CIMA Launches Road Gold Certification

TORONTO, June 17, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) is excited to announce the launch of a new music industry certification program called Road Gold, and is celebrating today by presenting it to three great Canadian artists and bands.

In honour of CIMA's 40th year as the voice of the independent music industry in Canada, CIMA is pleased to continue charting new territory by launching the first certification in Canada that recognizes the arduous road of 'making it' as a touring band.

CIMA's first Road Gold artists are truly Canada's rising stars and through great artistry, dedication and hard work have carved out their niche by hitting the road and filling venues from coast to coast. CIMA is proud to announce that USS (Coalition Music), Big Wreck (SRO-Anthem) and Matt Andersen (True North) are the first recipients of this new Road Gold certification.

"CIMA is excited to be driving an innovative way to recognize the deep talented pool of Canada's music community who've been able to grow their fan bases through successful touring," says CIMA President Stuart Johnston. "These road warriors who are being awarded the inaugural Road Gold certification are a testament to our industry's ability to hit the road and achieve high levels of success."

CIMA's Road Gold certification is an acknowledgement of the dedication and drive artists must have to achieve success, broaden their fan base and express their artistry through strong public performances. It will be awarded to those Canadian artists who have achieved a high level of success during their Canadian tour(s) over the course of any 12-month period by meeting a certain level of ticket sales on headlinng or co-headlining shows.

"Sales of recorded music do not tell the whole picture of an artist's achievements and stature in the marketplace. Establishing a standard measurement of an artist's touring business provides another relevant and important metric for quantifying success," says Six Shooter Records President and CIMA Chair Shauna de Cartier. "Road Gold also recognizes the dedication and organization required of an artist and their support team to fill venues with people across the country, fuelling local scenes in markets large and small."

Ralph James, CEO of The Agency Group, agrees. "Touring cross-Canada is no small undertaking, and beyond building a fan base, for an independent act to sell 25,000+ tickets over the course of one year speaks to the economic impact live music can have across the board."

"In a world dominated by chart positions, likes, and followers - people often forget that the true measure of a performing artist is "How many people will go see them live?" says Jay Parsons of USS. "We are honoured to be one of the first recipients of such an important award. As Canadian musicians, we have one of the most unforgiving tour circuits in the world, and to be recognized by CIMA for our efforts is truly humbling. Without our fans constantly supporting us in a live setting, absolutely none of this would be possible. Thank you all so much."

The Road Gold certification is awarded by CIMA through an online application process. The application link can be found here. For more details, please visit: http://www.cimamusic.ca/cima-launches-road-gold-certification.

ABOUT CIMA:

Celebrating its 40th year in 2015, CIMA is the not-for-profit national trade association representing the English-language, Canadian-owned sector of the music industry, and is the first organization of its kind in the world. CIMA represents a diverse membership consisting of Canadian-owned companies and their ambassadors, all of whom are involved in every aspect of the music, sound recording and music-related industries. They are exclusively small businesses which include: record producers, record labels, recording studios, managers, agents, licensors, music video producers and directors, creative content owners, artists and others professional involved in the sound recording industry. CIMA's mandate is to develop and advocate policies and services that serve to support a strong and economically stable Canadian independent music and sound recording industry, ensuring the long-term development of the sector and to raise the profile of Canadian independent music both in Canada and around the world.

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