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36 Canadian Artists Named Winners In Prestigious US-Based Unsigned Only Music Competition

Garth Hudson (The Band), Taj Mahal, Aimee Mann, O.A.R., Sanctus Real, Bow Wow, Boney James, Ruthie Foster, and Robert Smith (The Cure) Among Judges

September 4, 2019 – – The Unsigned Only Music Competition is pleased to announce its 2019 winners, including a total of 36 Canadian winners. This year marks the highest number of Canadian winners since the launch of the competition in 2012. Canadian entries garnered a total of 36 wins, including five First Place wins, one Second Place wins, and 30 Honorable Mentions. The winners span many genres, from Pop/Top 40 to Folk/Singer-Songwriter to Blues to R&B/Hip-Hop, and more.

“Musically speaking, Canadian artists are some of the best in the world, and this is greatly reflected in the large number of Unsigned Only winners this year,” said UO founders, Candace Avery and Jim Morgan. “We are very proud to celebrate the wealth and diversity of Canada’s musical talent.“

Unsigned Only awards an overall Grand Prize, as well as a First Place, Second Place, and Honorable Mentions in each of the 18 categories. Winners were selected from almost 6,000 entries from more than 100 countries worldwide. Unsigned Only gives away a total of $150,000 in cash, merchandise, and services.

Over the years Unsigned Only has become an important source for discovering new talent. Since Unsigned Only’s inception in 2012, five Grand Prize winners have been signed to record labels. Winners this year were selected by a prestigious panel of judges comprised of celebrity artists and industry excutives, including: Garth Hudson (The Band); O.A.R., Robert Smith (The Cure); Aimee Mann, Aaron Shust, Taj Mahal; Sanctus Real, Ruthie Foster, Boney James, and many more (see complete list below).

The 2019 Grand Prize is awarded to South African, London-based pop artist Anna Wolf for the song “Believer.” Wolf is truly a compelling and rare artist – a hypnotic performer with passion and style, a singer with hauntingly beautiful vocals, and a songwriter with depth and vulnerability. The winning song, “Believer,” is a powerful track, inspired by Wolf’s desire to break the silence about domestic violence and serves as a personal refusal to become the victim of her circumstance. Wolf has had a celebrated career, amassing hit singles, sold-out shows, South African Music Awards nominations, and a legion of dedicated fans.

The complete panel of 2019 judges includes: Aimee Mann; Garth Hudson (The Band); Taj Mahal; Sanctus Real; Bow Wow; Robert Smith (The Cure); The Secret Sisters; Boney James; Gareth Emery; O.A.R.; Janiva Magness; Fred Hersch; Francesca Battistelli; Frank Foster; Aaron Shust; Toots Hibbert (Toots and the Maytals); Ruthie Foster; Tinariwen; Craig Campbell; JD McPherson; Carter Burwell; Zbigniew Preisner; Russ Landau; Josh Jackson (Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Paste Magazine); Anthony DeCurtis (Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone); Mac Randall (Editor, JazzTimes); Marcos Juarez (Head of Latin Music, Pandora); David Sikorski (Senior Editor, EARMILK Media INC.); Lyndsey Parker (Managing Editor, Yahoo Music); Kevin McNeese (President, NewReleaseToday); Art Tipaldi (Editor, Blues Music Magazine); Nigel J. Farmer (Editor-In-Chief, Jazz In Europe); John Dibiase (President, Jesus Freak Hideout); David Silbaugh (Talent Buyer, Summerfest); Angel Romero (Founder / Sr. Editor, World Music Central); Brandon Chitwood (Assistant Director, EDM Joy); Enrique Santos (Chairman / Chief Creative Officer, iHeart Latino); Chad Jensen (Artist Manager, Jensen Artist Management); Brinson Strickland (President, Collective Music Nashville); Deborah Klein (JV Partner and Artist Manager, Primary Wave Entertainment); Kristyn Ciani (Talent Buyer, C3 Presents / Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Shaky Knees); Evan Stein (Owner, Experience Music Group); James Kempner (Owner, JMK Connections); Jennifer Taunton (Music Supervisor, Level Two Music); Jessica Cole (Founder / President, Lyric House); and Sheryl Louis (Artist Manager, CSM Management).

Unsigned Only is sponsored by Celebrity Access; Eventric; Hybrid Studios; Lurssen Mastering; Merch Cat; Musicians Institute; Musician Wellness; Pro Tour Nutrition; Radio Airplay; Shubb Capos; Symphonic Distribution; The Music Business Registry; and Vocal Eze.

Unsigned Only is now accepting entries for the 2020 competition. More information can be found at: https://www.unsignedonly.com.

To hear the winning songs, download low-res photos, and view the complete list of winners, go to: https://www.unsignedonly.com/winners

For high-res photos, please contact Candace Avery at press@unsignedonly.com

The complete list of Canadian winners includes:

First Place
Adrian Chalifour (Victoria, BC, Canada – “Head Down Heart Up” – AAA (Adult Album Alternative)
Carolyn Hao (Toronto, ON, Canada) – “Losing Count” – Teen
Layla Zoe (Victoria, BC, Canada) – “The Deeper They Bury Me” – Blues
Madison Olds (Kamloops, BC, Canada) – “Thank You” – AC (Adult Contemporary)
Roman Smirnov (Toronto, ON, Canada) – “Kuwaka” – Instrumental

Second Place
Big Little Lions (Royston, BC, Canada) – “Find Your Tribe” – Screen Shot

Honorable Mention
Beamer Wigley (Kelowna, BC, Canada) – “I Knew” – Teen
Brant Pethick (Ottawa, ON, Canada) – “Higher” – Christian
Dale Boyle (Montreal, QC, Canada) – “Ghosts” – Americana
Danielle Todd (Guelph, ON, Canada) – “Crazy” – Country
David Blair (Vancouver, BC, Canada) – “Why” – Vocal Performance
Denielle Bassels (Toronto, ON, Canada) “Cool Cool Water” – Jazz
DSTNY (Toronto, ON, Canada) – “Lies” – “R&B/Hip-Hop
Dylan Holton (Ottawa, ON, Canada) – “I Used To” – Country
Emma Cook (Toronto, ON, Canada) – “Say It Loud” – Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Francois Klark (Toronto, ON, Canada) – “Run” – Pop/Top 40
Goodnight, Sunrise (Toronto, ON, Canada) – “WVV” – Screen Shot
James Alphonse (Dundas, ON, Canada) – “I’ll Be Your Wall” – Pop/Top 40
Jesse Slack (Peterborough, ON, Canada) – “Lip Sync” – Country
JoJo Worthington (Waterloo, ON, Canada) – “Stabilize” – Screen Shot
Kat Beck (North Vancouver, BC, Canada) – “Hooked On Your Love” – Teen
Kyle Meagher (Ottawa, ON, Canada) – “Nowhere” – Teen
Layla Zoe (Victoria, BC, Canada) – “I’ll Be Reborn Blues” – Vocal Performance
Madison Olds (Kamloops, BC, Canada) – “Moments In The Mountains” – Screen Shot
Madison Olds (Kamloops, BC, Canada) – “Thank You” – Vocal Performance
Mikalyn Hay (Guelph, ON, Canada) – “Nothing But Blood” – Teen
Mike Goudreau (Stanstead, QC, Canada) – “I’m So Glad I Have You” – Americana
No Trombones (Montreal, QC, Canada) – “Walk The Walk” – Blues
Sara Phillips (Montreal, QC, Canada) – “Here’s To You” – Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Sofia Kay (Toronto, ON, Canada) – “Tea Shop” – Teen
Spencer Mackenzie (Ridgeway, ON, Canada) – “Devil Under Her Skin” – Blues
Suzi Kory (Toronto, ON, Canada) – “Pretty Little Things” – Country
Tourist Bureau (Thunder Bay, ON, Canada) – “All Will Be” – AAA (Adult Album Alternative)
Wes Mack (Calgary, AB, Canada) – “Best Hangover” – Country
West Of Here (Edmonton, AB, Canada) – “Reach For The Sky” – Christian
X. ARI (Toronto, ON, Canada) – “Stay V Go” – Pop/Top 40