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We had the best time ever in Ingonish this past week. We made new friends – five new writers to Songcamp and two special guests from Nashville – and together we wrote over 40 songs! Thank you to everyone involved and everyone who helps to make Songcamp a possibility!
Congrats to Reeny Smith for winning the title of Casino Nova Scotia’s Artist in Residence and $20,000 in funding for career development! Music Nova Scotia received over 35 applications from artists around the province and judges narrowed it down to ten for interviews, six for the performance and one for the residency.
“I was the first performer that night – I guess I was lucky number one,” stated Smith. This was an incredible experience. I am happy that I made the decision to pursue what I am truly passionate about.”
The Gordie Sampson Songcamp is very pleased to announce that Caitlyn Smith and Rollie Gaalswyk will be attending Songcamp this year.
Chances are you’ve heard songs by Caitlyn Smith and just didn’t realize it. The country artist has been a welcome addition to the music scene with her powerhouse vocals and fresh songwriting. She co-wrote every song on her latest project, Everything to You, which released last year and includes the hit radio single, “Wasting All These Tears,” (single of Cassadee Pope). The release continues to gain momentum, with national media attention from Rolling Stone Country, Radio.com, SIRIUS XM and Country Weekly, to name a few.
Caitlyn has toured alongside iconic artists like Sheryl Crow and Willie Nelson. Her repertoire as a songwriter includes a long list of songs she has penned for her peers like multi-platinum artist Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum, Garth Brooks and Meghan Trainor.
Minnesota native Rollie Gaalswyk has already made quite the mark in Music City. He started taking trips back and forth every month from Minneapolis to Nashville to write and network, while continuing to play in bands and write/produce for various singer/songwriters back home. Eventually, like the story so often goes, he packed it all up and made the move south in 2013. Shortly after, he garnered his first top 10, platinum-selling hit, “Wasting All These Tears” for Cassadee Pope. As well as songwriting, Gaalswyk has produced for a good handful of upcoming artists (Caitlyn Smith, Laura Nicholson, Jeremy Lardani) and works out of his studio just south of Nashville.
Cape Breton musician Kyle Mischiek is among the finalists for Casino Nova Scotia’s artist in residence 2015.
Jurors made the selection following interviews last week. There are five candidates, plus a wild card pick, moving onto the performance round of the selection process June 12.
Music lovers and fans will have their chance to vote from June 1 – June 5 during the online voting, which counts towards the selection of the finalist. Go to www.musicnovascotia.ca to vote. The public is welcome to come to the Showcase on June 12 at Casino Nova Scotia. Free admission.
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Gordie Sampson Songcamp in partnership with the Bell Media Canadian Songwriting Challenge
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