Country brother duo Flaysher and Folk artist Kyle McKearney have both landed in the top 12 of WILD 95.3 FM and Alberta Music’s Project WILD.
The program takes applications and works with Alberta’s emerging country and roots musicians, with the first-place artist being awarded $100,953 in winnings. Second and third-place contestants will receive $75,000 and $50,000, respectively.
“This was good news for sure,” said McKearney. “I was very surprised. They were going down the list in alphabetical order, I was listening to it on the radio. When I heard my name, it was crazy. It’s very exciting.”
McKearney said the other 11 artists are all his friends and other great artists, and he feels lucky to be in the running for the winnings.
“It’s going to be a great learning experience,” he said. “Great songwriters come out of the program, that is for sure. The opportunity to win a lot of money to serve your career is also an amazing opportunity.
“It’s game-changing for sure.”
According to a joint press release sent out by Alberta Music and Wild 95.3 FM, the program initially launched in 2014. The $4.9 million program is funded by the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group and aims to support emerging Canadian musical artists through various bootcamps and training initiatives.
The release stated that, while the program couldn’t happen in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a lot of excitement surrounding the top 12 finalists and what the program will bring this year.
“We’re so excited for the top 12 and that Project Wild is back,” said Jonathan Best, program director at Wild 95.3 FM. “It’s a super talented bunch and I can’t wait to see and hear what they’re all about over the next few months.”
Another part of that “super talented bunch” is the Airdrie duo Flaysher, manned by brothers Ryan and Brad Fleischer. The two siblings said they are excited to be able to experience what comes with making it to this stage of the competition.
“The support has been crazy, we are excited,” Brad said. “The weight of this competition is recognized by so many people around us. We are just – more than anything – excited.”
Brad said to make it to the Top 12 is a great step but getting the chance to win the $100,953 grand prize would be a dream come true.
“We have our sights set on it, but we are among some pretty amazing acts,” he said. “If you look at the list, they are all amazing people who we are huge fans of.
“We are just super proud to be alongside them and learn a lot, and hopefully make Alberta proud.”
According to the press release, each artist will receive a $5,000 development award and an invitation to a one-week bootcamp designed to further their skills in performance, songwriting, marketing, media strategy, music business, music accounting, touring strategy, and social media.
After a series of live showcases and a public voting period, the top three artists of the season will be chosen. The winners are set to be announced on March 7, 2022.
