But the most priceless prize was a slot on the bill at Saturday’s CBC Music Festival, which will mark Dawson’s festival debut. When Desirée Dawson found out she had beaten 2,000 sings and bands to win CBC Music’s Searchlight contest, a national competition to find the best rising musician in Canada, she was in bed. Calling from Jamaica, where the 25-year-old has been teaching yoga and writing music for three months, Dawson spoke about the influences that lead her to this breakout moment. “I remember standing there with my jaw dropping being like, ‘I’m going to do that one day.’” CANADIAN IDOLSDawson was first inspired to be a performer as a kid when she saw Shania Twain live.

Source: thestar May 27, 2016 15:30 UTC