SiriusXM Top of the Country Contest Announces Grand Prize Finalists
From a field of 12 semi-finalists, three emerging stars in Canadian country music have been voted as the grand prize finalists in the SiriusXM Top of the Country contest.
Congratulations to Leaving Thomas (West Region), Andrew Hyatt (Central Region), and Jason Benoit (East Region) for making it through to the finals!
We would also like to congratulate Shawn Austin, Kristin Carter, The Redhill Valleys, Cory James Mitchell, Ian Janes, and Chris Ryan for their success in making it to the semi-finals and showing Canadian country music fans what they have to offer as they move forward in their careers.
Related: SiriusXM Top of the Country Semi-Finalists Q&A
Tracy Martin, president of the Canadian Country Music Association, hit the nail on the head with her comments about the announcement…
“The talent in the first phase of Top of The Country was exceptional, it’s hard to believe that we are down to three… We can’t wait to see them perform at the finale during Country Music Week.”
Now that the three finalists have been selected we can look forward to the summer section of the contest that includes a performance for each of the finalists at a major country music festival. Hyatt, Leaving Thomas (Annika Odegard & Bryton Udy), and Benoit will also make trips to Nashville where they will participate in a week-long SOCAN songwriting trip, followed by a two-day mentorship session in Toronto with major industry professionals, including Nashville-based hit songwriter J.T. Harding. For each of these artists, these experiences will offer an opportunity to further their careers, earn new fans, write new songs, and establish themselves as major players in Canadian country.
And then, after the summer fun has ended, all three Top of the Country grand prize finalists will make their way to Hamilton, Ontario for Canadian Country Music Week 2018 and an epic music performance battle!
In the end, only one winner can be named. And while all three finalists will have had the chance to share in the trips to Nashville, Toronto, and Hamilton, one will take home the grand prize.
That grand prize, the one that Jason Benoit, Andrew Hyatt, and Leaving Thomas all hope to take home, includes a SOCAN songwriting camp in Pender Island, British Columbia, a $25,000 cash prize, and more!
We’ve had the chance to see all three of these emerging country stars perform live on big stages. We’ve also had the opportunity to sit down and talk to them about their music and careers… and we can tell you that they’re all awesome.
Good luck to Andrew, Annika & Bryton, and Jason!
Now, have another look at the songs that got these three artists to the finals – and stay tuned to find out who will be crowned SiriusXM’s Top of the Country champion!
Leaving Thomas – Kiss About It
Andrew Hyatt – Habit
Jason Benoit – Slow Hand
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