Judique’s own Buddy MacMaster
-by April MacDonald
The Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative announced the 2026 inductees to the Cape Breton Music Industry Hall of Fame on Monday morning.
The Cape Breton Music Industry Hall of Fame celebrates individuals and groups who have made significant and lasting contributions to Cape Breton’s rich musical heritage. Since its inception, the Hall of Fame has recognized artists, industry leaders, and cultural ambassadors whose work has helped shape the island’s musical identity and elevate its profile nationally and internationally.
The annual induction gala, typically held at Centre 200 in Sydney, brings together performers, community members, and music lovers in a powerful celebration of Cape Breton’s enduring musical legacy. Past inductees have included internationally recognized artists, beloved cultural icons, and influential industry builders who have strengthened and inspired generations of musicians.
In Cape Breton, music is more than entertainment – it’s part of who we are. It lives in our kitchens, our community halls, our festivals, and on stages across this island. Our music tells the story of our people, our history, and a culture that has always found its voice through song. But music is also an important industry. It supports artists, venues, festivals, technicians, broadcasters, and many others who make their living sharing Cape Breton’s culture with the world. It brings visitors to our island, fills our hotels and restaurants, and plays a meaningful role in the tourism economy that so many communities depend on. Recently, we’ve seen renewed conversations around support for arts and culture in Nova Scotia. Moments like this remind us how important it is to recognize the people who build and sustain our cultural industries. The strength of Cape Breton’s music community has always come from the artists, advocates, and champions who believe deeply in the value of this work and continue to carry it forward. That’s what the Cape Breton Music Industry Hall of Fame is about. It allows us to pause and recognize those whose talent, leadership, and dedication have helped shape the musical landscape of this island and share it with audiences far beyond our shores. Today, we are proud to honour four individuals whose contributions have left a lasting mark on Cape Breton’s music community.
Buddy MacMaster: Few musicians have carried the sound of Cape Breton across the world the way Buddy MacMaster did. Born in Judique, Buddy became one of the greatest ambassadors of the Cape Breton fiddle tradition, preserving the distinctive style passed down through generations of island musicians. Known for his powerful bowing, deep repertoire of traditional tunes, and unmistakable swing, Buddy brought the music of Cape Breton from kitchen parties and community halls to concert stages across Canada, the United States, and around the world. Through his recordings, performances, and the many musicians he inspired – including members of his own family – Buddy helped ensure that the island’s fiddle tradition would continue to thrive for generations. It is my pleasure to announce Buddy MacMaster as a 2026 inductee to the Cape Breton Music Industry Hall of Fame.
Alister MacGillivray: Few songs capture the beauty and spirit of Cape Breton as powerfully as Out on the Mira. Written by acclaimed songwriter, poet, and folklorist Alister MacGillivray, the song has become one of the island’s most beloved musical anthems. Through his writing, Alister has celebrated the landscapes, language, and traditions of Cape Breton, preserving stories of its people and places in song and verse. Out on the Mira in particular has resonated with audiences for decades, recorded and performed by numerous artists and cherished by Cape Bretoners both at home and around the world. Through his work as a songwriter and cultural storyteller, Alister MacGillivray has helped share the heart and identity of Cape Breton through music. It is my pleasure to announce Alister MacGillivray as a 2026 inductee to the Cape Breton Music Industry Hall of Fame.
Gordie Sampson: Sampson is one of Cape Breton’s most celebrated musical ambassadors. Raised in Big Pond, Gordie built an international reputation as a songwriter, producer, and performer, earning a Grammy Award for co-writing Carrie Underwood’s hit Jesus, Take the Wheel. His songs have been recorded by some of the biggest names in country and popular music, including Faith Hill, Rascal Flatts, and Keith Urban. Despite his global success, Gordie has remained deeply connected to his Cape Breton roots, regularly returning home to support and mentor emerging artists. Through his songwriting, his collaborations, and his commitment to developing the next generation of musicians, Gordie continues to shine a spotlight on the extraordinary talent that comes from this island. It is my pleasure to announce Gordie Sampson as a 2026 inductee to the Cape Breton Music Industry Hall of Fame.
Bill MacNeil: Bill MacNeil is one of the founding forces behind The Coast 89.7, Cape Breton’s community radio station dedicated to East Coast music and local voices. As general manager of Coastal Community Radio Co-operative and music director for the station, Bill helped turn the vision of a radio station focused on East Coast artists into a reality. His career in broadcasting began in Bridgewater and continued in Sydney before he left radio to work in the music industry. In 2003, he returned to help establish Coastal Community Radio Co-operative and launch The Coast 89.7. Under his leadership, the station has become an important platform for local musicians and a champion of locally owned and operated radio, even earning Radio Station of the Year at the 2011 East Coast Music Awards. It is my pleasure to announce Bill MacNeil as a 2026 inductee to the Cape Breton Music Industry Hall of Fame.
Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative (CBMIC) is a non-profit organization developed to grow and support Cape Breton’s music industry.
CBMIC has distributed over $1 million in funds, hosted countless showcase opportunities and provided industry-related training year in and year out to hard-working and promising musicians from Cape Breton during the last decade.
The announcement took place at Breton Toyota in Sydney.