CANADIAN REGIONAL ROUND

The following information is from the 2008 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest. Regional round results will be posted here once the finalists have been determined. Thank you.

Saturday, August 16, Ottawa.
Tanya Davis of Halifax Wins Canadian Regional Finals at the Ottawa Folk Festival.
www.tanyadavis.ca

INFORMATION

Date: Saturday, August 16
Venue: Ottawa Folk Festival
Location: Brittania Park, Ottawa
Time: 5:30 PM
Tickets: buy here
Youth Round Showcase: YES!
With Special Guest Performer Chris Velan

FINALISTS

	Koko Bonaparte Rockwood, Ontario Koko Bonaparte grew up in the punk and hip hop hotbed of Guelph, Ontario, Canada (located outside Toronto). She went to Harvard University on a scholarship, and there she was taken in by great poets who taught her a thing or two about the ways language works on us and the ways we might use language to our advantage - "to find knowledge, consolation, and even joy in a hard life." After four wild years at Harvard, she returned home ready to be a brave and free emcee. www.kokobonaparte.com
	Steve Brockley Montreal, Quebec Straight from the wild mountains and valleys of the west, comes a ramblin' troubadour by the name of Steve Brockley. Spending the last few years following his guitar across the continent, he can now be found in a place known for its vibrant music scene and night life, Montreal. www.myspace.com/stevebrockley
	Daniel Casavant Verdun, Quebec Since 2005, this songwriter has received several raving comments plus exceptional success stories. Two of his most notable feats include: 2 Honorable Mentions from the Billboard World Song Contest (in 2005 and 2006) and being listed among the Top 3 in various contest, including American Idol and Artist Weekly.com. www.danielcasavant.com
	Tanya Davis Halifax, Nova Scotia Tanya writes songs in the loosely-defined alt-folk category, although also has tendencies towards well-arranged pop music and genres that get people dancing. Songs of love, life, work, and art. Songs with refreshingly candid lyrics, poetic and exposing. She's a relative newcomer on the Atlantic music scene, although she's been performing for years; that's where the 'poet' part comes in. www.tanyadavis.ca
	Hannah and Her Sisters Vancouver, British Columbia Hannah Georgas is a quirky, highly-sensitive, whimsical and yet extremely serious Vancouver-based singer/ songwriter who will one day win over Jack Black and take his hand in marriage. Born and raised in one of the many suburbs of the T.O., she wrote her first song on the piano at the age of 5 in reference to her talent that God gave her. Inspired by late summer night jam sessions around camp fires the guitar became her new instrument of choice and travels. www.hannahgeorgas.com
	Lynne Hanson Ottawa, Ontario Roots-style instrumentation drives songs like the toe-tapping Old Dog Run, while Lynne’s soulful voice is laid bare in River By My Side, and takes on a sultry tone in Little Stage Fright. "Shot through with chances-missed and if-only tunes, this debut album by Ottawa’s Lynne Hanson makes for fine listening." (Patrick Langston, Ottawa Citizen) www.lynnehanson.com
	Dave Hein Toronto, Ontario Award-winning songwriter, David Hein comes from Saskatoon & sounds like Blue Rodeo & Barenaked Ladies. He's toured North America, put out 3 CDs & worked with the Muppets. His hilarious songs, heartbreaking ballads, & free comics make every show unique & amazing. www.davidhein.net
	Mary Knickle Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Growing up in a family of musicians and storytellers, Knickle was drawn to the art of both from an early age. Following a childhood of performing at parties and family functions, she began to work to develop both of these skills into her own work. Through taking songwriting classes and studying music at Acadia University in Wolfville, NS, she started creating a unique sound that represented her. www.maryknickle.com
	Linda M Toronto, Ontario 2008 is off to an amazing start for Performing Songwriter Linda M with these songwriting accolades! Other songwriting awards include multiple Top Honors from The BILLBOARD WORLD SONG CONTEST, The GREAT AMERICAN SONG CONTEST and The UK Singer Songwriter Awards. Linda M returned to Nashville, TN in April 2008 and won The 2008 Tunesmith Songwriting Competition! www.lindam.org
	Andy Sheppard Toronto, Ontario The world in six strings. "A tremendous guitarist' - Matt Galloway - CBC Radio, Toronto. Andy Sheppard coaxes the sounds of Africa, Brazil, Cuba, and the hills of Appalachia from his steel string guitar. www.andysheppard.com