Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
It is time for local singers, songwriters, and musicians to get their pens and vocal chords ready
for a two-day music event, organized to help ignite your passion.
“SongRise is an annual music conference for abilities of all ranges, ages and genres,” says
Community Futures Peace Country general manager Sherry Crawford.
“It is mostly focused on the business of songwriting, but we also touch on the industry aspects
of the music business, including the importance of having a plan and a budget for your music
business, regardless of whether you are just playing a few shows here and there or planning a
future full time music career,” she adds.
The event will take place at the Mile Zero Multiplex in Grimshaw Oct. 3-4, and Crawford says it’s
a great opportunity to network with like-minded people and to learn from industry professionals.
“We will talk about going into a studio to record, and will have hands-on workshops on
songwriting, vocal warm-ups, and performance opportunities,” says Crawford.
“There are so many talented artists in the area and this gives them a chance to collaborate,
network and learn about the music business right in their own backyards, at a reasonable cost and
because it really is a magical weekend of creativity where everyone becomes friends.”
SongRise was the brainchild of Sherry Crawford and Dana Blayone, formally of the band/company No
Limitz Music. After attending multiple conferences throughout the country and knowing how much
talent was right here in the region, they decided to create their own event.
“We approached Duane Steele, an award-winning country music artist who has had number one hits
(Anita Got Married is one) to be our “main mentor”, Crawford explains.
“We thought Duane was the perfect fit because he grew up in the Hines Creek area and went on to
have a very successful solo career.”
SongRise began in 2008 and attracted 12 songwriters with representatives from Alberta Music,
SOCAN and the local radio stations to provide information and mentorship.”
Crawford says this was also the year they first met Tenille Townes (Nadkrynechny), who attended
for several years, and through SongRise she met people who would help her with the next steps to
what would eventually become a soaring music career.
“The following year our registration doubled, and it grew from there,” she says.
“We ran it for nine years in Peace River and two of those years we ran back-to-back weekends in
Red Deer. We chose Red Deer as it’s the current hometown of Duane’s and we consistently attracted
musicians from all over the province, both in Red Deer and Peace River.”
Crawford notes most conferences like this happen in urban areas like Edmonton or Calgary, and a
lot of rural musicians like to have similar caliber of mentors and industry information available
to them at home.
“Because we provide very valuable information and networking opportunities that can assist
artists in furthering their musical pursuits, at whatever scale that might be, it’s a great
opportunity for artists,” Crawford explains.
“It puts a highlight on local musicians and gives them tools and learning to become even better.
Having a public concert to top off the weekend is our way of showcasing the amazing talent in the
region to the public. Artists that may have never been on stage before or written a song before
step out of their comfort zones and grow as an artist and a person. It truly is incredible and
feels like a boutique type event that doesn’t happen anywhere else we know of.”
Friday will include a deep dive into the art of songwriting. Mentors will break down songs and
talk about what makes them great.
“We will feature some local musicians who have music careers and still live in area, have a
keynote on building a music business plan, keynote on getting songs ready to record, a vocal
workshop and the ever-popular Date with a Demo where participants can bring a rough song to our
evening event for constructive feedback from our panel of experts,” she says.
“Saturday, we break everyone into groups of three and they spend the day writing a song,” she
adds. “They are given a choice of titles to start with, and our mentors circulate through the
groups to help them along.”
Crawford says the groups then perform that song they just wrote at the concert that evening.
Cost to attend the weekend is $295 per person, but if an individual is interested in attending
the industry information workshops only on Friday, they can pay just $175.
Delegates who are between the ages of 14-17 years must also register a guardian to accompany
them. The guardian cost is $85.
“People should consider attending to form new connections, to learn, to inspire, and get
inspired, to share, to get unstuck if they are, to grow and laugh and make new friends and to
experience the magic,” says Crawford.
Special guests will include multiple Canadian industry professionals to give their insight and
expertise. Duane Steele, who Crawford says has been and always will be the main attraction of
SongRise, is attending. His success, his down-to-earth personality, his enthusiasm for music and
his immense talent (and numerous accolades) are why organizers consider him a staple of SongRise.
Jake Mathews is another successful Alberta Country music artist who also releases songs and
albums in French under his real name Jacques Lagrandeur.
“One of the reasons we think Jake is a good fit is because he also has a passion for the art of
songwriting and since we’ve been partnering for the last two years with Nord Ouest FM Radio in
Falher, it makes sense to invite a French artist,” says Crawford.
“He has several top 20 hits at radio and numerous Canadian Country Music Award nominations.”
Chloe Albert, who is originally from the Edmonton area, is a soulful folk singer/songwriter who
released her debut Canadian Folk Music Award-winning album Dedicated State in 2008. Her sophomore
album Dreamcatcher earned her a JUNO Award nomination for Adult Contemporary Album-of -the-Year,
a Western Canadian Music Award nomination, and multiple Edmonton Music Awards.
Matt Patershuk is a master songwriter with multiple WCMA and Canadian Folk Music nominations who
weaves incredible and endearing stories into his songs.
“One of Canada’s best kept musical secrets, one of the nicest guys on the planet and lives in
Peace Region,” Crawford exclaims. “Who knew?”
Joel Lavoie is another local stellar talent, who is a francophone singer/ songwriter and producer
living in the Peace region. For over 25 years, Lavoie has developed a passionate and authentic
style, played on stages such as the Winspear Centre, numerous festivals and is currently touring
with the super group Second Hand Dreamcar.
George Brothers has performed around the Peace County over the years, but not many know George’s
musical career spans over six decades. He has recorded five albums, one of which Atlantic Sons &
Daughters, won Folk Traditional recording of the year at the PEI Traditional Music Awards. He was
inducted into Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame in 2023.
Crawford says they also have many individuals sitting on industry panels, including Arjun Roy,
Holly Sorgen, Randy Fillion, Elle McAndrews, and Kurt Furstenwerth.
“Spaces are limited to keep the intimate feel and connections strong, so we encourage people to
register sooner than later,” says Crawford.
“Coast Hotel in Grimshaw is offering a small discount to SongRise delegates so they should
mention it when they book.
“Thanks to the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the Town of Grimshaw, SOCAN Foundation, Nord-
Ouest FM, M.D. of Peace, M.D. of Greenview, CF Grande Prairie for their sponsorship and support
of this important conference.”
For more information on the event or to register, please visit SongRise’s website at
www.songriseconference.ca.