September 12, Calgary, AB: This past June, WILD 953 and Alberta Music announced the Top 12 Artists for Project WILD Country, and kicked off a summer of fun as well as an enormous challenge for it’s participants. Taking part in a week long bootcamp, the twelve finalist artists and bands gathered near Princeton, BC for a week of intensive study, in order to equip them with the knowledge and experience needed in today’s music industry. Bootcamp isn’t all just seminars and homework though, there’s performance, collaborative writing, and a bit of fun thrown in too. Look through the website for photos and more from all the artists.
Now that boots and guitars are shined up, and the finalists have gained the insiders edge, the Top 12 are set to put their best foot forward at the showcase series, sponsored by New Amsterdam Vodka. Three of the Top 12 artists and bands will perform Thursday in September and October, playing their hearts out to eager crowds as well as judges. After the showcase series concludes, the public can vote for their favourite act, which also counts towards the score. In November, the Top 3 will be announced, soon followed by the finale concert where the order of the top prize winners, including the grand prize of $100,953.00, will be revealed!
Each showcase will take place with doors at 8:00pm, show at 9:00pm at Knoxville’s Calgary, (840 9th Avenue SW). Tickets will be on sale Thursday, September 15th for $9.53 on the website, with all proceeds going to the Unison Benevolent Fund.
Thursday, September 29th
Amy Metcalfe (Red Deer)
Domino (Stettler)
The Dungarees (Edmonton)
Thursday, October 6th
Dani Lynn (Olds)
Ken Stead (Edmonton)
Cole Bradley (Calgary)
Thursday, October 20th
Jamie Woodfin (Ponoka)
Shantelle Davidson (Ft. McMurray)
Brad Saunders (Calgary)
Thursday, October 27th
Midnight Lights (Peace River)
Sykamore (Carseland)
Trevor Panczak (Magrath)
Project WILD is designed to develop and launch the careers of some of Alberta’s up and coming country artists. It also hopes to foster the Alberta music industry and create a sense of community amongst artists and music professionals. Top Prizes this year for the Alberta Project include a $100,953 top prize, $75,000 second prize, $50,000 third prize, as well as a $5,000 Development award given to each Top 12 band to help them with their career development.
