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Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame launched with “incredible” gala

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PUBLISHED BY: Music Publisher Canada

CMPA members basked in the glory of a job well done Dec. 3 as they joined in a celebration concert staged to induct the first members of The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame/Panthéon des Auteurs et Compositeurs Canadiens.

What started in 1998 as a dream for music publisher Frank Davies is now a dream come true thanks to start-up funding from the CMPA and to the co-founding efforts of the Songwriters Association of Canada (SAC).

“Songwriting is the purest, most expressive and essential part of our music industry,” noted Davies in the event program. “Let the songwriters never be forgotten because their songs never will.” Gordon Lightfoot, Félix Leclerc, Hank Snow, Madame Bolduc and Alfred Bryan were among the first writers (and songs) to be recognized. A cast of 44 performers gave voice to those songs in a joyous concert at To r o n t o ’s Glenn Gould
Theatre (later broadcast on CBC Radio). To m Cochrane, Blue Rodeo, Sylvia Tyson , Ron Sexsmith, Molly Johnson, Marc Jordan, Audrey de Montigny, Sarah Slean, Yves Lambert and Measha Brüeggergosman were among the entertainers paying tribute.

A glittering who’s who of the music industry rubbed shoulders at a pre-show reception. Music publishers in attendance included Robert Ott (BMG), Michael McCarty (EMI), Diane Pinet (Bloc-Notes), Tony Tobias (Pangaea Music House), George Ullman (Counterpoint), Jodie Ferneyhough (UMPG), Pegi Cecconi (Anthem Entertainment), Barb Sedun (EMI), Jennifer Beavis (Nettwerk Songs), Vivian Barclay ( Warner/Chappell), Janet Baker (Sony/AT V ) , Aideen O’Brien (Carlin), Neville Quinlan (peer) and David Basskin (CMRRA), among others.

“The inaugural induction ceremony was an incredible event,” says CMPA President Robert Ott. “The CMPA congratulates Frank Davies and his team for their extraordinary achievement, and all the inductees on their well-deserved honours. Canada is home to some of the greatest songwriters in the world and they have added immeasurably to the world music fabric.”

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