June 14, 2011

We are pleased to announce that our audience at the 2011 Country Star Search finals at the Winspear Centre on June 13th, voted Andrew Scott as their favorite, with Stephanie Poinier declared the runner-up.  Global Country is proud of how well all our finalists did. It was a tough job for the audience to vote to determine the winner. Also a big thank you to our auditors, Wilde & Company Chartered Accountants, Vegreville, for once again tabulating the ballots.

                           
         Warren Berg of CFCW with 2011 Country Star Search Winner Andrew Scott


                                             
                                                           Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott was born and raised in Grande Prairie and now lives in Beaumont. He is an energetic and captivating singer/songwriter/entertainer. His musicianship is top notch and his performances are always full of funk, humour, strange instruments, pterodactyl squawks, grunts, grooves, storytelling and good ol'fashioned zip zap wit. He and his wife Julie have recently returned from a few years of living, teaching, and performing in Japan and France, and now have their eyes set on becoming a part of Canada's vibrant musical community. 

                                             Stephanie Roinier - runner-up

2011 Concert photos

 

                       Kelowna, BC                    
    
The five finalists will perform with the live band at the Global Country All Star Concert at the Winspear Centre on Monday, June 13th, 2011. The audience will cast their ballots to determine who they feel should be the 2011 Global Country Star Search winner, and the auditor will announce the winner at the end of the concert. Be part of the excitement in selecting who will represent Global Country at the North American Country Music Associations International (NACMAI) competitions in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in 2012. Get your tickets as soon as they go on sale on May 24th.


Country Star Search 2011 - Youth, Junior & Over 35 Division Winners
May 14th, 2011

                                                        
                                                                

Brendan Guy is a twelve year old country/pop singer whose personality lights up the stage. He has been singing and performing since he was able to walk & talk. He loves to get up and entertain people, on and off the stage. Brendan’s love of performing really shines through and captures the hearts of his audiences.

Brendan is passionate about giving back to the community and since joining Premiere Entertainment in November 2010, he has been given this opportunity., He has performed at many events such as The World’s Longest Hockey Game, Educational Aid for the Blind 2011 Fundraising Dinner, Kids Kottage Radioathon, and A Song for Prya.

In 2010 Brendan starred as Artful Dodger in the Stageworks Academy of the Performing Arts’ production of “Oliver”. He hopes to appear in more Musical Theatre productions in the future.

In addition to performing, Brendan enjoys quadding, camping and just hanging out with a good book. 

Brendan is pursuing his dream of becoming a recording artist by continuing to perform and grow as an artist.

                                                           
         

Payton Klassen is an energetic 14 year old country singer / song writer who lives in Sherwood Park, Alberta. She has been singing ever since she could talk and loves to play her guitar and perform! Some of her idols are Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and Leanne Rhymes.

Payton has had the privilege to give back to the community by performing with fellow Pure artists at such events as the World’s Longest Hockey Game, Kids Kottage Radiothon, Voices for Hope, and A Song for Pyria. She has also performed at Taste of Edmonton Safeway sponsored Pancake Breakfasts and the Taste of Leduc as part of the CCMA endorsed event, Picks & Sticks!

Besides having recently won the 2011 Global Country Star Search (youth division), Payton has also competed in Northern Star, and received 2nd place in the 2010 Sherwood Park Talent Quest.

Some highlights so far have been singing Oh Canada at Rexall Place for an Oil King’s hockey game and performing on the Rogers Family Stage at Big Valley Jamboree 2010, and then watching her idol, Martina McBride, perform on the main stage.

In addition to music Payton loves to ride horses and hang with her friends. She also regularly volunteers at a long term care facility.

Payton is pursuing her dream to become a country recording artist and loves writing new music that will someday be recorded onto her future album.

 
                                                                 
                                                                    Tommy Mueller
                                                                        Calgary, AB  
                                                                    Over 35 winner

Triple Threat Tommy J. Mueller was born July 25th 1975in Prince George B.C. where he was introduced to Country/ Gospel music by his uncles when he was 12. He has been in love with music ever since. Tommy found his calling in Country music and has a great sound, and heartfelt presence when performing, that draws you in and keeps you glued to his performance. He has lived in Calgary for the past 11 years and calls it home.

Tommy J Mueller has a soft country voice compared to a cross between Tim Mcgraw and Alan Jackson. He is also a successful actor, landing a principal star role on the Blackstone TV series as ”Rick Amenakew”, corrupt band councillor, and also landing work on Heartland Christmas, High Noon, Wild Roses, Blue Mountain, Santa Baby 2, and 21 Jump Street, which has gained him his ACTRA union membership and a name in Canadian Film Television.

Tommy J Mueller also has been working fulltime outside of acting/music as Director of the First Nations Talent Division for Alberta’s biggest and best A+Rated Film/Television/Modeling Talent Agency SilverScreenInc. He released his first single "World For You", in February 2008 which he had gained great feedback from fans on myspace and also released his CD single 'YOU' to online music sites reaching #1 for two weeks in July 2009. He has been climbing Reverbnation's Calgary Country Artist Charts in one week went from 65 to 15th overall and continues to climb.

Tommy will soon be touring North America playing venues all over. With that old school feel and Tommy J Mueller's charisma, he and his band will be making their mark in the music industry. So Keep your eyes and ears open for TJM country.

1. Entry into the Global Country Talent Development Workshop.
2. Opportunity to perform on Global Country Shows & the annual Global Country Concert at the Winspear Centre, Edmonton, Alberta in 2012.
3. Trip to Nashville (Accomodation and transportation) in March 2012 with opportunities to tour various sites such as Country Music Hall of Fame, Grand Old Opry, Ryman, and other points of interest (at winner's expense).
4. Trip to Pigeon Forge (in conjunction with Nashville Trip) March 2012 to compete in the North American Country Music Associations International Competitions and attend various shows in the area.
5. Complete Canadian Country Music Week registration package from the Canadian Country Music Association. Includes seminars, Songwriter’s Cafe, New Artist Showcases, Roots Showcase, and Great Guitar Pull, plus preferred seating tickets to the CCMA Awards and Post Awards reception during Country Music Week September 2011.
6. E Pack (Vocal mic, Clip, Pouch, Tripod Boom, and Stand with 21 foot Mic Cable) from Sennheiser
7. 2 song demo recording at Powersound Recording Studios in Edmonton (must be completed by December 2011).
8. $1,000 Prize sponsored by FACTOR (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent on Record).
9. One year membership with Alberta Music Industries Association, which includes membership in the Western Canadian Music Alliance.
10. Registration for Western Canadian Music Alliance Conference, October 2011, Whitehorse, Yukon.

1. Opportunity to perform on stage with a live band at the Winspear Centre during the Global Country Concert.
2. One year Global Country mentorship and entry into the Talent Development Workshop.
3. Opportunity to enter in the North American Country Music Associations International (NACMAI) competition in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and tour of Nashville (at winner's expense) 2012.
4. The winner of the Junior Division will receive an automatic buy into the Northlands Northern Star Talent Search Junior Division finals that run July 22-24, 2010, and the winner in the Youth Division, will receive an automatic buy into the Northern Star Talent Search Youth Division Semi Finals that run July 25-29, 2011.    

After more than a month of weekly competitions, and a night of semi-finals, the grand finale was held at the Winspear Centre, on Monday, June 18, where audience members cast their votes for their favorite finalist. The competition was stiff, but Global Country was proud to announce that the 2007 Rising Star is Paul Chesters.

Paul Chesters was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan where he started singing at the age of five. He sang with the award winning U of R Chamber Singers. Paul received a scholarship to attend the Iowa School for Music Vocations (jazz and classical). He was the 2004 winner of Regina's 620 CKRM Talent Search. He has performed with or opened for Duane Steele, Steve Fox, The Poverty Plainsmen, Jason McCoy, and Julian Austin.

The 2007 Global Country Rising Star (Country Star Search Winner) is enrolled into the Rising Star Program, offering a trip to Nashville and Pigeon Forge Tennessee. Paul will compete in the North American Country Music Associations International Competitions in March 2008.  Paul’s official launch will take place on Tuesday, November 6th at the Rodeo Concert at the Winspear Centre.  We look forward to working with Paul and help kick start his career.  Country Star Search is “Canada’s version of Nashville Star “.  It is an exciting new program launched by Global Country in 2007.  The 2008 competitions will start in March 2008 and the Finalists will once again be determined by audience vote.  This process proved to be very successful. - Read Latest Press Release

Country Star Search 2008 Preliminaries will start on Thursday, May 1st, 2008 and will run every Thursday to May 29th, 2008. Entry forms will be accepted after February 1st, 2008.

March 16th, 2007
Global Country Canada has launched a new program to find artists to take into it's Rising Star Program. Country Star Search will be open to amateur Canadian country artists over the age of 18. The preliminaries will take place at Cook County Saloon on Thursday evenings throughout the month of May, with five finalists performing on stage during the
All Star Concert at the Winspear Centre on June 18th. The winner will be determined by an audience vote. Besides acceptance into the prestigious Rising Star program, which offers special mentoring and performance opportunities, the prize package will include a trip to Nashville and entry into the North American Country Music Associations International competitions in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, registration to the CCMA's Country Music Week and Western Canadian Music Awards Show & Conference, a demo recording package, and more. - Bill Borgwardt, Country Music News