Amelia Curran, Ennis score at MusicNL awards in Gander

Singer-songwriter Amelia Curran and sisterly singers Ennis each took home three awards Sunday night at the annual Music NL awards, with recognition being shared through the night between established artists and rising stars.

The awards were presented at the Arts and Culture Centre in Gander.

Ennis won for album of the year, group of the year and Celtic-traditional group of the year.

The Rolling Kings picked up the fan's choice album of the year award on Sunday night. (Lindsay Bird/CBC)

Curran won female artist of the year for her album Spectators, songwriter of the year for her song Years and folk-roots artist of the year.

Singer-songwriter Chris Picco won male artist of the year for his album The Beach.

The folk trio The Once won the entertainer of the year award, a fan-based award in which votes were collected through CBC's regional website in Newfoundland and Labrador.

One of the new acts to win was St. John's band RocketRocketShip, which took pop-rock act of the year.

Drummer Jeremy Kelly said the win is just the start for the up-and-coming act.

"I think we're going to take this as an opportunity, to enjoy this for a minute," he said.

"But then it's just motivation to work even harder [and] come back next year, bigger and better."

One of the most emotional moments of the evening came with the presentation of the lifetime achievement award to music educator and conductor Maxine Stanley, a mainstay of choral music in the province who has worked for decades in Grand Falls-Windsor.

"I really am flabbergasted," said Stanley, reacting to the standing ovation she received. "I really don't know what to say, because music is my life."

Guitarist Craig Young won two awards, for side musician and country artist of the year.

"I'm a bit shocked, because I never think about winning trophies or winning awards," said Young.

"But it's such a great thing. It's an honour. It's a privilege to receive it, knowing that there are people out there who think that much of your music."

MusicNL winners

FACTOR Album of the Year: Ennis - The Fortunate Ones

BellAliant Fan's Choice Album of the Year: The Rolling Kings - Raise a Glass

Canadian AV Group of the Year: Ennis - The Fortunate Ones

Coast 101.1FM Female Artist of the Year: Amelia Curran - Spectators

Dc Design House Male Artist of the Year: Chris Picco - The Beach

SOCAN Songwriter of the Year: Amelia Curran - Years

CBC Entertainer of the Year: The Once

Statoil Rising Star New Artist or Group of the Year: Adam McGrath & The Tearjerkers - My Colour Red

Molson Coors Pop/Rock Artist or Group of the Year: RocketRocketShip - Your Best Kept Secret

Telegram Folk/Roots Artist or Group of the Year: Amelia Curran - Spectators

Alternative Artist or Group of the Year: Idlers - Idlers

Steele Communications Celtic/Traditional Artist or Group of the Year: Ennis Sisters - It's Christmas

Classical Artist or Group of the Year: Lady Cove Women's Choir - Heart's Delight

Country Artist or Group of the Year: Craig Young - Black Diamond Strings

Gospel Artist or Group of the Year: Dan Bursey - Priceless

Instrumental Artist or Group of the Year: Gordon Quinton - A Guitar's Story

Urban/Electronic Artist or Group of the Year: Blair Goudie - Death Beach Boat Club

Side Musician of the Year: Craig Young

Lifetime Achievement: Maxine Stanley

Industry Builder: Dean Stairs

Earlier awards

On Saturday, MusicNL presented a number of industry awards. They include: 

Volunteer of the year - Jud Haynes

Industry professional - Jud Haynes

Outstanding company of the year - Fred's Records

Media person of the year - Tom Power, CBC

Music educator of the year - Kathy Conway Ward