Kamloops' rising star Madison Olds has made the top 100 in CBC Music's Searchlight competition.
Olds is the only artist from Kamloops to make the cut and one of 15 from B.C. The competition aims to find emerging artists looking for a chance to break away from the local scene.
Olds submitted the music video for her hit song "Thank You" which has been circulating airways for some time. She was one of 50 musicians chosen by judges at CBC.
Olds explained that she was very excited about where she has placed so far.
"It's crazy, I was not expecting to get to the top 100, but here I am," said Olds.
Olds adds that though she was the only Kamloops singer to make the top 100, the support from her fellow musicians competing alongside her was unbelievable.
"It was amazing, I know there were a couple people who went to the round right before the top 100 and it was just amazing to see how quickly everybody supported each other. It wasn't about winning, it wasn't about one beating the others, it was the fact that we were all there together which is crazy. Small town people making the arts happen in Canada like come on that's awesome."
If Olds manages to win the competition, she will be awarded a package which includes performing at the Juno Awards and meeting highly-respected producers in the industry. Olds mentioned that going from being played locally to getting recognized on a national scale has been surreal.
"It's definitely an odd feeling for me and I'm getting used to it, but I think I've really worked hard the past couple years, busting my balls, and it's kind of pay off at this point which is really exciting. By no means have I made it, but its the little wins in life I guess."
Voting closes tomorrow and Olds will find out if she's in the top 10. Though she is not one to ask for help herself, a vote would go a long way.
"I'm always the last person to be like hey can you vote for me because I hate asking people that, but it is such an incredible opportunity so now I'm getting a little more shameless and it does close tomorrow so I'm like hey guys, you could be a part of making my dreams come true."
Residents looking to vote for Madison Olds can do so through here.
