Brianna Gosse, Sherman Downey and The Once share MusicNL awards

St. John's singer Brianna Gosse won album of the year for her debut recording at the MusicNL awards show Sunday night, with folk trio The Once and roots-rockers Sherman Downey and the Ambiguous Case also winning key awards.

• Live blog: Updates from Sunday night's awards

Gosse's album Aera was honoured as the best local album of the year, and she also won female singer of the year during an awards ceremony in Corner Brook.

"To have people giving you awards just for doing something you love seems pretty crazy to me, but I mean, hey, I'm not complaining," Gosse said as she celebrated her wins.

The Once, which just released its fourth album, won awards for group of the year and folk recording of the year.

The trio is currently touring and sent thanks from Germany.

Downey and his band closed out the gala at their hometown, after picking up awards for pop-rock recording of the year. Downey also was honoured as songwriter of the year.

"I surround myself with good players," said Downey.

"I just try to concentrate on maybe trying to catch a good lyric here and there, and then I bring it to the band and they make it sound good."

Steve Maloney and the Wandering King won for best new artist, while veteran singer Shirley Montague was honoured with the industry builder award.

MusicNL winners: full list

Here is the list of the winners from Sunday night's MusicNL presentation in Corner Brook: 

Factor Album of the Year: Brianna Gosse, for Aera

Group of the Year: The Once

Female Artist of the Year: Brianna Gosse

Male Artist of the Year: Mick Davis

Songwriter of the Year: Sherman Downey

Rising Star of the Year: Steve Maloney and the Wandering Kind

Music Video of the Year: Chris Kirby for 'Leave of Absence', 
Directed by Don-E Coady

Alternative Artist of the Year: Cabbages and Kings

Celtic/Traditional Recording of the Year: Aaron Collis & Emilia Bartellas

Classical Recording of the Year: Rob Power

Country Recording of the Year: The Secrets

Folk/Roots Recording of the Year: The Once

Gospel Recording of the Year: Dan Bursey

Instrumental Recording of the Year: Duane Andrews & Craig Young

Jazz/Blues Recording of the Year: The Hip Waders

Loud Recording of the Year: Monsterbator

Pop/Rock Recording of the Year: Sherman Downey & The Ambiguous Case

Urban/Electronic Recording of the Year: Hear/Say

Unsung Hero Award: Paul Heppleston

Industry Builder Award: Shirley Montague

Lifetime Achievement Award: Mattis Benoit