CP Holiday Train entertainers are tuning up for the big show

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Nov 06, 2012, 01:00 ET

CALGARY, Nov. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - The 2012 CP Holiday Train program has a musical line-up that is sure to entertain people of all ages. Brothers Dube, Doc Walker, and Miss Emily will perform on the Canadian Train, while Tracey Brown and The Claytones are on the U.S. Train all to raise food, money, and awareness for food banks and hunger issues. Holiday music from past and present Holiday Train entertainers can be downloaded from cpr.ca.

Returning to the Holiday Train this year is Brothers Dube. The Ottawa, Ont., group are a young and talented trio that have rocked their way to fame by performing with other Canadian artists such as Arcade Fire, Barenaked Ladies, and The Odds. The Brothers will perform on the train from Beaconsfield, Que., to Whitemouth, Man.

JUNO Award winning country group Doc Walker, from Portage La Prairie, Man., will join the Canadian train in Whitemouth, Man, for the rest of the tour west. In 2011 the band released a Holiday EP titled December Remember and some of the classics while touring on the train.

Performing on the Holiday Train right across Canada is Kingston, Ont., native, Miss Emily. The "Adele-esque" artist has performed at the Ottawa Bluesfest and has shared the stage with The Tragically Hip, Sam Roberts Band, and the Trews.

Tracey Brown and The Claytones will be riding the U.S. Holiday train. A Holiday Train favorite, Tracey Brown has been actively involved with the program since 2004. Over her career, Tracey has released more than 20 albums and she is a member of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.

The Claytones, are a truly collaborative project with an impressive list of individual accolades. Kelly, Adam, and Anders are currently working on their debut album, which blends their unique talents into the group signature live feel. Familiar with the Holiday Train, The Claytones are sure to get the feet moving at each stop.

The 14 brightly decorated cars are covered in hundreds of thousands of LED lights. Artists perform on a modified boxcar that has been turned into a travelling stage.

Since 1999, the CP Holiday Train has become an important fundraiser for many food banks. In 14 years, the Holiday Train program has raised close to C$6.4 million and about 2.6 million pounds of food for North American food banks. Everything that is raised in a community stays in that community for local distribution.

For additional information on the musicians, photos, 2012 schedules, a route map and downloadable pictures of the two trains visit: www.cpr.ca. Supporters can also join the Holiday Train on Facebook and follow on Twitter @CPHolidaytrain

Editor's Notes: **For one-on-one interviews with any of the artists please contact the listed media contacts.
**Musician bios attached
**B-roll available: http://www.yousendit.com/download/TEhVWGJPYSswZ2s4RmNUQw
**High-resolution pictures available at cpr.ca
**Download songs from some of our past and present Holiday Train entertainers on cpr.ca

Doc Walker

Over their decade-plus time together Doc Walker have earned the title of 'the hardest working Country band in Canada' the old fashioned way, through relentless perseverance - constantly honing their chops as a song writing and a performing unit.

While that perseverance has netted them multiple top-10 and top-5 hits on Canadian Radio and some of the Canadian Music Industry's highest awards, including six CCMAs in 2008 alone, as well as the 2009 Juno for Country Recording of the Year for their 'Beautiful Life' record, the real payoff for Doc Walker isn't the awards and accolades that come with their growing success. If anything, it's more accurately measured in a mutual dedication to each other, and to their audience.

Their sixth record, 'GO', produced three top-ten singles, including the hit I'm Gonna Make You Love Me which peaked at #4 on the BDS country chart and reached #1 on the Chevrolet Top 20 Video Countdown.

Doc Walker was nominated for the 2012 CCMA Group of the Year award and their most recent effort, "16&1", was a CCMA Album of the Year nominee. docwalker.ca/

Miss Emily

This Kingston Ontario native is one of the best kept secrets in the music business. With Adele-esque soul and power, Miss Emily delivers jaw-dropping vocals.

Recent shows include Ottawa Bluesfest and Bobcaygeon Big Music Fest where she shared the stage with The Tragically Hip, Sam Roberts Band and the Trews in front of 25,000 people.

Miss Emily has begun work on her first cd with producing contributions by The Tragically Hip's Gord Sinclair.

"There is an artist you should know about: Miss Emily, I have a feeling about her like I haven't had about a new artist in a long time" - Matt Wells - Much Music
"Angelic with a hint of sultry devilishness. Wow! The girl can sing' - Rob Baker
"Miss Emily, has the best pipes we have ever heard in an unsigned artist' - Gene Simmons - KISS
http://themissemily.blogspot.ca/

Brothers Dube

Brothers Dube are a young power trio who have raised over $150,000 for charity playing music in the streets of North America and Europe receiving accolades like United Way's Community Builder of the Year award and the prestigious Child and Youth Friendly Ottawa (CAYFO) award for their contribution to arts and culture in the process. In spite of their age, they are talented and devoted beyond their years. Liam (15), Jan (13) and eleven-year-old Quinn have not only rocked the charity world with their "Mega" busking, but have traveled to Haiti, filmed a documentary, and are getting the word out in schools across North America that artists can make a difference to their communities (www.indiegogo.com/brothersduberock). Brothers Dube have shared bills with Sean Paul and Kymani Marley, and performed live with artists such as Arcade Fire, Hollerado, and on previous Holiday Train with Canadian Folk Legend Valdy and the Odds.

The Brothers Dube got their start in music in Ottawa, Ont., in 2006, at the ages of 6, 8 and 10 after posting covers of their mother's favorite songs on YouTube as a means of keeping her spirits up while she fought cancer. Shortly after her death, they began fundraising. Recipients of the prestigious CAYFO award for their contribution to arts and culture, they continue to inspire other kids to make a change in their communities.

Their influences include Pink Floyd, U2, Rush, Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, Black Sabbath and Metallica.

For more information you can visit their website at www.brothersdube.com

The Claytones

Born in the heart of the Ottawa valley, The Claytones masterfully spin their melodic, vocal driven, Canadiana brand of country soaked roots music with old school sensibilities. A true collaborative project, Kelly, Adam and Anders write and arrange their songs together effectively making The Claytones sound the sum of its parts. With an impressive list of individual accolades this young band currently released their debut album which blends their unique talents into the group signature live feel. These 3 full time musicians have released over 8 full-length recordings of original music under the names of Kelly Prescott, Prescott, Anders Drerup, The Van Meters and Adam Puddington. The National Post listed them as one of the top 5 Canadian Acts to watch in 2012.

"The Claytones are both fresh and classic. Stunning harmonies, beautiful arrangements and three of the nicest people you ever want to meet." - James Keelaghan, Artistic Director, Georgian Bay Folk Society

"The Claytones come across as if they've been best friends all of their lives. Kelly Prescott, Anders Drerup & Adam Puddington are the ultimate performers. They put on a phenomenal show; their sweet harmonies and instrumental prowess guides us through a nice mix of genres. Their professionalism oozes well beyond their years, like a comfy sweatshirt swaddling the crowd offering a memorable experience to all they encounter." - Sue Tennant, Music On McLean House Concerts

"Individually, they are all remarkable. Anders, a diversified musician who easily strides the boundaries among folk, blues, and rock 'n roll, is one of the most naturally talented musicians I have seen in years. Kelly's smoky alto works wonders on her audience whether she is caressing a song on her own, or filling the corners and niches behind another voice. Adam, with one foot in the Ottawa Valley and the other in The Maritimes, is one of our strongest local singer songwriters." - Hollis Morgan, Spirit of Rasputin's review

http://theclaytonesmusic.com/

Tracey Brown

Tracey Brown is a member of a family of exceptional and celebrated musicians. She was part of Canada's most awarded country group, Family Brown, before forming the Juno award winning, Prescott-Brown. The Family Brown toured extensively and had a syndicated TV show for 13 years.

Over her career, Tracey Brown has released more than 20 albums and was nominated for a Juno as Best Country Female Vocalist in 1999. She is also a member of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. She and husband, Randall Prescott have been actively involved in production of the Holiday Train since 2004, as well as performing on many of the tours.

www.myspace.com/traceybrownmusic

SOURCE Canadian Pacific

Image with caption: "The 2012 CP Holiday Train will soon be going across Canada and the United States raising money, food and awareness for local food banks along its rail network (CNW Group/Canadian Pacific)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121106_C5296_PHOTO_EN_20222.jpg

Image with caption: "Since 1999, thousands of people have come out to enjoy the CP Holiday Train at the same time supporting their local food banks. (CNW Group/Canadian Pacific)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121106_C5296_PHOTO_EN_20223.jpg