CCMA Award Winner Meghan Patrick Celebrates MusiCounts Band Aid Program In Hamilton
TORONTO, ON – On September 7, 2-time CCMA Award winner Meghan Patrickkicked off CCMA Country Music Week 2018 with MusiCounts, Canada’s leading music education charity, to surprise a local Hamilton school. To celebrate theCanadian Country Music Association® and SiriusXM Canada's generous support of MusiCounts, the 5-time 2018 CCMA Award nominee hit the stage at James MacDonald Elementary School for a special performance, before announcing $5,000 worth of new instruments for the school’s music program.
"With the Canadian Country Music Association and SiriusXM Canada's continued support of MusiCounts, we're able to give youth across Canada access to the incredible benefits of music," said Kristy Fletcher, Executive Director, MusiCounts. "We are thrilled to celebrate with Meghan Patrick and the CCMA during Country Music Week in Hamilton."
After performing her hits "George Strait" and "Country Music Made Me Do It" for the excited auditorium of students, Meghan Patrick spoke about the impact that music education had on her own career. Previously James MacDonald Elementary School received a $5,000 instrument grant for the school music program via the MusiCounts Band Aid Program, and the additional $5,000 will allow even more students to access music in the classroom.
“We love celebrating Country Music Week with MusiCounts,” said Tracy Martin, President of the Canadian Country Music Association. “It’s an honour to support the MusiCounts Band Aid Program and its initiative to give youth across Canada access to music.”
“I am so thrilled to be here to support MusiCounts and the next generation of Canadian musical talent,” said Meghan Patrick. “It was wonderful to perform for the students and I hope the additional new instruments help inspire their passion for music for years to come!"
Through their significant support of MusiCounts, the CCMA and SiriusXM Canada are helping to put instruments into the hands of kids who need them most all across Canada. Through their ongoing commitments thousands of children will have access to instruments and the power of music.
Also announced in 2018, schools will be able to apply for up to $15,000 in instrument grants via the MusiCounts Band Aid Program, an increase from the previous $10,000 cap. The 2018-2019 MusiCounts Band Aid Programapplications open on September 17, 2018 and schools are encouraged to apply at www.musicounts.ca.
**To download hi-res images from the MusiCounts Band Aid Programcelebration click here (Photo credit Barry Roden)
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About Meghan Patrick
Returning to the CCMAs after an unforgettable performance in Saskatoon with much to celebrate is reigning SiriusXM Rising Star and Female Artist of the Year, Meghan Patrick. Earning five 2018 CCMA Award nominations, Meghan recently made history by becoming the first solo female artist to take home the Fans’ Choice Award at the Country Music of Ontario Awards. With her debut album, Grace and Grit generating four Top 20 singles and a Top 10 hit with Still Loving You, Meghan Patrick released her sophomore album (Country Music Made Me Do It) earlier this year to great fanfare. The first single from the album, also titled “Country Music Made Me Do It” also reached the Top 5, and her most recent single “The Bad Guy” was a Top 15 hit.
About the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA)
Established in 1976, the CCMA is a membership-based, not-for-profit organization committed to the promotion and recognition of Canadian country music. Built upon the foundation to educate, elevate and celebrate Canadian talent, the CCMA progressively heralds the spirit, community and creativity that country music fosters through year-round initiatives, culminating every fall with Country Music Week and the Canadian Country Music Association Awards. Sponsors of Country Music Week and the 2018 CCMA Awards Show include FACTOR, Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage’s “Canada Music Fund”, Ontario Creates, Radio Starmaker Fund, the Government of Ontario, City of Hamilton, Tourism Hamilton and the Hamilton, Halton and Brant Regional Tourism Organization.
About SiriusXM Canada
Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc., operating as SiriusXM Canada, is the country’s leading entertainment company. SiriusXM creates and offers commercial-free music; premier sports talk and live events; comedy; news; and exclusive talk and entertainment. SiriusXM is available in vehicles from every major car company and on smartphones and other connected devices as well as online at siriusxm.ca.
Join SiriusXM Canada on Facebook at facebook.com/siriusxmcanada, on Twitter at @siriusxmcanada, on Instagram at @siriusxmcanada and on YouTube at youtube.com/siriusxmcanada.
SiriusXM radios and accessories are available from retailers nationwide and online at SiriusXM. In addition, SiriusXM Music for Business provides commercial-free music to a variety of businesses. SiriusXM is also a leading provider of connected vehicles services, giving customers access to a suite of safety, security, and convenience services including automatic crash notification, stolen vehicle recovery assistance, enhanced roadside assistance and turn-by-turn navigation.
SiriusXM Canada has been designated one of Canada's Best Managed Companies nine years in a row and is currently a Platinum Club Member.
About MusiCounts
MusiCounts, Canada's music education charity associated with CARAS and the JUNO Awards is keeping music alive in schools and communities across Canada by putting musical instruments into the hands of children that need them most. MusiCounts' mission is to ensure that youth in Canada have access to music programs through their schools and communities. MusiCounts celebrates musical excellence and achieves its mission through the MusiCounts Band Aid Program, the MusiCounts TD Community Music Program, the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award, MusiCounts Inspired Minds Ambassador Award, scholarships and other music education initiatives. MusiCounts is funded by many of Canada's most dedicated corporate citizens including and especially CCMA’s, TD Bank Group, Bell Media, SiriusXM Canada, the Slaight Family Foundation, Music Canada, Vista Radio, and The Hot Topic Foundation. MusiCounts has been supported since inception by Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., Universal Music Canada, Warner Music Canada Ltd., JUNO Songwriters' Circle and JUNO Cup. MusiCounts was established in 1997, and has awarded nearly $11,000,000 in support of music education in Canada. These funds have benefitted over 1,000 schools and communities, supported over 350 post-secondary music program graduates, and honoured 13 extraordinary music teachers and two MusiCounts ambassadors.