SOCAN’s Songwriters’ Café series – held as part of the Country Music Week (CMW) conference leading up to the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMAs) on Sept. 8, 2008 – drew more than 1,000 enthusiastic listeners over three afternoons at the Grand Ballroom of the Delta Winnipeg Hotel, including record industry personnel, music publishers, radio programmers and other delegates. Among those who performed from Sept. 5-7 were eventual award winners Johnny Reid, Jessie Farrell and Gord Bamford, as well as the likes of Lisa Brokop and Wendell Ferguson.

Rodney Murphy, SOCAN’s Education and Outreach Manager, Membership (Toronto), participated in a Songwriting Super Session on Sept. 6 as part of the conference, during which SOCAN also held a dinner honouring Randy Bachman for his recent induction into the Order of Canada.

Doc Walker songwriters Chris Thorsteinson, Dave Wasyliw and Murray Pulver won the Songwriter of the Year award, for “Beautiful Life,” at a CCMA gala on Sunday, Sept. 7. The next night, at the televised evening of the CCMAs from the MTS Centre, the group took home awards for song, album, video and group of the year, as well as the coveted fans’ choice honours. The other big winner of the night was newcomer Jessie Farrell, who picked up statuettes for female artist and top female talent of the year, as well as the rising star award. At an earlier Industry Awards brunch, ole won the Music Publishing Company of the Year award.

In other highlights, Johnny Reid was chosen male artist of the year, and also won for top-selling Canadian album. Gord Bamford won for top male talent of the year, and Corb Lund won for roots artist/group of the year, while the group Prairie Oyster was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. George Canyon received the Humanitarian of the Year award for his support of and work with the Canadian Armed Forces.

For more information on the awards, and a complete list of winners, visit the Canadian Country Music Association website.