P.E.I.'s Jim Power broadcasting live on Radio ECMA from Cape Breton

If you listen closely you may hear the twang of guitars and fiddles coming from Sydney, Cape Breton. East coast music — the finest kind.

East Coast Music Week 2016 is underway on that 'other' island, with plenty of P.E.I. talent on display.

• Lennie Gallant's inspired farewell to Ron Hynes
• ​'Lonely Kid' Mark Skinner nominated for 1 ECMA, 3 Music PEI Awards

But if you can't be there, the next best thing might be to tune into Radio ECMA, streaming online from the stage at Governor's Pub on Esplanade Street, overlooking the harbour. 

Jim Power, a board member of the P.E.I. Jazz and Blues Festival, is in charge of Radio ECMA, which launched Wednesday at noon

"We've been broadcasting live performances since about 3:30 in the afternoon yesterday, so we had Governor's rocking and rolling for sure right up until midnight last night," said Power.

Usually, Radio ECMA is featured in the lobby of the host hotel, said Power, "but ... we thought it would be cool to take Radio ECMA on location this year and what better place than Governor's Pub, because Governor's is a very, very strong supporter of east coast music and east coast musicians."

Also new this year is an expanded lineup on Radio ECMA's Opportunity Stage, with 105 performances slated for the week, topping last year's count of 87.

Power took over Radio ECMA from the late CBC broadcaster and friend of east coast music, Mac Campbell. Campbell's daughter, Jennifer Campbell, used to go the ECMAs as a child and now attends as executive director of Small Halls Inc.

"I'm here to network with all the other international delegates coming from everywhere. Everybody shares ideas ...  it's fantastic," said Campbell.

For Power, that special vibe that pulsates throughout the week is what makes the ECMAs special, and what he tries to showcase via the airwaves.

"I want to thank Jennifer's dad, Mac because Mac was the originator in many ways of what Radio ECMA is about," said Power.

"I became a volunteer in 2011 in Charlottetown and I was just walking by Mac ... and he said, 'Hey just get behind the mic ... I said ok!'  That relationship began then and it never ended," he said.

"I think secretly he was grooming [Power] for the position," said Campbell with a laugh.