Among the list of talented SOCAN-member Grammy contenders in 2020, Canadian producer and blues & roots songwriter Colin Linden took home the Best Americana Album award, for his co-producing work on Oklahoma by Keb’ Mo’.
Linden accepted his award at the Grammy pre-show earlier in the day on Sunday, Jan. 26, before the live evening broadcast from the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.
“Just to be nominated for a Grammy is a massive achievement, and to win one can be a defining moment,” said SOCAN CEO Eric Baptiste, who attended the awards, along with Chief Membership & Business Development Officer Michael McCarty, and SOCAN’s Senior Director, A&R Rodney Murphy. “The SOCAN family and all of Canada are proud of our members’ success.”
Linden’s work spans decades and includes touring as a guitarist with the legendary Bob Dylan, a performance at The White House, while producing records for many other musicians. Linden also did a six-year stint as the music director on the TV series Nashville, and is one-third of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, along with Tom Wilson and Stephen Fearing.
Many talented Canadian musicians were among the hundreds of 2020 Grammy Award nominees whose work was being recognized through a direct nomination or was affiliated with a nomination, including Grammy nominee Drake, powwow and Round Dance singing group Northern Cree, Shawn Mendes, Eric Corne, Michael Bublé, Daniel Caesar, Ajay Bhattacharya (aka STINT), T-Minus, Carly Rae Jepsen, Boi-1da, Dan Brodbeck, Malika Tirolien, and rising star Jessie Reyez, who earned her very first Grammy nomination this year.
With increasing numbers of SOCAN members either nominated or affiliated with a nomination, the Grammy Awards continue to recognize and award deserving top Canadian talent at music’s biggest night of the year.
SOCAN extends its congratulations to Colin Linden, and all of our members who were nominated for a 2020 Grammy.
“SOCAN Foundation established this national program in response to the 
Said SOCAN CEO Eric Baptiste visited on Jan. 10, along with SOCAN CFO Diane Petrucci, to offer a word of encouragement to the participants. “This is a very innovative program, that has drawn attention around the world,” he said. “What you’re doing today is a great contribution to proving to the world that if you’re talented and hardworking, you have a place not only at SOCAN, but in the music business.” Also visiting, from the Entertainment, Media & Digital Media, Commercial Financial Services department of RBC, were Joy Yang, CPA, CA, and Joelle Finnen, MBA.