The Crowd Goes Wild! -Crowdfunding Success Story for Alberta Musicians

Calgary's Tod Hughes of The Tod Hughes Project 

When Sierra Jamerson of Edmonton started her Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, to raise funds for her second radio release scheduled to go out this October, fans and friends all knew she would be successful. As a nominee for The Western Canada Music Awards (#BOW2015) Jamerson has already proven she can make things happen. However, she did not expect to receive a huge outpouring of  support from fellow musician and Calgary businessman Tod Hughes. Seeing she was already 39% funded, Hughes stepped up and donated the remaining 61%.

Tod's generosity toward other musicians fits with his personality on stage and off. One reviewer said of Tod "There needs to be more space in the world for warm, unpretentious acts like this."  Alonzo Evans was referring to Tod's musical act, but the same could be said of his act of generosity toward Jamerson. He did not make a big deal about the donation, but simply put up the money when it was needed.

Tod's music can be heard on radio stations around the world; it's about time we heard more of it here at home.  

Here is a list of things you can do to support musicians like Tod and Sierra:

1. Call your local radio station and ask to hear Tod's song "The Only One Who Won't Drink With Me is You" 
2. Invite your friends to like like both of their Fan pages on Facebook.
• The Tod Hughes Project Facebook
• Sierra Jamerson Facebook Fan Page
3. Share this post to spread the word about (hashtags #BOW2015 and #Crowdfunding will help get it noticed)    

In her Indiegogo campaign Jamerson said "I'm on a mission". Her friends and fans at Rosner Management, as well as those across the country are all glad to be part of that mission. Congratulations on the nomination and the successful crowdfunding campaign! 

Edmonton's Sierra Jamerson Nominee for Western Canada Music Award 2015

Success is in the cards for Sierra Jamerson

 

 

Edmonton singer songwriter Sierra Jamerson has a powerful voice; it's one she uses to express stories  that grow out of the deep roots of a unique family history.    Strongly grounded in her traditions, Jamerson chooses those elements of her history that match her present values, and uses them to fuel a strong vision for her future. Her immediate future includes plans to release  a song to commercial radio.

She says her first single Trail of Tears “is about the historical forced removal of Indigenous people in the late 1800s in Southern USA. About 6,000 of the 15,000 people who walked across states perished in the harsh winter. “ It's also about the story of her people, the Tahltan First Nation and their struggle to protect their land and territory from resource exploitation and pollution.

While focused on a career in music, she looks to roll models such as her grandmother Lillian Campbell who is one of the  Klabona Keepers , a group of Thaltan elders who occupy and use traditional lands in an effort to preserve them for future generations. It seems Jamerson's songs are yet another vehicle to preserve the culture of her people for tomorrow, and to share their traditions with a wider community.

Inspired by other strong female vocalists like Alanis Morissette, Joni Mitchell, Buffy St. Marie, and Nina Simone, Sierras says, “I'm in awe of artists who are vulnerable and open in their lyrics, or who use their music to promote equality and human rights. It takes a lot of bravery to stand up for what you believe in.” Sometimes it also takes money.

While traditions inspire the lyrics of her songs, Jamerson takes a modern approach to the business side of music, using a crowd funding campaign to fund her latest project.  When asked why she opted to use crowd funding to raise money for her recording, Jamerson said, “[Crowd funding] is engaging”  The way she has structured the campaign it also lets her be in touch with her fans and see them face to face. She is also having a fund raising concert on September 12th.  

Jamerson's biggest dream is for one day to have people think of her name when they think of Canadian singer/songwriters who have made a lasting contribution to our culture. If you would like to help encourage her in this dream, you can show your support for this emerging Canadian singer by contributing to her crowd funding campaign here.

With plans to travel to other countries to perform, Jamerson's desire is to reach many people with her songs. Surrounded by  a strong team and by backing from her fans, she is sure to reach this goal.  She is humbled by the support she has already received, and is grateful to everyone who shares this post and supports her campaign.

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Trail of Tears - Behind the Song

 

    Recently, Trail of Tears was released to radio as my very first radio single. I'm a little behind on radio releases but I am so excited to finally get the ball rolling! So far, there are about twenty radio stations who have picked it up! I think that this is perfect timing. With my National Aboriginal Day performance coming up, and Trail of Tears on the radio, I've decided to post a video onto YouTube this Friday! As always, stay tuned on here and via my Twitter @SierraJamerson for everything #TeamSJ. Trail of Tears is a song written about the historical event of the same name.

 

   Following the Indian Removal Act of 1830, members of the Cherokee, Choctow, Muscogee, Chickasaw and Seminole tribes were forcibly relocated from their traditional lands in southeast U.S to an area west of Mississippi, Indian Territory. Of the 16,000 who were moved, up to 6000 perished in the trek, much of which took place during winter. I have Choctaw ancestry on my mother's side but I wrote this song not only in honour of the Indigenous people who died during the Trail of Tears. It is also in honour of the Tahltan struggle to preserve our Sacred Headwaters from exploitation and resource accumulation by Shell Oil.

 

    Many Tahltans still live on our traditional territory, downstream from where the proposed mines and environmental destruction were to take place. We still live off the land to a large extent, being so far north that store bought food and goods are quite expensive. My own grandmother and many other grandmother's risked their freedom in protest to protect this land, in turn ensuring that a natural area considered by scientists to be a major lung of the earth, would continue to live on. This sounds like ancient history, but it all took place about ten years ago, and continues to be negotiated to this day. 

 

    My elders have charged me with the responsibility to go forth and share the message of my people with the world, and I am pleased to do so with Trail of Tears. Look out for more celebrations of Aboriginal history and culture this Sunday, in Churchill Square with my band, on your radio dial, and on YouTube. Love, SJ

Check out the Video here --- If you enjoy, Please like it, leave a comment, and share. Thank You. ~Sierra~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svqrr1IGzTs

 

Sierra Jamerson Music Official Website

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