I’m so grateful for the assistance of the Radio Starmaker Fund. Having released my debut major label album, Started with a Song, it was important for me and my team to break out of my home province of Alberta and pursue as many coast-to-coast promotional and touring opportunities as possible.

First, we were able to access domestic marketing funds to support the release of my album. We applied the funds to television and radio ads and a significant digital marketing campaign. My first single from the album had an explosive debut, becoming the most added track at Canadian country radio in its first week – not just that week but in any week for a country radio single. With more than 93% of Canadian country stations adding the track, “Started with a Song” eclipsed the record for most adds at Country radio in one week - a record previously held by Taylor Swift. The single was the most played Canadian country song at radio for 6 weeks and peaked at #3 on the BDS and Mediabase overall country charts. It was the highest charting debut single by a Canadian since Mediabase began monitoring the Canadian market. The video also went to #1 on CMT.

Second, we were able to access domestic touring funds to help underwrite an ambitious national headlining tour that took me from British Columbia to PEI and provinces in between. The tour was comprised of 26 dates that allowed me to connect with my fans, sell CDs and merchandise off-stage and to continue to garner a massive amount of press in each city I visited. Without Starmaker support, this tour would not have been possible.

Since releasing my debut album on Warner Music Canada, I’ve had two top 5 singles, two top 10 singles, two #1 videos and wins at the Junos, CCMA’s and Canadian Radio Music Awards. I’ve performed in every province in the country several times and have done several hundred interviews with television, radio, newspapers, magazines and digital outlets.

The Radio Starmaker Fund and supportive radio stations have been partners in this success. The funding received has allowed me to financially underwrite the pursuit of opportunities that have greatly benefited my career.

Brett Kissel