Canada’s Walk of Fame announces Calum Graham of High River, AB grand prize winner of A Song for Canada competition chosen from over 600 applicants.
(Toronto, Ontario) September 1, 2011 – The jury is in. Following a nationwide call for written submissions to capture the true essence of the Canadian spirit, Calum Graham of High River, Alberta, emerges as the grand prize winner of Canada’s Walk of Fame’s A Song For Canada competition, presented by RE/MAX.
Selected by a panel of esteemed judges, Graham will receive a grand prize of $25,000, a trip for two to the 2011 Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards and Inductee Charity Ball, and studio recording time at Metalworks Studios valued at $10,000. In addition, a minimum of one line from his submission will be included in the song (yet to be titled), and he will also have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with Stephan Moccio, Raine Maida and Chantal Kreviazuk. The original score will be co-written, composed and arranged by Moccio (“I Believe”, 2010 Vancouver Olympics theme song). Kreviazuk and Maida will co-write the lyrics and work with Moccio on the melody.
“Calum’s entry resonated strongly among the judges,” said Moccio. “His poem celebrates the cultural mosaic that is Canada. He has captured the diversity of this country – something that we as a nation are renowned for and proud of – and which we (the judges) felt symbolizes the true Canadian spirit.”
“Congratulations to Calum for expressing in heartfelt words the essence of what makes us unique as a country,” said Peter Soumalias, President and Founding Director of Canada’s Walk of Fame. “His contribution to this competition will certainly help create A Song For Canada that will inspire generations of Canadians.”
The song will be available for download on iTunes and wherever music is available digitally in September by Canada’s Walk of Fame music partner, Universal Music Canada. More information about the release date will be posted on www.canadaswalkoffame.com. The performance of the song will debut nationally this October during the 2011 Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards on Global and Slice™ (broadcast date TBD).
Judges for the competition included: Peter Soumalias, President and Founding Director of Canada’s Walk of Fame; acclaimed pianist, producer and songwriter, Stephan Moccio; Canadian jazz-pop singer and 2010 Allan Slaight Award recipient, Nikki Yanofsky, two-time JUNO Award-winner, Chantal Kreviazuk, acclaimed singer/songwriter and front man for Our Lady Peace, Raine Maida and Entertainment Tonight Canada co-host, Rick Campanelli.
The second place winner is 10-year-old Catherine Brenan of Oakville, Ontario who will receive a cash prize of $2,500 and the third place winner, Vince Dixon of Sydney, Nova Scotia will receive a cash prize of $1,000. All three winners will have their submissions published in the 2011 Canada’s Walk of Fame Commemorative Magazine.
By The Numbers:
- 50,000 – one in every 50,000 Canadians participated in this competition.
- 631 – total number of submissions received from coast-to-coast
- 97 – oldest applicant
- 63 – per cent of submissions from Ontario
- 63 – per cent of female applicants
- 41 – average age of applicants
- 9 – youngest applicant