Live & Original Music Series Brings New Talent to Elvis Festival

Strategic Insights -

The Live & Original music series is a new feature at the Collingwood Elvis Festival, showcasing 12 up-and-coming musicians and bands. The first round takes place on Saturday from 1-3 p.m., and the finals on Sunday from 4-6 p.m., with prizes totaling $4,100. The series is inspired by Elvis Presley's rags-to-riches story and aims to promote undiscovered artists. Contestants will perform original songs, and audience members can cast votes for their favorite artists in the first two rounds. The series is a comeback opportunity for some artists, including Emerald Echoes, who have been performing in different capacities but are now focusing on creating original music.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Live & Original music series features 12 up-and-coming musicians and bands, including Team T&J, Bernadette Connors, and Hello Harvard, competing for a total prize of $4,100.
  • The series will have three rounds: Saturday from 1-3 p.m., Saturday from 4-6 p.m., and Sunday from 4-6 p.m., with a different six contestants in each round.
  • Audience members can cast votes in the first two rounds, which will count as part of the contestants' overall score.
  • Contestants were encouraged to submit a video audition showcasing an original song, and solo artists, duets, and trios were welcome to participate.
  • The series is inspired by Elvis Presley's rags-to-riches story and aims to promote undiscovered artists and original music.
  • Emerald Echoes, a band consisting of Collingwood natives Sam Thomas and Troy Franklin, are one of the finalists and are using the series as a comeback opportunity.
  • Contestants will perform in the Simcoe Street Theatre, and tickets for the first round and finals are available for $6.
  • Luke Martin, a 29-year-old Markdale native, is also a contestant in the series and is focused on making a career out of music after leaving his job as a bar manager in Montreal.

Statistics:

  • The total prize money is $4,100, with the first-place finisher winning $3,000, second-place winning $1,000, third-place winning $500, fourth-place winning $250, fifth-place winning $150, and sixth-place winning $100.
  • There are 12 contestants in total competing in the Live & Original music series.
  • The series will feature three rounds, with each round having six contestants.
  • The contestants are from a variety of backgrounds and ages, including band members and solo artists.
  • The series is part of the Collingwood Elvis Festival, which aims to promote original music and undiscovered artists.

Sources:

  • Collingwood Elvis Festival
  • Dean Collver, director of parks, recreation and culture for the Town of Collingwood
  • Sam Thomas and Troy Franklin, members of Emerald Echoes
  • Luke Martin, contestant in the Live & Original music series
  • collingwood.ca/liveoriginal