Cover Me Canada finalists revealed

From a media release:

IT’S TIME TO ROCK! CBC’S COVER ME CANADA FINALISTS REVEALED TONIGHT DURING SERIES PREMIERE

• Eight talented acts from coast to coast vie for a recording contract on new live CBC series Sundays at 9 p.m. (9:30 p.m. NT)

CBC’s new live weekly musical competition series, COVER ME CANADA, made its broadcast premiere tonight at 9 p.m. (9:30 p.m. NT), and in it, the eight finalist acts were revealed to the nation. The finalists were selected from thousands of auditions by aspiring musicians performing their cover versions of some of the greatest Canadian songs ever recorded.

On Sundays at 9 p.m. (9:30 p.m. NT), host Nicole Appleton (All Saints) and judges Jordan Knight (New Kids On The Block), chart-topping R&B sensation Deborah Cox and star-maker manager and record executive Ron Fair (Christina Aguilera, Black Eyed Peas, Pussycat Dolls), along with mentor-producers including Hawksley Workman and Gavin Brown, will preside as the finalists perform live in a bid to win the hearts of the nation and the opportunity of a lifetime: a $100,000 cash prize and a recording contract for an original single to be released by Universal Music Canada.

The finalists are:

Warren Dean Flandez – Vancouver, BC: Born in Yellowknife, Warren co-wrote and co-produced most of his debut album Vintage Love. The Vancouver singer once opened for the late James Brown and has shared a stage with Joss Stone. Follow Warren Dean Flandez on Twitter @CMC_Warren

G07 – Toronto, ON: Brothers Joseph and David (“Dmajor”) Neale and their cousin, Charles (“CN3”) Neale, have music in their DNA. A wonderfully diverse combination of talents: a singer, a rapper and a pianist. Follow G07 on Twitter @CMC_G07

Living in Red – Winnipeg, MB: Bank teller by day, rocker by night Jackie Mohr fronts Living In Red who, in just two years together have secured radio rotation in Winnipeg and Saskatchewan for their independent debut release. Follow Living in Red on Twitter @CMC_LivingInRed

Ali Milner – Vancouver, BC (pictured): This Berklee College-trained pianist and singer has won critical raves across Canada, and was part of the Lilith Fair tour with Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow and many others. Follow Ali Milner on Twitter @CMC_Ali

Melanie Morgan – Moncton, NB: Being a small-town Acadian girl with no formal musical training hasn’t slowed Melanie Morgan down at all – she’s a two-time East Coast Music Award nominee, has notched a Top 40 single (Not Tonight) on the Canadian Country radio chart and has shared stages with the likes of Keith Urban, Jason Blaine, The Wilkinsons and Shane Yellowbird. Follow Melanie Morgan on Twitter @CMC_Melanie

Georgia Murray – Victoria, BC: With a bit of Amy Winehouse and a dash of Adele, Georgia Murray includes BC’s Rifflandia festival on her gig resume, plus opening slots for K’OS, Shad, Jurassic 5 and Warren G as well as a guest spot on a Canadian Tenors show. Follow Georgia Murray on Twitter @CMC_Georgia

The Simpson Brothers – Vancouver, BC: 21 year-old twin brothers Rob & Rich Simpson didn’t start singing together until the end of high school, and since then they have made bedroomhome-produced YouTube videos which have attracted as many as 15,000 views. The Simpson Brothers are currently recording an EP of original songs. Follow the Simpson Brothers on Twitter @CMC_SimpsonBros

Whosarmy – Keswick, ON: Two pairs of high school friends who came together in music, and have already worked with music industry professionals with resumes that include working with Ringo Starr, Guns & Roses, Prince, Alanis Morissette and Finger Eleven. Follow Whosarmy on Twitter @CMC_Whosarmy

The eight acts will perform for the judges – then it’s up to Canadians to decide who gets immunity and a shot at staying in the competition.