September 14, 2009
SOCAN members Axon, Mason win Toronto Song Contest
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| Left to right: Singer Neil Donnell, songwriter George Axon, Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone and songwriter Aidan Mason celebrate as Axon and Mason are awarded the grand prize in the Toronto Song Contest. (Photo: Courtesy of the City of Toronto) |
SOCAN members George Axon and Aidan Mason were named the winners of the Toronto Song Contest on Aug. 31, 2009, and awarded the grand prize of $5,000. Their song "Love to Live in Toronto" was penned to celebrate the city's 175th anniversary. Both veteran musicians and professional songwriters, Axon and Mason have written songs, jingles, and television and theatre themes for everyone from Anne Murray to Countrystyle Donuts.
The live finale performance took place at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), where all 10 finalists performed their original songs. The other nine finalists in the Toronto Song Contest were:
- "My City’s Alive" by Major Music Productions (featuring Terrance Cross)
- "The Toronto Song" by Mr. Leverty & the TDSB All-Stars
- "City Glow" by Shobha
- "A World in One City" by Kevin “MAK” Watson
- "Electrify Toronto" by Lynzie Kent (featuring Maya Chilton and Constant Bernard)
- "T.Ode" by Abdominal and the Obliques (featuring Notes to Self)
- "One Hundred & Seventy Five" by the Bradleys
- "Toronto is My Home" by Matt Hutch
- "The Toronto We Know" by Lynn Harrison and David Leask
About 25,000 votes were submitted online by Torontonians in support of their favourite song, the results of which constituted 20 percent of the final decision. The remaining votes were cast by celebrity judges: Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone; co-host of CP24 Breakfast Matte Babel; Etalk reporter Traci Melchor; and managing director of North By Northeast Music & Film Festival and Conference (NXNE) Andy McLean.
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