Oshawa Music Awards to announce Nominees and Music Hall-of-Fame Inductees

Oshawa, ON, - On February 7, 2020, the third-annual Oshawa Music Awards (OMAs) will host a press conference to announce nominees in five categories: 'Emerging Artist or Band of the Year'; 'Artist or Band of the Year'; 'Single of the Year'; 'Album of the Year'; and 'Music Video of the Year'. Also, the OMAs will reveal the 2020 Industry Leader recipient(s), and inaugural, OMA Hall-of-Fame Inductees. The announcements will take place at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) in Oshawa during its “First Friday series”. Announcements will begin at 7pm sharp.

The deadline for nominations for the remaining awards; Best Songwriter; Music Teacher of the Year; and Durham Song of the Year, is February 15, 2020. Submission are welcome through the organization’s website: www.oshawamusicawards.ca

Durham Region's music scene is having a moment. From charting pop-stars such as Shawn Mendes, Lennon Stella and Daniel Caesar to globetrotting indie acts Dizzy and Chastity, music makers from the Region are winning Grammys, JUNOs, and most importantly fans all over the world.

Oshawa Music Awards is an annual ticketed event, recognizing the influence and achievements of local music creators, businesses, and music supporters within the City of Oshawa and the Durham Region. OMA was established in 2018 by Durham College students from the Music Business Management (MBM) program as part of the annual Oshawa Music Week festival. Notable past nominees and winners include multi-platinum award-winning producer Jeff Dalziel, JUNO award- winning indie-pop group Dizzy, and former lead guitarist of The Guess Who, Dale Russell.

In its third year, OMA is a growing cultural enterprise. The mission and brand ‘celebrates music in Durham Region’. The Durham Region includes Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, the Township of Uxbridge, Township of Brock, Township of Scugog and the Municipality of Clarington. The 2020 OMAs has also expanded to 10 award categories, and is set to celebrate an incredible array of talent over two nights, Friday, April 3 at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery and Saturday, April 4 at the Oshawa Music Hall.

Tony Sutherland, a professor of the Music Business Management program and a director of the OMAs believes that “the time has come to recognize and celebrate the talented people in the Durham Region who make, administer, and promote music. OMA serves as a platform to elevate our current talent, yet highlight the pioneers and stalwarts who are the foundation of this region’s rich music culture.”

The Region's musical heritage is as deep as it is wide; Mars Bonfire of Steppenwolf, (he wrote 'Born to be Wild') was born in Oshawa, Robert J. Stone's label, Stone Records, released the Spencer Davis Group in 1967 and Star Records (store and label) was integral in the development of Canada's punk and alternative music scene. Behind the scene many of Canada's music executives, managers, bookers, promoters, club owners and publicists have roots in the Durham Region, and many are graduates of Durham College's (MBM) program.

Members of the Executive and Steering Committees will be in attendance at the press conference, as well as past winners of the OMAs, 2020 nominees, and Hall of Fame inductees.

Where possible interviews, photography and video will be accommodated.

To RSVP please email oshawamusicawards@gmail.com

Oshawa Music Awards is sponsored by Durham Region Economic Development and Tourism, Durham College, Kops Records, and Exclaim!

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