Music in Motion Canada has now announced the winners of the 2024 Competition, which is the second year of this unique and innovative initiative. MiMc was created to provide a platform for undiscovered INDIE talent to gain connections, opportunities, and exposure to award-winning music industry professionals.
This much needed competition has shown once again that Canada has amazing talent. I was thrilled to see the level of musicianship, and professionalism from the participation.
Awards and prizes are given to individuals who exceed in their originality, skill, and distinction. Prizes include branding, media marketing, consulting & mentoring, promotion and distinction. An esteemed group of music industry icons were chosen to adjudicate and make the final decisions.
Barb Keck, founder of Music in Motion Canada commented on this year’s competition, “The reward for the MiMc team has been to be a part of the artists’ musical journey. Our adjudicators were honoured to share their expertise in a way that helps them develop their career. We are proud to be able to fast track artists to connect with seasoned, respected industry icons to garner advice to further develop a strategy for their careers with continued success in their musical journey. It was a tough decision to pick the winners because there were so many great submissions. It actually resulted in a tie for third place, and a new category called Rising Star.”
The official winners of the Music in Motion Canada 2024 Competition are:
Grand Prize Winner
TRAVIS PICKERING
"She Gets Me"
Emerging Alberta musician Travis Pickering is a dynamic force in the music scene. Known for his wide range of cover songs and heartfelt originals, he has become a fan favorite throughout the B.C./Alberta region. Travis's versatility and connection with his audience have made him a competitive force in today's music industry. He has opened for renowned artists such as Julian Austin, Kenny Hess, The Good Lovelies, Oscar Lopez, Jo Hikk, and Dick Damron. Travis's co-written songs with fellow artist Shelley Lynch, "Dreams and Gasoline" and "Make it to Memphis," climbed the Canadian and American Indie Country Music Charts. Collaborating with CCMA award-winning producer Jason Barry, Travis's debut radio single "She Gets Me" reached #1 on the Canadian Indie Country Countdown twice in 2021. His talent has been recognized through various awards, including Best Modern Country Song at the Indie Rampage Songwriter Awards and Music Video of the Year and Rising Star of the Year at the International Singer Songwriter Awards in Atlanta.Travis's recent summer release, "Fallin'," co-written with his father Larry Pickering, peaked at #3 on the Canadian Indie Country Countdown and was featured on Sirius XM Country 171 and "Hank Made Country Music," reached #4 on the Canadian Indie Country Countdown.
He has also been garnering global attention with a recent Nomination for the 2025 Red Carpet Awards Show in Holland. Travis Pickering is an artist on the rise, poised for a bright future in the music industry.
Now 19 years of dedication to his craft has garnered Travis Pickering the Grand Prize Winner of the Music in Motion Canada Competition.
travispickering.wixsite.com/travispickering
Second Prize Winner
ALICK MAC
"Easier to Shout"
Alick Mac is a Canadian rapper, singer and songwriter. His style is defined by his raw, vulnerable lyrics. In June 2024, Alick won the "Wow Moment" award at the Zattzoo Project Battle of the Bands in Port Alberni. Following the release of his debut single “Therapy”, Ontario-based rapper Alick Mac reveals a new track entitled “Easier to Shout”. He describes the track as a “reflection on toxic masculinity, as well as a call to move towards a healthier and more productive understanding of what it means to be a man”. Over a somber piano instrumental laced with high-pitched vocal samples, the Canadian MC challenges modern conceptions of masculinity, and considers how these conceptions perpetuate issues such as depression and gun violence. The song’s theme is summarized in the chorus, where Alick Mac proclaims “The boy inside he just wants to let it out/but it’s hard for us to cry when it’s easier to shout”.
As the Second Prize Winner, Alick Mac is just starting to get the recognition he deserves and is definitely one to watch as his career grows and gets more attention.
Third Prize Winner (tied)
BIG LOU
“Life’s a Ride”
FCLMA nominee and ECA Best Hip Hop/RnB Artist 2023, Big Lou, has captivated audiences since 2021. Picture the essence of rap music basking in the Caribbean sun and embodying love—that's the spirit of Big Lou. Hailing from the beautiful island of St. Maarten and now proudly representing London, ON, he fuses Caribbean vibes à la Sean Paul, the soul of Africa like Fireboy DML, and the energy of Latino beats akin to Bad Bunny and calls it Island Hip Hop. His artistry is further shaped by influences from Logic, Dax, and Connor Price, creating a unique fusion that mesmerizes fans and listeners.
The well-deserved position of Third Prize Winner is really just the beginning of this artist’s career for the future.
Third Prize Winner (tied)
FAME FATALE
"Inconvenient"
Featuring catchy choruses, emotional melodies,and big guitars, Fame Fatale is a Canadian alternative rock band, hailing from Regina,Saskatchewan. Their first single, When I Stop Breathing, was published in June 2024, with the help of award-winning multi-instrumentalist, music director, producer and mix-engineer, Cory Churko. And on Halloween of the same year, they released their self produced, six song debut EP Darkest Hour. Both When I Stop Breathing, and their emotionally charged track, Inconvenient, have been aired on Saskatchewan radio stations Rock 102 and Jack 94.5. They are writing new and exciting singles to be released in 2025.
Fame Fatale has already experienced incredible opportunities, performing with various Saskatchewan artists such as Jacks and Jokers, Autopilot, Sëdézë, and Johnny Two Fingers and the Deformities, as well as Canadian touring acts The Fixer, Among Legends, and Canada’s Drag Race Season 1 Winner, Priyanka. They have performed in popular Regina venues like The Exchange, O’Hanlon’s Irish Pub, The Mercury Cafe, and in Saskatoon’s Black Cat Tavern. Fame Fatale is fueled by ambition, accomplishing a great deal since forming in April 2024, and it’s only just the beginning.They’re set on becoming one of Saskatchewan’s most established rock bands, one gig at a time.
Fame Fatale was recognized nationally and selected as a semi finalist out of 75 contestants in the Music In Motion Canada Awards, earning studio time with Michael Hanson (Grammy Nominated, Juno Award winning songwriter, producer, and founding member of Glass Tiger). A few weeks later, Music In Motion Canada announced Fame Fatale as a 3rd place winner, winning an additional prize package that includes grant writing consultations, interviews, showcases, a digital branding and design package, and magazine features with Cashbox Canada, Record World Magazine USA, and International inTune.
Rising Star
Tyler Lorette
"Ain’t That Guy”
Described as an artist with small town, big energy Tyler Lorette is making his mark on the country music scene. He brings together a dynamic blend of technique and diversity that stands out on the edge where genres of country, and rock collide. At only 21, he is already an accomplished singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. His sound embodies country’ s staple elements while embracing a more contemporary approach blending his musical roots and natural penchant for storytelling. Coming from a musical family he began playing the guitar at 4 years old and by the time he was 12, he was releasing original music, learning multiple instruments and performing on any stage he could find. Tyler has worked with award winning songwriters, producers and vocal coaches.
On his recent single “Ain’t that Guy” he teamed up with award winning song writers: Country artist SACHA, Daryl Scott and Adam Newcomb to create a hooky mid tempo hit.
“Ain’t That Guy” and Tyler Lorette are actually the reason for MiMc created a Rising Star category as he was too talented to not give him the recognition he deserves. So this is the first and inaugural award category and this artist is one to watch as he ‘rises’ to the top in his career.
musicinmotioncanada.ca/events/mimc-music-award-competitions-canada/winners-2024/
Editor’s Note: The MiMc Competition was created as a direct inspiration from their main website which is a Music Directory. Music in Motion Canada provides music industry stakeholders across Canada–including performers, recording studios, talent agents, record labels, music publishers and others–access to a diverse array of resources and opportunities providing a one stop for services and artists. Check it out here: directory.musicinmotioncanada.ca/
