James Mullinger Hosting 2017 ECMA’s in Saint John
SAINT JOHN – Renown comedian and adopted New Brunswicker James Mullinger will be hosting the 2017 East Coast Music Awards in Saint John.
The announcement was made Tuesday at a press event in Saint John.
For Mullinger, the announcement comes on the heels of the release of City on Fire, a documentary about his move to Saint John and the city’s resurgence. As a huge fan of East Coast music, he says hosting the ECMA’s is an honour he’s pretty stoked about.
“I’m going to get to discover some new bands I’ve never come across before, but also just share the stage with all the people I listen to on my record player at home or in my car on CD,” said Mullinger. “I am genuinely honoured.”
Taking place from April 26 to April 30, East Coast Music Week will feature performances at venues throughout Saint John, including Callahan’s Pub, BMO Theatre, Le Faubourg, Sanctuary Theatre, Kent Theatre, Harbour Station, Saint John Trade and Convention Centre, and Saint John City Market.
ECMA executive director Andy McLean says the list of performers is still not finalized (submissions close at the end of the month), but the official lineups will be announced in January.
“We’re now just waiting for the musicians to show up and do their thing and that will a process,” McLean said. “But I feel very very good. I’ve only been in this gig for two years and I finally feel like we’re on a roll and that Saint John is the perfect storm of really good things coming together to make it a very memorable 29th ECMA’s.”
With over 40 events, the awards week is expected to attract over 13,000 people, with around 2,000 of them coming in from out of town. The event will bring in about 500 performers to the city and is expected to have a $3.1 million economic impact on the Saint John region.
Mullinger says the ECMA’s will be a chance for people around the region to not only check out great music, but also a great city.
“It’s one thing to be in Corner Brooke or St. John’s or Halifax or wherever on the East Coast and thinking ‘Saint John sounds awesome’ but they need an excuse to come,” he said. “This is their excuse. This is their reason … I think it’s going to be another game changer for Saint John.”