East Coast Music Association

The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) is a non-profit association purposed towards supporting the music industry in the Canadian east coast, i.e., Atlantic Canada. The ECMA hosts the annual East Coast Music Awards (formerly the Maritime Music Awards) festival.

The East Coast Music Awards have been a springboard for many Atlantic Canadians, including Sarah McLachlan, Ashley MacIsaac, Rawlins Cross, Lennie Gallant, Natalie MacMaster, Gordie Sampson, Joel Plaskett, The Rankin Family, Rita MacNeil, Bruce Guthro, J.P. Cormier and Great Big Sea.

Each year, the ECMA also awards one person with the Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize an artist or band that has had a profound and lasting effect on the Atlantic Canadian music industry. Provided by Wikipedia