Meet the 2017 CCMA Discovery Program Finalists

#CCMAdiscovery

(Toronto, ON) April 10, 2017 – The Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) is pleased to announce the top six finalists of the 2017 CCMA Discovery Program. The finalists are: Danielle Bourjeaurd (Ontario), Jesse Gold (Ontario), Kalsey Kulyk (Alberta), Steph La Rochelle (Ontario), Shylo Sharity (British Columbia) and Sons of Daughters (British Columbia). Now in its fifth year, this national initiative of the CCMA was created to educate and support Canadian country music artists and acts in their pursuit of a career in the music industry. 

The 2017 CCMA Discovery Program finalists will come together in Toronto for Music Industry Discovery Week, May 7-12. During this intensive week the finalists will learn about the music business and artist development through industry-led panels and seminars, live performance and vocal training, media coaching and new this year – Canada’s Music Incubator, Coalition Music, will also lead some of the finalists’ development. The week culminates with an exclusive industry-only showcase.

Each finalist will also be paired with an established Canadian country artist for a mentorship program which will take place during the summer months. Finally, during PotashCorp Country Music Week 2017 in Saskatoon, taking place from September 7-10, the finalists will perform at a public CCMA Discovery Showcase on Thursday, September 7 (tickets on sale soon). An industry-led jury will help to select the winner of the 2017 CCMA Discovery Award as part of the event.

“Congratulations to the 2017 CCMA Discovery Program finalists who will travel to Toronto in one month’s time – we guarantee them an unforgettable week,” said Don Green, President of the Canadian Country Music Association. “The Canadian country music industry and our CCMA Members celebrate a strong sense of community, boast an unbelievable support network and celebrate individuality in artist and career development. To contribute to the journey of these six emerging acts is a privilege we look forward to being a part of.”

Past CCMA Discovery Award winners include Eric Ethridge (2016), Raquel Cole (2015), The Lovelocks (2014) and Wes Mack (2013).

More information on the 2017 CCMA Discovery Program finalists:

Danielle Bourjeaurd (Tiny, Ontario)
Originally from a small town in Ontario, Danielle has been living between Canada and Nashville for the past four years, where she has written with hundreds of country’s top songwriters. With her big voice and edgy musicality, Danielle's sound is best described as "country outlaw swagger".
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Jesse Gold (Toronto, Ontario)
Jesse Gold is a Toronto-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. One of Canada's most promising young talents, his soulful melodies and country-inspired instrumentation combine in a sound that is both familiar and modern – a welcome elevation to the country-pop landscape. 
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Kalsey Kulyk (Beaumont, Alberta)
Kalsey Kulyk is a singer and songwriter, whose small-town roots and country soul have inspired a career that has taken her big voice and big dreams all over North America, writing and recording country music with some formidable forces in the industry. She aims to write music that connects with people on a personal level, and the result is a sound that’s a true breath of fresh air in the music scene.
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Steph La Rochelle (Ottawa, Ontario)
With a burgeoning online presence, Steph La Rochelle was first runner-up in the national CBC singing competition Over the Rainbow and has appeared on TV and film, including CBC’s Heartland and the upcoming Disney Channel series, Backstage. She’s currently working on her Factor-funded single, with CCMA Award-winner, Jason Barry.
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Shylo Sharity (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Vancouver’s Shylo Sharity has opened for Wynonna Judd, performed at the Merritt Mountain Music Festival and was one of the top seven finalists of the 2016 Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase. Shylo's currently working towards her first country EP, including co-writes with Randy Bachman, Patricia Conroy and Aaron Pritchett.
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Sons of Daughters (North Vancouver, British Columbia)
The universally notorious aphorism "two are better than one" is evident the moment you hear the music of Sons of Daughters. This dynamic, Vancouver-based duo stands alone in Canadian country with seamless vocal harmonies and on-stage chemistry, bringing a fresh sound to the genre.
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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 PotashCorp Country Music Week and the 2017 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, the Province of Saskatchewan, the City of Saskatoon and Tourism Saskatoon.

Media Contact
Sonya Koson | skoson@ccma.org | 416-947-1331 x210

 

We acknowledge the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada and of Canada’s private radio broadcasters.
Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier de FACTOR, du gouvernement du Canada, et des radio diffuseurs privés du Canada.