Tara Jeffrey Sarnia was well represented at the Canadian Country Music Awards earlier this month, with two city musicians taking home some prestigious hardware.
Tara Jeffrey
Sarnia was well represented at the Canadian Country Music Awards earlier this month, with two city musicians taking home some prestigious hardware.
“It was really cool to see two people from Sarnia winning CCMAs,” said rising country star and St. Pat’s grad Eric Ethridge, 27, who won the Discovery Award, given to promising up-and-coming Canadian artists.
Celebrated harmonica player Mike Stevens, meanwhile, won the Slaight Humanitarian Award for his dedication to helping indigenous youth, through his successful charity, ArtsCan Circle.
“It was shocking — probably the most exciting weekend of my life,” said Ethridge, whose award comes with music video funding, support from SOCAN, production and recording, and a performance spot on the 2017 CMA Music Festival Global Artist Party showcase in Nashville.
“It’s a pretty prestigious award,” he added. “It really puts you on the map as an artist; an incredible boost for your career.”
Stevens’ award recognizes outstanding contribution of time and energy in the support of humanitarian causes through country music in Canada.
ArtsCan Circle is a not-for-profit Stevens founded 16 years ago to foster self-esteem among indigenous youth in isolated northern communities. Teaching them to play instruments and exploring other art forms invites the kids to make new connections and healthier choices.
“The CCMA gave many indigenous kids and communities a louder voice with this award — it’s up to our country to listen to them,” said Stevens. “I accept this award on behalf of every kid in every community we visit.
“They are the real change makers.”
Both prizes were handed out at a gala in London, Ont., Sept. 10, followed by a televised awards show on CBC the following night.
“There was a big after party,” said Ethridge, who is also a practicing chiropractor in Sarnia. “But I didn’t go, because I had patients to see at 8 a.m. the next morning.”
He’ll juggle that with upcoming trips to Nashville and Los Angeles, where he’s writing, producing and recording music — working towards a debut single and EP. He’s teamed up with Brian Howes — the Canadian producer and songwriter known for his work with acts like Nickelback and Daughtry. A $15,000 crowdfunding campaign has been set up (www.gofundme.com/ericethridge) to help cover costs, which amount to about $5,000 per song.
“I’m never bored,” Ethridge said with a laugh, when asked how he manages his time. Many of his patients have no idea about his skyrocketing music career.
“I don’t really broadcast it at work. If someone mentions that they’re a musician, I’ll say, ‘me too,’” he said. “And they’ll say, ‘Oh that’s nice.’
“Then they’ll come back a few weeks later and say, ‘Wow! I had no idea!’”
