A partnership between the Edmonton Folk Fest and Lite 95.7 is giving up-and-coming Canadian folk artists a chance to win some cash and get their names in the spotlight.
The new event is called Emerging Artists, and aims to find the best Canadian folk talent yet to be recognized. Three judges will pick the winners.
A total of $9,000 dollars in prize money is up for grabs. When it is all said and done, three acts will split the cash – with first-place earning a $5,000 cut.
The idea came from the festival’s producer, Terry Wickham, who has since handed over the reins to Lite 95.7 – the radio station is putting forward all of the prize money, and handling the selection process.
From there, Wickham explained the idea, and Lite 95.7 was all for it.
Although he admitted that he doesn’t know which artists the judges are looking at, or what they are looking for, Wickham did say that the artists selected must not be already “established”.
“If they are not well known, to me that means emerging,” he said. “They are looking for the best, and maybe the most original.”
The top prize in the competition is $5,000 dollars, which is a welcome boost to any emerging artists’ wallet.
“Oh, that would be huge,” said Joe Nolan, who is making his Edmonton Folk Fest debut this year. “Most artists are struggling financially. This is a great opportunity, I think. It could help out with touring, recording, or paying rent.”
But the contest is not just about grabbing some quick cash.
“You slave away writing songs in your room, or on your own,” said Wickham. “So to get that recognition from judges at a major festival, it carries some weight.”
Wickham confirmed that the Emerging Artists event will most likely continue next year.
With files from Tom Vernon
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