A message has hit the Castlegar News inbox.

It was from Sage McBride writing in hopes of getting a shout out for Shred Kelly.

The Fernie-based band claims ownership of the titles: "Kootenay Artist of the Year" and "Kootenay Best Folk Artists of the year" and values the support from the West Kootenays. Shred is in a competition that relies on votes, and they could use your support.

As pointed out by McBride,

"It is a competition put on by Green Couch Productions out of Vancouver and sponsored by CBC and VIA rail. What it does is put 10 Western Canadian artists on a train across Canada, that is filmed and documented by Green Couch productions and publicized by the CBC.

"Shred Kelly has made it to the top 10, on a list narrowed down from 200. And we are up against mostly Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary and Edmonton artists. We could really use the support of our area, as we know it is a strong force."

The group would obviously love to represent their part of the country, a part that you know so well.

What they're hoping for is your vote.

The way to do it is to go to:

http://cbc.polldaddy.com/s/tracks-on-tracks-top-10?pop=10

Voting ends on Tuesday May 8, and the 3 winners are announced on Wednesday May 9 on CBC radio 3.

Shred Kelly thanks you for your support!