Leading nominee Jeremy Dutcher withdraws from East Coast Music Awards amid leadership turmoil

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Music·New

Jeremy Dutcher says helium nary longer wants to enactment successful this year's awards ceremonial arsenic questions swirl astir the organization's absorption pursuing the ousting of CEO Blanche Israel successful January.

Polaris and Juno victor was nominated for 8 ECMAs, joins database of artists boycotting event

David Friend · The Canadian Press

· Posted: Mar 12, 2025 1:31 PM EDT | Last Updated: 10 minutes ago

Man sitting astatine soft sings into microphone

Jeremy Dutcher says he's withdrawing his 8 nominations from the East Coast Music Awards successful solidarity with different musicians who are boycotting the event.

The Polaris and Juno victor told The Canadian Press helium nary longer wants to enactment successful this year's awards ceremonial arsenic questions swirl astir the organization's absorption pursuing the ouster of CEO Blanche Israel successful January.

The East Coast Music Association, a non-profit formed to enactment section artists and tally the awards show, has been embroiled successful turmoil for months implicit its aboriginal direction.

After Israel tried to instrumentality structural changes, a petition by founding ECMA manager Sheri Jones alleged members and different leaders were not adequately consulted. Jones's petition calling for transparency and amended connection garnered 648 signatures.

Israel was yet dismissed by the committee of directors and replaced with erstwhile CEO Andy McLean connected an interim ground earlier this year.

But many, including Dutcher, supported Israel's effort to betterment the awards exertion process and diversify the East Coast euphony genres that are represented. Dutcher was this year's starring nominee alongside Halifax hip-hop creator Classified.

When the ECMA nominees were announced successful February, immoderate musicians asked to beryllium removed from contention, including Dartmouth, N.S., singer-songwriter Mo Kenney and rap acts Wolf Castle of the Pabineau First Nation in New Brunswick and Stephen Hero of Saint John. So far, the ECMA website has not been updated to bespeak those requests.

Other performers person pulled retired of the ECMA's yearly showcase of East Coast talent, including Halifax duo Moira & Claire and stone trio June Body.

An ECMA representative said nary 1 was instantly disposable to comment.

The East Coast Music Awards are scheduled for May 8 arsenic portion of a five-day league successful St. John's.