The wait is over … and we have a winner!
School House have officially been named the winners of the 2025 Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase (EAS), taking home a career-changing prize package and a coveted spot on one of Canada’s biggest country stages.
This year’s competition was stacked with incredible Canadian talent, making the judges’ decision no easy task. The eight semi-finalists who brought their A-game to the stage at Burl’s Creek were:
RELATED: See the full lineup for this year’s Boots and Hearts Music Festival …
- Lowell Lawson
- Sean Michael Ryan
- Amanda Couture
- Lake Porter
- Annika Catharina
- Warren Hargraves
- Jade Hilton
- School House
From heartfelt songwriting to high-energy performances, each artist made their mark. But it was School House’s undeniable presence, polished harmonies, and crowd connection that earned them the top spot.
What School House Won:
💰 $10,000 cash
🎵 A single release with Universal Music Canada
🎤 Artist development sessions with RLive Management
🎸 A Gibson J-45 Special Guitar
🎧 A VIP tour of the Gibson Garage in Nashville
🎟 A performance slot at the 2026 Boots & Hearts Festival
The seven remaining finalists won’t walk away empty-handed either.
Each receives a one-year STRUT VIP membership, providing industry tools, resources, and support to help propel their careers forward.
The Emerging Artist Showcase has a proven track record of launching some of Canada’s biggest names in country music, including Owen Riegling, Josh Ross, James Barker Band, Tim Hicks, and Sarah Vanderzon. For many, it’s more than just a contest — it’s the start of something big.
Congratulations to School House on their well-deserved win, and to all the finalists who made the 2025 EAS one for the books!
This Is Where Country Careers Are Made
Held annually at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds, the EAS has helped launch the careers of artists like:
- Owen Riegling (2022 winner), who headlines this year’s Front Porch Stage on Saturday night
- Josh Ross (2017 finalist), now one of Canada’s hottest country stars
- James Barker Band (2015 winner), with multiple chart-topping hits
- Tim Hicks (2012 winner), who’s now a household name in Canadian country
- Sarah Vanderzon (2024 winner), who will be performing at this year’s Kick-Off Party alongside Tyler Joe Miller and Justin Moore
“This was the launchpad to my career,” says Sarah Vanderzon of her EAS experience. “I’ve been working on my art for years, hoping for that breakthrough moment.”
For many artists, EAS is exactly that: a breakthrough. A chance to play in front of thousands of fans, network with industry professionals, and make a mark on one of Canada’s biggest country stages.
A Look Back at the 2024 Emerging Artist Showcase
Last year’s showcase was one for the books, with eight incredible finalists lighting up the stage at Boots & Hearts 2024:
Spencer Burns, Blue Ridge Band, Alexa Goldie, Erika Rollin, Cam Galloway, Sarah Vanderzon, Maddy McKenzie, and Bradley Hale.
After an exciting first round of performances, two artists rose to the top: Sarah Vanderzon and Blue Ridge Band. Both acts earned the chance to open for Nate Smith on the main stage, performing in front of thousands of festival-goers.
Listen To Our Conversation With Last Year’s Winner
In the end, it was Sarah Vanderzon who was crowned the 2024 Emerging Artist Showcase winner.
She’ll return to the festival this year, performing at the Kick-Off Party on August 7, sharing the stage with Tyler Joe Miller and headliner Justin Moore. Not bad for someone who just a year ago was vying for her breakout moment.
We spoke to Sarah shortly after her win, and she described the experience as one of the most meaningful moments of her career so far—and just the beginning of what’s ahead.
Logan Miller
As the founder of Front Porch Music, I believe that music has the ability to connect people. I love country music, and I love the country music industry as a whole. My goal is to help music fans find new artists to fall in love with.
