Industry Awards &
Keynote Address
The opening event for the Country Music Week Conference includes a dynamic and thought provoking address to attendees by a pivotal member of the entertainment industry along with musical performances. Highlighted within this Saturday morning event are CCMA Awards honouring key individuals within the industry for their extraordinary accomplishments. This event combines the power of star artists from the recording year, inductions into the prestigious Hall of Fame, along with special presentations for achievements in the music industry.
FanFest
This event brings the stars of Canadian country to the fans - free of charge at The Forks! A community event that combines back to back star performers with all of the excitement leading up to the CCMA Awards. This is one of the 'loudest' events at Country Music Week. With Trade booths, CD sales, a fun atmosphere, special opportunities to meet and greet with the artists, including autograph and photo sessions. FanFest provides a musical feast for all ages. Don't miss it!
Great Guitar Pull
This musical event sets the standard for so many imitators... Held in a classic round robin acoustic setting, Master Songwriters of the format challenge each other with performances of the some of music's greatest hits - plus - the story behind how those memorable songs were written. Meet the creators of some of the world's most played music, and learn the tales behind the tunes. The annual Guitar Pull is a rich and memorable highlight of the week that represents much of what music - particularly country music - gives to the entertainment world.
Kick-Off Party
The opening night launch party welcomes all those connected to Canada's music and entertainment industry. Delegates, sponsors, dignitaries, and special guests have the opportunity to mingle and "get swept back in time" at the McPhillips Street Station Casino.
This event officially "Kicks Off" the week, and brings together all interest groups to mark the first night of Winnipeg Country Music Week
Open Mic Nights
Friday and Saturday nights join in the fun for two late night sessions that provide an open stage for artists and performers. This is a hosted event that is designed to thread local and national artists together for a night of fantastic collaborations and new music - Open Mic is timed to close the evening with one of a kind moments and memories - along with a star Emcee. Have a nightcap while you enjoy some of Country's greatest artists performing alongside newcomers and special guests in an intimate setting.
Seminars
Friday
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Plugging In and Powering Up
Presented by QX 104
Moderator: Heather Ostertag
If you only go to one seminar at Country Music Week, this is the one you don’t want to miss. ALL of our guest panelists for ALL the seminars presented ALL weekend long will be at this one! They will be introduced and you can match their names to their faces. This will help you get a jump start on getting connected to the industry experts who can really make a difference to your career. You snooze, you lose. You schmooze, you can’t lose!
Saturday
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
“DIY” - Mind Your Own Business
Presented by rdr music
Moderator: Joe Wood
FYI, DIY means “Do It Yourself”. With the major labels signing and developing fewer and fewer acts, it may be time for you to grab the reins and guide your own career. Find out how to secure funding, create a product and then get that product out to the listening public. And you can be the one in the driver’s seat. This panel will be fully stocked with representatives from Marketing, Radio Tracking, Publicity, CMT, FACTOR and DMDS.
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Songwriting Super Session
Presented by ole
No, we’re not going to hook you up with CDJ. This will be a round-table style seminar, where you get to sit down and ask questions to expert Publishers, Managers, Agents, Hit Songwriters, and SOCAN personnel in a face-to-face situation. Get as many questions answered as you can before the bell rings and you move on to the next group of experts.
2:15 PM – 3:45 PM
Taking It to the Streets - Your 'Country' in Every Country
Moderator: Nick Meinema
You’ve got a CD, a hot band and you’re making some waves locally. Now, how do you get to that next level? Expanding your career horizons and taking your act onto the world stage. Panelists will guide you and introduce you to Artists, Agents, Managers and Tour Managers who have plenty of experience in the international arena.
2:15 PM – 3:45 PM
Hitsville
Presented by ole
What better time than Saturday afternoon for a game of baseball? But this game is just a little different. You’re a songwriter and the umpires are music industry experts. You head for first base where they listen to your finished song on CD. If they don’t like it...You’re outta there! If they do, you head for second base where another group of experts listen and make the call. If they don’t like it, time to hit the showers. But if they do, then steal third. If you and your song can get all the way around and slide into home plate, you’ve just won yourself a Publishing Contract with ole Publishing. Think you’ve got what it takes to slug it out in the big leagues? Get off the bench and find out.
Note: For this seminar, only ‘release quality’ CDs will be considered. No rough demos, work tapes or ‘live’ performances please.
Sunday
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
State of The Industry or State Of Flux?
Moderator: David Farrell
The whole business of music is changing; from buying CDs in a store to downloading MP3s for your iPod; from the big record label deals to the swing toward grassroots guerrilla-style marketing; from the high-priced arena shows to highly profitable house concerts. The only thing that’s constant these days is ‘change’. If you want to stay on the cutting edge, join our panel to explore, understand and confront the flux of today’s music industry.
3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
I Won’t Work Without A Net - The Pluses and Pitfalls of Technology
Moderator: Louis O’Reilly
What exactly is facebook, MySpace, YouTube and all the other latest online networking connections? How can you use them to create a buzz? How can you go about making your music available for download? How can you cash in on all the latest cyber-crazes? Our panel of hi-tech industry heavies will explain to you how it all works. And more importantly, how to make it all work for you!
Monday
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Crossing Borders
Presented by Trade Routes
Trying to perform or showcase n the U.S market and have questions on how to cross the U.S border? The panel will address U.S Customs and Visa Requirements for the Canadian Country Music Industry.
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Date with a Demo
Presented by SAC
Moderator: Don Quarles
This could be your date with destiny. Think you’ve got a killer number one hit song on your hands? Well bring it here, before you go blowing the baby’s college fund on recording it. A panel of experts made up of representatives from Radio, Publicity, Management, Songwriting, Publishing, and even an Artist will be on hand to critique your demo recording. Get an expert opinion you can take to the bank, before you go breaking the bank.
Note: A ‘Demo’ recording can be as simple as voice and an instrument. We can only accept songs in CD format, no ‘live’ performances. Make sure the lyrics can be clearly made out and bring along some lyric sheets for the panelists. Don’t bother bringing fully finished recordings. Save those for “A Home Run Hit” (Saturday).
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
This Little Singer Went to Market
Moderator: Heather Ostertag
How do you want to be perceived by the music-buying public? How can you make your music stand out from all the rest? What sort of image are you putting out there? A panel of marketing experts will be convening to answer all your questions and provide an overview of how marketing works and what’s been done in the past to break the big acts. This panel allows artists and management to present samples of their promotions/marketing materials for review and critique.
The CCMA Awards
The Canadian Country Music Awards serve as a two-hour review of a year in country music. The MTS Centre will be home to this year’s broadcast. This night allows the CCMA to honour our stars and recognize the achievements of our industry, with performances from some of Canada’s biggest talent.
Tickets to the 2008 CCMA Awards are now on sale through all Ticketmaster
locations, online at www.ticketmaster.ca
or charge by phone at 204-780-3333.
