Burlington resident Eric Brandon a finalist in the 2018 Walk of Fame competition.

theartsBy Staff

November 8th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Eric Brandon, a Burlington resident has been chosen as a finalist in the Canada’s Walk of Fame competition.

He is one of five chosen by a selection committee of music industry experts

Eric Brandon Walk of Fame finalist

Eric Brandon, a finalist in the 2018 Canada Walk of Fame competition.

Canada’s Walk of Fame announced today that LU, of Ajax, ON is the Grand Prize winner of its 6th annual RBC Emerging Musician Program, as part of Canada’s Walk of Fame Emerging Artists Programs and Scholarships. The program, valued at more than $100,000, provides musicians with the opportunity to grow and develop their skills and industry connections, and take their budding music careers to the next level.

Five talented artists were selected from more than 800 hopefuls from coast-to-coast who submitted applications that ranged across all genres of music. Submissions to the program more than doubled in 2018.

The winners and finalists of this year’s RBC Emerging Musician Program are:

Grand Prize Winner: LU – Ajax, ON
Second Prize Winner: Bones & Bridges – Etobicoke, ON
Finalist: Alexandria Maillot – Courtenay, BC
Finalist: Eric Brandon – Burlington, ON
Finalist: What If Elephants – Montreal, QC

Cherry and Maclean CWOF

Don Cherry and Ron MacLean share a star on the Walk of Fame

“Our country has had such an impact on the global music stage, and it’s exciting to see the next generation of musicians who are eager to prove themselves on that stage. The RBC Emerging Musician Program is the perfect vehicle for artists ready to take the next step in their careers,” said Jeffrey Latimer, CEO, Canada’s Walk of Fame.

“We’re thrilled with the growth of the program in 2018, and we’re looking forward to working with the winners in the coming months. Thank you to everyone who submitted this year.”

LU will receive $20,000, private studio recording time, introductions to industry executives and album art cover design. She will attend the Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards Show on December 1 at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts and will perform at the 20th Anniversary Gala at the Fairmont Royal York.

Brandon will receive a cash prizes of $4,000 and will take part in industry mentorship sessions and perform during the RBC Emerging Musician Showcase that took place in Toronto at the Great Hall on November 7th.

Walk of Fame

Walk of Fame in Toronto’s Entertainment District

RBC’s continued support of the RBC Emerging Musician Program is part of their focus on helping artists in the early stages of their careers through the RBC Emerging Artists Project. “For many hopeful musicians, catching a break in the music industry is challenging, and that’s why we’re thrilled that through the RBC Emerging Artist program we are able to support young Canadian artists as they advance on their career journey,” said Valerie Chort, Vice President, Corporate Citizenship, RBC. “This year, RBC and Canada’s Walk of Fame are celebrating six successful years of working together to shape the future of Canadian artists.”

In addition, Canada’s Walk of Fame announced the two recipients of the Canada’s Walk of Fame Emerging Musician/ Metalworks Institute Scholarship this year. Asmahan Smelt and Abhishek Venkatachalam will both receive $10,000 tuition scholarships towards any full-time diploma program or online certificate course bundle at Metalworks Institute of Sound & Music Production.

Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, Canada’s Walk of Fame is a national platform that celebrates Canadian achievement at the highest level in many fields, fueling our sense of Canadian pride and inspiring the next generation to follow in their footsteps. Canada’s Walk of Fame is the foremost honour for cultural, entrepreneurial, athletic, philanthropic and science/technology excellence in Canada.

Ackroyd CWOFCurrent programs include the RBC Emerging Musician Program; Canada’s Walk of Fame Hometown Stars, presented by Cineplex; and the nationally televised broadcast designated by the CRTC as a program of national interest. Founded in 1998 by Peter Soumalias, Bill Ballard, Dusty Cohl and Gary Slaight, CWOF has inducted 173 Canadians to date, with their stars having a permanent place of tribute on the streets of Toronto’s Entertainment District.

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