Rush Awarded International Achievement Award At SOCAN Gala

Rush Scores of Canadian songwriters, composers and music publishers were among the throng of guests at this year’s 20th 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. Toronto rockers Rush walked away with the the International Achievement Award , which is given to a Canadian artist who has brought international recognition to Canada through their music in 2008.

Rush just finished touring for their new live album, Snakes and Arrows Live. The band are experiencing a comeback with their appearance in the movie I Love You Man, as well as the availability of their songs for Guitar Hero.

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.

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.

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.

The complete list of winners is available on the SOCAN website.