Christine Fellows is nominated for two 2011 Western Canadian Music Awards, including the SOCAN-sponsored Songwriter of the Year honours. (Photo: Sheila Spence)

The folllowing nominees have been announced for the SOCAN-sponsored Songwriter of the Year honours at the 2011 Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMAs), set for Oct. 23 at the Yukon Arts Centre in Whitehorse, YT:

       • Christine Fellows – "Mlle. Steno"
       • David Vertesi (of the group Hey Ocean!)– "All Night, All Night, All Night"
       • Donny Parenteau – "Play On"
       • Rob Shapiro, Darren Gusnowsky, Stacie Roper (who together comprise the group Hey Romeo) and Byron Hill – "Searchin’ For You"
       • Jay Semko – "Before You Leave Canada"
       • Romi Mayes – "Ball and Chain"

Most of these songwriters are also nominated in a second category, as follows:
       • Christine Fellows, Multi-Media Award, for her performance film Reliquary/Reliquaire
       • David Vertesi, Pop Recording, for Cardiography
       • Hey Romeo, Country Recording, for That's What I Am
       • Romi Mayes, Roots Solo Recording, for Lucky Tonight

Other double nominees are Chic Gamine, Del Barber, Diana McIntosh, Jordan Cook, Kim Beggs, Peter Hannon, Rah Rah and Steve Dawson. For a full list of nominees, visit the WCMA website.

The WCMAs are part of the 2011 edition of BreakOut West, a SOCAN-sponsored event that runs Oct. 20-23 in Whitehorse, and includes the WCMAs, a three-day conference, two-day music festival and industry awards brunch.