Country music's next big star is revealed! Andrew Hyatt is crowned the first SiriusXM Top of the Country Winner

Canadian country music star Tim Hicks headlined the finale

TORONTO, Sept. 10, 2018 /CNW/ - SiriusXM Canada, the country's leading audio entertainment company, is pleased to announce Andrew Hyatt from Sudbury, Ontario as the winner of the inaugural SiriusXM Top of the Country competition, in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA). Hyatt took home the grand prize of $25,000, a SOCAN songwriting camp in Pender Island, BC and more.

For high-resolution photos and b-roll of the winner, click here

Following an epic music battle between the top three finalists, a judging panel of music industry professionals including country music star Madeline Merlo, award-winning broadcaster Paul McGuire, Director, A&R for SOCAN, Rodney Murphy, along with audience votes determined the grand prize winner live on Friday, September 7 at the SiriusXM CCMA Top of the Country Finale. Taking place in the CCMA Fan Village as part of Country Music Week, the Finale aired live on SiriusXM's CBC Country (ch. 171). Chart-topping, award-winning country music star Tim Hicks closed out the high-energy show.

"Winning SiriusXM Top of the Country is a huge honour. The competition from the other two finalists was fierce and being selected by some of the industry's most notable players, and a crowd of diehard country music fans, makes it that much more meaningful," said Hyatt. "Performing during Country Music Week, surrounded by incredible Canadian artists who have influenced my music from the beginning, and sharing the stage with Tim Hicks is a dream come true. I'm eager to share this win with all of the people who have helped get me to this point."

"Fostering and promoting emerging Canadian talent is a major priority for SiriusXM and we are proud to have helped mentor and provide exposure to top calibre artists from across the country," said Jeff Leake, Director, Music Programming, SiriusXM Canada. "The talent, drive and passion of all three finalists made this a stiff competition, and I congratulate Andrew Hyatt on a well-deserved win. We look forward to following his future success."

The Finale capped off a seven-month journey that began with hundreds of submissions from artists across Canada. Whittled down to nine semi-finalists, SiriusXM hosted studio sessions with each, which were then voted for by country music fans from coast-to-coast.

As chosen by the people, three finalists emerged, who all receive a week-long SOCAN songwriting trip to Nashville, TN. Plus the finalists participated in an industry mentorship session in Toronto with major industry professionals, including with 2017 CCMA Female Artist of the Year Meghan Patrick and Nashville-based hit songwriter J.T. Harding.

In addition to the mentorship sessions, each finalist performed at one of Canada's three biggest country music festivals; Big Valley Jamboree (Camrose, AB), Cavendish Beach Music Festival (Cavendish, PE) and Boots and Hearts Music Festival (Oro-Medonte, ON), exposing them to huge crowds of country music fans.

SiriusXM's Top of the Country in partnership with CCMA is part of SiriusXM's ongoing tradition of promoting and elevating the best in Canadian music. SiriusXM continues to offer a leading platform for Canadian artists through its significant financial contributions and North American-wide reach of over 55 million listeners.

About SiriusXM Canada

Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc., operating as SiriusXM Canada, is the country's leading entertainment company. SiriusXM creates and offers commercial-free music; premier sports talk and live events; comedy; news; and exclusive talk and entertainment. SiriusXM is available in vehicles from every major car company and on smartphones and other connected devices as well as online at siriusxm.ca.

Join SiriusXM Canada on Facebook at facebook.com/siriusxmcanada, on Twitter at @siriusxmcanada, on Instagram at @siriusxmcanada and on YouTube at youtube.com/siriusxmcanada.

SiriusXM radios and accessories are available from retailers nationwide and online at SiriusXM. In addition, SiriusXM Music for Business provides commercial-free music to a variety of businesses. SiriusXM is also a leading provider of connected vehicles services, giving customers access to a suite of safety, security, and convenience services including automatic crash notification, stolen vehicle recovery assistance, enhanced roadside assistance and turn-by-turn navigation.

SiriusXM Canada has been designated one of Canada's Best Managed Companies nine years in a row and is currently a Platinum Club Member.

About the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA)

Established in 1976, the CCMA is a membership-based, not-for-profit organization committed to the promotion and recognition of Canadian country music. Built upon the foundation to educate, elevate and celebrate Canadian talent, the CCMA progressively heralds the spirit, community and creativity that country music fosters through year-round initiatives, culminating every fall with Country Music Week and the Canadian Country Music Association Awards. Sponsors of Country Music Week and the 2018 CCMA Awards Show include FACTOR, Canada's Private Radio Broadcasters and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage's "Canada Music Fund", Ontario Creates, Radio Starmaker Fund, the Government of Ontario, City of Hamilton, Tourism Hamilton and the Hamilton, Halton and Brant Regional Tourism Organization.

SOURCE Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc.

Media Contact: Andrea McLoughlin, KWT Global, [email protected], 416-307-2395