Emerging Artist Showcase returns to Stampede for second year

The Emerging Artist Showcase returned to the Strathmore Stampede for the second year running, giving new artists a stage on which to perform, compete, and get their names out into the community. 

“The Emerging Artist Showcase here at the Strathmore Stampede is all about creating a safe, great environment for new and upcoming, emerging artists around Southern Alberta,” said Taffinel LeBlanc, onsite event coordinator with the Strathmore Stampede. “What I want to do is really promote all these great, great acts we have, give them a great area to come out and promote their live music. Strathmore loves live music; I want to keep it here.”

She explained the support from the community for the showcase has been tremendous, and artists have been excited to sign up to participate. 

Those who have expressed interest in getting on stage have ranged from students to music teachers, to fledgling musicians looking to get their start. 

“We are up against Big Valley Jamboree this weekend, as we all know on the long weekend, but I still think we had a great turnout,” said LeBlanc. “We had six or seven contestants, which really equals out to over an hour’s worth of live music each day in the afternoon.”

Included in this year’s competing roster were Dallas Larsen from Strathmore, KJ Miller, Stephanie Merkus, and Mya Kate all from Calgary, as well as Aaron Dean, whose hometown was not specified. 

This year’s Emerging Artist Showcase winner, walking away with $250 and a new acoustic guitar is KJ Miller. 

In addition to the prizes, Miller won an opportunity to open at the Cowboy Town Concert. 

“KJ, I have actually known him for a couple of years, he used to do a duo event; he has great vocal ability, great vocal range, he is a sweet guy, he is just getting his confidence on guitar, which is amazing,” said LeBlanc. “This is what a showcase is about, is showing me what you got, showing the world what you have, and it is a great start for him.”

The ongoing goal for the Emerging Artist Showcase is to continue spreading the word that it will be hosted annually in order to attract more and more new talent to the stage. 

Any genre of music, with artists from any age group are welcome to sign up and participate. The sole condition being that the event is not intended for artists who are already signed and recording.

Judging criteria are based on vocal ability, an artist’s skill on their instrument, their stage presence, and several other factors.