SiriusXM’s Top of the Country

Acceptable musical genres that SiriusXM is seeking include: Country, Rock-Country, Alternative-Country, and Bluegrass.

Yes, SiriusXM is seeking bands and solo artists.

• Eligible artists must be Canadian citizens.
• Solo artists are responsible for sourcing their own band, if required. A maximum of five (5) band members including the solo artist are permitted.
• Eligible artists must showcase music in English.
• Eligible artists must NOT have been previously nominated for a JUNO Award or a Polaris Music Prize.
• Eligible artists must NOT have been previously nominated for a Canadian Country Music Association Award in any of the following categories: Male Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Group or Duo of the Year, or Album of the Year.
• Eligible artists must NOT have participated as a Finalist in SiriusXM’s Top of the Country program in the year previous.
• Eligible artists must NOT have won SiriusXM’s Top of the Country program in any year.
• Eligible artists must be registered SOCAN members. To complete the application visit socan.ca. SOCAN membership for creators is free of charge.

Yes, SiriusXM is seeking bands and solo artists.

• Eligible artists must be Canadian citizens.
  • the Canadian member(s) receiving the majority of royalties, touring profits and other proceeds earned by the group; and
  • the Canadian member(s) being the creative force behind the group and/or the principal songwriters for the group.
• Eligible artists must showcase music in English.
• Eligible artists must NOT have been previously nominated for a JUNO Award or a Polaris Music Prize.
• Eligible artists must NOT have been previously nominated for a Canadian Country Music Association Award in any of the following categories: Male Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Group or Duo of the Year, or Album of the Year, Fan’s Choice.
• Eligible artists must NOT have participated as a Finalist in SiriusXM’s Top of the Country program in the year previous.
• Eligible artists must NOT have won SiriusXM’s Top of the Country program in any year.
• Eligible artists must be registered SOCAN members. To complete the application visit socan.com. SOCAN membership for creators is free of charge.

No. Please elect one member to represent the band and register on behalf of the group.

Select between:

• March 4-7 (Toronto, ON Recording Session)
• March 11-14 (Vancouver, BC Recording Session)

Other key dates:

• June 8-11 (CMA Fest performance spot & mentorship in Nashville, TN)
• August 17-19 (Lasso Montreal performance in Montreal, QC)
• September 14-17 (Finale Showcase & CCMA Awards in Hamilton, ON) Showcase & CCMA Awards in Hamilton, ON)

• Attendance at every stage is required. If band member(s) are unable to attend, alternates may be permitted with special permission from SiriusXM Canada, however adding more band members after submitting the video and application is not permitted.
• If an entire band or solo act is unable to attend any of the above dates, they will be disqualified from the competition.
• Registrants must provide the number of band members at time of registration.

The Performance Link must be footage of a performance (live or music video).

Eligible artists must have and actively use social media accounts including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), TikTok and YouTube. Social media accounts should be dedicated to the promotion of the band/artist.

• No. Each act will be provided with a travel grant to be used for transportation/accommodation at each stage of the competition.
• The travel grant will be calculated based on number of members per act.
• The travel grant will be made payable to the member of the group who registered the act.
• All artists are responsible for booking their own travel.

The Recording Session will be a maximum of one (1) song and recording time may not exceed six (6) hours including load-in, load-out, set-up, and performance.

• 3 finalists to perform at Lasso Montreal.
• 3 finalists to have a performance spot at CMA Fest and participate in mentorship sessions with industry experts in Nashville.
• 3 finalists to perform at Finale Concert with Canadian headliner during Canadian Country Music Week.
• 3 finalists to be provided with a SOCAN Songwriting Camp trip to Nashville including airfare, accommodation, and mentorship sessions. The week will occur at a mutually agreed upon time.
• Grand Prize winner: $25,000 cash prize, spot within an international SOCAN Songwriting Camp in a TBD location and date in 2025. Round trip airfare, accommodations, and meals for the Songwriting Camp will be provided to the Winner.
• Runners-Up will recieve $10,000 cash prize each.
• Each finalist will receive travel grants to attend festivals, mentorship sessions and Finale.
• Each semi-finalist act at studio sessions will receive a travel grant to attend session, and high-quality video and audio recordings of their studio session.

• Eligible artists must be registered SOCAN members.
• To complete the application visit socan.ca. SOCAN membership for creators is free of charge.
• If you have any additional questions or concerns please contact: topofthecountry@siriusxm.ca