The Reklaws’ Jenna Walker recording a song.

SOCAN partnered with The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) to present the second annual CCMA Song Camp, from Jan. 19 to 24, 2020, at The Sherwood Inn Resort on Lake Joseph, in the Muskokas, a few hours’ drive North of Toronto. The four-day camp gathered 12 country music artists, songwriters, and producers, and created 15 incredible songs.

Once again, SOCAN helped to provide a unique, powerful opportunity to help our members develop their co-writing skills, and grow their business worldwide. The isolated location allowed participants to break free from their day-to-day routines and distractions, and offered them access to unique collaborative experiences they might not otherwise have. Participants ranged from longtime country stars like Carolyn Dawn Johnson, to professional songwriters like Kelly Archer and Deric Ruttan, to fast-rising talents like The Reklaws, to producers like Alex Kline and Derek Hoffman.

Each morning at 10:00 a.m., the participants received their group assignments – which changed daily – then spent the full day and evening writing songs in those groups. The camp arranged for one artist, one songwriter, and one producer in each group/studio, with different pairings for each of the four days. Each night at 10;00 p.m., the entire camp would gather to listen to the playback of the songs created that day. The writers quickly bonded, as they co-wrote in 12-hour workdays.

“The SOCAN CCMA Muskoka song camp was exactly what I needed to put heart to paper for this record,” said artist participant Steven Lee Olsen. “You can count me in for life.”

Chad Brownlee records fresh lyrics from his cellphone.

“This was my first multi-day, destination song camp, and as a 9-to-5, Nashville-based songwriter, used to the comforts of my Music Row office and my specific writing routine, I didn’t know what to expect,” said songwriter participant Deric Ruttan. “Looking back a week later, I’m struck by how much fun it was, how well everyone got along, and how some really great songs were written.  It was a very productive week.  Everyone – artists, producers, and songwriters – set the creative bar high from the start of the camp, and really did a great job serving (stylistically) each artist that was in the room.  Getting to spend time with old friends and make new ones in a winter setting as beautiful as Muskoka (my old stomping grounds) was a bonus.”

“I had an amazing week at the CCMA / SOCAN Song Camp!” said producer participant Derek Hoffman, recently nominated for a 2020 JUNO for Producer of the Year. “Every artist, writer, and producer brought their “A” Game. Some top-level talent was on display, and I was honoured to be able to be a part of it, and wetting my country songwriting whistle with such an elite level of talent. I’m excited about every song that came out of this week. Thanks to CCMA and SOCAN for keeping us cozy, fed, and inspired every single day! We won’t forget it.”

“The song camp experience is totally unique,” said SOCAN Director, A&R, Rodney Murphy. “We were thrilled to work with the CCMA once again, as we shared our mutual enthusiasm for fostering music creators’ growth.”

The CCMA Song Camp, facilitated by representatives from the CCMA and SOCAN, boasted a roster of some of Canada’s very best country talent. Those attending were:

ARTISTS
The Reklaws (siblings Stuart & Jenna Walker)
Tim Hicks
Chad Brownlee
Steven Lee Olsen

SONGWRITERS
Deric Ruttan
Kelly Archer
Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Jessica Mitchell

PRODUCERS
Derek Hoffman
Dave “Dwave” Thomson
Brandon Day
Alex Kline

FACILITATORS
Tracy Martin – CCMA President
Alannah Cruickshank – CCMA Head of Live Events + Artist Relations
Kayla Gumb – CCMA Executive Assistant/Project Manager
Racquel Villagante – SOCAN A&R Representative
Aidan D’Aoust – SOCAN A&R Representative

SOCAN is very pleased with the inspired creativity, fresh songs, and new working relationships that were developed at the second CCMA Song Camp.