Go to main content

CBC MUSIC ANNOUNCES SEARCHLIGHT 2024 WINNER

Waverley, Nova Scotia’s Maggie Andrew takes CBC Music’s 2024 Searchlight Grand Prize

Winners of the secondary prize categories are Amanda Jordan from Smiths Falls, ON, Dee Dee Austin from Fall River, NS, NOBRO from Montreal, QC and Summer Bennett from Paradise, NL

Download photos of the artists here

CBC today announced alt-pop, singer-songwriter Maggie Andrew from Waverley, Nova Scotia as the Grand Prize winner of CBC MUSIC’S SEARCHLIGHT 2024 contest. Artists in every province and territory submitted an application including an original song for consideration and the panel of judges awarded the top spot to Maggie Andrew.

“Winning Searchlight is a really incredible feeling, in a way it still hasn't sunk in yet,” said Maggie Andrew. “There are so many people around me who have helped and continue to help bring my visions to life and without them I know I wouldn't be here right now. I'm really excited! Searchlight this year was filled with so many talented artists, ones who I am lucky to call friends and others that I admire very much. I'm feeling a lot of gratitude and truly just happy to be here.”

Andrew has gained notice for her edgy alternative pop, collecting over 6 million combined streams on her music and has received several accolades including the 2024 ECMA African Canadian Artist of the Year award and the SOCAN x Sirius XM Young Canadian Songwriters Award in 2021. She was also a finalist in CBC Music’s Searchlight last year, making the Top 10. More information and music from Maggie Andrew is available at CBCMusic.ca/searchlight

In addition, four winning acts in the special SEARCHLIGHT 2024 categories are: winner of the Outstanding Country Artist category, Amanda Jordan from Smiths Falls, ON; winner of the Outstanding Indigenous Artist category, pop singer-songwriter Dee Dee Austin from Fall River, NS; winner of the Songwriting Prize category punk group NOBRO from Montreal, QC; and 16-year-old pop artist Summer Bennett from Paradise, NL takes the Top Teen category.


As part of the Grand Prize, Maggie Andrew will take part in the Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class talent development program, receive a residency at the National Music Centre in Calgary courtesy of Partake Brewing, a Yangaroo Music DMDS music and video promotion package and $1,000 from Long & McQuade towards the purchase of music equipment. Full prizing details can be found at CBCMusic.ca/searchlight.

-30-

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi and Tagalog, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.


About CBC Music

CBC Music is the leading curator of emerging and diverse Canadian music talent across platforms, playing the most Canadian artists and genres on radio, CBC Listen andcbcmusic.ca. We prioritize Canadian artists in a wide variety of genres on over 200 playlists available on CBC Listen, and publish daily national music coverage. CBC Music Live features live music recordings from across the country. Our music partnerships and events include The JUNOS, the Polaris Music Prize, CBC Music’s Searchlight, the CBC Music Festival, The Canadian Music Class Challenge and Canada Listens.

For more information, please contact:


Teaghan Hawke, CBC PR

teaghan.hawke@cbc.ca

 

Discover

October 27th at 15:49

CBC Announces New Ad-Free CBC Kids Streaming Channel, Now Available on CBC Gem and CBC Kids YouTube

CBC today announced the launch of a new 24/7 commercial-free CBC Kids streaming channel, available now to stream on CBC Gem and the CBC Kids YouTube channel. 
October 27th at 9:00

New to CBC Gem in November 2025

CBC’s fall premieres continue with THE ASSEMBLY (Nov. 6, also on CBC TV), featuring authentic conversations between autistic interviewers and Canadian celebrities, and Season 2 of POV documentary series FOR THE CULTURE WITH AMANDA PARRIS (Nov. 28 on CBC Gem)
October 23rd at 11:59

Nothing Is Off the Table in CBC’s New Unscripted Series The Assembly, Premiering November 6 on CBC and CBC Gem

CBC today announced the six celebrities who will be in the hot seat in the new unscripted series THE ASSEMBLY.
October 20th at 11:41

CBC Expands FAST Portfolio with New Schitt’s Creek Channel, Now Streaming on CBC Gem in Canada

CBC today announced the expansion of its free ad-supported streaming portfolio with the launch of a new Schitt’s Creek channel, featuring all six seasons of the multiple Emmy Award-winning CBC original comedy series plus one-hour finale special Best Wishes, Warmest Regards: A Schitt’s Creek Farewell. 
September 24th at 12:43

New to CBC Gem in October 2025

CBC’s fall premieres continue with new factual series LOCALS WELCOME (Oct. 5) hosted by food writer Suresh Doss, and new seasons of HEARTLAND (Oct. 5), THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW (Oct. 5), MURDOCH MYSTERIES (Oct. 6), FAMILY FEUD CANADA (Oct. 6), and THE FIFTH ESTATE (Oct. 10)