Spirit of Tony Turner Award Showcase

Tony Turner returns to Ottawa from the west coast as performer-host for this annual event that this year will showcase musical talent hand-picked by Anne-Marie Brugger, the 2024 recipient of the Spirit of Tony Turner Award. Expect an eclectic mix of lyrical and sonic surprises with performances by Tara Holloway, Christine Graves, Brent Smith, OK Naledi and of course, Tony Turner. Ann Downey will accompany on upright bass.

A highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Spirit of Tony Turner Award, affectionately called the SofTTie, to Anne-Marie Brugger in honour of her many years supporting musicians and connecting them with audiences. For years, Anne-Marie has consistently raised the profile of musicians and our music community through her many roles. She is certainly a very deserving recipient of this award and honour.

About Tony Turner

SofTTie Award namesake To y Turner is a shining example of someone who brings musicians together to share their talents, grow artistically and generate positive outcomes for the community. Before leaving Ottawa for Nanaimo in 2017, Tony led the important songwriting collective known as Writer's Bloc for many years. He also organized and participated in annual events such as the Great Canadian Song-Along that showcases and connects local musicians with each other and with audiences.

Tony is an accomplished songwriter and performer. He accompanies his rich baritone voice with great skill on acoustic guitar and harmonica. Tony walks a thoughtful and sometimes humorous musical path and shares keen observations about modern life. He has recorded three acclaimed albums of original compositions and has a new collection of songs in the works. Circle of Song, Tony’s unifying anthem of hope, is included in the prestigious Rise Again songbook, sequel to the Rise Up Singing songbook. Tony's wildly popular Harperman protest song and video sparked 50 simultaneous sing-along events in communities across Canada that led the Folk Alliance International organization to honour him with a Spirit of Folk award in 2016. As a partner in Harbour City Concerts, Tony continues to create opportunities for musicians from his new base in Nanaimo, BC. He also continues to write songs and share his musical talents and positive energy whenever the opportunity arises.

About Anne-Marie Brugger

Anne-Marie Brugger is an ideal recipient of the Spirit of Tony Turner Award. A radio broadcaster, arts reporter, public speaker, event organizer and arts organization director, she has worked tirelessly over the years to help musicians connect with one another and with audiences for the benefit of the broader community. As a community radio volunteer, Anne-Marie produced and hosted a music interview show called Hop The Fence on CHUO FM for 17 years. She is now a producer and host of Canadian Spaces on CKCU FM, Canada's longest running folk/roots radio show. She is the volunteer president of the Ottawa Arts Council, is actively involved in the Folk Music Ontario organization, has served on the board of the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) for 6 years, and recently delivered significant positive results as the interim executive director of CKCU FM.

Fluently bilingual, Anne-Marie has hosted the Ottawa Grassroots Festival and other community events, and has contributed articles to Ottawa Life Magazine. She is the co-creator and co-organizer of FemmeVox, a concert series that connects and celebrates female singer-songwriters and includes a mentoring component. Anne-Marie has received Outstanding Communications Awards from the National Research Council on multiple occasions. She also received an Ontario Volunteer Service Award in 2014 and a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Award of Recognition for Excellence in 2021.

About the Award

Founded in 2016 by Chris White, the Spirit of Tony Turner (SofTTie) Award recognizes individuals in the Ottawa area who work behind the scenes to support musicians to connect with audiences and with one another for the benefit of the broader community. Previous recipients are Greg Kelly, Pat Moore, Bob Nesbitt, Shelley Ann Morris, Sjef Frenken, Carmel Whittle, Arthur McGregor and Heather & Mark Evenchick. This year Anne-Marie Brugger’s name will be added to this stalwart group.

SofTTie Award recipients are chosen annually with advice of previous recipients who collectively know the depth and breadth of the local music community in the Ottawa area. Recipients receive a take-home trophy, and their names are added to a gorgeous permanent plaque that was designed by Mark Evenchick and built by Ottawa luthier Andy Bounsall. The plaque is kept on display at Metro Music, 501 Bank Street in the Glebe.

The Spirit of Rasputin's Arts Society produces an annual concert and award ceremony featuring Tony Turner to honour and celebrate the newest SofTTie recipient.

Questions? comms@rasputins.org