Industry, audience show love for The Once

The annual Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador Awards Gala at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John's was a show that could have been recorded and compiled into one heck of a live CD.

Sunday night's event began with a side-splitting opening from the elusive trio (and host Phil Churchill-led comedic group) The Sons of Our Fathers performing a song entitled "Nineteen-forty-mine."

Making special mention of "making love to Trina in a car up on Cape Spear," the song began only following this special instruction,

"Ladies, don't throw your panties on stage. Halfway through the song you'll be missing them."

Moving into the presentation of awards, the first of the night, for Country Artist of the Year, went to Karla Pilgrim.

The award was presented only minutes before Pilgrim stepped out to give a live performance that had feet tapping and bodies bouncing.

With a different sound, but also in the chaulky smoke and waving lights of blue, green and magenta, The Monday Nights had the audience moving.

Other high energy additions, such as the rock offering from Kujo and the beating of the drums that backed the welcomed funk of Chris Kirby, got the heart thumping.

What drove the show, however, was the clear welcome extended by thousands of audience members, with hard claps and cheering, time and again, for The Once.

They're a band that no one had heard of a year ago.

Then, in August, the trio of Phil Churchill, Andrew Dale and Geraldine Hollett released their self-titled debut album.

For their efforts on the release, The Once were named by the voting members of MusicNL as the province's Folk/Roots Group of the Year and Group of the Year.

In the latter category, the band beat out The Discounts, The Monday Nights, The Novaks and Shanneyganock for the honour.

They were also presented with the MusicNL award for Album of the Year.

In accepting their third award, Hollett, visibly overwhelmed by the acknowledgments, thanked as many people as she could remember, including those who worked to make the album a reality and local businesses Fred's Records and O'Brien's Music Store.

For his piece, Churchill looked to the competition. "You heard the list of bands there. I'm honoured to even be mentioned with those people," he said.

Dale extended his own thank yous to his bandmates. "Phil and Geraldine are very much like a brother and sister to me," he said, before turning for a, "Thanks guys."

In addition to words following wins by The Once, a particularly heartfelt thank-you was also extended by winner of Gospel Artist of the Year, Rod Jackson, to his late father.

"Unfortunately, he's not here to hear it," Jackson said, "but this one's for you Dad."

Between Terry Penney performing the "Buddy Holly Blues," talking about "when the needle hits the groove" and Luke Major of Mercy, the Sexton being called out for waking up in a hotel closet Sunday morning, many other awards were handed out.

Among them, a highlight was Colleen Power who was awarded Alternative Artist of the Year following the release of her album "Rejects." Going it on her own with truly local tracks like "New Townie Man" and "Dead Bird in the Garbage."

Only a few of the winners named during the evening were absent, travelling elsewhere. For example, Curtis Andrews was named Instrumental Artist of the Year and Male Artist of the Year, but Duane Andrews accepted on his behalf. Sandy Morris was named winner of the award for side musicians, but was unable to accept, being currently on tour with The Wonderful Grand Band.

A complete list of winners was unavailable as of deadline, but the list is expected to be available today by MusicNL.

afitzpatrick@thetelegram.com