March 6 to 16, 2016 - Global Country Star Search Winners Journey to Nashville and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
From March 6th to 16th, 2016, Global Country Star Search winners from 2015, Josh Ruzycki (Youth Division winner), Ben Klick (Overall Winner), Nicky Pearson (Over 30 winner) and Michelle Lavallee (Over 30 runner-up) travelled to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, to compete in the North American Country Music Associations International competitions. On the way they stopped in Nashville for songwriting and mentoring sessions, and a first hand look at how the music industry works there. While in Nashville they met with Canadian artists who are either living or were working in Nashville at the time, and caught performances by several different Canadian acts. Amoung those they met or saw perform were: Lindsay Ell, Twin Kennedy, Kasy & Clayton, Lindi Ortega, Madison Kozak, Mike Bourque, Craig Moritz, RyLee Madison, Makayla Lynn, Ron Jeffery, Mandy MacMillan, Brett Kissel, Tyler Vollrath, Blake Emmons, the Good Brothers, and others.
Maryanne Gibson, Global Country President and Global Country Star Search Winners received numerous awards at the 2016 North American Country Music Associations International Annual Awards Show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Maryanne received the 2016 Appreciation Award for Dedication & Unselfish Endeavour to make the 2016 NACMAI Country Music Week a success in her role as the International Director of the North American Country Music Associations International. She is instrumental in having Canadians recognized in the North American Country Music Hall of Fame.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame were Canadians, The Good Brothers, and Blake Emmons along with the legendary Mac Wiseman and Leona Williams.
The 2016 Country Star Search Winners who competed in Pigeon Forge hailed from Edmonton, Calgary, Medicine Hat and Kelowna.
Josh Ruzycki, 17 – 20 Category – Edmonton/Sherwood Park: 2016 International Male Vocalist and 2016 Male Entertainer as well as 2016 New Modern Country Song of the Year for “Countrified”
Nicky Pearson, Adult Category – Edmonton: 2016 International Female Entertainer and 2016 Most Promising Vocalist as well as 2016 New Modern Country Song of the Year for “I Can’t Stay”
Michelle Lavellee, Adult Category – Redcliff: 2016 International Female Vocalist of the Year and 2016 most Promising Entertainer of the Year, as well as 2016 Country Song of the Year for “Sun Goes Down” and Traditional Country Song of the Year for “Half Past Midnight”
Ben Klick, Adult Category – West Kelowna, British Columbia: 2016 International Male Entertainer of the Year and 2016 Male Vocalist of the Year, 2016 Album of the Year for “Today” as wells as 2016 New Modern Country Song of the Year for “Butterfly Tattoo”, co-writer, RyLee Madison and 2016 New Modern Country Song of the Year for “Today” co-writer, RyLee Madison.
Dirt Road Angels, Edmonton & area - submitted entries: 2016 International Video of the Year for “Best Friends” and 2016 Album of the Year for “Paint the Town Red” and 2016 Songwriter of the Year for “Memories".
Shawna Lynne , Sherwood Park - submitted entries: 2016 International Video of the Year for “Kick Down the Door” and 2016 Songwriter of the Year for “ Daddy’s Guitar” , co-writer Joni DeLaurier
Mariya Stokes, Calgary - submitted entries: 2016 International Song of the Year for “Detours” and 2016 Patriotic Song of the Year for “Alberta Born and Grown”.
Read MoreMaryanne Gibson, Global Country President and Global Country Star Search Winners received numerous awards at the 2016 North American Country Music Associations International Annual Awards Show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Maryanne received the 2016 Appreciation Award for Dedication & Unselfish Endeavour to make the 2016 NACMAI Country Music Week a success in her role as the International Director of the North American Country Music Associations International. She is instrumental in having Canadians recognized in the North American Country Music Hall of Fame.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame were Canadians, The Good Brothers, and Blake Emmons along with the legendary Mac Wiseman and Leona Williams.
The 2016 Country Star Search Winners who competed in Pigeon Forge hailed from Edmonton, Calgary, Medicine Hat and Kelowna.
Josh Ruzycki, 17 – 20 Category – Edmonton/Sherwood Park: 2016 International Male Vocalist and 2016 Male Entertainer as well as 2016 New Modern Country Song of the Year for “Countrified”
Nicky Pearson, Adult Category – Edmonton: 2016 International Female Entertainer and 2016 Most Promising Vocalist as well as 2016 New Modern Country Song of the Year for “I Can’t Stay”
Michelle Lavellee, Adult Category – Redcliff: 2016 International Female Vocalist of the Year and 2016 most Promising Entertainer of the Year, as well as 2016 Country Song of the Year for “Sun Goes Down” and Traditional Country Song of the Year for “Half Past Midnight”
Ben Klick, Adult Category – West Kelowna, British Columbia: 2016 International Male Entertainer of the Year and 2016 Male Vocalist of the Year, 2016 Album of the Year for “Today” as wells as 2016 New Modern Country Song of the Year for “Butterfly Tattoo”, co-writer, RyLee Madison and 2016 New Modern Country Song of the Year for “Today” co-writer, RyLee Madison.
Dirt Road Angels, Edmonton & area - submitted entries: 2016 International Video of the Year for “Best Friends” and 2016 Album of the Year for “Paint the Town Red” and 2016 Songwriter of the Year for “Memories".
Shawna Lynne , Sherwood Park - submitted entries: 2016 International Video of the Year for “Kick Down the Door” and 2016 Songwriter of the Year for “ Daddy’s Guitar” , co-writer Joni DeLaurier
Mariya Stokes, Calgary - submitted entries: 2016 International Song of the Year for “Detours” and 2016 Patriotic Song of the Year for “Alberta Born and Grown”.
