P.E.I. musician Dylan Menzie enjoying lots of spin success

P.E.I. musician Dylan Menzie has had an amazing year so far with a little help from CBC music, the CBC Radio 2 Top 20, and his fans.

Menzie pulled over to the side of the highway on his way to London, Ont., to talk to CBC News.

To be number one on that chart is amazing to me.- Dylan Menzie

"We drove through a bit of snow on this tour," said Menzie of his late autumn, which will continue to the end of November.

The award-winning Menzie picked up more recognition earlier this month. SOCAN, the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada, honoured him with a No. 1 Song Award for Kenya. The song reached the top of the CBC Radio 2 Top 20 chart on June 13.

"Having a number one on @CBCR2Top20, it's unbelievable!" said Menzie. 

"I know in my own life listening to that chart and those songs, I've been really inspired by them, so to be number one on that chart is amazing to me." 

Top 4 in Searchlight

The spring of 2016 is a bit of a blur to the musician. He released his sophomore album Adolescent Nature in May and entered the single Kenya into CBC Searchlight. The contest, co-ordinated by CBC Music and CBC afternoon shows (Mainstreet) looks for Canada's best undiscovered new artists.

What I really learned is I have a huge support network.- Dylan Menzie

The 2016 contest received 1,700 entries, which are voted down to one winner from each of 24 regions across the country, of which P.E.I. is one. The winner takes a prize worth $50,000. Menzie found out he made the top four finalists while travelling with musician girlfriend Kinley Dowling to Canadian Music Week in Toronto.

"Making top four was huge for me," said Menzie.

With that achievement came a national CBC Television broadcast and made several important contacts.

"What I really learned is I have a huge support network behind me, especially from the east coast," he said.

"The number of votes and number of spins and album sales is mind boggling."

Eight weeks at the top

The single, Kenya, written and produced by Menzie, stayed at number one on CBC R2Top20 for eight weeks.  

Menzie said the attention his music has received is paying off with growing audiences in places like Montreal, Ottawa and Guelph.

"I love touring! It's amazing to go out with your friends, do what you love to do and spread music around," he said.

Menzie's band includes Islanders Luke Pound on drums and Nigel Haan on bass.

Once this tour is finished Menzie is looking forward to a relaxing Christmas home on the Island, but he won't be relaxing for long. The musician plans on writing songs this winter and spring tours include Europe and Western Canada.

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