A Rising Star from the Big Land
6/23/2010 10:10:16 AM
The Music Industry & Performance program (MIP) at College of the North Atlantic prepares aspiring stars for the business of being an entertainer. So, it was only fitting when the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) was producing their Rising Stars special they would feature Labrador native and MIP graduate, Blair Goudie.
“In the summer of 2008 I played in a songwriters circle in Labrador and there were some delegates from Manitoba Music who saw me perform,” says Goudie, explaining how he was selected to be among the 10 performers featured on the program. “Allan Greyes works with Manitoba Music and when this opportunity came up last year he contacted MusicNL to reach me, offering me a spot.”
The filming of Rising Stars was done in November of 2009 and has kept Goudie busy ever since. He had a showcase at the 2010 East Coast Music Awards and was a part of Music Our Way, a workshop in his hometown of Happy Valley-Goose Bay that was a part of Ruckus on the Edge, the official Juno week celebrations. Goudie was also given a chance to strut his stuff in Vancouver at the 2010 Olympic Games where he played a show at the Atlantic Canada House Pavilion.
“Rising Stars opened doors for me to get some really big opportunities like working at the Olympics and the Junos. It has all been a really amazing experience.”
Goudie finished his studies at CNA in 2008. After graduating from the Recording Arts (RA) program he took advantage of an option to complete the MIP program in a single year. His drive to excel in the music industry is enough to keep him producing every aspect of his promotional materials, from the music to the artwork for each individual CD.
The MIP and RA students hold a series of concerts each year called Sonic Potluck. These events are recorded and webcast giving students some experience performing in front of crowds – and cameras.
“I have always been more of a musician than a sound guy, but when I started I wanted to make sure I had an understanding of both sides of the career,” explains Goudie. “The program really prepared me for the work that I am doing now. Sonic Potlucks and other shows that we put off gave me a good sense of knowing how to present myself. My experience with the Potlucks really taught me how to handle myself for the Rising Stars cameras.”
Rising Stars originally aired on May 8 on the APTN network but can now be viewed on their website. Visit www.aptn.ca/pages/risingstars and click on Artists to view his videos.
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Media Contact:
Roger Hulan
Communications Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-7938
roger.hulan@cna.nl.ca