Presented by TD Canada Trust, the fourth Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on January 28, 2007 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre’s John Bassett Theatre.
The event honoured Modern Era Inductees Joni Mitchell and Jean-Pierre Ferland, as well as 25 classic songs by some of Canada’s most influential songwriters and two Legacy Award recipients.
Hosted by CBC’s Andrew Craig and Radio-Canada’s Sophie duRocher, the ceremony featured a haunting rendition of Joni Mitchell’s Woodstock by James Taylor, and a breathtaking interpretation of Both Sides Now by Measha Brueggergosman. Herbie Hancock and Chaka Khan performed a funk version of Help Me and host Andrew Craig led a crowd sing-along of Big Yellow Taxi.
Quebec icon Jean-Pierre Ferland was paid tribute to by Patrick Bruel, who performed Je reviens chez nous; Laurence Jalbert and Mario Pelchat who sang an enchanting duet of T’es mon amour, t’es ma maîtresse; and by superstar Isabelle Boulay who performed Un peu plus haut, un peu plus loin.
The CSHF presented the Frank Davies Legacy Award, named after the founder of the CSHF, to Montreal impresario Sam Gesser. The CMPA (Canadian Music Publishers Association) Legacy Award was given to prolific songwriter and performer Henry Burr.
Michael Bublé delivered a swinging version of Ralph Freed and Burton Lane’s How About You?; Jim Cuddy and Oh Susanna interpreted Sylvia Tyson’s You Were On My Mind; David Clayton-Thomas entertained with his hit song Spinning Wheel; Calgary’s Corb Lund sang Wilf Carter’s popular country song There’s A Love Knot In My Lariat; and East Coast country music star George Canyon gave a moving rendition of Carter’s My Old Canadian Home.
The event was aired nationwide on January 29, 2007 by broadcast partner CBC, both on Radio One and Radio Two. It was featured that same week on Espace Musique in Quebec. A one-hour television special was broadcast nationally by CBC Television on March 5, 2007.