In partnership with Slaight Music, part two of the renowned program provides specialized development sessions
TORONTO – The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and Slaight Music today announced the short list of artists selected to participate in part two of the 2020/2021 Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class program: Command Sisters, MONOWHALES and Myles Castello. These emerging musicians, selected by a Super Jury of music industry notables will join Shawnee Kish, the 2020 winner of CBC Music’s annual search for the next undiscovered act, and receive crucial tools to help guide their careers and help them become “JUNO ready.”
2020/2021 Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class short list:
- Command Sisters – Toronto, ON
- MONOWHALES – Toronto, ON
- Myles Castello – Scarborough, ON
- Shawnee Kish – Edmonton, AB
Left to right: Command Sisters, MONOWHALES, Myles Castello, Shawnee Kish
“It’s been an honour to witness how the Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class program has enabled talent to grow and thrive within the Canadian music landscape,” said Derrick Ross, President of Slaight Music. “We are delighted to announce this year’s artists, all vibrant and impactful voices in the industry, who join the growing list of notable names that have had the opportunity of participating in the mentorship program.”
“I’d like to commend the CARAS team for their hard work in making the Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class an invaluable asset for Canadian talent,” said Gary Slaight, President & CEO, Slaight Communications. “We continue to see the positive effect this program has on all the selected artists and we’re thrilled to help foster this year’s emerging talent and bolster their profile in Canada and beyond.”
“We are very proud to see how Canadian artists have grown and flourished as a result of taking part in this development program and I can’t wait to see what this year’s incredible line-up of national talent does in their music careers,” said Allan Reid, President and CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards & MusiCounts. “We are incredibly grateful for Slaight Music and their dedication and commitment to helping support emerging Canadian artists.”
The short list of artists will be part of a customized program learning from Canadian music industry leaders. This year’s program will provide mentorship opportunities to help artists succeed in today’s climate. Additionally, one artist will be invited to perform at the 2021 JUNO Opening Night Awards Presented by Music Canada to an at-home audience of over 1,000 music industry guests.
This year the program received the largest number of applications in its history. As a result of this overwhelming response, the Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class, developed in partnership with Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI), was broken out into two parts. These changes were made to satisfy the much-needed demand for ongoing support to emerging artists impacted by industry shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last fall, 10 artists (including those shortlisted) took part in a week-long digital experience tailored to the mentorship needs of those selected.
For photos of the Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class participants please click here.
Website:
Official JUNO Awards website: www.junoawards.ca
Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class website: www.junomasterclass.ca
Social Media:
The JUNO Awards: @TheJUNOAwards / @TheJUNOAwards / @TheJUNOAwards
#JUNOS / #JUNOMasterClass
Slaight Music: @SlaightMusic / @SlaightMusic / @SlaightMusic
Exclusive Broadcast and Content Partner:
CARAS acknowledges the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada and of Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters.
Lead Sponsors TD Bank Group, SiriusXM Canada, Freedom Mobile, Ford of Canada, and TikTok
Funding Partners: The Province of Ontario, the City of Toronto and Radio Starmaker Fund
About Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class
The Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class is an initiative that provides the crucial tools to help artists develop their careers, build their own sustainable business and become ‘JUNO ready’. The ‘Master Class’ includes a week-long customized artist development program co-developed with Canada’s Music Incubator at Coalition Music. This development program provides hands-on mentoring, networking and collaboration opportunities.
About CARAS
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) is a not-for-profit organization created to preserve and enhance the Canadian music industry and promote higher artistic and industry standards. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the JUNO Awards, a national celebration of Canadian music. In honour of this significant milestone, CARAS will launch exciting initiatives in the host city of Toronto, and nationally across our country. Each initiative will drive forward CARAS’ four key pillars: Educate through MusiCounts’ charitable programs and community resources, Develop emerging artists through mentorship and development programs, Celebrate Canadian artists with year-round JUNO Awards showcasing, and Honour music industry icons through the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. In a time unlike any other, our sound connects and unites us. The JUNOS are proud to represent so many Canadian facets of music, performance and recording, distinctly, All Our Sound. For more information on the 50th Annual JUNO Awards or The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) please visit www.junoawards.ca.
About Allan Slaight
A pioneer of rock and roll, Allan Slaight parlayed his entrepreneurial flair with his knowledge of radio to create Canada’s largest privately owned multimedia company, Standard Broadcasting Corporation Limited.
Born in 1931, Allan hosted his own radio program, Spins and Needles, a late night jazz program, at age 16 at CHAB in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He moved to Edmonton in 1950, working his way up the ladder being appointed in 1956 as the National Sales Manager at CHED. There he came to the attention Allan Waters, owner of CHUM Radio in Toronto, who hired Allan to turn around the fortunes of his struggling station. Allan’s programming, promotions, and business acumen propelled CHUM into a household name.
Allan left the station in 1966 to coordinate programming and sales of Radio Caroline, the infamous pirate radio station. He returned to Canada in 1967, to become the President and General Manager of Stephens and Towndrow.
In 1970, Allan established Slaight Communications and acquired radio stations CFGM in Toronto and CFOX in Montreal. In 1977, Allan launched a new rock and roll radio station, CILQ-FM, known as Q107, in Toronto. In 1985, Slaight Communications sold CFGM and Q107, and purchased Standard Broadcasting Corporation Limited from Conrad Black. Under Allan’s leadership, Standard Broadcasting and Standard Radio grew from seven radio stations to a national network of over fifty. In 2007, the Slaight’s sold Standard Broadcasting to Astral Media.
Radio was not Allan’s only passion. He served as a trustee of Women’s College Hospital (1978- 1982), a director of the United Way of Greater Toronto (1979-1987), director of the Shaw Festival (1982-1988), a governor of York University (1986-1987), and a director of the Festival of Festivals (1989-1993).
An inductee into the Broadcast Hall of Fame (1997), the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Commerce from Ryerson Polytechnic University (2000), appointed a Member of the Order of Canada (2001), the recipient of the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award (2005) for his contribution to the growth and development of the Canadian music industry, Allan has also maintained a lifelong interest in conjuring.
About Slaight Music
Slaight Music was started in 2011 with a mandate to support the Canadian music community through a variety of initiatives and to develop Canadian talent via strategic partnerships with industry peers.
For more information on the JUNO Awards or interview requests, please contact:
Dillon Shaver, rock-it promotions, [email protected]