SiriusXM Spurs Country Competition With $25K Purse

By FYI Staff

SiriusXM Canada has announced the return of SiriusXM Top of the Country in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA). This nationwide talent search provides emerging artists with a national platform, performance opportunities at some of Canada’s top country music events, SOCAN songwriting camps, and valuable industry mentorship to help propel their careers to the next level.

It also features one of the biggest music prizes in Canada – $25,000 cash.

Canadian country solo artists and groups can register for SiriusXM Top of the Country from now until February 1 at topcountry.siriusxm.ca.

“The 2018 inaugural SiriusXM Top of the Country competition was an immense success,” said Jeff Leake, Director, Music Programming, SiriusXM Canada. “We discovered and supported many talented musicians including Andrew Hyatt, our first grand prize winner. We’re excited to provide national exposure, development opportunities, mentorship and valuable industry connections to a new group of artists again this year.”

“We’re so proud of the success of Top of the Country and our first winner, Andrew Hyatt. I loved feeling the buzz of the fans throughout our finale, and when we announced Andrew as the winner in CCMA Fan Village,” said Tracy Martin, President of the CCMA. “This program hits all of our benchmarks in our commitment to the development of new artists – good luck to this year’s participants. We’re looking forward to year two of Top Of The Country and our partnership with SiriusXM.”  

Following registration, eight semi-finalists will be chosen by a jury of industry experts to record professional, original tracks and in-studio videos for the Canada-wide online vote, taking place later this spring. Once voting is complete, the top three acts will emerge as Top Country finalists, receiving a stage spot at one of Canada’s largest country music festivals. Finalists will also attend a SOCAN songwriting camp in Nashville and an exclusive mentorship session in Toronto with starred country artists and industry professionals.

The grand prize winner will be chosen live during the CCMA’s Country Music Week, being held this year in Calgary, AB from September 5-8. Finalists will battle it out on stage at the SiriusXM CCMA Top of the Country Finale, airing live on SiriusXM Canada, with industry professionals deciding the winner of the $25,000, plus attendance at an international SOCAN songwriting camp.