SiriusXM's Top of the Country finale awards SACHA the title of Canada's next big country music star and $25,000
The show opened Country Music Week 2022 with outstanding performances including headliner set by Tenille Townes
Runners-up awarded $10,000 in prize money for first time ever
TORONTO, Sept. 9, 2022 /CNW/ - SiriusXM's Top of the Country competition came to an exciting conclusion last night, crowning SACHA from Warkworth, ON the winner. The fourth annual competition and talent search by SiriusXM Canada, the country's leading audio entertainment company, in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA), was created to bring the next big Canadian country music artist to stardom. SACHA took home the grand prize of $25,000, will appear in the live CCMA Awards presented by TD broadcast on Sunday, September 11 and more.
The exhilarating live event held at The Palace Theatre in Calgary kicked-off Country Music Week 2022. The three finalists, Josh Ross, SACHA and Shantaia performed for an enthusiastic crowd of country music fans and listeners tuning into the live show on SiriusXM's CBC Country (ch. 171) before a headlining set by 2022 CCMA Awards presented by TD co-host and nominee Tenille Townes. Audience votes and a judging panel of music industry professionals decided the fate of the finalists and ultimately chose SACHA as this year's winner. As a surprise, Josh Ross and Shantaia were each awarded $10,000 in prize money for the first time in competition history.
"The SiriusXM Top of the Country competition has nurtured my abilities and passions as a Canadian country artist and I am beyond grateful to be standing here today as the 2022 winner," said SACHA. "This is a dream come true and I wouldn't be here without the fans who believed in me and supported my music. Thank you to everyone along the way who helped me get here, including SiriusXM and the CCMA."
The finale was the culmination of a year-long competition that began with Canadian country music artists casting their submissions from coast-to-coast. The impressive group was paired down to the top eight who were given the opportunity to showcase their talent to Canadians, who ultimately decided on the top three finalists. Josh Ross, SACHA and Shantaia experienced mentorship journeys and showcase opportunities to hone their skills and prepare them for the much-anticipated moment that brought them centre stage.
"This competition continues to prove just how much talent lives within Canada and at SiriusXM, we are dedicated to giving Canadian artists a platform where they can continue to succeed in the industry," says Paul Cunningham, SVP Marketing, SiriusXM Canada. "This year's finalists are some of the most talented we've seen, and throughout the competition SACHA wowed time-and-time again. Tonight was a true testament to their level of commitment, talent and place in Canadian country music fans' hearts."
"The Canadian Country Music Association wants to say a big congratulations to SACHA and all the other competitors who have made the SiriusXM Top of the Country competition such a rewarding experience," says Amy Jeninga, President, CCMA. "We value the ongoing partnership with SiriusXM Canada and are thrilled to watch the contestants continue to flourish within the Canadian music scene."
SiriusXM's Top of the Country, in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association, is part of SiriusXM's ongoing commitment to promoting and elevating the best in emerging Canadian music. SiriusXM continues to offer a leading platform for Canadian artists through its significant financial contributions and reach.
Sirius XM Canada Inc., operating as SiriusXM Canada, is the country's leading audio entertainment company. SiriusXM creates and offers ad-free music; premier sports talk and live events; comedy; news; podcasts; and exclusive talk and entertainment. SiriusXM is available in vehicles from every major car company, as well as on smartphones and all connected devices on the SXM App. For more information, visit siriusxm.ca.
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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 2022 and the 2022 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, Tourism Calgary and the Government of Alberta
SOURCE Sirius XM Canada Inc.
SiriusXM Canada: Aoife Gray, Zeno Group, [email protected], 647-218-3906
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