Photo by Left to right/De gauche à droite : Lisa MacIntosh (Art Bergmann), Nathalie Brien (Michel Cusson), (courtesy/courtoisie) Brian Cherney

Three SOCAN members named to Order of Canada

Story by Howard Druckman | Tuesday January 5th, 2021

SOCAN members Art Bergmann, Michel Cusson, and Brian Cherney were among 61 recipients named as members of the Order of Canada on Dec. 30, 2020, for their achievements as Canadian musicians and composers.

Singer-songwriter Art Bergmann was awarded for his indelible contributions to the Canadian punk music scene, and for his thought-provoking discourse on social, gender and racial inequalities.

Screen composer and former Uzeb mainstay Michel Cusson was honoured for his role in the evolution of jazz across Canada, and for his acclaimed contributions to the entertainment industry.

Brian Cherney was recognized for his lifelong devotion to Canadian music, as an internationally renowned composer, educator, and scholar.

The three members will be inducted into the Order of Canada during an in-person ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, to be  scheduled once public health measures allow. SOCAN congratulates Bergmann, Cusson, and Cherney on their great achievements!

Photo by Oakar Myint. Left to right/De gauche à droite : East Pointers Koady Chaisson, Jake Charron, Tim Chaisson; Colin MacDonald of/de The Trews.

SOCAN honours East Pointers, Colin MacDonald with No. 1 Song Award

Story by Howard Druckman | Thursday January 7th, 2021

SOCAN has honoured high-energy, Charlottetown-based, folk/roots trio The East Pointers with a No. 1 Song Award for “Wintergreen,” which topped the CBC Music Top 20 chart on Nov 21, 2019.

The self-published song is performed by The East Pointers, and co-written by its three members – Koady Chaisson, Jake Charron, and Tim Chaisson – along with Colin MacDonald of The Trews.

SOCAN congratulates this quartet of co-writers  on their achievement!

Photo by courtesy of / courtoisie de Miranda Bonavia

Video: The Breakdown – Tips for independent songwriters, producers

Story by Howard Druckman | Thursday December 17th, 2020

Words & Music is pleased to extend its helpful “how-to” series for our members, “The Breakdown,” into the realm of short, question-and-answer videos.

In this episode, SOCAN A&R Representative Racquel Villagante talks with Miranda Bonavia, who manages the careers of reclusive, highly successful singer-songwriter Allan Rayman and upcoming Indigenous artist Ruby Waters.

This time, Bonavia provides some advice for independent songwriters and producers releasing music during the pandemic.