Andrew Boyd started Rock Eden Magazine because of his “love of music.”
Now that the online publication has received an East Coast Music Association awards nomination in the category of Media Outlet of the Year he feels it’s a real motivator for him and his fellow volunteers to up their game.
The web magazine features interviews with musicians, live performance interviews and a radio show. It’s streamed online and on CHMR 93.5 FM Radio in St. John’s.
While the magazine is mostly to promote local Newfoundland and Labrador artists, it also features musicians that come and tour the province through concert photography, interviews and features.
“I didn’t feel there was enough coverage for local talent in the province, so with the help of volunteers I set this up as a medium to showcase them. We all know there’s no shortage of musical talent in this province,” Boyd said.
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Perhaps better known in music circles as a guitarist with Waterfront Fire, he said their band is still active and actually some of its members help out with Rock Eden, which he started about a year and a half ago.
Rock Eden has already received some accolades, picking up a Music NL award in 2017 as Outstanding Company of the Year and Boyd himself received an award for Industry Professional of the Year at the same awards ceremony for his work on Rock Eden.
While nothing is concrete yet, he said those involved with Rock Eden Magazine are looking to put out a hard copy version of the magazine in a tabloid size, which could become a reality in the future.
He said another Stephenville connection working on the magazine is Chad Harnett, who is host of their radio show and does live mixing for them. He said there are too many to name but they have people from all over the province helping out.
Boyd said Newfoundland and Labrador artists have a few nominations at the EMCA awards being held in Halifax, NS on May 2-6, so representatives of Rock Eden are hoping to meet up with them at that event.
He said they get different photographers to go to events to post online photos and now they’re hoping to get some volunteer writers to contribute as well and hope they will contact them.
“We’re (volunteers) doing this to get the word out that Newfoundland and Labrador has some of the best talent that’s out there,” Boyd said.
He said as a group of contributors the nomination feels lovely and it’s nice to get that focus for the east coast.
Rock Eden’s online version is available by going to www.rockedenmagazine.com and there are links there to all its social media web pages.
Boyd wants to give a shout out to any bands wanting coverage, to simply email [email protected].
He is the son of Randy and Beverley Boyd of Stephenville.