SiriusXM’s Top of the Country Finalist Interview – Jason Benoit

Photo Supplied by Jason Benoit

On May 17, voting opened for SiriusXM’s Top of the Country music competition. There are nine amazing semi-finalists vying to be Canada’s next big star and win the grand prize of $25,000. Here at Canadian Beats, we wanted to introduce you to the finalists, show you their studio session video, and then we urge you go vote for your favourite in each market, once per day!

Yesterday, we spoke with Chris Ryan, and today we chat with another Newfoundland based artist, Jason Benoit! Check out his video below for “Slow Hand” and find out more about him. Go vote for Jason HERE. Remember, you can vote once per day for each market until June 6!

First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Jason Benoit and I’m a country music singer/songwriter from the small town of Fox Island River (Population of 200) on the Island of Newfoundland, in Eastern Canada. You may know me from my songs “Gone Long Gone” and “All Wanna Party”.

You are in the semi-finals for SiriusXM’s Top of the Country music competition, how does it feel to be vying for the top spot?

It’s amazing! I have great love and respect for SiriusXM and the CCMA, so to be a part of this competition is certainly a thrill.

The competition features some incredible Canadian talent, what was your first thought when you found out you were one of the nine semi-finalists?

I was psyched! It’s not every day you get to be a part of a contest that showcases Canada’s incredible Country music talent. The competition is incredibly tough. It would be great to win, but just to be a part of it is an honour.

The winner will win the grand prize of $25,000, what would your first plan be for the winnings?

I have a wife and 3 small children, so a trip to Disneyland wouldn’t be out of the question, haha! But I would definitely put a large chunk of it towards continuing to develop my music career aka songwriting trips to Nashville, new equipment, etc.

What are you currently up to in your career? Do you have any new releases or tours on the rise?

I just recorded a new single that will be coming out in June. It’s a remix of the 1981 Conway Twitty hit “Slow Hand”; I changed the arrangement a little and wrote a new bridge to make it my own. I grew up listening to classic country music so I’m excited to be finally releasing a throwback single. I also used this song for the SiriusXM Top of the Country contest.

As for touring, I’ll be playing Liverpool, NS with the Washboard Union June 15th, I’m at Cavendish Beach Music Fest this summer in PEI, and also playing the Calgary Stampede. To keep up to date with my new music and shows, you can check out my website www.jasonbenoitmusic.com .

If you were to speak with a newcomer, what advice would you give them about making it in the music industry?

My best advice? Assemble a rock solid team behind you who believes in you and your music and you WILL succeed.. 50% of success in this business is your talent and professionalism as an artist and the other 50% is a team who can get you in front of the right people and open the right doors at the right time. So important. You can’t go at it alone .. it’s a TEAM effort all the way.

Last but not least, is there anything you’d like to say to your fans who are voting for you daily?

Win or lose, I wouldn’t be able to continue doing what I love without your incredible support and I thank you with all my heart! Infinite thanks to you all!

Connect with Jason Benoit:
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