Laura Power
Northern News Services
Friday, July 6, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Generous applause followed 18-year-old Shea Alain's two-song performance on Sunday afternoon outside the Yellowknife Community Arena. He was one of six acts competing for the grand prize as CJCD wrapped up its annual Music in the Park contest.

Shea Alain is the winner of this year's Music in the Park competition. He performed as the only solo musician among six other acts on July 1 and won a 10-hour recording session with Spiritwalker Productions. - Laura Power/NNSL photo

A recent graduate of Sir John Franklin high school, Alain took the top prize on his own as the only solo act on the final day. He was up against acts that ranged from hip hop to rock, but stole the show with his guitar and a couple of original tunes.

Steven Venn, a radio personality with CJCD and one of the judges of the event, said the judges all agreed Alain was the top artist at the show.

"We think he'd sound incredible on record - we want to see him get that chance to advance to getting something out there, because we think he has the potential to get pretty far," he said.

Venn described Alain's music as sensitive, emotional and very deep.

"The material was quite mature for someone so young, which I thought was really good," he said.

Alain said he has played with bands before and was once enrolled in singing lessons, but found that playing solo was the best way for him to get in the kind of practice he wants.

The practice he put in has now earned him 10 hours of recording time with Spiritwalker Productions. Alain now has seven original songs written.

"I know lots of people who put a lot of weight going into this... I'm just going to try and pursue it as a hobby and see where it takes me," he said.

Alain may not be dead set on becoming a star, but he is passionate about music. He said his other passion in life is soccer, and he plans on pursuing both of these passions next year in England where he will be volunteering for 10 months at a school.

Venn said he thinks Alain has the potential to be big not only in Yellowknife, but elsewhere in Canada.

"I have a good feeling about him," he said.