SOCAN member Line Rioux received the SOCAN Best Song Award at the Gala de la chanson de Caraquet, N.B., held July 31, 2008. She won for her song “Tant de rêves à réveiller” (“So Many Dreams to Awaken”), performed by fellow member Danny Boudreau. While presenting the award, the veteran Acadian singer-songwriter Calixte Duguay took the opportunity to acknowledge SOCAN’s role in the success of local music.

Other winners included 2007 SOCAN Award honouree Émilie Bernard in the singer-songwriter category, and Tanya Brideau in the performer category.

The 2008 presentation was staged at the Carrefour de la mer Theatre, and co-hosted by the multidisciplinary artist Isabelle Cyr and Radio-Canada host Samuel Chiasson. The gala was held under the artistic direction of Quebec singer-songwriter Mario Chenart and the musical direction of songwriter-performer Jesse Mea. The 2008 festival patron was singer Annie Blanchard, of Star Académie fame, and guest performers included Ginette Ahier, Danny Boudreau, Calixte Duguay, Fayo and Donat Lacroix.

In the morning of that same day, the Montreal Office Relationship Specialist Stéphanie Falco presented a SOCAN information session to all participants in the singer-songwriter and songwriter categories. With the weather cooperating, the 40th annual celebration of Acadian music was a resounding success.