Victoria-based record label snags first Juno Award for ‘Blues Album of the Year’

Cordova Bay Records is a small record label based out of Victoria, and this weekend, they managed to win their first Juno Award. 

One of the artists they represent, Big Dave McLean, won the Juno for Blues Album of the Year. 

This marks a big win for both McLean and for the label as neither have won a Juno Award before this weekend’s ceremony. 

McLean released his winning seventh album in 2024, This Old Life, which earned him the blues album award at Canada’s most celebrated music award’s ceremony. 

The blues aficionado grew up in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and started playing guitar in 1969 before releasing his debut record in 1989. 

McLean has been a long-time collaborator with Canadian blues sensation, Colin James, and has worked with several other renowned artists throughout his 36-year career. 

Cordova Bay Records has been around for 26-years and has garnered nine Juno nominations in that time. 

The label prides themselves on being fiercely independent and artist-focused with a small, but mighty roster of artists, many of whom are blues artists like McLean.

“We try to find people we can work with and live with and be happy together for a long time,” said Jocelyn Greenwood, Cordova Bay’s President of A&R. 

On top of McLean’s win at this year’s Junos, another Cordova Bay Records artist, David Gogo was nominated for Blues Album of the Year, marking Gogo’s fifth nomination. 

“As Cordova Bay Records moves forward into 2025 with its first-ever JUNO win and two nominations in a single year, its legacy as a pillar of Canadian independent music only grows stronger,” said Cordova Bay Records in a media release. 

“With a deep and diverse roster that includes Royal Wood, David Vest, Terry Robb, Tony D, The Maple Blues Band, and more, the label continues to embrace an artist-first approach — proving that perseverance, passion, and great music always win in the end.”

Two artists with ties to Victoria were nominated for two Junos apiece, Spiritbox and Mother Mother, but neither were able to win in their respective categories this year.