After receiving 2,500 song submissions, two Kingston-based acts are in the running for the 2021 Toyota Searchlight grand prize. CBC describes their annual, national fan-voted Searchlight contest as, "The hunt for Canada's next undiscovered talent."

Original songs by The Backsteps, Erika Lamon and Scott & Kate Live!, featuring Scott Burns and Kate Rombough (pictured above) of Kingston's popular cover band, The Stares, could land them up to $5,000 in recording studio time and musical equipment. The Backsteps are a Kingston based, 4 piece band. Members include Seth Hunt, Luke Garrison, Josh McEvoy and Devin Pierce.

[caption id="attachment_1341" align="alignnone" width="1080"] The Backsteps are one of three Kingston-based acts in the running for the 2021 Toyota Searchlight grand prize.[/caption]

The first round of voting runs from May 11 to May 20, 2021.

The winning artist(s) of Searchlight 2021 will receive a prestigious placement at the weeklong 2021 Allan Slaight Juno Master Class in Toronto, as well as an industry showcase to cap your week. The winning artist(s) will also win a trip to Canada’s national music awards show in 2022. The Grand Prize also includes weeklong recording residency at Studio Bell in the National Music Centre in Calgary, a Play MPE Global Music Promotion Distribution Package, and funding for instruments and studio time courtesy of Toyota Canada.

Winners are decided by fan vote, so please support these amazing Kingston artists by casting your votes here:
Vote for Scott & Kate Live!
Vote for The Backsteps
Vote for Erika Lamon

Posted: May 3, 2023 Originally Published: May 11, 2021