CBC Searchlight top 10 P.E.I. finalists revealed

The entries in CBC's Searchlight contest have been whittled down to 10 finalists for each region, including P.E.I.

• CBC Searchlight contest: P.E.I. hopefuls shine

Searchlight is CBC Music's cross-Canada search for the best up-and-coming musicians. Musicians from 24 geographic regions are competing for a grand prize worth $50,000.

"I already am overwhelmed by the support, and the way the song and contest have connected me with so many different people," said Jill Chandler, after CBC broke the news to the musician that she had earned the most votes of any Island entry.

Brian J. Dunn, Dylan Menzie, the Plain Dirty Blues Band, FWLR and KINLEY, The Royal North, Archer, Ashley Condon and David Francey, Dan Currie and Maxine MacLennan also made the top 10.

"When you play music that is so far removed from the mainstream like we do, it's nice to do these things and grab some attention bring what we do to a few new eyes and ears in the process," said Craig MacDonald, bass player from the hard-rocking band The Royal North.

Chandler's friend and supporter Kirstin Lund set up a Facebook group to share Chandler's music and encourage people to vote for her entry.

Chandler returned to singing after her husband died in 2013, her music helping her through her grief. The songs resonated with others too, and she's now working on her first album release.

"The song, the songwriting and the way they've connected me to the world again and others who have experienced loss have been a crucial part of my healing journey," she said.

"I would be so honoured to represent the Island in the next phase of the contest and will continue to dream big!"

Not over yet

The second round of public voting is for five days only April 25 to 29and along with judges scores, will determine one top act from each region.

The national semi-final round follows next week, May 3 to 9. Judges will pick their top three videos, and one video with the most votes from the public will also advance to the final round. Each of those four wins a $2,300 prize.

The top four grand-prize finalists win airfare to Toronto and accommodations, and will compete before a live audience for a celebrity judging panel in a CBC television broadcast to air in mid-May.

Audience members can win $5,000 in audience prizes for voting.