CBC Music's Toyota Searchlight 2022: the winners
Check out the grand prize champ, our 4 runners-up, and Fan Choice Award winners in this year's contest
It took hours of deliberation, but after some long and very careful discussions, our judges have made their decisions: the winners of CBC Music's Toyota Searchlight 2022 have been announced!
Yes, winners. Just like last year, we have one grand prize winner and four runners-up, all of whom will receive incredible prizes that are fine-tuned to take their careers to the next level and beyond. New this year are our Fan Choice Award winners, which are the artists who received the most votes in the voting round, also listed below.
Grand prize winner: Chad Price, 'Somehow, Someway' (London, Ont.)
Chad Price is a self-made, self-managed, award-winning pop-R&B artist from London, Ont., with 10 years of experience in the music industry. His smooth style, incredible voice, business savvy and positive attitude all made a big impression on the judges. Not to mention the soaring, feel-good chorus in his winning song, "Somehow, Someway" — music that seems perfect for our times.
"Are you serious?" Price questioned, when we surprised him with the big news. "Wow! I was not expecting this at all. That's crazy! I was honestly just really, really happy to be in the top 10 ... I was happy to be in that great group of artists that are super talented and just as deserving, so now it's just sinking in."
Are you serious? Wow! I was not expecting this at all. That's crazy!- Chad Price, on finding out he won the grand prize in Toyota Searchlight 2022
"This song is about being able to get back up," Price explained when asked about "Somehow, Someway."
"It's about continuing to strive forward even though it sometimes feels next to impossible to find that success, that thing that you want. I just wanted to write a song to encourage people to try to do the things that they love. It was written during the pandemic, so I thought people could use some positive vibes."
When it comes to what he's most looking forward to in terms of his prizes won, Chad had this to say: "All the prizes are pretty amazing. It's crazy because I don't win anything. I think I'm most excited to go to Calgary and do some recording at the National Music Centre, a beautiful facility that I've heard so much about. And I know the Junos will be super thrilling, too."
I just wanted to write a song to encourage people to try to do the things that they love.- Chad Price, on the inspiration behind "Somehow, Someway."
Price's winnings include:
1. Allan Slaight Juno Master Class and Juno Awards experience
By winning Toyota Searchlight, Price has earned a spot in Canada's premier talent development program — the Allan Slaight Juno Master Class — for a week in Toronto (or its virtual equivalent), surrounded by the music industry's best. It will all cumulate in a live industry showcase, plus a trip to the 2023 Juno Awards in Edmonton.
2. A recording residency at the National Music Centre in Calgary
Studio time is expensive, but Price will spend five days in Calgary at the National Music Centre's Studio Bell, where he will be given access to more than 300 musical instruments, a recording studio and a recording engineer to create his next album.
3. Play MPE distribution deal
Chad's single will get a full promotional distribution campaign sent out by the most widely used secure digital distribution system available in the music industry. Play MPE is used by all major labels, as well as thousands of independents, promoters and artists globally.
4. CBC-TV/radio/digital feature on his song
Price's winning song and story will be turned into a cross-platform Toyota Searchlight feature hosted by CBC Music Top 20 host Grant Lawrence. The feature will air nationally on CBC Television, CBC Radio One, CBC Music and on digital platforms.
5. Prize pack courtesy of Toyota Canada
- $2,500 worth of recording studio time.
- $2,500 worth of musical equipment/instruments.
6. Gift certificate courtesy of Long & McQuade
- A $1,000 gift certificate from "Canada's music store," Long & McQuade, for anything including instruments, equipment rentals, repairs, lessons.
Runners-up
Fionn, 'I Won't Lie' (White Rock, B.C.)
Meltt, 'Love Again' (Vancouver)
Mindflip, 'Mind Control' (Gatineau, Que.)
Siibii (a.k.a. Angel Baribeau), 'Wish we Were Older' (Mistissini, Que.)
Our runners-up will receive:
- Play MPE distribution deal for the winners' single.
- $1,000 worth of recording studio time.
- $500 worth of musical equipment/instruments.
- A $1,000 gift certificate from Long & McQuade, "Canada's music store," for anything including instruments, equipment rentals, repairs, lessons.
- A one-hour meeting with a mentor from Canada's Music Incubator (CMI) to help address the winners' immediate music business challenges or questions. CMI is a Toronto-based national not-for-profit organization specializing in professional development, ongoing mentorship and live events for artists, managers and music companies.
Fan Choice Award winners
Earlier in the competition, we awarded our first-ever Fan Choice Awards for the three artists who received the most votes in the opening round. They are:
Heather Gemmell, 'North Star Burning' (Kimberley, B.C.)
Leave Those Kids Alone, 'Where She Was' (Windsor, Ont.)
Madison Galloway, 'Devil in Her Eye' (Fergus, Ont.)
Our Fan Choice Award winners have won:
- An automatic placement in our Top 100.
- A $1,000 gift certificate from Long & McQuade, "Canada's music store," for anything including instruments, equipment rentals, repairs, lessons.
- Play MPE distribution deal for the winners' single.
- A one-hour meeting with a mentor from Canada's Music Incubator (CMI) to help address the winners' immediate music business challenges or questions.
Congratulations to all of our winners and a huge thank you to every artist who signed up to CBC Music's Toyota Searchlight 2022, and to everyone who voted. See you next year!
Questions? Email searchlight@cbc.ca.