SOCAN members win at eighth annual Independent Music Awards

The Trews (pictured here accepting SOCAN No. 1 Song Award plaques in July 2008) were among the SOCAN members who were honoured at the eighth annual Independent Music Awards.

SOCAN members Jeff Healey, Ridley Bent, The Trews and Sweatshop Union were among the winners in more than 50 categories, selected from thousands of submissions from around the globe, in the eighth annual Independent Music Awards (IMAs).

Healey earned a win in the Blues Album category, for his posthumous 2008 release, Mess of Blues. The other three SOCAN member winners earned their honours in the Song (rather than Album) categories: Ridley Bent won in the Country field, for his song "Nine Inch Nails"; the Trews took home the prize in the Hard Rock/Metal competition, for "Hold Me in Your Arms"; and Sweatshop Union reaped the reward in the Rap/Hip-Hop arena, for "Oh My."

The American-based IMAs support artists and releases traditionally under-served by mass media and big-box retailers, with year-long marketing, distribution and performance initiatives that place them in front of more than 15 million music fans and industry gatekeepers. The IMAs are produced by Music Resource Group, publisher of the industry print and online contact databases, The Musician’s Atlas and AtlasOnline.

A multi-page spread in the 2009 edition of the annual best-selling Musician’s Atlas featuring IMA winners and finalists will launch the 2009 marketing campaign. The Now Hear This winners’ CD compilation will be promoted to more than 800 North American radio stations in the first quarter and be distributed to 5,000 music fans and industry movers and shakers at SXSW, CMJ, Folk Alliance and other influential music events throughout the year. Past IMA winners and finalists credit the program for boosting their profile with talent buyers, distributors, publishers, radio programmers, record label A&R, film & TV music supervisors and fans.