Last Call for Rising Star Search Submissions

HAMILTON, CANADA (October 26, 2011): September Seventh Entertainment Limited and ArcelorMittal Dofasco are pleased to announce that musician, producer and actor, Ian Thomas, will receive the 2011 ArcelorMittal Dofasco Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Hamilton Music Awards ceremony being held in the McIntyre Theatre at Mohawk College on Sunday November 20th at 6PM.

Ian first hit internationally in 1973 with "Painted Ladies". With a Juno award, four SOCAN classic awards for Painted Ladies, Right Before Your Eyes, Hold On and Pilot, a UNICEF Danny Kaye Humanitarian award, multiple Juno and Gemini nominations, 15 albums and nearly as many top twenty records later, Ian has now added author to the mix with two novels, Bequest (Manor House 2006) and his latest The Lost Chord (Manor House 2008).

Ian's lyrics have been utilized in English textbooks while his songs have found international success with many artists such as Santana, America, Manfred Man, Chicago, Bette Midler and Anne Murray. He also records and tours the country regularly with good friends Murray McLauchlan, Marc Jordan, and Cindy Church in a band called Lunch At Allen's. Thomas coordinated a variety show which led to the formation of Lunch at Allens at the 2002 Hamilton Music Scene Festival. The group consisted of Rik Emmett, Murray McLauchlan, David Wilcox and Thomas.

From 1990 to 2000, Ian wrote & recorded four albums and toured with his band "The Boomers" comprised of some of the Canada's finest musicians - Peter Cardinali, Rick Gratton and Bill Dillon. Thomas' has scored music for over twenty movies, played the role of Dougie Franklin on the Red Green Show and has been involved in the production of over 1,000 commercials voicing many familiar characters including Clive Firkin of Firkin Pubs and Snap the Rice Crispie. For more information on Ian Thomas, please visit www.ianthomas.ca.

Tickets for all Hamilton Music Awards events are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.ca, all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 1-855-872-5000 beginning Saturday October 15 at 10AM. Tickets can also be purchased at Picks and Sticks, located at 140 Locke Street South in Hamilton. Tickets will also be available at the McIntyre Theatre at Mohawk College on show day only (subject to availability).

Up and coming artists are also reminded that the deadline for the Rising Star Search is 5PM on Friday October 28th. The Rising Star Search is a showcase for musical performers attending elementary, secondary and post secondary students in Hamilton and surrounding areas. A panel of judges determine the top two musical acts who will receive a variety of prizes including studio time at Grant Avenue Studio. Last year's winners, Dawn and Marra, went on to record their debut release and perform at the Greenbelt Harvest Picnic in August. The Rising Star Search takes place at Mohawk College on Friday November 19th at the McIntyre Theatre at Mohawk College. Application forms are available here.

The 2011 ArcelorMittal Dofasco Hamilton Music Awards, Festival and Conference take place over four days from November 17-20, at Mohawk College, Fennell Campus, in Hamilton, as well as venues in the downtown core.

ArcelorMittal Dofasco is Title sponsor for the 2011 HMA's. Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology is Presenting sponsor and host venue. The Hamilton Spectator, CHCH, Y108 and AM900CHML are Presenting media sponsors. Additional generous sponsors include Tourism Hamilton, Astral Radio/K-Lite FM, Burgeonvest Bick Securities, BMO Bank of Montreal, Hamilton Film & Television Office, The Corktown Pub, Grant Avenue Studio, Loveless Media, Long & McQuade Musical Instruments, Judy Marsales Real Estate, Kyle Weir Photography, PV Labs, Blue Line Taxi, MJM Productions and Studio 410. Community Partners include United Way and an Instrument for Every Child.

Other important details regarding the Hamilton Music Awards, including ticket information, will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information please contact:

Jean-Paul Gauthier
September Seventh Entertainment Limited
(905) 383-4005
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