Photo by Dane Collison

Apply now for Good Vibes song camp in Toronto with Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds

Story by Howard Druckman | Tuesday July 10th, 2018

Undiscovered and unpublished songwriters and producers are invited to apply for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be mentored by prolific hit-maker and multi-platinum recording artist Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, and other elite guest mentors, at the Good Vibes Discovery Song Camp in Toronto from Sept. 24-28, 2018.

The deadline for applications is Sept. 2, 2018, at 11:59 PDT. Good Vibes has already hosted Discovery Song Camp (DSC) events in LA and Nashville, and will do so in Atlanta and London later in the fall. Unlike many song camps, which tend to focus on the finished product, DSC is about Babyface giving back to the songwriter and producer community, and inspiring the next generation with insight on what it takes to create quality music.

Babyface is an 11-time Grammy Award winner who’s nurtured the careers of such artists as TLC, OutKast, Usher, and Toni Braxton. He’s produced, and written or co-written hits for, Whitney Houston, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Ty Dolla $ign, and Ariana Grande, among others.

Jason Murray, who co-founded Good Vibes with Babyface, is also the co-founder and President of Black Box Music, an independent record label, management company, and publishing operation whose roster includes multi-platinum sellers, JUNO Award winners and Polaris Music Prize Short List nominees, such as The Glorious Sons, SonReal, and Classified.

Interested songwriters and producers can apply here. When answering the application question, “How did you hear about the Discovery Song Camp?” please select “SOCAN.” To see a few video clips of Babyface discussing the DSC, visit the Good Vibes Instagram.

Photo by Brad Ardley (of/de Brett Kissel, left/gauche), Jeff Knights (of/de Jess Moskaluke, right/droite)

Nominees announced for 2018 Canadian Country Music Association Awards

Story by Howard Druckman | Thursday July 12th, 2018

The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) has announced its full list of nominees for the 2018 CCMA Awards, and leading the race with six nominations each are three-time Female Artist of the Year winner Jess Moskaluke, and reigning Male Artist of the Year Brett Kissel.

Reigning SiriusXM Rising Star and Female Artist of the Year Meghan Patrick has earned five 2018 CCMA Award nominations. Taking home three awards in 2017, Dallas Smith has earned four 2018 CCMA Award nominations. Smith has also been announced as a performer for the 2018 CCMA Awards show.

Nominees for Songwriter(s) of the Year are:

  • Dean Brody and Matt Rovey, for the song “8th Day,” performed by Brody;
  • Dan Isbell, Meghan Patrick, and Jeremy Stover, for “Country Music Made Me Do It,” performed by Patrick;
  • Zach Abend, Corey Crowder, and Jess Moskaluke, for “Drive Me Away,” written by performed by Moskaluke;
  • James Barker, Gavin Slate, and Travis Wood, for “It’s Working,” performed by The James Barker Band; and
  • Alexander Black, Aaron Goodvin, and Cathy Gravitt, for “Lonely Drum,” perfomed by Goodvin.

The 2018 CCMA Award Show will be hosted by Shania Twain, and broadcast live from Hamilton on CBC and www.cbcmusic.ca/ccmas on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018,  at 8:00 p.m. EST. For more informatoion, and a complete list of nominees, visit the CCMA website.

SOCAN Foundation launches TD Creative Entrepreneur Incubator

Story by Howard Druckman | Wednesday July 4th, 2018

The SOCAN Foundation, part of the SOCAN Group of companies, in partnership with TD Bank Group, has launched the TD Creative Entrepreneur Incubator program.

“The TD Creative Entrepreneur Incubator is an exciting new program that provides emerging creators of music with seed funding, mentorship, and the opportunity to participate in a progressive webinar series that will hone their entrepreneurial skills and spirit,” said Charlie Wall-Andrews, Executive Director of The SOCAN Foundation.  “The digital incubator aims to provide participants with knowledge and resources to support the development of their creative talent into creative business, and ultimately, a sustainable career.”

Each participant in the Creative Entrepreneur Incubator will receive:

  • $3,000 for start-up costs (marketing, business development, branding, etc.).
  • Mentorship by an industry professional.
  • Access to a webinar series led by industry professionals and experts.
  • A chance to be invited as a participant in the CSHF residency.

“Music has the power to strengthen communities by connecting people together. We’re excited to partner with The SOCAN Foundation to support music sustainability, through our new global corporate citizenship platform, The Ready Commitment. The TD Creative Entrepreneur Incubator will empower music creators from all backgrounds to develop the necessary skills to enhance music creation and sharpen their entrepreneurial abilities, so music continues to enrich our lives in a sustainable way,” said Valerie Picher, Associate Vice-President, Community Relations at TD.

Applications to the TD Creative Entrepreneur Incubator are currently being accepted until August 8, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Visit www.musicincubator.ca for more information about the program, including eligibility information.

In conjunction with the TD Creative Entrepreneurship Program, The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) is launching an in-person residency for select participants in the Entrepreneur Incubator. Five of the incubator participants will be invited to Toronto to take advantage of studio time at the SLAIGHT Studio, a showcase opportunity, and an additional creative mentorship opportunity with an established songwriter, all during a residency in Toronto.