For the fourth time in the past five years, Joel Plaskett won the SOCAN-sponsored Songwriter of the Year award at the 2010 East Coast Music Awards (ECMAs), where he also earned six other trophies, for a total of seven (beating his previous record of six, established in 2008).

Plaskett's other awards were for male solo recording, pop recording, and recording of the year, all for his triple-album set Three; single of the year (for his song "Through & Through & Through"); as well as entertainer and producer of the year.

The ECMAs were held the night of Sunday, March 7, at Centre 200 in Sydney, N.S. Other multiple winners included Prince Edward Island’s Catherine MacLellan, who took female solo recording and folk recording of the year; Halifax’s In-Flight Safety, who took home both group and alternative recording of the year; and New Brunswick’s The Motorleague, who won loud recording and fan's choice video of the year.

For more information about the awards, and a complete list of winners, visit the ECMA website.

In addition to sponsoring the Songwriter of the Year award, SOCAN co-hosted an opening reception, presented a panel and sponsored a songwriters’ circle during the conference week (March 4-7) leading up to the awards gala.

Participants in the SOCAN-sponsored Songwriters' Circle at the 2010 ECMA conference (left to right): Coco Love Alcorn, Melanie Morgan, Gordie Sampson, Catherine MacLellan and Amelia Curran. (Photo: Grant W. Matrin Photography)

The songwriters' circle, among the most popular events at the conference, was held on the afternoon of Sunday, March 7, at the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion, and featured stellar songs and stories from Grammy Award winner Gordie Sampson, Catherine MacLellan, Coco Love Alcorn, Amelia Curran and Melanie Morgan.

The SOCAN panel, entitled "Songwriting Royalties and Revenue Streams," was held Friday, March 5, at the Jenu Room of the Membertou Trade & Conference Centre, and moderated by SOCAN's Rodney Murphy. It offered useful information from participants Neville Quinlan of Peermusic Publishing and Sheri Jones of Jones & Co. Artist Management.

The opening reception (co-sponsored by the ECMAs and the Australasian Performing Rights Association [APRA]) was held the evening of Thursday, March 4, also at the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion, and kicked off the week's events in grand style.