SiriusXM Canada, the country’s leading audio entertainment company, is thrilled to announce Matt Lang from Maniwaki, QC as the winner of the second annual SiriusXM Top of the Country competition, in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA). Matt Lang took home the grand prize of $25,000, an international SOCAN songwriting camp and more.
Following a thrilling music showcase by the three finalists, Matt Lang, Kelsi Mayne and Tim & The Glory Boys, a judging panel of music industry professionals, along with audience votes determined Matt Lang as the grand prize winner live on Thursday, September 5 at the SiriusXM CCMA Top of the Country Finale. Held at The Palace Theatre in Calgary as part of Country Music Week 2019, the Finale aired live on SiriusXM’s CBC Country (ch. 171). Critically acclaimed sibling duo, High Valley headlined the electric finale show. The finale also included a stellar lineup of surprise appearances by beloved Canadian country superstars including performances by Dallas Smith and Dean Brody as a kick-off to their Friends Don’t Let Friends Tour Alone tour, as well as Lindsay Ell, and an on-stage moment with Paul Brandt to announce the winner.
“Competing in SiriusXM’s Top of the Country competition has been an incredible journey,” said Lang. “I am extremely grateful to be offered this national platform and mentorship from some of the top players in the industry, and most of all, for the fans who voted for me and my band and cheered us on along the way. I am excited to take the next steps in my career!”
“The emerging talent within Canada is stronger than ever and SiriusXM is proud to help give these artists the exposure they need to reach a larger audience of country music fans,” said Jeff Leake, Director, Music Programming, SiriusXM Canada. “Matt has been an impressive contender through each stage of the competition. He received an outpouring of support from Canadians during the voting stage and completely won over the audience and judges with his performance tonight. Congratulations, Matt!”
The finale capped off an eight-month journey that began with submissions from artists across Canada. Whittled down to eight semi-finalists, SiriusXM hosted sessions to produce a studio track and video with each, which were then voted for by country music fans from coast-to-coast.
As chosen by the people, three finalists emerged, who each received a week-long SOCAN songwriting trip to Nashville, TN. Plus, all finalists participated in an industry mentorship session in Toronto with major industry professionals. They also performed at Boots and Hearts Music Festival (Oro-Medonte, ON) in August, exposing them to huge crowds of country music fans.
SiriusXM’s Top of the Country in partnership with CCMA is part of SiriusXM’s ongoing tradition of promoting and elevating the best in Canadian music. SiriusXM continues to offer a leading platform for Canadian artists through its significant financial contributions and North American-wide reach of over 55 million listeners.
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