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NEWS

Monday November 30, 11am CST, online


SaskMusic is excited to invite you to join us as we announce the nominees for the 2020 Saskatchewan Music Awards. This year we’ll have to do things a little differently, so we’ll be streaming on our Facebook page and YouTube channel, joined by a special musical guest.

The third annual awards will honour excellence in the Saskatchewan music industry and celebrate the achievements of our music industry members over the past year. The SMAs, and the Best Saskatchewan Albums public poll, were created to draw attention to the exceptional musical talent of our artists here at home. We believe music is more important than ever in lifting spirits. Our creators continue to create; and we want to recognize the resiliency and dedication of those continuing on with their craft, despite the enormous challenges this year has posed.


Nominees will be announced for:

  • Alternative Artist of the Year

  • Country Artist of the Year

  • Electronic Artist of the Year

  • Experimental or Contemporary Artist of the Year

  • Hip Hop Artist of the Year

  • Metal/Loud Artist of the Year

  • Rock/Pop Artist of the Year

  • Roots/Folk Artist of the Year

  • Indigenous Artist of The Year

  • Single of the Year

  • Music Video of the Year

  • Industry Achievement Award

  • Venue of the Year

  • Producer of the Year

Additionally, the longlist of the Best Saskatchewan Albums of the Year (BSA) will be revealed. Following the announcement, public voting will open to determine the Top Ten, and the ultimate winner of Album of the Year. This will be the sixth year of the BSA listing, with previous winners of the annual top spot being The Dead South “Sugar & Joy”, Belle Plaine “Malice, Mercy, Grief & Wrath”, Megan Nash “Seeker”, The Dead South “Illusion & Doubt”, and Samurai Champs “The Hard Tape.”


This category considers albums of at least 20 minutes in length, in any genre, by a Saskatchewan artist, released between October 15, 2019-October 30, 2020.


SaskMusic notes, “Working with the talented artists and industry people of our province is our extreme pleasure. We hope this year’s awards will introduce music fans, both here at home and around the world, to artists that they may never have heard before, as well as giving them an opportunity to root for some of their favourite Saskatchewan artists. We look forward to bringing a little bit of good news and a lot of great music to the forefront as we share this year’s nominees.”


The Saskatchewan Music Awards will be streamed online on January 24, 2021.



For general inquiries, please contact SaskMusic, info@saskmusic.org or 306-347-0676 (toll-free in Sask: 1-800-347-0676).

SaskMusic recognizes the support of Creative Saskatchewan in making the SMAs and other programming possible. SaskMusic is also supported by FACTOR, the Government of Canada and Canada's Private Radio Broadcasters.

Artists and industry invited to submit now


SaskMusic is excited to announce the opening of the nomination submission period for the 2020 Saskatchewan Music Awards. The third annual awards will honour excellence in the Saskatchewan music industry and celebrate the achievements of our music industry members over the past year. An awards event announcing the winners will be streamed online on January 24, 2021, in conjunction with the Very Prairie: Saskatchewan Music Summit.


On the Artistic side, there are nine broadly defined Artist of the Year Categories:

  • Alternative Artist of the Year

  • Country Artist of the Year

  • Electronic Artist of the Year

  • Experimental or Contemporary Artist of the Year

  • Hip Hop Artist of the Year

  • Metal/Loud Artist of the Year

  • Rock/Pop Artist of the Year

  • Roots/Folk Artist of the Year

  • Indigenous Artist of The Year

As well, we will recognize

  • Single of the Year

  • Music Video of the Year

  • Album of the Year, determined through the Best Saskatchewan Albums annual campaign, with the winner decided by public vote.

The Industry side of the Awards include categories of

  • Industry Achievement Award

  • Venue of the Year

  • Producer of the Year

SaskMusic notes, “We invite artists and industry from across the province to make submissions, and are hoping to see representation that reflects the diverse range of musical styles, cultural backgrounds, and individual experiences of those contributing to the Saskatchewan music scene. It’s an immensely challenging time for our industry, and we look forward to celebrating and sharing the work of our talented artists and industry members from the past year.”


Submissions for the SMAs will close at 4pm CST on October 30, 2020.


Questions? Contact SaskMusic, info@saskmusic.org or 306-347-0676.



Big thanks to 980 CJME for attending our nominee announcement and a great writeup, and talk with our Executive Director Mike Dawson, and nominee Amy Nelson, who was on hand to perform a couple of songs at the announcement on November 13.


Nominations for Saskatchewan Music Awards announced


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