prize-winning poetry and his blogging. He is also the arts opinion columnist for The Tribune.

Two awards were presented for music: to Cory Cruise and This Time Around.

Cruise, who has been showcased at IlluminAqua and Niagara Food Festival, is a recent Niagara’s Next Star winner and has established his name in the local music scene. He was the people’s choice award winner at last year’s Niagara Music Awards.

This Time Around performs contemporary and classic rock music and is a consistent supporter of not-for-profit fundraising activities, including March of Dimes Canada and MS Society of Canada. Band members include Sue Robins, Debbie Murray, Ed Bertoli, Ernie Jodoin, Wayne Hosick and Cheryl Stevenson. - Greg Furminger - The Welland Tribune

Cory Cruise is thrilled to be living his dream as a full-fledged musician.

The popular singer, whose career was launched by winning Seaway Mall’s Niagara’s Next Star talent show in 2012, is now poised to take the next big step in his career.

“I’m working on my very first professionally recorded album. It’s really exciting. This is my first time really putting it out there,” he says.

Cruise has been performing all over the region for a few years and has won numerous other awards for his popular songs and covers.

The “tons” of support he receives from Niagarans is something for which he is grateful.

“I’ve been the people’s choice two years in a row now at the Niagara Music Awards, which is unbelievable,” he says, smiling.

Cruise picked up a guitar when he was 11 and his passion for music was ignited.

His “insanely supportive” family has been right behind him ever since.

Cruise will bring his award-winning voice to this year’s Niagara Food and Wine Expo for the second time.

“Last year was absolutely amazing, the crowd was amazing. It’s a really great way to show the food and wine from the area. It’s always great to see how many people actually come from out of town,” he says.

Cruise said he anticipates this year’s expo to be “bigger and better” and he is excited to be a part of it.

“I never know what to expect, but it’s a great way to have people hear my music. It’s always such a huge honour to play. Everybody is just there to have a good time,” he says.

He plans to interact with the audience as much as possible during his set, saying that it’s “the best part about music.”

For Cruise, doing gigs like the Food and Wine expo provides a platform for making new fans.

“I hand out cards, play a variety of music with a little bit of a spin on it.”

Keying in on his niche genre has been a challenge for Cruise.

“I’ve struggled with that because I listen to everything from Metallica to pop music and even Beethoven, as funny as that sounds,” he says with a laugh, although he has now managed to zone in on a “pop-rock feel” for his debut album.

He will be playing original songs as well as popular classics from artists such as Fleetwood Mac at the expo.

Cruise is one of seven acts performing on the Central Entertainment Area at this year’s Niagara Food and Wine Expo May 1 to 3 at Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls. - Juliet Kadzviti - Post Media Network (St. Catharines Standard, Niagara Falls Review, Welland Tribune)

They've been in a theatre, a tent, an arena and a bar. But on Tuesday, the Niagara Music Awards went to church.

The crowd sat in pews as the region's annual celebration of music moved to the former Lundy's Lane United Church, which is in talks to be a new Niagara Falls arts hub.

“We want to do it in new venues, we want to challenge ourselves,” said Niagara Music Awards co-organizer Todd Brown. “We want to grow.”

About 300 people attended the event, which handed out more than 20 awards and offered 10 performances.

The night was dominated by Cory Cruise, who won four awards including Male Vocalist and Country Artist of the Year. The Thorold singer/songwriter has been one of the region's busiest performers since winning a Niagara's Next Star competition in Welland four years ago.

“It's been extremely hard work, but the community support has been amazing,” he said. “I can't mention it enough.”

He said the awards play an important part in the region's music scene.

“It's a celebration bringing a community of music together, and a night to hear stuff – because you're playing so much – you might not get a chance to hear.”

The scene certainly impressed Ridgeway producer Thomas 'Tawgs' Salter, who received the Special Achievement Award.

“The level of talent is incredible,” he said after sitting through Tuesday's awards. Salter has written and produced for Josh Groban, Chantal Kreviazuk, Lights and Walk Off the Earth, and said he played extensively in Niagara's bar scene 20 years ago.

Host Jim Fannon, doing the show for the third straight year, said his “passion” for local music keeps him coming back.

“It's vital to keep a bit of momentum going, and celebrate their successes,” he said. “I don't think we need another awards show in Niagara, but I think this is really important. This is an arts and culture award, it's not businesses giving trophies to their friends.”

As always, the show was a loose, lively affair with friends and family cheering on nominees. Performance highlights included a duet of Picture with Cruise and country singer Chelsea Crites, a stirring acoustic piece by Paige Kopp, and a funky jam by The Bryan Sorensen Groove Trio that turned the former church into a dance hall.

The night's other multiple winners were Avenue Inn with three and The Maysides with two

It was also a night decades in the making for Folk Artist of the Year Ron Hurst.

“Every teenager, when he turns 55, wants to record a song,” he said. “So that's what I did.”

Winners of the 9th annual Niagara Music Awards:

Album of the Year: The Jay Diem Band

Original Song of the Year: Kevin Teng

Engineer of the Year: Jay Baty

Folk Artist of the Year: Ron Hurst

Instrumentalist of the Year: Kevin Richard Hotte

Producer of the Year: Rabby Teng

New Group of the Year: Savour the Moment

Adult Contemporary Artist of the Year: Cory Cruise

Female Vocalist of the Year: Chloe Rabideau

Male Vocalist of the Year: Cory Cruise

Country Artist of the Year: Cory Cruise

New Artist of the Year: The Maysides

Progressive Rock Artist of the Year: Avenue Inn

EDM Artist of the Year: Glass Apple Bonzai

Heavy Metal Artist of the Year: Dorian Gray

Punk Group of the Year: The Maysides

Hip Hop Artist of the Year: J.O.S.H

Music Video of the Year: Mel Monaco

Best Bar Band: Off the Record

Songwriter of the Year: Theatre Crisp

Rock Group pf the Year: Avenue Inn

Original Group of the Year: Avenue Inn

People's Choice Award: Cory Cruise

Special Achievement Award: Thomas Salter

Community Recognition Award: Keith Bellamy - John Law - Post Media (Niagara Falls Review, St. Catharines Standard, Welland Tribune