Amelia “Millie” Shadgett (Irish Millie)

Irish Millie is a 16-year-old fiddle player who loves to play East Coast, Bluegrass and Contemporary Trad styles – especially driving, up-beat tunes that get the crowd up on their feet. As a youngster, Millie (whose real name is Amelia “Millie” Shadgett) busked every Saturday along with her Dad at the local farmers’ market to gain experience and help pay for music camp.

Millie has already received nominations for two Canadian Folk Music Awards as Young Performer of the Year – in 2022 for her first album, ‘Thirteen’, and in 2023 for her work with The Receivers, a collaboration between Millie and sisters Willow and Fern Marwood. In addition to regularly playing in the Peterborough area, Millie has toured in Denmark and is touring Canada’s east coast of Canada this summer, and toured in Vermont with The Receivers this past spring.

“It is truly an incredible feeling to be recognized for my art in this beautiful city that I call home. I am grateful and honoured to be receiving Peterborough Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist Award alongside the very talented Nicholas Campbell”, said Millie. “I have been very lucky to have the full force of the Peterborough community behind me from a very young age. I can not wait to get up on that stage and make you proud – see you there!”

Nicholas Campbell

From slick hot-rod rockabilly to smooth crooning honky tonk, Nicholas Campbell is the real deal. Inspired by some of the last century’s most iconic country sounds, Campbell first picked up the guitar at age 10 and was gigging by 11. Campbell began playing consistently with his band, The Two-Metre Cheaters, during the early months of the pandemic, and the band quickly found their groove as live shows became an option once again. Campbell’s 2021 debut album, ‘Livin’ and Other Western Ideas’, combines elements of rockabilly, western swing, and old-fashioned honky tonk. The band has enjoyed worldwide coverage and airplay since, spanning from western Canada to Spain, Italy and beyond. Nicholas has also played lead guitar for Melissa Payne, Pat Temple, Jane Archer and other artists.

With Campbell’s new singles and the album to come, ‘Gonna Have A Ball Tonight’, the group has embraced a more rock n’ roll-centric sound, adding renewed energy to Campbell’s signature country sensibilities.

“I’m very grateful to be part of such a supportive music scene and I feel very fortunate to be recognized as Emerging Artist”, said Nicholas Campbell. “It’s very humbling to be recognized on a list with so many other great artists.”

ABOUT PFF EMERGING ARTIST

Peterborough Folk Festival believes in investing in young and emerging local performers to encourage and support their careers. To that end, PFF created an annual award in 2001 to recognize emerging local talent that we think deserves the attention and support of the community. Judging by the careers of the past recipients, the PFF Emerging Artist Award is a step on the road to a life-long career in music.

Recipients of the PFF Emerging Artist award are given showcase performance spots at the festival and receive a trip to the Folk Music Ontario Conference, where they have the opportunity to interact with many people from the music industry including artistic directors, agents. promoters and other musicians.

The Emerging Artist Award is selected by a committee who assess applicants on skill, dedication and artistic merit. Applicants may be solo artists, groups or bands and must live in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, including Hiawatha, Curve Lake and Alderville First Nations, and either be under the age of 30 or could otherwise be considered emerging (e.g., starting a musical career after pursuing other matters like education, work or family). The award recognizes and supports artists who are really making a go of a musical career - e.g., regularly writing, recording, performing and touring.

Thank you to our 2023 Emerging Artist Sponsors: Cambium Consulting and Engineering; Engage Engineering Ltd.; & Part Time CFO Services!

 Past Recipients: