News
Alberta Music Is Hiring An Executive Director
May 14, 2012
Job Posting – Executive Director
The Alberta Music Industry Association is a non-profit, service-based association dedicated to helping professionals in the music industry succeed in their careers.
We are looking for an Executive Director to provide leadership, vision, and creative energy to deliver the mission and mandate of Alberta Music.
See the full job posting for complete information and details.
Medicine Hat Song Contest - Winner Announced
May 4, 2012
The jury is in! We are excited to announce that the winner of the Medicine Hat Song Contest is Blair Cooney – with his song, “A Better Run”.
Blair is the recipient of $2000 cash from Alberta Music, and was ecstatic about the win – certainly happy to start the weekend off with some good news.
The judges of the contest were pleased to see the level of talent the songwriters in this province have. Honorable mention goes to Curtis Windover for “The City Sleeps Early”, and Rochelle Ireland for “Postcards from the Sargasso Sea”.
Congratulations Blair and thank-you to all who entered!!!
If you would like to listen or read the lyrics from the top three finalists, click on the links below!
Blair Cooney
Listen to – A Better Run
Lyrics
Curtis Windover
Listen to – The City Sleeps Early
Lyrics
Rochelle Ireland
Listen to – Postcards from the Sargasso Sea
Lyrics
ATB All- Albertan Song Contest - Winner Announced
May 1, 2012
Courtesy of ATB Financial from the We Are Alberta website
If there’s one thing ATB Financial’s All-Albertan Song Contest proves, it’s that Alberta is overflowing with talent. Fans and judges combined to pick the winners of the second edition of the contest from an impressive list of 150 entries. And it was a tough job.
In the end, Calgary’s Michael Bernard Fitzgerald claimed the top prize of $10,000 from ATB Financial and $2,000 from Alberta Music for a professional recording of his catchy, winning tune titled, simply: Alberta.
“Awesome! That makes me feel incredible,” exclaimed Fitzgerald when informed of his big win. “I was just really happy that we made a song that seems to speak to a wide range of Albertans which is exactly what I wanted to make. My mom loves it, but my fan base loves it as well.”
– Michael Bernard Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald entered the contest after one of his fans posted a link to http://www.wearealberta.ca on his Facebook page and urged him to write a tune. He penned the song while on the road and recorded the track upon his return home.
“I wanted to create a song that was kind of ‘anthemic’ for Alberta,” he says. “It doesn’t dive too deep into metaphor or anything. It’s kind of literal and straight ahead but I just thought it would be so nice to have something that had a beat to it and could resonate with people from all walks of Albertan life.”
Making a living as a young musician isn’t easy, says Fitzgerald, so winning the All-Albertan Song Contest is a huge boost.
“To be an artist these days, you definitely have high moments and lows. This is definitely a high. It feels like I have the support of my home province.”
Folk Fest favourite John Wort Hannam of Fort Macleod claims the second place prize of $3,000 for Out Here, while Fort Saskatchewan’s Braden Gates gets the $2,000 third place prize for Alberta Eyes.
Thanks to all who entered and voted!
Click on the finalists’ songs below for one last listen:
1st place: Michael Bernard Fitzgerald (Alberta)
2nd place: John Wort Hannam
(Out Here)
3rd place: Braden Gates(Alberta Eyes)
Finalist: Jon Gant (In the Evening Light)
Finalist: April Schoonmaker and Gavin Dunn (No Yellow, No Gold)
Finalist: Rebecca Lappa (Welcome to Wayne)
Alberta Music’s Executive Director Departs
April 23, 2012
For Immediate Release
Alberta Music’s Executive Director Departs
(Edmonton) April 23, 2012 – Today, the Alberta Music Industry Association’s Board of Directors announces the resignation of their Executive Director, Kennedy Jenson.
Ms. Jenson has been with Alberta Music since the fall of 2005. During that time, Alberta Music experienced exponential growth in its membership, program services, and industry sharing opportunities. She was the voice and face of an organization that has become one with strong provincial and national recognition.
Reflecting on her years with Alberta Music, Kennedy says, “witnessing the positive impact our programs and services have made in some of our members’ careers will probably be the most rewarding to me, but the friends I have made will be the most memorable.”
“I can’t say enough about the significance Kennedy has had on Alberta culture through her role as Executive Director,” said Board of Directors President Brett Fraser. “Supporting careers, businesses, and inspiring the talents of Albertans to be shared and showcased on a local, national and world stage. Kennedy’s professionalism and dedication to excellence, diversity and vitality of the Alberta artists and the Alberta music industry is indisputable.
On behalf of the association, we wish Kennedy much success in her future endeavours… and endless thanks.”
A search for a new Executive Director will be underway shortly and details will be made available soon.
- 30 -
ALBERTA JUNO AWARD WINNERS
April 2, 2012
The nominees for the 41st annual Juno Awards were announced by CARAS (the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) in Toronto early on February 7.
A number of Alberta fan favorites were nominated this year, and we, at Alberta Music, watched in anticipation to see if some of our current and former Alberta artists would take home an award.
Alberta Music would like to give a HUGE congratulations to Terri Clark and Feist on winning their Juno Awards last night! Terri took home the award for Country Album of the Year, and Feist took home the awards for Artist of the Year and Adult Alternative Album of the Year. Well deserved ladies!
We would also like to give special congratulations to all of the Albertans (past and present) who were nominated:
Nickelback- JUNO Fan Choice Award, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Group of the Year
Feist – Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Adult Alternative Album of the Year
Alyssa Reid – New Artist of the Year
Braids – New Group of the Year, Alternative Album of the Year
The Rural Alberta Advantage – New Group of the Year
High Valley – Country Album of the Year
Terri Clark – Country Album of the Year
Susan Hoeppner- Classical Album of the Year: Solo or Chamber Ensemble
Heather Schmidt – Classical Composition of the Year
Randy Wood – Aboriginal Album of the Year
Jon Bauer – Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year
David Foster – Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award
k.d. lang – Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award
Jon Busby – Video of the Year
José Lourenço – Video of the Year
Michael Maxxis – Video of the Year
To see the full list of winners and nominees visit: http://junoawards.ca/nominees-winners/
For more information on the JUNO Awards and events visit: http://junoawards.ca/
TourHub.ca
March 1, 2012
Planning your next Canadian tour? TourHub makes it easy with the largest venue database in Canada.
What is Tourhub?
Tourhub is an artist-powered tool that can be used to completely book and manage your next tour. It also generates a calendar of who’s touring in cities across Canada. It is powered by the CCMIA (Canadian Council of Music Industry Associations), and funded by MROC (The Musicians’ Rights Organization Canada) and FACTOR (The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings).
By collecting and sharing venue and tour information, Tourhub will revolutionize the way bands in Canada plan their tours.
How does it work?
Bands, artists and managers who are members of Alberta Music or the other Canadian music industry associations will have access to a Canada-wide database of venues PLUS an array of tools to help them plan and manage their tours. The site is designed to allow artists to add new venues to grow the database, and information can be added to existing venues to keep it up to date. Tourhub is designed to go mobile, so once bands are on the road they will have all their tour details in one convenient place!
Features include:
• A comprehensive list of all the venues across Canada – searchable by genre, capacity or type
• Ability to create multiple profiles and book separate tours – great for agents booking for more than one artist simultaneously
• Ability to add custom notes about your conversations with venue bookers, details about the gig, follow-up, etc
• Upload your show contracts for easy access while on the road
• Create unique guest lists and merchandise sheets for each venue
• Generate a “visual map” of your tour route
• Easily export your tour details to share with band members, road managers, etc. as a PDF or Excel spreadsheet.
• And, once you’re done and make your tour “public”, your shows will appear in the national gig calendar application generated by Tourhub!
Who can use Tourhub?
Members of the following Canadian music industry associations (To request your unique login information/access, please contact us).
Alberta Music, SaskMusic, MusicBC, Music Yukon, Manitoba Music, Music In Film and Motion (Ontario), Toronto Music Industry Association, MusicNB, Music Nova Scotia, Music Prince Edward Island, and MusicNL.
Alberta Music members with questions about this project: please contact Jessica Marsh:1–780-428–3372 | Jessica@amia.ca
Medicine Hat Song Contest
February 24, 2012
The Alberta Music Industry Association is holding a song contest in the City of Medicine Hat!
Write and record a song and enter it for a chance to WIN $2000 CASH.
THE SONG CONTEST HAS NOW CLOSED!
Song Contest Rules:
1.Entrants must be a resident of Medicine Hat or surrounding area, living there the time of entry.
2.Entrants must be current members of the Alberta Music Industry Association to be eligible.
3.Entrants will record and submit an original, new, non-released song. The song must be written by the entrant.
4.Entrants will submit the song in a commonly used electronic audio format, or on a CD.
5.Entrants will submit a legible lyrics sheet.
6.Entrants will submit contact information in a separate document, including song title, home phone number and e-mail address; that information won’t be disclosed to parties outside the contest.
7.Entrants cannot be employees, or family members of employees, or board representatives, or family members of board representatives, of the Alberta Music Industry Association.
The winning entrant:
-Receives $2,000 CASH from Alberta Music
-Is free to negotiate for and decide on any further uses of the song, and retains its copyright
-Agrees to be photographed and interviewed for an article on the Alberta Music website (http://www.amia.ca) and social media sites.
Please note, it can take up to 5 minutes for the form to go through. If you don’t receive a confirmation email, then your submission did not go through.
If you have any questions please contact Carly Klassen at carly@amia.ca or 1–800-465–3117
THE SONG CONTEST HAS NOW CLOSED!
Untapped Alberta Concert Series Back for Round Three
February 6, 2012
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Buzz is stirring around the province as Alberta Music, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta, unveil the third annual Untapped Alberta concert
series – a growing music showcase that brings homegrown heroes to all corners of the province.
ATB Financial is the Presenting Sponsor and brought CKUA on board this year to record and create a radio series from the six live Untapped Alberta concerts. There is no doubt these shows will provide longevity in showcasing the amazing talent Alberta has to offer.
“ATB Financial is thrilled once again to partner with Alberta Music, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta to present the third Untapped Alberta concert series,” said Peggy Garritty, ATB’s Senior Vice President, Communications & Corporate Responsibility. “Alberta has amazing musicians and it’s a great feeling to be able to help share that talent with audiences all across the province.”
Untapped kicks off in Lloydminster (Mar. 30) before moving to Edmonton (Mar. 31), Beaverlodge (Apr. 14), Okotoks (Apr. 20), Canmore (Apr. 21) and Camrose (Apr. 28).
Artists showcasing during the series include Edmonton rockers Tupelo Honey and Audio/Rocketry, country sweetheart Katie Mission, Folkfest faves Scenic Route to Alaska, Western Canadian Music Awards nominee James Murdoch, and Lethbridge folk favorite Leeroy Stagger.
“We are looking forward to another successful year from Untapped Alberta,” said Kennedy Jenson, Alberta Music’s Executive Director. “With over 140 submissions from emerging artists across the province, we are excited to work together with our partners to provide performance opportunities for the remarkable talent the Alberta music industry has to offer.”
Tickets for $10 go on sale Monday, February 13th (noon) through http://www.ticketweb.ca, select record stores, ATB Financial branches, and participating venues. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to local community groups and charities.
Untapped Alberta 2012’s dates, venues, lineups, ticket information and charities:
LLOYDMINSTER
Date: Friday, March 30
Venue: The Root: Community Emporium
Artists: Scenic Route to Alaska, Joe Nolan, Emm & Jay
Charity: Lloydminster Concert Series Association
Tickets: $10, available at http://www.ticketweb.ca & ATB Financial (7001–44th St.)
EDMONTON
Date: Saturday, March 31
Venue: The Pawn Shop
Artists: Tupelo Honey, Mars & Venus, The Lions
Charity: iHuman
Tickets: $10, available at http://www.ticketweb.ca & Blackbyrd Myoozik
BEAVERLODGE
Date: Saturday, April 14
Venue: Beaverlodge Community Centre
Artists: Katie Mission, The Command Sisters, Jamie Arsenault
Charity: Beaverlodge/West County Pool
Tickets: $10, available at ATB Financial (302–10th St.), & Town of Beaverlodge
OKOTOKS
Date: Friday, April 20
Venue: Rotary Performing Arts Centre
Artists: James Murdoch, Jimmy Whiffen, Amy Thiessen
Charity: Okotoks Arts Council
Tickets: $10, available at http://www.ticketweb.ca & ATB Financial (131–31 Southridge Drive)
CANMORE
Date: Saturday, April 21
Venue: Communitea Cafe
Artists: Leeroy Stagger, Seth Anderson, Jeff Stuart
Charity: Canmore Folk Music Festival
Tickets: $10, available at http://www.ticketweb.ca & Communitea Café
CAMROSE
Date: Saturday, April 28
Venue: Scalliwags
Artists: Audio/Rocketry, Punch Drunk Cabaret, Jesse Dee & Jacquie B
Charity: Rose City Roots Music Society
Tickets: $10, available at http://www.ticketweb.ca & ATB Financial (#700, 7300 – 48 Ave)
###
For further information, please visit http://www.amia.ca, check Untapped Alberta’s Facebook page, or contact:
Carly Klassen
Program Coordinator
Alberta Music Industry Association
780–428-3372 | 800–465-3117
E-mail: carly@amia.ca
Untapped Alberta 2012 - Call for Submissions
December 1, 2011
Submissions for Untapped Alberta are now closed. Thanks to everyone that submitted!
It’s that time of the year again! Alberta Music is seeking submissions from this province’s massive musical talent pool for a THIRD run of concerts across Alberta this spring.
The music series, supported by Alberta Foundation for the Arts, The Arts Touring Alliance and proudly sponsored by ATB Financial, promises another year of diverse artists with cutting-edge line-ups.
With CKUA on board to record and create a radio series from live Untapped Alberta concerts, this will provide longevity in showcasing the amazing talent Alberta has.
The 2011 Alberta Music Awards
November 5, 2011
The Alberta Music Industry Association wanted to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of four individuals in our industry. For many years ARIA (The Alberta Recording Industry Association) produced an annual awards ceremony which included an Award of Excellence category. Past recipients have included: Jann Arden, Tommy Banks, David Foster, Ian Tyson, Holger Petersen, Dick Damron, The Emeralds, Hank Smith, Joni Mitchell, The Stampeders, and Wilf Carter. Since joining the Western Canadian Music Alliance in 2001, our own awards shows ceased… But we are back! And in reinstating this time-honoured tradition we wanted to start by acknowledging the success of four most deserved individuals, in the categories of Emerging Artist, Industry Builder, Heritage, and Lifetime Achievement.
The Alberta Music Awards were held at the stunning Art Gallery of Alberta in Edmonton. On Saturday, November 5, 2011 we provided the community with the opportunity to honour the following four individuals who have achieved excellence and international recognition in the music industry.
Lifetime Achievement – Paul Brandt
Industry Builder – Maryanne Gibson
Heritage – Hal Yerxa
Emerging Artist – Michael Bernard Fitzgerald
The evening consisted of a Champagne Reception, Awards Ceremony, and wrapped with an Industry After Party celebration. For pictures from the evening visit our Facebook page
Thank you to all those who joined us for an unforgettable evening! And a special Thank You to all of our Sponsors, including Awards Unlimited who created the four stunning awards handed out to our recipients that evening!
Alberta Artists Streaming Radio (AAS Radio)
July 6, 2011
The Alberta Music Industry Association, in partnership with the Government of Alberta, has developed an online streaming radio channel that will exclusively play and promote Alberta musicians, musical groups, and professional sound recording studios.
Powered by Live 365, the internet’s leading streaming radio station, this exclusively Albertan streaming radio channel will be housed on the Alberta Arts Days website. www.AlbertaArtsDays.ca
Listening access will also be made available through numerous networks, including iTunes, Windows Media Centre, Philips Streamium, TiVo, and many more. Plus, applications will be available to access this streaming radio channel from mobile devices, including Blackberry, iPhone and iPod Touch.
If You Would Like Your Music To Be Considered For Airplay You Must:
- Be a current or previous resident of Alberta, OR
– Song(s) must have been professionally recorded at an Alberta-based sound recording studio
– Submit Your Music in MP3 file format
– Submit a lyric sheet
Those Interested In Submitting Music for the Alberta Arts Streaming Radio (AAS Radio) are to send an email to albertaartsdays@gov.ab.ca, and they will be sent a form to fill out.
Thank you!
