Following the all-out success of the 2013 Jack Daniel’s Music Scouts campaign, the 2nd season kicks off on 14 August 2014 with the call going out for talented musicians around the country to enter a demo if they think they have what it takes. Steered by a dynamic and diverse trio of South African musical greats who know what it takes to get on stage and stay there – T-Bo Touch, Khuli Chana and DJ Ganyani. The search for authentic talent is on.
From unsigned musicians to vocalists or DJs across the full spectrum of South African music genres, the nationwide search is open to anyone with musical flair. Entrants will be given a valuable platform to demonstrate their skill, including gigs where they will perform to begin securing their own fan-base and impress the Jack Daniel’s Music Scouts.
As one of last year’s Scouts, T-BO Touch is returning for a second season. Touch says, “As a radio personality, I come across fresh talent on a regular basis and with initiatives such as JD Music Scouts it’s such a pleasurable experience to help talented people achieve their dreams.”
Joining Touch are this year’s new Scouts, multiple award-winning Khuli Chana as well as the legendary DJ Ganyani who together have phenomenal career success and experience to draw from in their mentorship of the finalists.
Khuli Chana was the biggest winner at the 19th annual MTN SAMAs last year. He was also the first musician to have a Hip Hop album win in the coveted SAMA Album of The Year category. 2014 has already seen him win 2 Metro FM Music Awards in March, and receive 4 SAMA nominations in April.
Commenting on support for the local industry Khuli Chana says, “Wow the love and support in the S.A music industry has definitely grown. We’ve moved from being just opening acts to headliners like at this year’s Durban July (with Jack Daniel’s BOOMTOWN). It was an amazing experience to have received so much love from our fans. We’re hope it’s only the beginning.”
DJ Ganyani, a massively popular house DJ with over 20 years of industry experience has demonstrated incredible staying power, having produced 2 albums commissioned by SABC1 followed by a further 5 hit albums. DJ Ganyani has already tutored, mentored, and inspired a number of DJs who have gone on to launch successful music careers.
Asked for his advice to this year’s entrants DJ Ganyani says, “Be bold, be unique and stay true to your style. Most importantly you must have passion for music and also have a musical approach to your production”.
Touch adds, “Perfect your craft, make South Africa fall in love with your talent from the onset.
South Africa’s music industry is continuously growing and we have the entire globe watching us so let’s persist to be authentic. “
Jack Daniel’s and music share a long history, with Jack himself having begun one of the oldest recorded music sponsorships in the 1860s – of the Silver Cornet band.
Jack’s whiskey would become the unofficial whiskey of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. Rock ‘n’ roll would take over the mantle in the ‘60s and some have said the history of music is dripping with Jack Daniel’s. It’s been onstage, backstage, in the studios, on the tour bus and in the hands of legends.
With the help of the Jack Daniel’s Music Scouts, we’d like to continue Jack’s love affair with music by helping showcase up-and-coming artists creating their own authentic sounds.
Entrants can visit www.jackscouts.co.za from a mobile device to enter. Follow our progress on FB at JackDanielsSA, #Jackscouts. The winning artists, as selected by the JD Music Scouts, in addition to receiving exposure through the campaign, will win a trip to the Miami Music Conference, one of the most publicised annual music gatherings in the world.
