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Scores of Canadian songwriters, composers and music publishers were among the throng of guests at this year’s 20^th annual SOCAN Awards gala, held Nov. 23 at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, celebrating the wide-ranging success of Canada’s music creators over the past year. The show was hosted jointly by country singer-songwriter Carolyn Dawn Johnson, East Coast troubadour David Myles and veteran songsmith Barney Bentall, and kicked off with a knockout performance by Hispanic-Canadian artist Alex Cuba, who won the Hagood Hardy Music Award for excellence in jazz, instrumental or world music.

SOCAN president Earl Rosen welcomed all the attendees with a reminder that we can look back on a year that gave considerable cause to celebrate, in spite of the economic downturn. He noted that SOCAN members can collectively rejoice in the fact that in 2009 and 2010, the organization will begin to distribute revenue for digital uses, 15 years after SOCAN filed its first Internet tariff with the Copyright Board of Canada.

Legendary Canadian songwriter and recording artist Stompin' Tom Connors captured SOCAN’s top honour, taking home the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his impressive repertoire celebrating the history, people and places of Canada – some of the best-known songs including "Big Joe Mufferaw," "Bud the Spud" and "The Good Old Hockey Game." His place in Canadian music has been cemented with numerous awards, honourary doctorates and his recognition as an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Stompin' Tom Connors captured SOCAN’s top honour, the Lifetime Achievement Award. (Photo: Grant W. Martin Photography)

“Somebody’s trying to get rid of me,” the 73-year-old joked in accepting the award for his life’s work, “but I’m telling you I’m coming back again and again. Fifty albums!? There’s going to be 50 more if you let me go.”

RUSH, the mega-successful Toronto progressive rock band, won the International Achievement Award, while legendary Nova Scotian Rita MacNeil was fêted with the National Achievement Award. “Songwriting has been an incredible journey for me and this is truly a great honour,” she said, adding how “flattered” she was to have her photo taken with the members of Hedley.

Veteran journalist, publicist, concert promoter and artist manager Richard Flohil was the recipient of this year’s Special Achievement Award, in recognition of his unwavering role as a guiding presence in the lives and careers of countless songwriters and musicians.

Other highlights of the show included a standout performance by Toronto rapper D-Sisive, playing the song that won him the 2009 ECHO Songwriting Prize, "Nobody with a Notepad"; a medley of award-winning songs "Complicated," "Big League" and "Beautiful Life" performed by Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Doc Walker; a heartfelt serenade by a guitar-wielding Johnson to SOCAN CEO André LeBel, who is retiring in spring 2010; and a tribute to Stompin' Tom Connors by Barney Bentall and Russell deCarle.

The Pop/Rock Music Awards category included honours for songwriter, producer and Philosopher Kings keyboard player Jon Levine; the members of rock bands Finger Eleven and Hedley (along with Hedley producers Greig Nori and Dave Genn); and pop songstress Feist, along with her co-writer Sally Seltmann (APRA).

Multiple award winners were honoured during the evening in the category of SOCAN Classics, for songs that have reached the impressive 100,000-airplay mark. They included country artist Carolyn Dawn Johnson, who won two awards; longtime rocker Tom Cochrane, who was recognized for no less than five hit songs; the songwriting members of West Coast band 54•40, who earned two trophies; and veteran songwriter Marc Jordan, who earned one award for a solo composition, and one for a co-write with John Capek.