Our Breakout Artist for the fall of 2024 is Alli Walker, a native of Prince Edward Island. Keep listening as we feature her song I Like Big Trucks.
Walker’s musical odyssey from P.E.I to the vibrant streets of Nashville unfolds as a captivating narrative of determination and innovation. Rooted in a childhood surrounded by a Police Chief father and accountant mother, Walker’s upbringing instilled in her a relentless work ethic. Early achievements, including four high school sports championships and a North American Championship as part of a bagpiping band, showcased her diverse talents spanning music and sports.
Driven by her love for country music and inspired by diverse genres and artists like Avril Lavigne, Sum 41, Taylor Swift, and Brooks & Dunn, Walker boldly relocated to Toronto. While chasing her musical dream, she ventured into the world of print and commercial modeling and even graced the hit TV show Suits. Despite facing hardships, including sleeping on friends’ floors and taking odd jobs, Walker’s resilience remained unbroken.
Undeterred, Walker became a sponge for knowledge, delving into every facet of the music industry. From dive bars to weddings, and even trips to Nashville for collaborations, she absorbed experiences, learning music management, social media strategies, graphic design, video editing, and record production. In 2019, she released her debut album, The Basement Sessions: What I’ve Learned So Far, showcasing intimate songs written and recorded entirely in her basement.
Walker’s musical journey took a pandemic-induced detour when travel restrictions forced her to co-write her sophomore album, Growing Up, remotely from Ontario. Embracing TikTok, she engaged with fans and shaped the album based on their preferences, resulting in a debut at #6 on the global iTunes Country charts. Since then, Alli has earned recognition from Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Tidal, and more.
In late 2023, Walker’s fusion of country and bagpipes in “The Whiskey’s Gone” gained TikTok fame, amassing over 10 million views and two million streams globally. Now signed with renowned record label RECORDS Nashville, Vector Management, and Sony Music Publishing, Walker’s recent releases, including “I Like Big Trucks,” “Creek,” “Dirt On Us,” and “Nashville,” signify a new chapter in her career. Boasting almost 1 Million social media followers and recently nominated for a Canadian Country Music Award for Top Female Artist, Walker’s dynamic blend of traditional country sounds with pop/rock sensibilities positions her as a dedicated and innovative force in the evolving landscape of country music.
We launched our Breakout Artist program in 2022 to help new Canadian artists get some much-needed radio airplay as they work to break through.
Here is a list of our artists we have featured:
Jason Kirkness – May / June 2022
Karli June – July / August 2022
Riley Taylor – September / October 2022
Teigen Gayse – November / December 2022
The Prairie States – January / February 2023
Five Roses – March / April 2023
Blue Ridge – May / June 2023
Justin Fancy – July / August 2023
Genevieve Fisher – September / October 2023
Rosewood Avenue – November / December 2023
Owen Riegling – January / February 2024
Nice Horse – March / April 2024
Mark Ledlin – May / June 2024
Mitch Zorn – July / August 2024
Alli Walker – September / October 2024
