The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Discovery Program was created in 2013 as an initiative to help support new artists pursue careers in country music. Each year, participants chosen for this program are brought together to learn about the music business from industry insiders and artist mentors, with finalists putting their newfound knowledge to use at the CCMA Discovery Showcase during Country Music Week.
This year, the CCMAs will take place in London, Ont., on Sept. 11 and the Discovery Showcase will take place on Sept. 8. Here, we will spotlight some of this year's up-and-comers slated to perform.
Name: Tenille Arts
From: Weyburn, Sask.
Arts began singing at the age of eight and wrote her first song at 13. Now 21, the Saskatchewan native has moved down south to Nashville to pursue a career in the country capital, penning songs with Noble Vision Music Group. In the past eight years, Arts has parlayed her career from covering songs on YouTube to working with famed songwriters including Adam Wheeler (Scotty McCreery, Tracy Lawrence) and Mark Narmore (Josh Turner, Terri Clark). Arts has her eyes set on even more collaborators in the future. "Dean Brody is very high up on that list," Arts told the Canadian Country Music Association, of her dream collaborators. "I really admire his storytelling and I'm a huge fan of his music."
The rising singer-songwriter also wants to add her name to the list of star female voices in country music, alongside her favourites Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, the Dixie Chicks and Shania Twain. "They are all such strong females in the industry and they continue to dominate," she explains. "Shania Twain is someone I love a lot because she broke out of Canada and became a worldwide star. I like to dream big like that and I'd love to represent Canada in the country world some day."
Keep an eye out for new music from Tenille Arts in the coming months, especially nearing the CCMAs this weekend.
Watch the 2016 CCMA Awards on Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. (8:30 p.m NL) on CBC Television.
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Terri Clark, Tim Hicks, Johnny Reid to perform at 2016 CCMA Awards show