BENEDICT NAMED A FINALIST IN THE 2023 SIRIUSXM TOP OF THE COUNTRY COMPETITION
For Immediate Release, June 23, 2023: Hailey Benedict, the rising country star from St. Albert, Alberta, has released her powerful new single, “Damn You July,” available today at radio and digitally through Sakamoto Music/Warner Music Canada, along with an accompanying music video (LISTEN / WATCH).
Through her soul-stirring performance and moving lyrics, Benedict paints a vivid picture of a bittersweet summer, marked by love and loss. She beautifully captures the lingering pain and longing associated with a lost love, as listeners share in her heartfelt journey. Benedict’s exceptional talent shines through as she contemplates the future, grappling with the haunting presence and inevitable return of July and its memories. “Damn You July” showcases a new depth and level of Hailey’s artistry and songwriting.
“It’s been almost two years since my last single, and I have grown so much in that time, both in my career and personal life. I feel that ‘Damn You July’ is a song that reflects that growth,” says Benedict. “I have also been inspired by some ’90s country lately, so I enjoyed exploring and bringing some of those classic sonic elements into this song. It’s unlike anything I’ve released before, and although that can be a bit daunting, it makes me even more excited to showcase this new era of my music.”
In April, Benedict was selected as one of the eight semi-finalists in this year’s SiriusXM Top of the Country competition and was invited to record a song at The Warehouse studio in Vancouver. She chose to record “Damn You July” after seeing how well it resonated with fans when she performed it opening for Aaron Goodvin. Last month, she was voted by country fans across Canada as one of the three finalists, and will perform at the finale during the CCMA Awards weekend this September in Hamilton.
Last year, Benedict won her first CCMA Award in the Interactive Artist of the Year category and was nominated in the Rising Star category. She is a 7-time Country Music Alberta Award winner, and co-hosted the show this year.
Benedict will open for Tim Hicks on the Alberta leg of his Campfire Troubadour tour this fall, beginning October 28 in Lloydminster. The tour will follow a busy summer for Benedict, who will perform at some of Canada’s biggest festivals including Lasso Festival in Montreal plus more to be announced soon. A full list of dates can be found below and at haileybenedictmusic.com.
ABOUT HAILEY BENEDICT:
A dynamic performer with an astounding vocal range and philanthropic heart, Hailey Benedict is leading the way for a new generation of country music. This guitar-wielding singer-songwriter drew international attention after Keith Urban pulled her up on stage for an impromptu performance to an arena-sized crowd. Her music has captivated audiences both on and off the stage, making her one of TikTok’s most followed Canadian country artists. A strong advocate for mental health and anti-bullying, Hailey supports several charitable foundations, and as a result of her efforts in the community, Hailey was honoured as one of the youngest ever Global Woman of Vision award recipients.
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TOUR DATES:
JUNE 28 Ponoka Stampede Ponoka, AB
JULY 1 Muskoseepi Park Grand Prairie, AB
AUGUST 18 Lasso Festival Montreal, QC
SEPTEMBER 2 Feast at the Beach Cold Lake, AB
OCTOBER 28 Vic Juba Theatre Lloydminster, AB (with Tim Hicks)
OCTOBER 29 Memorial Centre Red Deer, AB (with Tim Hicks)
NOVEMBER 1 Bella Concert Hall Calgary, AB (with Tim Hicks)
NOVEMBER 2 TBC Fort McMurray, AB (with Tim Hicks)
NOVEMBER 3 TBC Camrose, AB (with Tim Hicks)
NOVEMBER 4 TBC Fort Saskatchewan, AB (with Tim Hicks)
For more information and interview requests:
Adam Gonshor, Collabo PR
[email protected]