SiriusXM Canada has announced the kick-off of the third annual SiriusXM Top of the Country in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA). This coast-to-coast search provides emerging Canadian country artists with a national platform, opportunities to perform on some of Canada's biggest country music stages, SOCAN songwriting camps, and unique mentorship opportunities from music industry professionals. The winner of SiriusXM's Top of the Country will also win a $25,000 cash prize.
Canadian country solo artists and groups can register for SiriusXM Top of the Country starting Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. ET until 12 p.m. ET on Feb. 28 at topcountry.siriusxm.ca.
"After the success of last year's SiriusXM Top of the Country competition, we are thrilled to be back for our third year," says Jeff Leake, Director of Music Programming at SiriusXM Canada. "We are excited to see this year's group of talented artists, along with providing them with invaluable exposure within the country music industry and the country, mentorship and artist development opportunities."
"We're so proud of the continued success of Top of the Country and our past winners Andrew Hyatt and Matt Lang," adds Tracy Martin, President, CCMA. "This is always one of the events I really look forward to during Country Music Week and we're excited to partner with SiriusXM again in Hamilton, where we hosted the inaugural contest just two years ago. This program with SiriusXM furthers our commitment to the development of new Canadian country talent and we want to wish all of this year's participants the best of luck in the competition journey!"
Following registration, eight semi-finalists will be chosen by a jury of industry experts to record original tracks and in-studio videos for the Canada-wide online vote, taking place in June. Once voting is complete, the top three acts will emerge as Top Country finalists, receiving a performance 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 and industry showcase in Toronto.
The grand prize winner will be chosen live during the Country Music Week 2020 in Hamilton, ON from Sep. 10-13. Finalists will battle it out on stage at the SiriusXM Top of the Country Finale, airing live on SiriusXM Canada, with industry professionals deciding the winner of the $25,000, plus attendance at an additional SOCAN songwriting camp.
SiriusXM Top of the Country in partnership with the CCMA is part of SiriusXM's mission of promoting and elevating the best emerging Canadian music. SiriusXM continues to offer a leading platform for Canadian artists through its significant financial contributions and North American-wide reach of over 60 million listeners.
