Four Central Alberta country artists are among 12 finalists in a provincial contest for a $100,000 grand prize.
Amy Metcalfe of Red Deer, Dani Lynn of Olds, Stettler band Domino, and Jamie Woodfin of Ponoka made the first cut in Alberta Music’s Project Wild (formerly called the Peak Performance Project). It’s being funded by Wild 953, Calgary’s new country music station.
The next step for the country artists is performing live at Knoxville’s Tavern in Calgary on July 3. After completing an orientation and submitting a proposal, they will each receive a $5,000 development prize that can be spent on recording, marketing, promotion, video production or other activities, at each artist’s discretion.
The finalists will also be participating in a career-boosting music industry boot camp from Aug. 26 to Sept. 2. After receiving performance, songwriting, marketing and recording tips from established performers and industry professionals, the 12 artists will go through a series of public showcases at Knoxville’s Tavern to whittle the list down to the Top 3.
The performers will be judged by a panel of experts, as well as by public online voting from Oct. 28 to Nov. 4. The artists must also submit a report summarizing their accomplishments through the contest.
The Top 3 winners will be announced on Nov. 8 through the radio station. The first-place winner will receive $100,953, the second-place winner will get $75,000 and third place will be given $50,000. This money is designed to help them take their music careers to the next level.
Dear Rouge and The Wet Secrets are bands with Red Deer connections that won this contest when it was called the Peak Performance Project.
The top awards for Project Wild will be bestowed at a ceremony on Nov. 26 at Flames Central in Calgary, with the three winners performing at the event.
The other finalists are: Brad Saunders and Cole Bradley, both of Calgary, The Dungarees and Ken Stead, both of Edmonton, Midnight Lights from Peace River, Shantelle Davidson of Fort. McMurray, Sykamore of Carseland and Trevor Panczak of Magrath.