Billboard to launch weekly Top Songwriters chart

Story by Howard Druckman | Tuesday June 11th, 2019

Billboard magazine is expanding its chart offerings by introducing Top Songwriters and Top Producers rankings, based on weekly activity on the Billboard Hot 100, and other genre song charts, that blend streaming, airplay, and sales data.

The charts will debut in the June 15, 2019, issue of the magazine, and in the Billboard Bulletin subscriber e-mail blast on June 13, 2019. Top 10 charts for Hot 100 songwriters and producers will be featured each week, joined by a rotating set of charts drawn from two other genres, among R&B/hip-hop, rap, R&B, country, rock, dance/electronic, Latin, Christian, and Gospel. Top songwriter and producer rankings have been presented annually as part of year-end chart menus for various genres, and occasionally for special features.

“We’re extremely excited to acknowledge the top creative forces behind music’s biggest hits on a weekly basis,” said Silvio Pietroluongo, Billboard Senior Vice President of charts and data development. “A songwriter or producer’s influence and importance, within the industry and beyond, certainly merits recognition beyond our yearly rankings.”

“Anytime a light is shone upon the songwriters and producers who are the backbone of the industry, it’s a very good thing,” said Atlas Music founder and CEO Richard Stumpf to the magazine. “What Billboard is doing ties together with the digital services starting to show songwriter credits, so all of this is going the right way in helping the music fans become aware of the songwriters and the role they play.”

Photo by courtesy/coursoisie. Collage of/de Nick Gilder (x3) and/et James McCullough.

“Hot Child in the City” to be inducted into Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame

Story by Howard Druckman | Wednesday June 12th, 2019

“Hot Child in the City,” a 1978 Billboard No. 1 smash hit co-written by Nick Gilder and James McCullough, and recorded by Gilder, will be inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 18, 2019, at a special ceremony during SOCAN’s Annual General Meeting, in the writers’ hometown of Vancouver.

Rockers Gilder and McCulloch wrote the song after leaving their successful glam-rock band, Sweeney Todd. In addition to platinum record sales, “Hot Child in the City” was recognized with JUNO Awards for Best-Selling Single and Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year for Gilder, while he and McCulloch were also nominated for Composer of the Year in 1979.

“I’m honoured and humbled to be in such esteemed company of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and to have ‘Hot Child in the City’ join the catalogue of iconic songs that have helped shape Canada’s musical landscape,” said Nick Gilder. “Music will always be a great passion in my life. I am very thankful to everyone who helped to make this song a classic; my very creative collaborator Jim McCulloch, the great band, the tireless efforts of Chrysalis Records, my family, and our awesome fans, who continue to request the song on radio after all these years!”

“With so many successful singles and albums over his career, it’s wonderful to be able to highlight one of Nick Gilder’s biggest hits with the induction of ‘Hot Child in the City’ into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame,” said Vanessa Thomas, CSHF Executive Director.  “The song is still instantly recognized today, more than 40 years since it was released in the late ‘70s, which is a testament to great songwriting and its cultural impact. We can’t wait to celebrate with Nick on June 18, and are honoured to have him perform at the song induction presentation.”

It was Hollywood that inspired ‘Hot Child in the City.’ The famous Sunset Strip, and the eclectic youth that flocked to it, fascinated Gilder, who recalls, “In Los Angeles you see everyone from different walks of life; a lot of would-be actors, the adventurous, the disenfranchised. The song is a celebration of life; ultimately, of going out and finding yourself. L.A. was a magnet for people trying to find themselves. We wanted to write this song about what we’d experienced and seen.”

Released in June of 1978, the song topped the Billlboard Hot 100 chart by October. By January 1979, “Hot Child in the City” was still charting, with performances on numerous television shows. including American Bandstand, Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert, and The Midnight Special. The song has appeared in several television shows and movies, including Ed, That 70’s Show, Nip/Tuck, Sex and the City, Going the Distance, and Barb Wire. In addition to its JUNOs, the song amassed a BMI Award and a 2006 SOCAN Classic Award. It was also chosen for erstwhile Canadian music trade magazine RPM’s Top 125 Cancon Hits in 1992 and Top 100 Cancon Tracks 1964‒1994.

Submit now for Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program

Story by Howard Druckman | Monday June 10th, 2019

Canadian musicians have until 11:59 p.m. ET on Aug. 2, 2019, to submit for the Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program, valued at a total of more than $100,000 in cash and prizes to the winners, giving musicians the tools they need to grow their music careers.  The program supports up-and-coming, aspiring Canadian musical artists aged 15 to 35, by providing them with opportunities to take their careers to the next level. Past winners include Lu Kala, Ivory Hours, Nefe, and Taylor Kurta.

The Grand Prize winner will receive a cash prize of $20,000; private studio recording time at Metalworks Studios; an introduction to at least one established music artist; introductions to music industry executives; a public performance opportunity at The Great Hall in Toronto in November 2019; another at Festival du Voyageur in Winnipeg in February 2020; album cover artwork design; and an invitation to attend the 2019 Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards & Gala.

Four additional winners will also be chosen; each will receive a cash prize ($6,000 for the Second Prize winner and $4,000 each for the three additional winners); public performance opportunities at The Great Hall in Toronto in November 2019, and one other event; and participation in private music industry career development mentorship sessions with A&R professionals, a music agent, and an established artist

To apply, click here.