SiriusXM and the CCMA launch Top of the Country music competition in search of Canada's next big country star

Grand prize includes $25,000, featured performances at Country Music Week and more

Registration opens today until March 2

TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2018 /CNW/ - SiriusXM Canada, the country's leading audio entertainment company, today announced the launch of SiriusXM's Top of the Country in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA), offering a national platform exclusively for emerging Canadian country artists. The cross-Canada search will give participating acts a chance to play at Canada's biggest country music festivals, industry mentorship programs, a SOCAN songwriting camp in Nashville, TN and more, plus the grand prize of $25,000 and a SOCAN songwriting camp in Pender Island, BC.

Once participants representing Western, Central and Eastern Canada have been selected, the competition will not only offer emerging artists some of the biggest prizes in the country, but showcase them on a national stage through a public online vote open to all Canadians to choose their favourites.

"Fostering and promoting new Canadian talent has always been incredibly important to SiriusXM and to our partner, the CCMA," said Jeff Leake, Director of Music Programming. "So as Canada's premier music provider, we wanted to shine a light on the burgeoning community of up and coming country artists to give them the exposure they deserve and need to help take their music careers to the next level."

"As a champion of Canadian country music, the CCMA prides itself on finding new ways to elevate the genre and the artists that are navigating their way through it," said Tracy Martin, Interim President of the CCMA. "We were focused on expanding our Discovery Program and our new artist development efforts, and we have done just that with our partner, SiriusXM. We are very excited to launch Top of the Country."

SiriusXM invites Canadian country solo artists and groups to register starting at 10 am ET today at siriusxm.ca/topcountry until midnight ET on March 2. Following the registration phase, three artists from each of Western, Central and Eastern Canada will be chosen by a jury of industry experts to record in-studio videos for the Canada-wide online vote, taking place later this Spring.

Once voting is complete, three will emerge as the Top Country Finalists, receiving a stage spot at Big Valley Jamboree (Camrose, AB), Cavendish Beach Music Festival (Cavendish, PEI) or a SiriusXM-sponsored major festival in Ontario. Finalists will also receive a SOCAN songwriting camp in Nashville, TN and an exclusive mentoring session with Canadian artists and industry professionals in Toronto, hosted by SiriusXM and the CCMA.

The grand prize winner of Top of the Country will be chosen during the CCMA's Country Music Week in Hamilton, ON this September. Finalists will battle it out on stage before a headlining artist at the SiriusXM CCMA Top of the Country Finale, airing live on SiriusXM, with music industry professionals and audience votes deciding the winner of $25,000, plus a SOCAN songwriting camp in Pender Island, BC.   

SiriusXM's Top of the Country in partnership with CCMA is part of SiriusXM's ongoing tradition 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 35 million subscribers.

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 50 Best Managed Companies eight 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", Radio Starmaker Fund, Government of Ontario, City of Hamilton, Tourism Hamilton and the Hamilton, Halton and Brant Regional Tourism Organization.

SOURCE Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc.

Media Contacts:Chris McDowall, Holmes PR, 416-628-5612, [email protected]; Andrea McLoughlin, Holmes PR, 416-628-5609, [email protected]