Contestants for NCI Jam 2011 Announced

The 25th annual celebration and competition of emerging Indigenous artists announced this year's contestants. Seventeen singers, mostly from First Nations and Métis communites in Manitoba, will be performing one song each on September 24th at the Pantages Playhouse in Winnipeg.

The 2011 NCI Jam provides a full house, a radio audience, a house band and a chance for amateur singers to get airplay on NCI or win cash for their musical careers. Any opportunity to check out new voices and talents is a good one. Our next favourite artist may be one of these men and women!

2011 NCI Jam Contestants: Tanita Cruly - Dauphin River First Nation, MB Greg Personius - Opaskwayak Cree Nation Liza -Jane Brown - Fish Lake First Nation, SK Angus Munroe - Garden Hill First Nation, MB Jade Willowby - Whitesand First Nation, ON Horace Cook - Sapatoyak Cree Nation, MB Kathleen Jensen - Misipawistik Cree Nation, MB AJ Choken - Lake Manitoba First Nation, MB Chicky Chartrand - Camperville, MB Steven Leveque - Pinaymootang First Nation, MB Tracy Parenteau - Wabigoon Lake First Nation, ON Gator Beaulieu - Ebb & Flow First Nation, MB Kerri McGillivary - Opaskwayak Cree Nation, MB Albert Audy - Sapatoyak Cree Nation, MB Akina Dayle Shirt - Carry the Kettle First Nation, SK Malcolm Campbell - Kinosota, MB Ila Barker - Berens River First Nation, MB

More information at ncifm.com.

Artist Call: Applications for 25th Annual NCI Jam

NCI FM has been broadcasting programming for and by Aboriginal people since 1971 and presenting the NCI Jam since '86! An "amateur" talent contest, The NCI Jam has a grand prize of $2,500 and 50 radio plays on NCI.

If you've recorded professionally, or have ever made a living performing, you're not eligible. This truly is an opportunity for emerging artists. And emerging artists, don't sweat how to submit - NCI asks for just a recording of you singing. Hit record on the old ghetto blaster - they'll accept cassette tapes! - or sing into your computer and burn it on to a CD.  Nothing fancy, just give it your best and your voice will get you there.

The top 4 win cash, but the opportunity to perform for a full house at the Pantages Playhouse in Winnipeg is a win for all the 20 selected artists.

Aboriginal Music posted CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS 2011 NCI JAM:

This year’s talent contest will be held at the Pantages Playhouse in Winnipeg on Saturday, September 24.

A total of 20 amateur singers from across NCI country will have the chance to perform in front of a packed house in downtown Winnipeg. A group of judges will score each of the contestants and NCI FM will tabulate the results to determine the winners.

The prizes are:  First Place: $2,500 Second Place: $1,500 Third Place: $750 The Sydney Castel Honourable Mention Award: $100

The first place winner’s song will also receive 50 plays on NCI FM.

The NCI Jam contestants will be announced on Friday, August 26.

It’s free to submit an application to compete in the NCI Jam, but all contestants must pay a registration fee of $100 if they are invited to compete.

Please send your submission to:  NCI Jam 2011 1507 Inkster Blvd Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R2X 1R2

You can also fax in or email your submission to: F: (204) 779-5628 info@ncifm.com

For more information: Marlene Davis P: 204.772.8255 mdavis@ncifm.com

Download the application (pdf) here and submit by Friday August 12, 2011, 3:00pm.

Good luck!