You Belong with US, July 10th at the Cavendish Beach Music Festival!
Cavendish, Prince Edward Island – The fairytale unfolds this July 10th, with multi-Grammy Award Winner Taylor Swift at the 2nd annual Cavendish Beach Music Festival. Taylor Swift’s dynamic, critically-acclaimed, and fan-favorite FEARLESS tour will make a stop at Prince Edward Island, along with an impressive lineup of today’s country and East Coast Music royalty. ...
Single day festival tickets for Taylor Swift on Saturday July 10 go on sale this Saturday, March 13, at 10AM Atlantic time. 5 Day passes on sale now, while supplies last!
Taylor Swift is the latest addition to the 2010 festival lineup that begins on Wednesday July 7th and already includes anticipated appearances by Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Emerson Drive, Victoria Banks, the Road Hammers, Collin Raye, Greg Hanna, Jason Blaine, Gloriana, Shane Yellowbird, Ashley MacIsaac, Terry Kelly, Slowcoaster, Barra MacNeils, Christina Martin and Madison Violet. More main stage performances, the party in “the Kitchen” and more 5-day fun yet to be announced!
ON SALE NOW is the most affordable way to enjoy all 5 days of the 2010 Cavendish Beach Music Festival, for only $235.25 + tax + service fees, while supplies last!
Wednesday, July 7 Ashley MacIsaac
Terry Kelly
Slowcoaster
Barra MacNeils
Christina Martin
Madison Violet
Thursday, July 8
Keith Urban
Gloriana
Shane Yellowbird
Melanie Morgan
Friday, July 9
Little Big Town
Emerson Drive
Victoria Banks
Saturday, July 10 Taylor Swift
Sunday, July 11
Lady Antebellum
The Road Hammers
Collin Raye
Greg Hanna
Jason Blaine
DON’T HAVE THE CASH RIGHT NOW, but don’t want to miss out? LAYAWAY is available only when purchasing your tickets by phone at: 1-877-790-1118.
The 2nd annual Cavendish Beach Music Festival will combines the world’s greatest musicians and talent performing live over 5 days in breath taking Cavendish Beach, thereby linking the viewers to their favorite artists in a landmark location that typically would be visited only in their “dreams.” The timelessness and beauty of the Maritimes, incredible concerts, impressive array of food, beverages, vendors and the stars above (as well as on our stages), will once again create memories destined to last a lifetime! Get in on the tradition! Come for the music, enjoy your family and friends, and don’t miss the Beach!
Artist Information:
Taylor Swift (www.taylorswift.com)
Taylor Swift is the top-selling digital artist in music history, has had singles top both the Country and Pop radio charts, and had the #1 best-selling album in any genre of music in both 2009 and 2008. This year, at the age of 20, she became the youngest artist in history, and the first female solo country artist ever, to win the music industry’s highest honor, the GRAMMY Award for Album of the Year. Also at the 2010 GRAMMYs, she took home the awards for Country Album
of the Year, Best Country Song, and Best Country Female Vocal Performance. She is currently nominated for five 2010 Academy of Country Music Awards, including Entertainer of the Year. In 2009, she was named Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards and also became the youngest artist in the 43-year history of the Country Music Association, and the seventh female act ever, to be awarded country music’s top prize when she took home the CMA Award for Entertainer of the Year.
Taylor’s sophomore release, Fearless, reached double-platinum in just four weeks and was voted 2009’s Album of the Year by both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music. Fearless also won the 2009 American Music Award for Favorite Country Album, and was 2008’s biggest debut for any female artist, and the fourth highest debut of the year, over all. Now quintuple-platinum, Fearless has spent more weeks in the #1 position atop Billboard’s Top 200 all-genre CD sales chart than any other album this century. Taylor, whose career record sales now top 13 million, currently holds the Billboard all-genre records for most first-week downloads by a female artist, for the longest charting album of this century and for most Top 20 debuts in a calendar year, as well as the Billboard record for the largest overall airplay audience for a country-based act. Taylor headlined her first arena tour last year, the TAYLOR SWIFT FEARLESS 2009 TOUR. Every show on the tour sold out within minutes, including Madison Square Garden in one minute, and Los Angeles’ STAPLES center in just two minutes. The FEARLESS Tour returns for 42 shows in 2010.
At the age of 17, Taylor became the youngest person ever to single-handedly write and sing a number-one country single entirely on her own, and Taylor is the first female solo artist in country music history to write or co-write every song on a platinum-selling debut CD. When Taylor was just 14, she signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music, and in 2006 released her self-titled debut CD on Big Machine Records. Taylor Swift has surpassed quadrupleplatinum status and spent more than 20 weeks in the #1 position atop Billboard's Country CD Sales Chart. Taylor is consistently ranked Country's #1 artist on MySpace, and was named Country Music's Hottest Female Artist by AOL Music and Best New Artist by the editors of iTunes. Taylor has more than 2 million followers of her Twitter account and has had more than 260 million music plays on her MySpace page.
In 2009 Taylor won AMA Awards for Artist of the Year, Favorite Female Artist (Country), Favorite Female Artist (Pop/Rock), Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist, and Favorite Album (Country). She also took home CMA Awards for Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Video of the Year and International Artist Achievement. The same year, Taylor was awarded the Academy of Country Music’s Crystal Milestone Award, given for Outstanding Achievement in Country Music. Taylor was the 2nd artist in history to receive this prestigious award -- Garth Brooks received the award in 2007. She is also the first Country artist to win an MTV VMA Award, taking home the 2009 Moonman for Best Female Video. In 2009 Taylor won CMT Music Awards for Video of the Year and Female Video of the Year, awards she was also honored with in 2008. In addition, she won 2009 Teen Choice Awards for Choice Female Artist and Choice Music Album – Female Artist. Taylor was named 2008’s Favorite Female Country Artist at the American Music Awards, and Top New Female Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music. She was named Choice Breakout Artist at the 2008 Teen Choice Awards, and was honored as the 2008 Superstar of Tomorrow at the 10th Annual Young Hollywood Awards, making her the first musician to ever receive this prestigious award. She was named Songwriter / Artist of the Year by the Nashville Songwriters Association International
in both 2009 and 2007, and she won the 2007 CMA Horizon Award, as well as receiving a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.
In 2009, NBC dedicated an entire hour to the primetime special “Dateline: On Tour With Taylor Swift.” Taylor’s other television appearances include a guest-starring role on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and in 2009 she became only the twelfth person in 35 years to both host and perform on Saturday Night Live. Taylor’s numerous television guest appearances include The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Ellen Degeneres Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Jay Leno Show, the Late Show with David Letterman, the Today Show, Good Morning America, The CBS Early Show, The View, and Live with Regis & Kelly. Taylor made her feature film acting debut in 2010, as part of the ensemble cast of the Garry Marshall film Valentine’s Day. Taylor has been featured on the covers of Rolling Stone (twice), Billboard (twice), Elle, Glamour, People, InStyle, New York Times T magazine, Allure, People StyleWatch, Blender, USA Weekend, Seventeen (twice), Redbook, Self, Us Weekly, CosmoGirl, Girl’s Life, Teen Vogue, Women’s Health, First, Your Prom, and Southwest Airlines Spirit magazine. She was featured in a Vanity Fair spotlight, was named one of People magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People of 2008 and 2009, was Cosmopolitan magazine’s Fun Fearless Female, was Allure’s Face of
December, was named a Style Star of 2008 and 2009 by the editors of Seventeen, and was featured on Maxim’s 2008 & 2009 Hot 100 list.
EAST COAST MUSIC AWARDS & the 2010 CAVENDISH BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCE “ECMA at the Beach” as a fifth festival day!
Cavendish, Prince Edward Island –Officials of the Cavendish Beach Music Festival and the East Coast Music Awards are thrilled to announce a new opening day at the 2010 Cavendish Beach Music Festival!...
In a new partnership with the East Coast Music Association and Campbell Webster Entertainment, the Cavendish Beach Music Festival will showcase some of the maritime region's finest ECMA acts on Wednesday, July 7th, 2010!
"ECMA at the Beach" is now kicking off the 2010 Cavendish Beach Music Festival with a day long star-studded lineup featuring six of the maritime region’s finest ECMA acts including: Ashley MacIsaac, Terry Kelly, Slowcoaster, Barra MacNeils, Christina Martin and Madison Violet.
“ECMA at the Beach” is dedicated to celebrating some of Atlantic Canada's finest musical acts, and means the 2010 Cavendish Beach Music Festival is now five (5) days of incredible concerts, great food, beverages, friends, fun, the stars above, and the most beautiful oceanfront settings in Atlantic Canada! (if you already purchased your 4 day pass, the 5th day admission is on us! That’s right; your four-day pass is good for all five days!)
"Over the last twenty five years, hundreds of thousands of Atlantic Canadians have celebrated their music at the winter music festival that is the ECMA. Now some of the ECMA's finest artists will convene in the summer – at the Beach!” said ECMA Executive Director Su Hutchison.
“ECMA at the Beach is a natural fit for our Festival,” said Cavendish Beach Music Festival producer Jeff Squires. “We are the number one Atlantic Canadian music event at one of the most beautiful oceanfront settings in Atlantic Canada. Great music, great settings, and a great time are what we are all about. Partnering all of that with the ECMA adds tradition and regional culture to this international music festival.”
More main stage performances, the party in “the Kitchen” and more fun yet to be announced! Multiple day passes and single day tickets are on sale now!
Artist Information:
Ashley MacIsaac (ashleymacisaac.net)
One of the most celebrated Canadian roots musicians of all time, having sold in excess of 500,000 albums, Ashley has garnered international acclaim by playing the fiddle in that hard-nosed, traditional Cape-Breton style, while adding his own spin, mixing genres and updating Celtic music to appeal to a broader spectrum of fans. Considered something of a local legend and prodigy by the time of his impressive 1992 debut Close To The Floor, Ashley broke through to the mainstream with the double-platinum genre-bending Hi, How Are You Today? in 1995. International radio play for the single, Sleepy Maggie, and a regular slot on MuchMusic made Ashley an instant Canadian icon. Ashley has toured with the likes of Philip Glass and The Chieftains, and performed on the Conan O’Brian show, The Today Show, at Carnegie Hall and the Acropolis in Greece. He continues to record and release records, with his 11th album, Crossover, slated for release later this year.
Terry Kelly (www.terry-kelly.com)
Terry Kelly’s enthusiasm for life and sheer determination have gained him recognition as an accomplished athlete; an award-winning singer, songwriter, and entertainer; a professional speaker; and a lover of life. Terry was a double silver medallist at the 1979 Canadian Track Championships; a member of the Canadian Track Team that competed in the 1980 Paralympics; has distinguished himself as the third blind person in the world to run the mile in under five minutes; and was honoured by carrying the Olympic Torch as part of the Cross-Canada Torch Relay for the 1988 Winter Olympics. This Newfoundland native has been making music since his childhood years; has recorded six full-length recordings; has performed his original music in places as far away as Australia and Spain; has performed with Symphony Nova Scotia and the Edmonton Symphony; was nominated for four Canadian Country Music Awards and a JUNO; and has received seven East Coast Music Awards.
Slowcoaster (www.slowcoaster.ca)
On the strength of their refreshing and versatile sound and intoxicatingly energetic live show, Cape Breton's Slowcoaster have become one of the most popular independent bands in Canada. The members' superior musicianship enables the trio to hammer out their own brand of high energy, guitar based rock that incorporates touches of hip-hop, jazz, reggae and Afro-Cuban grooves. Guitarist / vocalist Steven MacDougall's stellar song writing skills and evocative vocals add a defining soulful texture absent in much of today's rock music. Longtime followers will be quick to recommend this band to their music loving friends who will finally realize what the fuss has been all about.
Barra MacNeils (www.barramacneils.com)
The Barra MacNeils live concert experience brings so much more to the stage than most live acts ever can. Multiple lead vocalists, beautiful sibling harmonies, top drawer instrumental prowess on a wide variety of acoustic, stringed, percussion and wind instruments blended with dancing, storytelling, Gaelic songs and a journey through an ancient culture; it is family entertainment at its highest level.
Steeped in Cape Breton tradition with strong Celtic roots and musical artistry, this diverse and talented family group continues to wow audiences around the world with their captivating vocals, harmonies and extraordinary musicianship. ECMA awards include Group of the Year, Roots /Traditional Group of the Year, Album of the Year, and Pop Recording of the Year. Canada's Celtic ambassadors, the Barra MacNeils continue to perform to sold out audiences throughout Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and Europe.
Christina Martin (www.christinamartin.net)
The 2009 ECMA winner for ‘Pop Recording of the Year’, she has supported alt rock band Wilco in the US and Canada’s Matt Mays and El Torpedo. Martin’s music reveals a depth of artistry that ranges from a Mazzy Star-like ethereal quality to majestic folk rock reminiscent of Emmy Lou Harris and Lucinda Williams.
Madison Violet (www.madisonviolet.com)
A nominee for 2010 Group Recording of the Year, they have received 2 ECMA awards nominations in the 'Folk album of the Year' and 'Best Group Recording' categories as well as a Canadian Folk Award nomination as 'Vocal Group of the year'. Lush with harmonies, banjo, fiddle, mandolin and upright bass, their songs are infused with heartache and loss but the listener will always find an uplifting twang in their sound, one that may invoke the essence of Lucinda Williams or Steve Earle. The touring duo have been dubbed road dogs, as they spend 9 months a year on the road, supporting artists such as Ron Sexsmith, Chantal Kreviazuk, Indigo Girls and The Temptations in Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Italy and of course, Canada. From the Montreux Jazz Festival to Massey Hall, audiences have swooned over their storytelling and songs.
2010 CAVENDISH BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL- Artist Announcement!
Cavendish, Prince Edward Island – Officials announce more additions to the 2nd annual
Cavendish Beach Music Festival ...
These 8 artists will join already announced Keith Urban, Glorianna and Shane Yellowbird on
this summer’s hottest festival lineup! More main stage performances, the party in “the
Kitchen” and lots of fun yet to be announced! Multiple day passes and single day tickets are
on sale now! (See Tickets)
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Keith Urban
Gloriana
Shane Yellowbird
Little Big Town
Emerson Drive
Victoria Banks
TBA
Lady Antebellum
The Road Hammers
Collin Raye
Jason Blaine
Greg Hanna
Artist Information:
Lady Antebellum (http://www.ladyantebellum.com)
The hottest band in the land!
2010’s “Need You Now” scored a Grammy Award nomination for Best Country Song and a
Best Country Performance win for the single “I Run to you.” As the Country Music
Association’s Vocal Group of the Year, Lady Antebellum blends contemporary country with
soulful '60s R&B into an infectious modern brew that relies on the trio's rich harmonies and
impeccable instrumental skills. The group signed with Capitol Nashville in 2007 and released
its first single, "Love Don't Live Here," which peaked at number three on the country charts.
Their 2008 self-titled debut went on to be certified platinum in the U.S. and earned the
group a Top New Duo award from the Academy of Country Music, as well as New Artist of
The Year by the Country Music Association.
Emerson Drive (www.emersondrive.com).
Emerson Drive’s 2002 self-titled
album featured the Top 5 hits "I Should Be Sleeping" and "Fall Into Me," as well as followup
hit "Only God (Could Stop Me Loving You)." Their second album, What If, gave them four
Top 15 Canadian hits and one Top 20 in the U.S. The group has garnered numerous
nominations and awards from The Academy of Country Music, The Country Music
Association, The Canadian Country Music Association, The Christian Country Music
Association, and The Junos.
Little Big Town (www.littlebigtown.com)
Little Big Town is not your parents’
country band. Their uniqueness made them a hard sell at first in the ever-cautious country
music field, but Little Big Town pushed forward with characteristic determination. Their
patience paid off with The Road to Here, which has sold over a million copies and produced
four Top 20 hits including the Top10 smash "Boondocks," the Top 5 "Bring It On Home,"
"Good As Gone" and "A Little More You," and earned them nominations at the Grammy
Awards, the Country Music Association Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards and CMT
Music Awards. The band is also known for their cover of “Life in a Northern Town,” which
managed to break the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart due to fans’ unsolicited requests
for airplay.
The Road Hammers (www.jasonmccoy.com)
After four studio albums and one
Greatest Hits Collection, Canadian country-music mainstay Jason McCoy created The Road
Hammers, a concept band who embraced songs of the open road, and renegade culture.
The band spawned two hit CMT documentaries, one Gold Album, CCMA Group of the Year
two years in a row (05/06), and a Juno for Country Recording of the Year 2006. The band
also garnered Jason the coveted CCMA Producer of the Year award 2006, solidifying his solid
musical presence.
Collin Raye (www.collinraye.com) Five times nominated as country music’s
Male Vocalist of the Year, Collin Raye’s musical resume is nothing to scoff at. Raye has
charted an impressive 30 singles between 1991 and 2007, including the number one
Billboard country tracks “Love, Me”, “In This Life,” “My Kind of Girl,” and “I Can Still Feel
You.” Raye’s latest release is 2009’s Never Going Back which includes singles “Mid-Life
Chrysler” and “She’s With Me.”
Victoria Banks (www.victoriabanks.net)
Described by Nashville's Music Row
Magazine as one of "the best songwriters in the business," Victoria Banks made Billboard chart history by co-writing the highest new artist debut song ever released, Jessica
Simpson's "Come on Over." She also scored the #1 most downloaded song on iTunes with
Jessica Simpson's "Remember That," penned the ASCAP and SOCAN award-winning Sara
Evans hit "Saints & Angels," and co-wrote Johnny Reid's smash hit "Dance With Me." She
has collaborated with artists from Gretchen Wilson to Julie Roberts, and shared the stage
with superstars from Randy Bachman to Alabama.
Jason Blaine (www.jasonblaine.ca)
After achieving national success from 2003-2006 with singles That's What I Do, Heartache Like Mine, While We Were Waiting and What
I Can't Forget (Top 10 CMT and Top 20 at radio nationally), Jason Blaine decided to follow
his dreams and made the move south to Nashville, Tennessee. Produced by veteran
producers Phil O'Donnell and Noah Gordon, MAKE MY MOVE kicked Jason's Canadian career
into high-gear turning out five Top 10 radio singles and back-to-back #1 videos on CMT
Canada. As a result, Jason has also earned several CCMA nominations including "rising star"
(2007 & 2008) and "male artist of the year" (2009).
Greg Hanna (www.greghanna.com)
Greg Hanna debuted on the American
Country Radio Charts in the summer of 2008 with his debut single; "She Means Everything
to Me" which ran it's way into the "Top 10" list of many stations in both America and
Canada. 2009 has kept Hanna running. A brand new single (currently charting in the USA,
an article in Country Music Weekly, a guest appearance on CMT/GAC special; "Our Song",
(with long-time buddy Brad Mates of Emerson Drive), a new Record Deal with
MegaForce/Sony Red and a tour with Jeff Foxworthy. Hanna is no stranger in his Homeland
of Canada either. He has notched himself three Top10 Radio Hits; "Song in My Head", "Love
You For Life", and the summer Anthem "Singin' To The Radio.”
Keith Urban (www.keithurban.net)
In 2001, the Country Music Association
honored Keith Urban with its Horizon Award, designating him a talented artist with a bright
future. Nine years later, Urban is a two-time Grammy Award winner, and he still remains
the only CMA Horizon Award winner in history to go on to win the CMA’s Entertainer of The
Year and Male Vocalist of the Year, a title he’s captured three times. He’s sold more than 10
million CDs, had 12 #1 singles, another 20 Top 5 hits as well as three consecutive #1
albums. He’s won five Country Music Association Awards and five Academy of Country
Music Awards.
Gloriana (www.gloriana.com)
Amid the soaring four-part harmonies and electric
stage presence, it's clear that Gloriana represents an exciting new force in country music.
The group’s 2009 debut single “Wild at Heart” broke the top 15 U.S. Billboard Hot Country
Songs chart. The song’s success paved the way for Gloriana to take home the American
Music Awards Breakthrough Artist of the Year award, and the band is currently nominated
for Top New Group for this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards.
Shane Yellowbird (http://www.shaneyellowbird.com) Shane Yellowbird burst onto
the country music scene in 2006 with the release of his debut album Life Is Calling My
Name. Garnering four Top-10 radio singles and videos, the CD led Yellowbird to countless
awards and accolades, including the coveted CCMA award for "Rising Star of the Year," the "Best Country Recording" award at the Native American Music Awards (for North America),
and the "Aboriginal Entertainer of the Year" award at the Aboriginal People's Choice Awards
(for North America).
Target Tours Festival Packages
Target Tours has created a Cavendish Beach Music Festival package for those in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia....
In New Brunswick, our Trius Tours deluxe coach will depart Fredericton and pick uppassengers in Saint John and Moncton. In Nova Scotia, you can meet the coach beginning in Wolfville with pick ups in Bedford, Truro and Amherst. A great way to enjoy the festival and PEI hospitality while leaving your car at home.
Keith Urban Honored As The Favorite Male Artist At 2010 People’s Choice Awards!
By Gina Gomez Los Angeles, Jan 7, (THAINDIAN NEWS) The new year has surely begun with a bang for the country music singer Keith Urban...
The 36th Annual People’s Choice Award turned out to be an extremely special occasion for the singer as he managed to win the award in the category of ‘Favorite Male Artist’, at the much anticipated award ceremony which was held at the Nokia Theatre at Los Angeles on Wednesday night.
The much acclaimed country musician attended the award ceremony with his actress wife Nicole Kidman. Although Keith Urban also received nomination in the category of ‘Favorite Country Artist’, the 42 year old singer lost to Carrie Underwood, who took home the award which recognizes country musicians. (Source)
KEITH URBAN TO OPEN THE 2010 CAVENDISH BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL!
December 8, 2009 - Officials announce the return of the 2010 Cavendish Beach Music Festival on Thursday, July 8, 2010 with the incomparable Grammy, CMA and ACM award winning Keith Urban! ...
Keith’s reputation as an elite songwriter, musician, vocalist and virtuoso guitarist is no more evident than onstage. His electrifying concerts have played to sold-out houses from Australia to Germany to England to the United States and, of course Canada. He’s sold more than 10 million CDs, had 12 #1 singles, another 20 Top 5 hits as well as 3 consecutive #1 albums. He’s won 5 Country Music Association Awards, 5 Academy of Country Music Awards and 2 Grammy Awards.
Keith Urban will be joined on opening night by AMA “Break Through Artist” winners Gloriana, CCMA winner Shane Yellowbird and others soon to be announced! When the festival line up is complete, over 25 acts will perform at the 2010 Cavendish Beach Music Festival from July 8th-11th, 2010!
Last summer the Cavendish Beach Music Festival combined some of the world’s greatest musicians and talent performing live over 3 days in breath taking Cavendish Beach, thereby linking the viewers to their favorite artists in a landmark location that typically would be visited only in their “dreams”. In addition to the artists live performances; Cavendish Beach and Prince Edward Island showcased the history of the region and culture that surrounds it. Adjacent to the Festival grounds are acres of beautiful camping areas, facilities, and of course some of the worlds most magnificent beaches and surroundings. The timelessness and beauty of the Maritimes, incredible concerts, impressive array of food, beverages, vendors and the stars above (as well as on our stages), will once again create memories destined to last a lifetime! Get in on the tradition! Come for the music, bring your friends, and don’t miss the Beach!
The most affordable way to enjoy all 4 days of the 2010 Cavendish Beach Music Festival is to purchase your four (4) day pass at the “Early Bird” price of $197.75 +tax + service fees, while supplies last! Beginning January 16, 2010, the four day pass will be $235.25 + tax + service fees, (still an incredible value!) while supplies last! Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning 10:00AM, Friday, December 11, 2009.
CAVENDISH BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL A BIG SUCCESS
November 24, 2009 - The 2009 Cavendish Beach Music Festival (CBMF) had a resounding impact in Prince Edward Island as the new outdoor music festival was deemed a success on several fronts. Approximately 12,000-14,000 people per day visited the new music site in Cavendish. In a CBMF initiated study, the Tourism Research Centre (TRC) determined the direct spending associated with the Festival totalled ...
$4.4 million over the three days and nights it was held. Assuming the Festival was the primary reason visitors travelled to PEI, the Festival indirectly accounted for a further $538,000 of spending by visitors. This is spending associated with nights spent prior to or after the Festival. So, in total, the CBMF generated $5 million of spending, the vast majority of which would not have occurred if the Festival was not held.
“Tourism PEI recognizes the importance of events that attract visitors to our Province and the growth that happens as a direct result,” said Minister of Tourism Valerie E. Docherty. “The organizers of the Cavendish Beach Music Festival saw an opportunity to increase visitation during a slower time of the tourism year. The three-day festival in Cavendish resulted in a significant boost to the economy. Our investment in the CBMF has been important to both the industry and the Province, as we compete effectively in an increasingly challenging market.”
The CBMF ran from July 10-12, 2009 and featured well-known country bands and artists such as Big and Rich, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Paul Brandt, Doc Walker, Derrick Ruttan, and approximately 15 other artists. Cavendish Beach was a great summer location for songwriters and performers to showcase their talents.
Matthew Jelley, President of Cavendish, Beaches and the Dune Shores Tourism Association (CBDS), commented that the 2009 Cavendish Beach Music Festival was the most significant new tourism product brought to the region in recent years. “The positive impact on the business community and the profiling of Cavendish as a music festival destination fits very well within the strategic direction of the CBDS organization.”
Provincial tourism occupancy numbers reflected a significant rise in camping in the Green Gables Shore region for the month of July, which reflected in a 23% increase over 2008. That spike can be directly attributed to the activity created by the CBMF.
Kevin Meyer from Meridian Entertainment Group, the promoter for the Cavendish Beach Music Festival, commented that “in over 25 years in the music festival business the launch of the Cavendish Beach Music Festival was a success in every aspect from the entertainers, quality of venue, to the music fan attending the Festival. Cavendish, and PEI, now has significant recognition and credibility in the entertainment world as a result of the execution of this first year event.”
The momentum created by this multi-day festival will continue to help the Province grow tourism during the early days of July. Jeff Squires, one of the organizers of the festival commented that, “the challenge now is to continue to build an event that is sustainable in the long term. We had an excellent introduction into the marketplace. The reality is these festivals require consistent development, resources, time, and energy to be beneficial to the tourism community over many years. We have an opportunity to build a great tourism product. Now we have to work together to accomplish that goal.”
Plans for the 2010 CBMF are currently under discussion.
For more information contact:
Jeff Squires, Cavendish Beach Music Festival
Telephone: (902) 894-7071
Email: jeff@webpei.com