News Article

PEI 2014 is one step closer to having an official theme song. After thorough review of all 79 song submissions, 10 finalists have been selected for the PEI 2014 Song Search.

“There has been an incredible response from Island songwriters to this opportunity to create a true musical legacy,” says PEI 2014 Executive Director, Penny Walsh McGuire. “This is an important song as it will essentially act as an anthem for PEI 2014 and will be played at events and celebrations across the Island for the entirety of 2014.”

The finalists are as follows:

• Gordon Belsher – Cradle of Canada
• Tim Chaisson & Jamie MacSwain – Wherever You Go
• Colour Code – Worth
• Mark Haines – Always Be My Home
• Katie McGarry & Scott MacKay – My Home
• Dylan Menzie – Where Everybody Knows Your Name
• Dakota & Johnny Oliver – My Island a Cradle in the Waves
• Mike Ross & Nicole Bellamy – Forever Strong
• Paper Lions – We Are an Island
• Mike Stratton & Nikkie – Come on Clap Your Hands

The 10 finalist songs were selected through a jury process. The jury was made up of members of the PEI 2014 Community Advisory Committee, a representative of Music PEI, and a music industry professional. The songs were ranked based on melody, lyrics, song structure, hook, and sing-ability with the top 10 average scores making up the finalists.

Celebrity judges, Raine Maida, lead singer of multi-platinum selling band, Our Lady Peace; Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter, Chantal Kreviazuk; and PEI’s own Lennie Gallant will determine the winning song. The winner will be announced September 10th, 2013. The winning artist or group will receive a cash prize of $7500 and will have the opportunity to showcase the song at PEI 2014 events.

In 2014, Canadians will mark the 150th anniversary (Sesquicentennial) of the historic 1864 Charlottetown Conference, which paved the way to Confederation. PEI 2014 Inc. is leading the planning, promotion and implementation of the Sesquicentennial celebrations. The PEI 2014 celebrations are made possible through generous support from the Government of Prince Edward Island and the Government of Canada. The year-long and province-wide PEI 2014 program of events will honour the past, celebrate the present and plan a bold tomorrow.