SiriusXM Canada, the country’s leading audio entertainment company, is excited to announce the eight semi-finalists competing for the title of Canada’s next big country music star in the third annual Top of the Country competition. The competition is in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA).
Don Amero Big Valley Jamboree Photo by Katherine Colwell
From the Hudson Bay-born protégé of a former Fleetwood Mac producer, to a former The Voice contestant, the 2020 SiriusXM Top of the Country semi-finalists are:
- Don Amero (Winnipeg, MB)
- Raquel Cole (Vernon, BC)
- Carolina East (South River, NL)
- Nate Hall (Toronto, ON)
- Kalsey Kulyk (Hudson Bay, SK)
- Brittany Kennell (Beaconsfield, QC)
- Tyler Joe Miller (Surrey, BC)
- Kelly Prescott (Almonte, ON)
To learn more about the artists, please visit siriusxm.ca/topcountry.
“From concert and tour cancellations, to delayed studio sessions and albums, the Canadian country music community has truly demonstrated resilience this year,” said Jeff Leake, Director, Music Programming, SiriusXM Canada. “Even though the competition looks a little different than in previous years, we are confident that the talented group of musicians we’ve selected will rise to the occasion and seize the experience.”
Kelly Prescott performs at the Woodstock Truck Show
Photo Cred: Spencer Smye
“We’re proud of how we’ve come together as a community and that SiriusXM has stepped up to provide even more artists the opportunity to grow from this incredible program,” said Tracy Martin, President, CCMA.
The 2019 Top of the Country competition crowned Maniwaki, Quebec’s Matt Lang as the winner. “I am so proud to be part of Canada’s tight-knit country music community,” said Lang. “Last year’s Top of the Country competition allowed me to connect with so many amazing peers, mentors and fans, all while performing at some of the country’s biggest events. The next group of semi-finalists are in for a real treat.”
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines, Top of the Country will be formatted differently in 2020 and will extend across two years. The semi-finalists will be featured during this year’s Country Music Week 2020 – a virtual experience happening later this fall. Then, later in 2021, three finalists will be chosen from a nationwide public vote and a winner will be crowned at Country Music Week 2021, following a live show featuring the artists and a major headliner. The winner will receive a $25,000 grand prize, a SOCAN songwriting trip and more.
Starting this month and extending throughout the year, participants will take part in an industry mentorship and content creation series. The eight semi-finalists will capture live recording sessions right from their home and continue to receive valuable virtual mentorship sessions from industry professionals and artists throughout 2020 until in-person meetings and regular studio sessions can safely resume.
SiriusXM Top of the Country, in partnership with the CCMA, 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 North American-wide reach of over 60 million listeners.
SiriusXM offers the best in country music across more than 10 dedicated channels including CBC Country, The Highway, The Garth Channel, Kenny Chesney’s No Shoe’s Radio, Willie’s Roadhouse, Prime Country and more.
