Saskatchewan artists shine at music awards

Page 19

After about a decade of getting paid to play other people's music, Jay Ross decided it was time for some drastic measures.

The decision to start writing and playing his own songs has paid off handsomely for the Saskatoon-based singer.

Ross was chosen as the best male artist at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards (CAMA) held on Nov. 28 in Toronto. The singer, songwriter and musician is probably best known for his work as one of the members of the C-Weed band, which he joined as a guitarist in 2000, but it was his first solo recording that earned him the CAMA nod.

Saskatchewan, or more specifically Saskatoon, also had three other winners at the awards show, which celebrated its fifth anniversary.

Chester Knight was chosen as the best songwriter. And a pair of acts ended up winning the categories they had been nominated in.

The Young Scouts were deemed to have the best hand drum album, which was called Meet Ya At The Round Dance. And Wildhorse, which produced a CD called All Or Nothing, captured the best contemporary powwow album division.

Ross, 30, who was born in La Ronge and grew up in Winnipeg, Molanosa and Prince Albert, said he began writing his own material about three years ago when performing cover tunes was no longer hitting the right notes for him.

"I was tired of it," he said. "It wasn't getting me anywhere."

Ross was getting his fair share of work at the time. But he thought he could do better.

"You can get gigs," he said. "But you can get better gigs. I realized the only way I'm going to get somewhere is to write my own stuff."

Ross, a Metis, said it's not like he just sat down and began writing tunes a few years ago.

"I always had songs," he added. "But I didn't have the confidence."

That changed thanks in part to encouragement from fellow musicians and the favourable support he received for his own material. That prompted Ross to record his debut CD, titled Old Town, this past year.

The CD includes the track Molanosa, a song about the tiny Saskatchewan town where Ross began playing the drums at age eight and the guitar at age 12.

Having won a Canadian Aboriginal Music Award, Ross is now eagerly anticipating what lies ahead for him.

"The best thing is the future," he said. "The future is promising."

As for Knight, he's already enjoyed a rather stellar and award-winning career. And his latest triumph marked the second time he has won a Canadian Aboriginal Music Award.

His first trophy was presented at the inaugural awards show in 1999 when Chester Knight and the Wind was awarded the best group award.

These days the 45-year-old Knight is playing in a band with his two sons, Lance and Daniel. He said the best songwriter award is even more significant than his best group accolade.

"It's more of an intimate award," he said. "I really appreciate it because I've been a songwriter for a very long time. And there are a lot of good songwriters out there."

Knight was honoured for his efforts on Standing Strong, his third album.

Knight's list of awards also includes a 2000 Juno Award for the Best Music of Aboriginal Canada.

As for his future, Knight is frequently in demand to do shows on both sides of the border. But he prefers to tour only during warm-weather months. Next year he's planning to travel to various Canadian dates in May and June before heading to the United States for several performances in July and August.

"The cold doesn't agree with me," said Knight."I don't want to get stuck anywhere."

There were a total of 17 categories at this year's Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards.

There was also four special awards handed out, including one that went to Winston Wuttunee of Eagle Hills, Sask. He was honoured with the Lifetime Contribution to Aboriginal Music Award.