Keith Urban did it. So did Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and George Caynon. And now you can too. The Eagle Talent Search is back and it’s the chance for aspiring musicians in Cape Breton to take their music from the basement into the studio.
“It’s important to us that we support new, up and coming talent,” explains music director Jay Bedford. “We’ve always got our eye on new music and anytime we can support the amazing local talent we have here on the island we do.”
Teaming up for a second year with Soundpark Studios and Jamie Foulds, seven-time ECMA Recording Engineer of the Year winner, this year’s contest consists of two rounds. In the first round people can listen to contestants on The Eagle website (www.eagle1035.com) and vote for their favourite. The three bands or singers with the highest votes will go to the finals where they will perform live in front of a panel of judges on Saturday August 14 at Daniel’s on Charlotte Street in Sydney. Judges are all industry professionals and they pick the winner who will receive a recording session at Soundpark Studios and will have their song featured on Cape Breton’s top country music station 1035 The Eagle.
“We had such amazing response from last year’s competition we had to expand for this year,” says Bedford.
Last year’s contest received over 30 entries, all of which were original songs. Listeners voted online for their favourites and the winner was Brenna Passerini with her song “No One Else”. She says the experience was both incredible and intimidating, especially going in to record with Jamie Foulds at Soundpark Studios.
“Going into studio was intimidating,” Passerini says during a live interview at The Eagle studios. “But Jamie was amazing. He made me feel comfortable and he really taught me so much about the whole recording process.”
Foulds says contests like The Eagle Talent Search are amazing opportunities for new artists.
“If the band (or singer) comes into studio, ready to record we can do so much,” enthuses Foulds. “It’s the opportunity to take your music to the next level.”
Submissions are now being accepted for this year’s Eagle Talent Search. Bands and singers wishing to enter should send a demo by emailing it to reception@eagle1035.com or dropping it off at the station on Detheridge Drive. Styles of music accepted are country, bluegrass, roots, folk, and Celtic. Deadline for submissions is Friday, July 9 at midnight. For more information go to the website www.eagle1035.com.
guest says
How can we hear her song again it has not been on the radio since they announced the contest for this year? Play the song Eagle 103.5!!!!