Rick Fenton Named WCMA Executive Director

The Western Canadian Music Alliance is pleased to announce the appointment of a new executive director, Rick Fenton.

For twenty-five years Rick has made a diverse living in the Canadian music industry. He was a guitar player and vocalist in the mid 70s, a CBC producer (Saturday Night Blues) and host (The Key of A) in the 80s & 90s, the artistic director of a folk festival (Winnipeg Folk Festival), partner in a television production company, record producer (Big Dave MacLean, Bill Bourne, Ian Tyson), media consultant and event producer (JunoFEST, WCMA festival).

After an intensive search, the Board of Directors is delighted that this experienced and well-respected member of the music industry has agreed to sit at the helm of the organization.

"Rick’s passion for western Canadian music is unparalleled and he brings a wealth of experience to the position,” says Sam Baardman, president of the WCMA. “We are tremendously impressed with his imagination and vision, and we know that Rick will take us to places that will be both surprising and exciting. Certainly an organization like ours is only as good as its people, and with Rick Fenton as our executive director, the WCMA is looking at a bright future indeed."

Rick too, is looking forward to rolling up his sleeves, as his official duties begin November 1. “ I’m thrilled to take on the role of executive director of the Western Canadian Music Alliance. These are exciting and changing times in the music business, and I look forward to helping explore and exploit these new opportunities as we expand the role of the WCMA in bringing western Canadian music to the world.”

This year, the Western Canadian Music Awards and conference takes place in Moose Jaw, SK, October 18-21.

For more info, please visit www.westerncanadianmusicawards.ca.