As her run in a nation-wide music contest came to an end in the regional finals, Candace Copley was emphatic about her appreciation of the support she received.
The Lac la Hache artist says she didn’t want to disappoint the “crazy amount of people that were religiously voting, every single day, on every device” to help her advance in CBC Music’s Searchlight competition.
“That was the best part of it – to see how many people support me.”
More than 4,500 musical acts were entered when voting in the Searchlight contest started in March. Copley was one of 10 regional finalists, one of 230 remaining from across Canada, and was eliminated when that round of voting ended on April 21. (A Fort St. John duo called “Twin Peaks” was this region’s winner.)
The annual competition is about discovering the nation’s next great musical act, while in the process connecting performers with their communities, and each other, through social media.
“I’m touched by all the kind words everyone sent to me throughout the contest,” says Copley. “It makes me proud to be a part of this community.”
The singer-songwriter teaches guitar to local youth and is a former Cariboo Idol winner. She performs regularly at the South Cariboo Farmers’ Market in 100 Mile House in the summer.
Copley didn’t have much of a social media presence before the contest started, but her Searchlight experience is changing that.
“I think I ‘friended’ the whole world,” she says in reference to Facebook.
“It’s a lot of work, but it totally works. I’m going to try and keep that momentum going.”
The Searchlight winner will be announced on CBC Radio’s Q on May 9.
