SiriusXM Canada and the Canadian Country Music Association crowned Hailey Benedict from St. Albert, Alberta as the 2023 winner of the SiriusXM Top of the Country competition on Thursday.
Along with the title, Hailey Benedict also won $25,000 and a week-long songwriting trip to Nashville. The runners-up, Noah Derksen and Teigan Gayse, received $10,000 each.
“This victory is a dream come true, and I couldn’t be more grateful for this incredible opportunity,” Benedict said. “The SiriusXM Top of the Country Competition has been an amazing journey, and I want to thank SiriusXM Canada and the Canadian Country Music Association for their unwavering support as I hit my stride throughout this experience.”
Top of the Country began months ago with artists from across Canada applying for their chance to compete. Eight semi-finalists were then selected before the public voted and narrowed down the group to the top three.
The finale of Top of the Country featured a performance by The Reklaws and marked the official kickoff to Country Music Week 2023. It was broadcast live on Top of the Country Radio (ch. 171), allowing fans across Canada to join in.
Watch Hailey Benedict’s video for Damn You July, created in partnership with SiriusXM Canada, below.
Photo credit: CNW Group/Sirius XM Canada Inc.
