Bouctouche (NB), Sept 27, 2019 – Singer songwriter Laurie LeBlanc from Bouctouche, New Brunswick won “Male Country Artist of the Year” last Saturday at the 5th Annual Josie Music Awards. The red carpet event was held at the Celebrity Theater inside the Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

The Josie Music Awards is a prestigious award event that is internationally recognized and respected by the music industry. The JMA recognizes independent artists of all musical genres. With over 23,000 submissions, artists came from South America, Spain, Netherlands, Great Britain, USA, Canada, etc.

The event included media, meet-and-greet with TV Reality Stars Ronnie and Amy Shirley of Lizard Lick Towing and 19 performances. The show also included four special award presentations including “The Lifetime Career Achievement Award" presented to Joanne Cash (The Late Johnny Cash’s sister). Devon O'Day from the worlds most famed country music station WSM hosted the gala along with owners Josie & Tinamarie Passantino. Paul Castoe of the highly respected songwriter association TSAI (Tennessee Songwriters Association International) assisted in presenting a couple of songwriter awards. “I was extremely happy to receive five nominations. It was an honor to represent the province of New Brunswick. I’m very blessed to win this prize and the timing couldn’t be better.” Says Laurie LeBlanc who is working on his second English album: “When it’s Right it’s Right”. The recording of Laurie’s 7th album is being produced by multi-award winner Jason Barry.