Press Releases

A Sneak Peak...

April 21st, 2011

A Sneak Peak…

Burlington ON (April 21, 2011). Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival is excited to release our first headliner for Festival 2011, Emerson Drive, a premiere band in contemporary Country music.

Emerson Drive's success grew out of a dream that began in Brad's hometown of Grande Prairie, Alberta. The bands journey began when Brad, who grew up with his dad's George Strait and Don Williams records, was inspired after an 11th grade talent contest to start a band with some classmates. They began life as 12 Gauge, but soon became Emerson Drive, taking their name from the Emerson Trail, which crosses western Alberta to join the Alaskan Highway.

The members of Emerson Drive moved to Nashville and released a 2002 self-titled album that featured two breakthrough Top 5 hits "I Should Be Sleeping" and "Fall Into Me," as well as follow-up hit "Only God (Could Stop Me Loving You)." The band also received their very first #1 video on CMT with "Fall Into Me." Their second album, What If, gave them four Top 15 Canadian hits and one Top 20 in the U.S.

They continued touring, and their story took a dramatic turn in the right direction when producer Leo and Alabama's Gentry came to see them play. "They blew us away," says Gentry, who called them "possibly the best band I've heard in years as far as playing live on stage."

Leo and Gentry believed in Emerson Drive and agreed to work with them before they signed their next record deal. The band joined forces with Midas Records in 2005 and released Countrified, which spawned the band's hits, "A Good Man," and the career-changing #1 "Moments."

The video for "Moments" was named Video of the Year at Inspirational Country Music awards and The Canadian Country Music Awards. The song "Moments" also garnered the group their very first Grammy nomination. These accolades add to the long list of accomplishments by the band. With numerous nominations and awards from The Academy of Country Music, The Country Music Association, The Canadian Country Music Association, The Christian Country Music Association, The Junos (Canada's Music Awards) and a "Reader's Choice Award" from College Campus Activities for two successful college market tours during 2006 and 2007.

Decade and Drive, the band’s latest album was released in early February, we are sure to be hearing lots of their great new hits at the Festival this year.

**Bio above sourced from Emerson Drive website, http://emersondrive.com/index.htm?id=11847

Tickets are still on sale for Soiree 2011, our annual Festival fundraiser and launch party. Be the first to know. Please visit our website www.soundofmusic.ca for more details.

June 16th to 19th will mark Burlington’s Sound Of Music Festival's 32nd year of creating "Four Fabulous Days of Free Music and Fun” along our beautiful picturesque waterfront, Spencer Smith Park, and throughout downtown Burlington. Through the generosity and support of sponsors and the dedication of over 600 volunteers, the Festival continues to be a free event for music lovers of all ages, welcoming close to 200,000 visitors annually.

For more information on last year's talent and performance schedules or current Festival information visit soundofmusic.ca or call the Festival Hotline 905-333-6364.

SAVE THE DATE May 6th from 330-5pm at the DeGroote School of Business Ron Joyce Centre, Burlington, for our Media Launch and Line up release party. Please RSVP to media@soundofmusic.ca

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Presenting Sponsor Tim Hortons

Feature Sponsors ArcelorMittal Dofasco, Burlington Hyundai, Cogeco, Burlington Downtown Business Association, Nickelbrook, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, S. B. Prime At The Hotel Raymond, TD Canada Trust, Westjet

Support Sponsors Canadian Heritage, City of Burlington, Employment Ontario, OCAF – Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, Ontario Yours to Discover, SOCAN Foundation, Tourism Ontario, TD Friends of the Environment

Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival

Kimberly Calderbank-Allington, Sponsorship & PR Manager
Phone 905-634-6258 or Email sponsorship@soundofmusic.ca

Dave Miller, Executive Director
Phone 905-634-6309 or Email executivedirector@soundofmusic.ca

Gerry Murphy, President
Email president@soundofmusic.ca

Rick Rossini, Communications Director – Print and Design
Phone 905-635-7660 or Email rossini@rossinimagic.com