March 17, 2015
News
Canadian Country Music Association announces regionalized CCMA Discovery Program for Atlantic Canada
March 17, 2014 (Toronto, ON) – The Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) is launching a CCMA Discovery Program for Atlantic Canada, providing a unique opportunity for emerging artists in the region to take the next step in their country music career.
The CCMA, in association with the four Atlantic Canada Music Industry Associations (MIAs): Music New Brunswick, Music Newfoundland & Labrador, Music Nova Scotia, Music Prince Edward Island and the Cavendish Beach Music Festival, developed this pilot program, an offshoot of the successful national CCMA Discovery Program. Open to country music artists who are residents of Atlantic Canada and are the age of majority, submissions are now open until Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. AT.
The CCMA will be heading to Halifax, NS for its 39th edition of Country Music Week, September 10 to 13, 2015. The CCMA Discovery Program – Atlantic Canada, created through a partnership with the local Country Music Week host committee, the Province of Nova Scotia and generously supported by the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), aligns with the CCMA goal of introducing programs that educate, elevate and celebrate country music.
“The positive feedback we’ve received in regards to our national CCMA Discovery Program has been simply incredible. Emerging talent sees the value in this unique programming, and industry representatives have been beyond supportive when it comes to contributing to, and being a part of, this initiative,” said Don Green, President of the Canadian Country Music Association. “The way the Atlantic Canada community has banded together to bring this project to fruition is reminiscent of the way our Canadian country music community comes together when there is a cause near and dear to one of us. Because of these similarities, we knew this pilot program was a natural fit.”
Four Atlantic Canadian acts will be selected to participate in this pilot program from their respective MIAs, and two acts will be selected by a music industry jury appointed by the CCMA. The chosen six finalists will come together June 8 to 11 in Halifax for Boot Camp Week, which will include industry-led panels and seminars, live performance and media training, an industry showcase opportunity and more. All six finalists will then travel to Cavendish Beach Music Festival in Cavendish PEI, from July 10 to 12 to participate in a public showcase. One finalist will be chosen as the winner of the 2015 CCMA Discovery Program - Atlantic Canada Award at the Cavendish Beach Music Festival, and will receive the opportunity to perform at Country Music Week 2015, among other prizing.
For more information on the CCMA Discovery Program - Atlantic Canada, or to apply, visit ccma.org.
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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. Local sponsors of the CCMA Discovery Program – Atlantic Canada include the Province of Nova Scotia, the City of Halifax and the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Sponsors of Country Music Week and the 2015 CCMA Awards 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 Nova Scotia, the City of Halifax and Destination Halifax.
Media Contacts
Sonya Koson
Communications Lead, CCMA
skoson@ccma.org
416-947-1331 x210
Michele Charlton
Halifax Host Committee
micheleelizabethcharlton@gmail.com
902-403-5628
