Moose Jaw’s own Megan Nash has been recognized for her passion for the music industry.  

She walked away with the rock/pop artist of the year award at the fifth annual Saskatchewan Music Awards at Regina’s Darke Hall on Sunday.  

Nash was joined by several other Saskatchewan musicians and industry professionals to take in the awards ceremony.  

“It feels amazing!” says Nash. “These smaller awards shows – it's really your community in a lot of ways that’s taking the time and the moment to recognize your efforts. The award show was so well down, and so many artists performed. It was really an honour to gather and accept that award in person. It was so special.” 

What made the night even more special for Nash was that she was joined by some of her bandmates a part of Megan Nash & The Best of Intentions. 

“Darnell Stewart and Tanner Wilhelm Hale were right beside me there accepting the award. It was so nice to have them there and I even gave Tanner my drummer a piggyback ride up to the microphone.” 

Another reason for her nomination was her lifelong passion for music and songwriting.  

“I’ve always loved music and for myself the process I find quite cathartic and to process events and things I've experienced and try to make sense of it and reflect on it. It can be so rewarding and the songwriting process is just so much fun.”  

Sunday’s awards ceremony capped off an exciting weekend for Nash, as on Saturday she performed in front of the Regina Symphony Orchestra. She says that Orchestra played five of her songs in front of a packed crowd.  

This award comes just over a year after they released their latest album “Soft Focus Futures”, which made it a little more emotional, as she says that a lot of time and effort went into creating that record. 

“I’m really proud of this album and I speak for the band this is our best effort yet. I’m really proud of the songwriting on it too. There are some Moose Jaw-specific references for listeners such as another Silent Night and Caribou Street West. We put a lot of love and effort into it, especially during very challenging times.”  

She adds that a lot of herself went into her latest album, as she says she was working through some things while writing and recording the record.  

“It’s definitely a breakup album, with a lot of loss and grief in it but there’s also hope as well. There is a heaviness to this album. I think that’s why I’m so grateful to work with the folks that I do because they are some of my dearest friends.” 

She did want to say a big thank you to the community of Moose Jaw and Saskatchewan for their love and support over the years.  

Nash says that she and her band are going to take some time to let this award and this last year sink in, but does have some irons in the fire on what she’s planning on doing next. She says to keep close tabs on her social media pages as she will be making an announcement soon.  

The 2022 Saskatchewan Music Award Winners:

Album of the Year: Jake Vaadeland, "Everybody but Me", Cut Knife 

Alternative Artist of the Year: The Garrys, Saskatoon 

Country Artist of the Year: Hunter Brothers, Shaunavon 

Electronic Artist of the Year: Factor Eight, Saskatoon 

Experimental or Contemporary Artist of the Year: TOVA, Regina 

Hip Hop Artist of the Year: Coleman Williams & Yohan Yemba, Regina 

Indigenous Artist of the Year: Berk Jodoin, Leader 

Industry Achievement: CAMP - Community Arts Mentorship Program, Asquith 

Instrumental Artist of the Year: Nige B, Saskatoon 

Metal/Loud Artist of the Year: Flash Back, Regina 

Music Company of the Year: Dingwall Guitars, Saskatoon 

Music Professional of the Year: Brent Ghiglione, Regina 

Music Video of the Year: Dylan Hryciuk - Versa Films for "Repent," Halocene, Saskatoon 

Producer of the Year: Bart McKay, Saskatoon 

R&B Artist of the Year: People of the Sun, Regina 

Rock/Pop Artist of the Year: Megan Nash, Moose Jaw 

Roots/Folk Artist of the Year: Jake Vaadeland, Cut Knife 

Single of the Year: Jess Moskaluke, "Knock Off", Langenburg 

Venue or Festival of the Year: The Exchange, Regina 

  Indigenous Music Achievement: John Arcand, Saskatoon 

Indigenous Music Achievement: Brian MacDonald, Onion Lake Cree Nation