Oscar Peterson continues to be recognized and collect awards almost a year following his death at age 82 last Dec. The jazz giant was recognized last night with a Special Achievement award for his contributions to Canada’s music at the 19th annual SOCAN Awards, held at the Carlu in Toronto.

The award was accepted by Peterson’s widow Kelly; and The Hagood Hardy Jazz Music award was handed to guitarist Brian Hughes by the “The Homecoming” composer’s widow, Martha.

Also earning special recognition were Ray Griff (see separate story), for a second time Nickelback was recipient of the International Achievement award, and celebrated Newfoundland songwriter Ron Hynes -  who performed “Sonny’s Dream,” a mother’s lament to the loss of a wayward seafaring husband and her boy’s dreams to leave his remote and futureless homestead – with a National Achievement award.

“Oh, Sonny don’t go away, I am here all alone, And your daddy’s a sailor who never comes home, And the nights get so long and the silence goes on, And I’m feeling so tired, I’m not all that strong.”  – @ Ron Hynes, “Sonny’s Lament”

John Capek, Dan Hill

The awards, co-hosted by television composer Rob Carlie, rapper Abdominal and country star George Canyon, also featured indie hotshots the Weakerthans performing “Civil Twilight” and “Night Wndows.” Early on in the 180-minute gala,  SOCAN chief executive Andre LeBel explained that “the awards are about recognizing and celebrating Canadian success stories” and every artist accepting a trophy last night went out of their way in acknowledging their appreciation for the organization that provides quarterly cheques in payment for the public use of their works.  Accepting the Folk/Roots award, David Francey raised a chuckle across the room when he drolly noted that the CAA and SOCAN are the only two organizations that do what they say they will.

K-OS

The annual gala event may serve to honour Canada’s success stories but it also serves as a summit meeting for the engine that drives the music industry–namely songwriters and composers, and the song pluggers and music publishers who  find ways to merchandise the copyrights in an increasingly complex world.

Speaking off-stage, Tom Cochrane, with multiple platinum and gold albums, said even with six-million album sales, his real income has always been derived from touring, merchandising and song royalties. He said payment from iTunes and other online retailers falls into a black hole in record companies.

“Unless you own your own masters…we don’t see much,” Cochrane stated.  Hynes seemed unmoved by the new technologies, noting that much of Newfoundland is still without internet access.  He related, “I sell most of my albums from the stage I play on.”

Asked if the decline in album sales and the complexities of the new business models were enervating, Hynes said the artist’s job is to get up in the morning and work at writing songs. “It’s not about money. It’s not about awards. Our job is to get up in the morning and work at creating (songs).”

Awards for the most played songs on Canadian radio in 2007:
In the Pop music category, Avril Lavigne was recognized three times for her songs “Girlfriend,” “Keep Holding On” and “When You’re Gone,” while Nelly Furtado had two songs make the list – “All Good Things Come to an End” and “Say It Right.”

“Everything” by Michael Buble, “Wonderful” by Chantal Kreviazuk, “Love You Lately” by Daniel Powter and “The Music” by David Usher were the other top pop songs.

“Paralyzer” by Finger Eleven was the top rock song in 2007, “Sunday Morning” by k-os was the top Urban music song, David Francey was the most played in the Folk/Roots category and Jack Grunsky logged  the greatest number of performances in the Children’s Music category.

“Life Is a Highway,” performed by Rascall Flats, “Pickup Truck” by Shane Yellowbird and “Cheaper to Keep Her” by Aaron Lines were honoured for being the most played Country songs in 2007.

The society also recognized songs that have been played 100,000 times on Canadian radio, including six by the Barenaked Ladies: “Falling for the First Time,” “It’s All Been Done,” “Jane,” “If I Had a Million Dollars,” “Pinch Me” and “One Week.”

Amanda Marshall’s “Believe in You,” “Everybody’s Got a Story,” “Love Lift Me” and “Sitting on Top of the World” recently passed the milestone, as did a trio of  Leonard Cohen’s song performances: “Ain’t No Cure,” “First We Take Manhattan” and “Suzanne.”

Men Without Hats had two songs on the list, “Pop Goes the World” and “Safety Dance,” while BTO made the list with “Blue Collar” and “Roll on Down the Highway” and Dan Hill with “Carmelia” and “Never Thought.”

“She’s So High” by Tal Bachman, “Constant Craving” by k.d. lang, “Dream Come True” by Frozen Ghost, “When I’m With You” by Sheriff, “Superman’s Song” by Crash Test Dummies and (the Dan Hill penned) “I Do (Cherish You)” by 98 Degrees also made the list.

Bachman said he was humbled by being in the same company as so many musical legends and thrilled about having written a song with enduring appeal. “It sort of makes me reflect about the day I wrote that song – I feel pretty fortunate,” Bachman said. It can take a lot of luck for even the best songs to ever get played, he added. Bachman is himself the son of the legendary Randy Bachman.

SOCAN will recognize francophone music creators and publishers at an awards gala in Montreal on Nov. 25.

A complete list of winners can be found by linking to the SOCAN site.

Picture credits: Grant W. Martin Photography