Photo by Addison Baker

SOCAN hosts L.A. Family & Friends reception, 2022 edition

Story by Howard Druckman, with files from/avec la participation de Racquel Villagante and/et Houtan Hodania | Wednesday June 29th, 2022

After a three-year absence, SOCAN was pleased and proud to once again host its annual Family & Friends summer reception to celebrate our members, at the Sunset Marquis Hotel Pool Deck in Los Angeles, on June 23, 2022. The party, which ran from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. PT, drew more than 200 SOCAN members and key music industry representatives.

Present at the event were SOCAN songwriter members Jex Nwalor, Eli  Brown, Tamara Miller, Nate Husser, Bobby Kuya, Rhyan Douglas, Mike Sonier, Jay Century, Liza, Gerald O’Brien, Maddy Simmen, Lia Liza, Harrison Brome, Simon Rosen, Colin Munroe, Jarvis Church, Chris Stylez, Kastro, PIAO, Chxerry22, FORTHENIGHT, Tom French, Yosh Beats, Clerel, Evan MacDonald, Zeina, Mandy Woo, and KALLITECHNIS.

SOCAN screen composers were also well represented, with Darren Fung, Stephan Moccio, Jeff Danna, and Matthew Tishler at the party, along with Kevin Estwick of the Core Music Agency, which represents audio-visual composers.

Music industry representatives at the reception included Mason Klein and Will Perliter (both of Mixed Management and R&R Records); Stephanie Pereira (manager for Chxrry22); Alison Taylor (artist manager); Mara Kuge (California Copyright Conference); Max Espinosa and Arian Tehranian (both of SalxCo Business Management); Jarret Mackenzie (manager of KALLITECHNIS); Henry-Francois Gelot (artist manager); Doug Mark (artist attorney); Corey Kastner (HowRU? Entertainment); Audrey Anne (artist attorney); Sean Lewow (Ourros); Max Motley (Mostley Music); Blake Goldman and Tino Cuccinello (managers of Jex Nwalor); Chukwudi Obi, Niki Zahedi, and Danny Jacobson (all three of Hallawood); Hunter George (Executive Director, Guild of Music Supervisors); Michael Eames (President and co-founder, PEN Music Group Inc.); and Andre Galuban (Canadian Consulate in L.A.).

Attending for SOCAN were CEO Jennifer Brown; Director, Creative, Cameron Kennedy; Vice President, International Relations, Catharine Saxberg; Creative Executives Racquel Villagante (Los Angeles), Houtan Hodania (Toronto), and Gagan Singh (Film/TV & Visual Media); and Creative Progamming & Partnerships Co-Ordinator Maria Escamilla.

Photo by courte4sy / courtoisie. Left to right/De gauche à droite : Ben Mink, Al Mair, Fred Pellerin, Jim Byrnes,

Three SOCAN members, two former Directors, named to Order of Canada

Story by Howard Druckman | Monday July 4th, 2022

Three SOCAN members, and two former members of the SOCAN Board of Directors,  were among the appointments to the Order of Canada on July 1, 2022, for their achievements as Canadian songwriters, musicians, or music industry representatives.

Appointed as members of the Order of Canada were:

Al Mair, for his visionary and enduring contributions to the Canadian music industry. Mair, a former member of SOCAN’s Board of Directors, helped to grow the Canadian music scene in its infancy, managing Gordon Lightfoot for eight years, leading the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA), and founding and running the independent label Attic Records – which, in the 1980s, was the home of Lee Aaron, Triumph, Maestro Fresh Wes, The Nylons, and Haywire.

Ben Mink, for his sustained contributions to Canadian music as a producer, multi-instrumentalist and writer. Mink, for many years kd lang’s co-writer and band member in the ‘80s, was also a member of SOCAN’s Board of Directors. He has collaborated with FM, Rush, and Barenaked Ladies, and his production credits include Heart, Anne Murray, Jane Siberry, Ian and Sylvia Tyson, Bruce Cockburn, Murray McLauchlan, Alison Krauss, Feist, Daniel Lanois, Sarah McLachlan, Roy Orbison, and Elton John.

Jim Byrnes, For his ongoing contributions to the arts, notably as a musician an actor, and for his active charitable work. He’s released 10 critically acclaimed albums over his long career, and usually plays about 150 live dates a year. His acting highlights include television’s Wiseguy and Highlander series, and his national variety program The Jim Byrnes Show, and he’s appeared in TV series on Netflix and ABC. The charities he supports include the Face the World Foundation, and Odd Squad Productions, both of which help those in  need in his adopted hometown of Vancouver.

Fred Pellerin, for his contributions to the revival of the art of storytelling in Canada and throughout the Francophonie. Pellerin is a three-time JUNO Award nominee; has won a Prix Félix (ADISQ Award) for Best Folk Album (as a duo act with his brother Nicolas); recorded “L’Hymne,” the theme song for the film Snowtime!, in a duet with Céline Dion; and has adapted or co-written the screenplays for three major movies.

All of the above will be inducted into the Order of Canada during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, to be  scheduled at a later date.

SOCAN congratulates all of these appointees on this great achievement!

SOCAN CEO Jennifer Brown appointed Vice-Chair of CISAC

Story by Howard Druckman | Monday June 27th, 2022

CISAC (the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers) has appointed SOCAN CEO Jennifer Brown as one of two Vice-Chairs of its Board of Directors, at the first meeting of its newly-elected Board of Directors, on June 23, 2022, in Paris. It’s the first time Brown has taken the position, which lasts for three years.

“This is a great recognition for SOCAN on a global level, and will allow us to further extend our work for creators’ rights on the world stage,” said Brown. “I look forward to working with all at CISAC to serve and champion its more than four million creators, advocate for them, and protect their rights. As CISAC works to shape a better and fairer environment for creators, especially in a post-COVID environment that demands adaptability, SOCAN will be there, striving to increase the value of their artwork, and improve their experience.”

CISAC also re-appointed Marcelo Castello Branco for his second three-year term as Chair, and Patrick Raude, Secretary-General of French music rights organization SACD, as the other Vice-Chair.

CISAC, a collective rights management organization, is the world’s leading network of authors’ societies. CISAC protects the rights and represents the interests of creators worldwide. With 229 member societies in 119 countries, CISAC represents more than four million creators of music, audio-visual works, drama, literature, and visual arts.

For example, in addition to its day-to-day work, in March of 2020, CISAC called on governments for global action to help creators as the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic first struck; and in March of 2022, CISAC created both the “Creators for Ukraine” and “Songs for Ukraine” campaigns to assist creators in that country during a time of war.

SOCAN congratulates Jennifer Brown on her new appointment within the CISAC Board.