Carolyn Dawn Johnson (right) performs at the SOCAN Songwriters' Café during Canadian Country Music Week 2011 while the members of One More Girl listen. (Photo: Grant Martin Photography)

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. 12, 2011, in Hamilton – drew more than 1,000 enthusiastic listeners over three afternoons to The Studio Theatre at Hamilton Place.

Among those SOCAN members who performed from Sept. 9-11 were hosts Caroyln Dawn Johnson, Victoria Banks and Jake Mathews, as well as Ridley Bent, Lisa McCallum, Aaron Lines, The Heartbroken, Gil Grand, Tebey, The Jeffersons and Tenille.

Introducing his song "'Crooked and Loaded, "Ridley Bent allowed? that he "wanted to write a song that ended in a gunfight." Aaron Lines said that he knew that his song "Cheaper to Keep Her" was a hit when his Dad used it as his ringtone. On Sept. 11, Carolyn Dawn Johnson performed a song in honor of 9-11 called "Just Another Plane," mentioning that the last time she performed it was 10 years ago at the benefit show that the CCMAs put together while everyone was stranded in Calgary.

SOCAN Education & Outreach Manager Rodney Murphy moderated a panel called "Get in the Van: Touring for the Country Music Artist" on Sept. 10 at Webster Ballroom C in the Hamilton Convention Centre. The panel brought together a wealth of knowledge from touring artists Ridley Bent and Ryan Cook; Jack Ross, founding partner of The Agency Group booking agents; and promoter/talent buyer Larry Werner, who books the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, Alta.

Dean Brody wins the Songwriter of the Year award at the CCMAs gala dinner awards show on Sept. 11, 2011. (Photo: Grant Martin Photography)

Dean Brody won the Songwriter of the Year award, for “Trail in Life,” at a CCMA gala dinner awards show on Sept. 11 at the Convention Centre. The next night, at the televised evening of the CCMAs live from Copps Coliseum, Brody took home two more trophies, for Single of the Year (for the same song) and Album of the Year (for the album of the same name). Brody said he was especially proud of the songwriting award, because that's what he started out doing, and offered heartfelt thanks to his wife Iris for supporting him through the challenging struggles of his career.

Johnny Reid also won three awards: the Fans’ Choice honour, Male Artist of the Year and the CMT Video of the Year, for “Today I’m Gonna Try and Change the World.” For a complete list of winners, visit the CCMA website.