Canada's Walk of Fame announces the winners of the 2015 'Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Program supported by RBC' valued at over $100,000

Grand prize winners Ivory Hours of London, Ontario receive cash prize of $25,000, private studio time and more

All winners to perform at the Canada's Walk of Fame Festival Emerging Artists Showcase at Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto, September 30

To tweet this release: http://ctt.ec/cg8P2

TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2015 /CNW/ - Canada's Walk of Fame announced that alt-pop band Ivory Hours from London, Ontario is the Grand Prize winner of the 2015 Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Program supported by RBC, part of Canada's Walk of Fame Emerging Artists Programs and Scholarships. With the total prize value reaching more than $100,000, seven winners from across Canada were selected for this initiative that aims to support the next generation of gifted Canadian musicians. All winners will perform at the Canada's Walk of Fame Festival Emerging Artists Showcase at Toronto's Yonge-Dundas Square on Wednesday, September 30.

From Whitehorse, Yukon to Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and everywhere in between, over 300 submissions were received from artists in all genres of music – a 42 percent increase from last year.

"Our Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Program is a valuable professional development resource for talented young musicians," said Melanie Hurley, Chief Executive Officer, Canada's Walk of Fame. "The increase in submissions this year and the success that last year's Grand Prize winner has had since winning makes us proud. We are committed to continuing to offer the tools and opportunities required to establish a solid foundation towards a successful career in music."

The winners of this year's Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Program supported by RBC are:

Grand Prize Winner: Ivory Hours – London, ON
Second Prize Winner: Calla Kinglit – Whitehorse, YK
Finalist: Tafari Anthony – Toronto, ON
Finalist: Ben Cottrill – Abbotsford, BC
Finalist: Nature Of – Edmonton, AB
Finalist: Ily – Toronto, ON
Finalist: Goldwing – Kingston, ON

Ivory Hours is an alt-pop band from London, Ontario. Formed by songwriter Luke Roes in 2012, the band has been steadily rising ever since. After enlisting a new rhythm section in the fall of 2013 they released 'Mary' – a colorful, pop-laden EP embracing a new danceable and polished sound. The title track entered regular rotation on local radio, CBC and charted on campus radio across the country. Upbeat music videos for 'Mary' and 'Hello Honey' gained traction online, landing features in Noisey, Exclaim, Popdose and the front page of Reddit.

The band released their full-length debut album 'Morning Light' on June 9, 2015; a collection of ten exciting, infectious pop tunes co-produced by Dan Brodbeck (The Cranberries, Dolores O'Riordan) and mastered by Joao Carvalho (Lights, Stars). The first single "I Won't" debuted on Indie88 in Toronto and took the band to the Top 4 in CBC's Searchlight competition. After notable sets at both Canadian Music Week and NXNE 2015, Ivory Hours will spend the rest of the year touring, with a new MuchFACT funded video for "Dreamer" on the way. More recently, Ivory Hours was crowned the 2015 winners of 102.1 The Edge's "Next Big Thing" competition.

As the Grand Prize winner, Ivory Hours will receive a cash prize of $25,000 and performance opportunities at Canada's Walk of Fame events, along with 25 hours of private studio time between Metalworks Studio and Bathouse Studio with an appointed producer and mentored by established Canadian talent; album cover artwork design by Eric McBain Creative as well as introductions to music industry agents and executives.

The Second Prize winner, Calla Kinglit will receive a cash prize of $7,000 and will perform at the Canada's Walk of Fame Inductee Media Announcement on September 29 to announce the 2015 Inductees. The additional five finalists will each receive $1,200 each. All winners will have the chance to perform at the Canada's Walk of Fame Festival Emerging Artists Showcase at Yonge-Dundas Square on September 30.

RBC's support of The Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Program is part of their focus on helping artists in the early stages of their careers through the RBC Emerging Artists Project.

"Moving from the garage or basement to the stage and studio can be a long and challenging journey for young musicians in Canada," said Valerie Chort, Vice President, Corporate Citizenship, RBC. "Finding success through the Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Program supported by RBC could be the final hurdle for a performer looking to gain national recognition after years of hard work. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists for getting a little bit closer to their dream." 

In addition, all winners are invited to participate in a private music industry career development information session with Q & A, facilitated by Universal Music Canada. The approximate value of the prizing in total is $100,000 CDN.

The winners were selected by a panel of judges including members of Canada's Walk of Fame senior management team and Board of Directors, as well as prominent music industry executives and artists.

Canada's Walk of Fame gratefully acknowledges the support of our 2015 National Sponsors: Cineplex Entertainment, NBCUniversal, Slaight Communications and Air Canada. Other Canada's Walk of Fame national programs and events include the Peter Soumalias Unsung Hero Honour, Canada's Walk of Fame Red Carpet, Inductee Charity Ball presented by Scotia Wealth Management and the Canada's Walk of Fame televised show, which is broadcast nationally on Global.

To view the video submissions from the seven winners visit: http://www.canadaswalkoffame.com/pages/2015-eammp-winners

SOURCE Canada's Walk of Fame

Tran Nguyen, Holmes PR, t: 416.628.5607, e: [email protected]; Jason Graham, Manager, Brand and Corporate Citizenship Communications, t: 416.313.5783, e: [email protected]