March 8 - 18, 2015 - Global Country Star Search Winners Trip to Nashville & Pigeon Forge Tennessee
From March 8th to 18th, 2015, the 2014 Global Country Star Search winners, Julia Nicholson (Youth Division winner) Sydney Mae (Youth Division runner-up), and Jessy Mossop (Overall runner-up), traveled to Nashville and then to Pigeon Forge where they competed in the North American Country Music Associations International competitions. Nakita Kohan, who was the overall Star Search winner, was unfortunately not able to go.
In Nashville the group toured backstage at the Grand Ole Opry and then caught an Opry performance, had the opportunity to catch a performance of the Time Jumpers with Vince Gill, spent some time on Lower Broadway, and toured the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Johnny Cash museum. On the learning side they had a songwriting and mentoring session with Canadian artist Rylee Madison, from Nova Scotia, who lives in Nashville and runs Global Country's Nashville mentoring program with her husband, Clay Krasner; had a meeting with Warner-Chappel songwriter, Aaron Goodvin, a former Global Country artist; and then had a studio tour and mentoring session with Nashville producer, Eddie Gore, who runs Insomnia Studio. While in Nashville they also met Canadians, Mike Bourque, Scotty Kipfer, Mandy McMillan, Naomi Bristow, Darlene Tuleta, Blake Emmmons and others.
On the way to Pigeon Forge the girls gave an in impromptu performance at the Cracker Barrel in Harriman, where they had stopped for lunch, a tradition started when the first Global Country group stopped there in 2004. In Pigeon Forge, before competing in the NACMAI competition they caught a show at The Comedy Barn and met musical director, Ron Jeffery, a former Albertan, and took part in jam sessions with some of the other competitors.
They also attended the NACMAI Hall of Fame show, where Edmonton radio station CFCW won the International Radio Station of the Year Award. The award was accepted by Maryanne Gibson, CEO of Global Country. Also at the Hall of Fame show, Jeff Funk of Dynasty Records, Alberta and Nashville, was given a special Appreciation Award, and two Canadians were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Songwriter Ralph Murphy went in as a songwriter, and Michelle Wright was inducted in the Artist category. Nashville artist, Brenda Kaye Perry, and legendary sax player, Ace Cannon were also inducted, as well as Jett Williams, daughter of Hank Williams Sr, who was inducted into the Legends category.
At the competition, Jessy Mossop won the International New Country female vocalist and entertainer awards, as well as a songwriter award for her song,"Girl Inside Of Me", a co-songwriter award for a song she wrote with Stephen Lecky, "Monsters", plus a video award. Sydney Mae won the International New Country Youth female vocalist and entertainer awards, plus a songwriter youth award for "Mary Ann" and a youth co-songwriter award for "Out Of My Head" a song she co-wrote with Troy Kokol. Julia Nicholson won International Most Promising female vocalist and entertainer awards and a youth songwriter award for "Black Camero". Nakita Kohan had submitted a song she co-wrote with Stephen Lecky, "Do You Really Think", and a video, and won International awards in both categories. For more information on the Global Country Star Search competition visit http://www.globalcountry.ca
Read MoreIn Nashville the group toured backstage at the Grand Ole Opry and then caught an Opry performance, had the opportunity to catch a performance of the Time Jumpers with Vince Gill, spent some time on Lower Broadway, and toured the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Johnny Cash museum. On the learning side they had a songwriting and mentoring session with Canadian artist Rylee Madison, from Nova Scotia, who lives in Nashville and runs Global Country's Nashville mentoring program with her husband, Clay Krasner; had a meeting with Warner-Chappel songwriter, Aaron Goodvin, a former Global Country artist; and then had a studio tour and mentoring session with Nashville producer, Eddie Gore, who runs Insomnia Studio. While in Nashville they also met Canadians, Mike Bourque, Scotty Kipfer, Mandy McMillan, Naomi Bristow, Darlene Tuleta, Blake Emmmons and others.
On the way to Pigeon Forge the girls gave an in impromptu performance at the Cracker Barrel in Harriman, where they had stopped for lunch, a tradition started when the first Global Country group stopped there in 2004. In Pigeon Forge, before competing in the NACMAI competition they caught a show at The Comedy Barn and met musical director, Ron Jeffery, a former Albertan, and took part in jam sessions with some of the other competitors.
They also attended the NACMAI Hall of Fame show, where Edmonton radio station CFCW won the International Radio Station of the Year Award. The award was accepted by Maryanne Gibson, CEO of Global Country. Also at the Hall of Fame show, Jeff Funk of Dynasty Records, Alberta and Nashville, was given a special Appreciation Award, and two Canadians were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Songwriter Ralph Murphy went in as a songwriter, and Michelle Wright was inducted in the Artist category. Nashville artist, Brenda Kaye Perry, and legendary sax player, Ace Cannon were also inducted, as well as Jett Williams, daughter of Hank Williams Sr, who was inducted into the Legends category.
At the competition, Jessy Mossop won the International New Country female vocalist and entertainer awards, as well as a songwriter award for her song,"Girl Inside Of Me", a co-songwriter award for a song she wrote with Stephen Lecky, "Monsters", plus a video award. Sydney Mae won the International New Country Youth female vocalist and entertainer awards, plus a songwriter youth award for "Mary Ann" and a youth co-songwriter award for "Out Of My Head" a song she co-wrote with Troy Kokol. Julia Nicholson won International Most Promising female vocalist and entertainer awards and a youth songwriter award for "Black Camero". Nakita Kohan had submitted a song she co-wrote with Stephen Lecky, "Do You Really Think", and a video, and won International awards in both categories. For more information on the Global Country Star Search competition visit http://www.globalcountry.ca
