AND THE WINNER Is ...
AND THE WINNER Is ...
… For the first time in the history of the International Songwriting Competition ( ISC ), the grand prize has been awarded to Canadian songwriters . Winnipeg troubadour Matt Epp and Morocco-born , Manitoba-raised 16-year-old Faouzia won for their co-written song “ The Sound .” Now in its 16 th year , the ISC is the world ’ s largest international songwriting competition , receiving more than 16,000 entries from 137 countries throughout the world . The Grand Prize winners take home $ 25,000 USD in cash and over $ 45,000 in additional prizes . www . songwritingcompetition . com .
PHOTO : GRANT MARTIN
MEGHAN PATRICK
Emerging country star Meghan Patrick was the star of the show at the 2017 Country Music Association of Ontario ( CMAO ) Awards , held in London , ON on June 11 th .
Patrick took home four awards for Album , Female Artist , Music Video , and Rising Star of the Year . The Single of the Year award went to River Town Saints for “ Cherry Bomb ” and Songwriter of the Year went to Deric Ruttan and Craig Wiseman for co-writing Blake Shelton ’ s hit “ Came Here to Forget .” Tim Hicks won Male Artist of the Year .
For a full list of winners , go to www . cmaontario . ca .
Project WILD Top 12 Finalists Revealed
Alberta Music and country music radio station Wild 953 have announced this year ’ s Top 12 artists for Project WILD . A professional development program designed to educate , promote , develop , and launch the careers of some of Alberta ’ s up and coming country and roots artists , the Top 12 announcement kicks off the Project ’ s second year .
The 2017 Project WILD Top 12 artists are : Andrea Nixon , Brad Saunders , Charlie James , Dustin Farr , Karac Hendriks , Lucas Chaisson , Lucette , Mark Times , Mikaila Cooper , Nice Horse , Ryan Langlois , and Tanya Ryan .
Project WILD is part of a seven-year , $ 4.9 million program designed to kick-start the international music careers of three emerging Alberta artists annually , and give a boost to all top 12 finalists selected by an industry jury . The top cash prize is $ 100,953 , $ 75,000 for second prize , and $ 50,000 third prize .
For more information , go to www . projectwildcountry . com .
2016 PROJECT WILD WINNERS THE DUNGAREES
PHOTO : DUNGAREES / FACEBOOK
WWW . CANADIANMUSICIAN . COM CANADIAN MUSICIAN • 15