Abe Drennan canSA国际影视传媒檛 say enough thanks to his fans.

He was named the first-ever NWT Music Awards Fan Choice at the first-ever gala Sept. 10 SA国际影视传媒� edging out other big-name artists like Leela and Jay GildaySA国际影视传媒檚 project Sechile - Sedare and the band Welders Daughter SA国际影视传媒� for his music video Way Up North, which he filmed with local video-pro David Stewart. The video was also nominated for Music Video Excellence.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was amazing. It was an exhilarating feeling,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淩ight before the nominees are announced, you get this whole build-up and all of a sudden my name came up. I was just so happy.

SA国际影视传媒淭he Fan Choice award is a great award to win. All the awards are great, but I think the Fan Choice is great because youSA国际影视传媒檙e chosen by the people who listen to and like your music. And that matters most, because without our fans as artists weSA国际影视传媒檙e just folks making music in our basements. The fans are the ones who appreciate and value what we do SA国际影视传媒� how could I not be more grateful.SA国际影视传媒�

With 20 years of work put into his music, Drennan said being named the fan favourite felt like an acknowledgement of the time heSA国际影视传媒檚 put into his craft. But more-so he said it was the result of the many friends heSA国际影视传媒檚 made through music along the way.

SA国际影视传媒淔or years and years I have been sharing my music with people,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淔rom my hometown in Bancroft, Ont. which I know is always supporting my music and what ISA国际影视传媒檓 doing, and folks from here and family and friends. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 just a culmination of time. That adds up and those relationships build.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 all about connecting to people and building meaningful relationships. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 who I am. And you know, I know my people have my back, but this was just a further confirmation of that. It just felt so good.SA国际影视传媒�

His own recognition aside, Drennan said it was an important milestone for the NWT to host an Music Awards Gala and the effort to bring it about has been underway for a long time.

Put on by Music NWT and initially pushed by Trevor Sinclair, the awards ceremony was the first of its kind.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 was an important step in establishing our musical community in the NWT,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚t was good for artist recognition, good for community building and great connecting with everybody.

SA国际影视传媒淢any of the award winners and such were people I havenSA国际影视传媒檛 had the chance to meet face to face, but I have been collaborating with people around the NWT virtually for over a year now and finally we came together. It so special that way.SA国际影视传媒�

Now that heSA国际影视传媒檚 earned his mantelpiece, Drennan is back to his lifeSA国际影视传媒檚 work, with plans to put together a new single and album over the winter.

He said heSA国际影视传媒檚 working on an EP with Bell Rock recording out of Fort Smith, but didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have a release date yet. So stay tuned.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 honoured and grateful to be chosen for the fan choice,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淪hout out to Trevor Sinclair and the NWT Board of Directors and to all the award winners and nominees SA国际影视传媒� it was such an honour to be a part of it all.SA国际影视传媒�