Hot Country Breakout Artist Logo

This is your shot at country stardom!

Hot Country Radio and Route 905 Country Festival are searching for the next local breakout artist.

From now till May 15th, submit a video of your original country song BELOW, and you could walk away with a performance slot at Route 905 Country Festival, an on-air interview, plus a career-boosting prize pack from Birthday Cake Records!

Claim your fame on the Route 905 stage!

ENTER HERE

HOW IT WORKS

ARTISTS MUST SUBMIT A VIDEO OF AN ORIGINAL SONG BY MAY 15TH
WE'LL REVEAL THE FIRST ROUND OF FINALISTS MAY 19TH AT 8AM.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE ARTIST UNTIL ROUND ONE CLOSES ON MAY 29TH
WE'LL REVEAL THE SECOND ROUND OF FINALISTS JUNE 1ST AT 8AM.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE ARTIST UNTIL ROUND TWO CLOSES ON JUNE 20TH
OUR TOP 3 FINALISTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED MONDAY, JUNE 22ND AT 8AM

THE TOP 3 WILL WIN THE CHANCE TO PERFORM AT SHAWN & ED BREWING CO. ON JUNE 27TH TO FIGHT FOR THE FINAL SPOT!
SHAWN & ED BREWING CO. logo

WHAT YOU COULD WIN

A PERFORMANCE SLOT AT THE ROUTE 905 COUNTRY FESTIVAL ON FRIDAY, JULY 24TH
MANAGEMENT AND CAREER 101 - A CONSULTING SESSION ABOUT ARTIST MANAGEMENT AND CAREER GROWTH
AN INTERVIEW ON THE HOT COUNTRY COUNTDOWN WITH TRACY LYNN

ABOUT

Route 905 Country Festival is a two-day country music event taking place July 24-25, 2026, at the Ancaster Fairgrounds in Hamilton, Ontario. In its inaugural, the festival features major headliners Brett Kissel and Chase Rice, supported by a diverse lineup of established and emerging artists. With a focus on high-quality production and a professionally curated lineup, Route 905 delivers a large-scale festival experience in the heart of the Golden Horseshoe.

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