By Keith Sharp
The Music Express fan base has spoken and The Tragically Hip, Meghan Patrick and Neon Dreams are big winners in the 2017 Music Express Awards (sponsored by Long & McQuade) which attracted a total of 24,672 votes.
With final results determined solely by fan votes, Kingston’s Tragically Hip capped off a memorable year by winning Top Canadian Group (56% of the total votes), Top Canadian Live Act (62%) and Top Canadian Album for `Man Machine Poem’ (41%). Plus the band’s gallant lead vocalist Gord Downie was voted Canada’s Top Male Vocalist (57%).
Two other acts; Halifax rappers Neon Dreams and Bowmanville Ontario’s Meghan Patrick (artists that aren’t even nominated for this year’s Juno Awards) also won three Long & McQuade microphone awards.
Even though they were up against R&B/Rap heavyweights, Drake and The Weeknd, Neon Dreams were able to mobilize enough fan support to win Top Canadian R&B/Rap group (44%), Top Emerging Canadian Artist/Group (44%) and Top Canadian R&B/Rap Album for ‘To You’ (48%).
Meghan Patrick dominated the female and Country Music categories winning Top Canadian Female Vocalist (38%), Top Canadian Country Artist (39%) and Top Canadian Country Album for ‘Grace And Grit’ (35%) while Brighton Ontario’s Cold Creek County followed up last year’s Emerging Artist award by winning the Top Canadian Country Group category (37%)
David Bowie won Top International Album for his `Blackstar’ record (39%), Shawn Mendes claimed Top Canadian Single honours for his “Treat You Better” release (29%) and Lee Aaron’s comeback `Fire And Gasoline’ album won her the Back In The Spotlight award with an impressive 60% vote tally
All winners will receive an impressive microphone award courtesy of Long & McQuade. Music Express would like to thank all 24,672 fans for participating in this year’s awards voting procedure and supporting your favourite performers.
Full Result Tally Below:
