Photo by Brad Ardley (via Zoom)

Video: SOCAN honours Madeline Merlo with No. 1 Song Award

Story by SOCAN | Tuesday July 6th, 2021

SOCAN presented country singer-songwriter Madeline Merlo with a No. 1 Song Award, for co-writing “Champagne Night,” which topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart in a version performed by Lady A,  for three weeks, starting on Jan. 9, 2021.

Co-written with SOCAN members Patricia Conroy and Dave “Dwave” Thompson, “Champagne Night” found its big break via the nationally televised U.S. songwriting competition Songland. When Merlo sang it to the members of Lady A, and several professional songwriters, they loved it; worked on it with her; and Lady A then recorded and released it as a single. The song ended up completely changing Merlo’s life .

Since current health regulations prevented SOCAN from presenting the No. 1 Song Award plaques in person, SOCAN A&R Representative Melissa Cameron-Passley bestowed them via Zoom instead.

In addition to Cameron-Passley, Merlo, Conroy, and Thompson, those celebrating at the presentation were:

  • Gary Furniss, David Quilico, Janet Baker, and Mishelle Pack of Sony Music Publishing Canada;
  • publishers Stephanie Cox of Kobalt Music Publishing; Mark Friedman of Deluge Music; John Ozier of Reservoir Media Management; and James Campbell of Slaight Music Publishing;
  • Jennifer Brown (interim CEO) and Peter Fera of SOCAN; and
  • Beth Brinker and Kelly Haygood of ASCAP Nashville.

SOCAN congratulates the entire team on this great achievement!

Photo by courtesy/courtoisie

Twenty-two SOCAN members nominated at 2021 Gémeaux Awards

Story by Marie-Michèle Bouchard | Wednesday July 7th, 2021

For its 2021 edition, the Gémeaux Awards has once again nominated several SOCAN members in the various music categories of this celebration of the Québec TV industry, and winners will be announced during the Industry Gala via the Gémeaux Awards Facebook page on Sept. 17, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. ET

Here are the finalists:

BEST MUSICAL THEME: ALL CATEGORIES
Michel Cusson—District 31, Episode 529 (Aetios Productions)
Jonathan Cayer – Faits Divers – Saison 4, Episode 29 – “Les heures avant la mauvaise nouvelle” (Les Productions Sovimage)
Pierre-Luc Boisvert, Charles Dubreuil, Alexandre Parr, Simon Proulx – La Semaine Des 4 Julie, Episode 60-13C (Les Productions ToRoS)
Kim Gaboury – Les Histoires bizarres du professeur Zarbi, Episode 12 – “Camping sans bon sang/Coup de foudre” (Salambo Productions)
Michel Corriveau – Les Pays d’en haut – Saison 6, Episode 52 (Encore Télévision/Les Productions Sovimage)

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: FICTION
Philippe Brault – Bête noire, Episode 1 (Encore Télévision)
Miklos Simpson – District 31, Episode 529 (Aetios Productions)
Jonathan Cayer – Faits Divers – Saison 4, Episode 32 – “Les heures avant la grande vengeance” (Les Productions Sovimage)
Michel Corriveau – Les Pays d’en haut – Saison 6, Episode 52 (Encore Télévision/Les Productions Sovimage)
Jonathan Cayer – Patrick Senécal présente, Episode 1 – “Seule” (Zone3/Productions Starling Road)

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: DOCUMENTARY
Alain Auger – Joséphine Bacon : Je m’appelle humain (Terre Innue)
Viviane Audet, Robin-Joël Cool, Alexis Martin – Lafortune en papier (Les Productions sur le toit)
Marc Gravel, Joseph Marchand – Le Dernier felquiste, Episode 6 – “La fin du FLQ” (Les productions d’octobre)
Philippe Grant – Les Poussières de Daech (Rendez-vous Télé)
Philippe Bouchard, Gabriel Desjardins – Les Rose (Babel Films/Office National du Film du Canada)

SOCAN congratulates its members for their nominations, and wishes them the best of luck. For more information on the various categories and the nomination process, visit the Académie website.

The 36th edition of the Gémeaux Awards will take place as follows:

  •  Industry Gala of the 36th Gémeaux Awards—Friday, Sept. 17, 2021—Live on the Gémeaux Facebook page at 8:00 p.m. ET
  •  Opening Gala of the 36th Gémeaux Awards—Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021—Broadcast on ARTV at 8:00 p.m. ET
  •  Official Gala of the 36th Gémeaux Awards—Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021—Broadcast on ICI TÉLÉ at 8:00 p.m. ET

 

Apply now for new SOCAN Foundation career development grant program

Story by SOCAN Foundation / Fondation SOCAN | Monday July 5th, 2021

Eligible SOCAN members can apply now for a SOCAN Foundation Career Development Grant, a one-time special professional-development initiative to help our music creators and publishers develop news skills.

“Strengthening skills, building capacity, and encouraging knowledge sharing among SOCAN’s membership is increasingly important in today’s environment of rapid change, competing challenges, and emerging opportunities, including new technologies and ways of collaborating,” said Charlie Wall-Andrews, Executive Director of the SOCAN Foundation. “The SOCAN Foundation offers this new program to provide accelerated access to financial support for music creators and publishers, to allow them to develop creative or professional skills”

The new Fund is open to all SOCAN members who have received at least two SOCAN royalty payments (of any amount) within the last 12 months of applying to the program.  The SOCAN Foundation has allocated a total of $250,000, which will be available for distribution from the SOCAN Foundation Career Development Grant, of up to 850 grants of $300 each. The Fund is a one-time special program to help SOCAN members develop skills by accessing conferences, workshops, masterclasses, or other self-directed learning opportunities such as mentorship, research, and personal reflection.

Applicants are encouraged to submit applications early. Once the funds are exhausted, the program will be closed in the portal. SOCAN members can learn more about the program by visiting www.socanfoundation.ca.