Bow Island’s Noeline Hofmann has her foot on the Purple Gas, racing for country music fame

By Nerissa McNaughton Southern Alberta Newspapers on March 1, 2025.

Noeline Hofmann, a 20-year-old country singer/songwriter from Bow Island, has secured her place as one of eight semi-finalists in SiriusXM’s prestigious seventh annual Top of the Country Competition, held in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association. Representing six provinces across Canada, the semi-finalists are ready to showcase their passion and skills, and Hofmann is no exception.
With a background that blends the rugged life of working honky-tonks and punching cattle across the Prairies, her music brings forth authenticity. As part of the competition, Hofmann will head into the studio to record an original track, sharing her artistry with fans across the country who will then cast their votes.
On the line are life-changing opportunities, including industry mentorship, a songwriting trip to Nashville, and performances at major events. For Hofmann, this moment marks not just a competition, but an incredible step forward in her musical journey — and she’s ready to seize it.
“I started my career when I was five years old in Bow Island,” she says. “Pretty well all my life I have been playing music. My parents did not put their children into the Royal Conservatory because they wanted us to see music as an outlet. I made the choice in high school on my own to add classical theory training on guitar.”
The blend of raw talent and training has served her very well over the years as she mastered guitar, piano, singing and songwriting.
“Songwriting started when I was around 12 or 13,” Hofmann recalls. “My songs started as a way for me to make sense of my world as a teenager and have evolved into sharing lived experiences and things I observe in the world.”
Hofmann is currently riding high after the release of her debut EP, Purple Gas, last fall. But one of her greatest thrills came about out of the blue just over a year ago after she posted part of the title single, Purple Gas, on TikTok. The clip went viral and caught the attention of country star Zach Bryan, who invited her to perform the song on his YouTube series The Belting Bronco. The series features artists riding in the back of Bryan’s 1988 Ford Bronco and singing. The duo went on to record a duet version of the song that’s generated tons of buzz among country fans all over the world.
“It’s difficult to put into words the impact that Zach’s support and friendship has had on my life and career,” says Hofmann. “He selflessly, for the love of music, gifted me an opportunity to step up to the plate on a real scale and prove what I was capable of and have been working towards for years as an artist, businesswoman, and songwriter.”
Collaborating with Bryan, whose Belting Bronco series and record label helps discover and promote young artists, was never on her radar, but Hofmann says his help has been invaluable. It even resulted in a write-up in the storied Rolling Stone magazine last summer.
“Zach is a force in every sense of the word,” she says. “It’s no wonder he has made the monstrous impact on music culture and the shift towards the resurgence of the true songwriter that he has. Working with him is inspiring, a rush of adrenaline, and kindred. He’s been a brother to me, and I am eternally grateful.”
Hofmann had known about the Top of the Country competition for a couple of years, but didn’t apply until this current year.
“I felt like it was the right time. More than a contest, it is a program that is great for artist development and being a part of the music community locally. Lots of my work is in America, so I’m happy to be involved in Canada, too, alongside my peers.”
When Hofmann found out she was a semifinalist, she was “so excited.”
“I was in a hotel when they called me and told me the news. I’m so thrilled and excited for what this year will bring with the program.”
The next step is for Hofmann to fly to Toronto in March with one of her bands, where they will record a song and a video. The video will be made public for fans to weigh in on and vote. The band that will accompany her is based out of Calgary.
“Keep an eye out for the fan vote!” she says with a smile.
Stay tuned to https://topcountry.siriusxm.ca/#Competition for when the videos are ready for your votes, and learn more about Hofmann at http://www.noelinehofmann.com.

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