04/26/2012
The Termination of the Creators Assistance Program
A letter from Eddie Schwartz addressing recent changes to S.A.C. funding.
04/20/2012
SOCAN Elections 2012 S.A.C.'s recommendations
S.A.C.'s recommendations
03/01/2012
S.A.C. Member Wins Songwriting Competition
Infomaniac, a song co-written by Mississauga-based singer-songwriter David Leask and Toronto-based singer-songwriter Robert Davis has won 1st Prize in the Comedy / Novelty Category of the 17th Annual USA Songwriting Competition.
02/09/2012
SOCAN Moves to Strengthen Canadian Songwriter Hall of Fame
SOCAN announced that it has acquired the assets of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF).
01/31/2012
Unpaid Mechanical and Video Royalties Class Action claims process begins on February 3rd
Unpaid Mechanical and Video Royalties Class Action claims process begins on February 3rd – The settlement administrator for the Unpaid Mechanical and Video Royalties Class Action has established a searchable web-based system in order to facilitate the individual claims process for class members. The claims website (www.cmrrasodrac.ca) will be accessible as of February 3, 2012.
01/17/2012
Eddie Schwartz interviewed on Music File Sharing
Songwriters Association of Canada President Eddie Schwartz spoke with Vanessa Purdy at Toronto CIUT FM89.5 on December 14, 2011 about the S.A.C.'s music file-sharing proposal.
01/05/2012
S.A.C. launches BIG CHALLENGE
Music Success In Nine Weeks
Author Ariel Hyatt &
Songwriters Association Of Canada Announce the Canadian Songwriters Social Media Challenge for Career Driven Musicians
12/07/2011
Exclusive CMW Discount for S.A.C. Members
09/23/2011
Important Notice: Hearing Date Set for Approval of Class Counsel Fees
On October 27th, 2011 at 9:00am, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice will be asked to approve the request of Class Counsel for payment of their fees, applicable taxes and disbursements from the Settlement Fund in the unpaid mechanical and video royalties class action case.
09/08/2011
New Songwriters' Workshop Under Way
A free workshop that is happening across the country to help aspiring artists and songwriters to learn about the art and business of songwriting.
09/06/2011
ArtsCan Information Webinar (Taped)
ArtsCan Circle brings creative artists to remote northern communities to serve and inspire indigenous at-risk youth. We were pleased to have Executive Director Carol Teal, visit the S.A.C. Writers Room to conduct a webinar to inform artists of their meaningful work.
08/18/2011
Canadians Score Australian No. 1
Winnipeg songwriters Chris Burke-Gaffney and Keith Macpherson have scored their first #1 hit in Australia. The duo collaborated with Australia’s Jetty Road’s on the song “Serves You Right.” The single officially topped the Aussie country chart.
07/19/2011
CRIA rebrands as "Music Canada"
Previously focused on copyright reform, the CRIA is evolving to encompass a broader focus in order to support the rebuilding of the marketplace, and to champion a reinvented music industry.
06/24/2011
Promo Opportunity for Songwriters
The Songwriters Association of Canada is putting together a reference issue of the Songwriters Magazine.
06/23/2011
S.A.C. Announcement
An important announcement
06/16/2011
Vancouver Island Music Business Conference
A multi-genre event, the Vancouver Island Music Business Conference (VIMBC) first came to be in 2008 after Susie McGregor and Andrew Lorimer (transplanted Vancouverites who run a music production company in Comox) realized that a large majority of the singers, songwriters and musicians who were coming through their recording studio, although extremely talented, had an amazing lack of knowledge about the business of music - especially the roles of SOCAN, FACTOR, publishers, what "copyright" means
06/08/2011
Songworks Returns to Manitoba
The Songwriters Association of Canada and Manitoba Music are bringing Songworks, a collaborative songwriting session, back to Manitoba
06/07/2011
Copyright Reform Principles Set by CCC
On the eve of Parliament’s return, a group representing more than 100,000 professional creators has laid out key principles and suggestions to guide the government as it prepares new copyright legislation. The practical ideas being offered will help unleash the full creative and economic potential of Canadian artists, writers, photographers, visual artists, directors, composers, musicians and performers.
06/06/2011
Settlement Approved in Unpaid Mechanical and Video Royalties Class Action
On May 30, 2011, the settlement agreements reached with Sony, EMI, Universal, Warner, CMRRA and SODRAC in respect of unpaid mechanical and video royalties were approved by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Please visit www.pendinglistssettlement.com to view the Court Approved Notice of Certification and Settlement Approval.
06/02/2011
2011 Islands Songwriting Contest
The 2011 Islands Song Contest has begun. The theme of the contest this year is Music and Community. You must be a full time resident of Vancouver Island or the Gulf Islands
06/02/2011
Want to Perform with Rascal Flatts, Sara Evans and Easton Corbin?
Want Your Big Break this Summer? Want to Perform with Rascal Flatts, Sara Evans and Easton Corbin? Now one lucky Canadian band can make this dream a reality by entering Capital Hoedown Showdown!
05/24/2011
Aeromiles for ArtsCan Circle
Once a year, Aeroplan offers ArtsCan Circle the opportunity to collect donated Aeroplan Miles during the month of May. Your donated Aeroplan Miles will help us to fly an ArtsCan Circle artist or musician into a remote community to provide workshops for children and youth at risk.
05/17/2011
S.A.C. Annual General Meeting
Toronto, Ontario, Canada (May 16, 2011) - The Songwriters Association of Canada (S.A.C.) is pleased to announce their Annual General Meeting will be held in Toronto, ON, June 20, 2011 at 7pm.
05/04/2011
CIRAA Live Performance Grant
Each month, CIRAA members will be eligible to receive a $100 micro-grant for each gig that they have played during the past calendar month, with a maximum of $1,200 in Groundbreaker Grants per artist per year. CIRAA members will only have to fill out a simple online application form providing details of each gig, and they are then entered into the group of members from which twenty winners will be selected in a lottery draw every month. The lottery draw will be held at 4 pm on the next business
05/04/2011
Auditions for Songwriters at the Waterfront
Reserve your audition spot!
Call Ron Beer at 905-668-2646
or email ronbeer@rogers.com
05/04/2011
Profiting from Piracy
Canadian Music Week and CAAMA provide a summary and analysis of discussions based on a forum held in March in Toronto which included 170 international music industry leaders.
04/26/2011
Bluebird North All Star Edition in Toronto
This very special BLUEBIRD NORTH 'ALL STAR EDITION' features legendary songwriters Dan Hill, Jane Siberry and Marc Jordan, joined by such accomplished and emerging songwriters as Ann Vriend, Melanie Doane and Suzie McNeil. Singer-songwriter Blair Packham will serve as host for this very special songwriter's circle.
04/12/2011
Politician Apologizes Re: Copyright on Youtube
American genius David Byrne recently settled his copyright complaint against former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who used a Talking Heads
song without permission in his U.S. Senate campaign, by making Crist film this 90-second abject apology and post it to YouTube.
04/11/2011
Home County’s Great Canadian Haiku Contest
Home County Folk Festival in London Ontario is launching a national Great Canadian Haiku Contest. The contest is sponsored by Blackburn Radio Inc’s soon to launch radio station
98.1 free FM, with support from 94.9 CHRW, London's Independent Radio Station and CBC Radio 3. The Canadian public is invited to submit a haiku about a great Canadian – person, place or thing (‘great’ could mean famous, obscure and/or personally relevant in the eyes of the writer).
04/06/2011
S.A.C. in the Schools – Juno Week
This initiative offered young people information about the art, craft and business of the music industry from great Canadian songwriters and artists. The project promoted literacy and music education to over 500 elementary and secondary school students during the week leading up to the 40th anniversary gala awards show on March 27th, 2011.
03/29/2011
Dan Hill's Stolen Juno
Dan Hill discovers his Juno was stolen.
03/17/2011
World Copyright Summit 2011
The World Copyright Summit is a truly international and cross-industry event addressing the future of the creative community and the entertainment business in the digital economy.
03/09/2011
Young Performers Program at Winnipeg Folk Fest
Open to emerging musicians aged 14 to 24, the Galaxie Young Performers Program offers a day of workshops and mentoring with professional musicians performing at the festival and a chance to perform on-stage at the 2011 Winnipeg Folk Festival.
03/07/2011
World Premiere: Toronto Rock Documentary
YONGE STREET - Toronto Rock & Roll Stories tells the untold tales of those first steps, with performers revealing, in their own words, their struggles trying to make the scene on Yonge Street, from Rock & Roll's dodgy beginnings in the late 1950s through to 1975, when strip clubs took over Yonge Street and dropped the curtain on this most exciting era of the city's musical and social history.
02/22/2011
CMW Songwriters' Summit (Members get 50% off)
The Songwriters’ Summit 2011 provides a networking environment and educational opportunity for attending songwriters, lyricists, composers, music creators, publishers and more.
02/08/2011
Allison Outhit Appointed VP Operations of FACTOR
FACTOR's President, Duncan McKie, announced today the appointment of a new senior executive as part of FACTOR's ongoing organizational transition process. Ms. Allison Outhit, currently an executive with Outside Music in Toronto, will join the company on February 14th, as Vice President of Operations.
01/26/2011
Professional Development Discount for S.A.C. Members
Exclusive discount for S.A.C. Members for the Harris Institute Professional Development Program
01/19/2011
2011 Triple Play Songwriting Competition
Local music industry guru Robbie Hancock, Owner of RJ Entertainment www.rjentertainment.ca is excited to announce that registration is open for the 2011 Triple Play Song Writing Competitions. These unique community events are about bringing songwriters out of the woodwork and onto the stage.
01/10/2011
Notice to Our Members – Settlement Reached in Unpaid Mechanical and Video Royalties and Copyright Infringement Class Action
A class action settlement has been reached with Sony, EMI, Universal, Warner, CMRRA and SODRAC in respect of unpaid mechanical and video royalties. Please click here to view link to the legal notice.
12/06/2010
The Creators’ Copyright Coalition proposes reforms to Bill C-32
Proposed reforms to Canada’s copyright law will turn core principles of copyright on their head and gut protections that for decades helped ensure the economic survival of Canadian artists, writers, photographers, visual artists, directors, composers, musicians and performers, a group representing more than 100,000 professional creators said in a paper released today. The CCC proposes six changes to proposed reforms that disadvantage Canadian creators.
11/30/2010
2011 Folk Alliance Conference Early Bird and Showcase Deadline Dec. 2
The 24th Annual International Folk Alliance Conference is slated for February 16-20, 2011 in Memphis, Tennessee. However, financial savings are in the offing through early-bird registration that is open through Dec. 2, while forms also are available on the Folk Alliance International website (www..folk.org) for performing artists to apply for Performance Alley official showcase opportunities.
11/30/2010
The Day the Music Died. "Bill C-32: New Copyright Legislation Leaves Songwriters and Artists Out in the Cold, Says Canada's Largest Music Publisher."
As Bill C-32, the legislation to amend Canada's outdated Copyright Act, moves toward further study by a Parliamentary Committee in the coming weeks, Michael McCarty, President of ole, Canada's largest music publisher, warns that the legislation, as it stands, leaves songwriters and artists out of the value chain without any effective tools to defend their rights and get paid.
11/15/2010
FACTOR Announces New President
FACTOR is pleased to announce that Duncan McKie will assume the role of President of the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR) effective December 13, 2010. Duncan replaces Heather Ostertag who retired from her position in June of 2010. Mr. McKie has been the President/CEO of The Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) since June 2007.
11/08/2010
Astral Radio's RadioStar National Songwriting Competition Accepting Entries
Canadian Radio Star, the 18th annual national songwriting competition, is now accepting entries and online submissions from aspiring and proficient songwriters - published or unpublished - across the country. Sponsored by Astral Radio, and presented in association with Canadian Music Week, the contest offers emerging artists the opportunity to submit their songs for the chance to win thousands worth in music equipment, services and more - including $10,000 in cash.
11/02/2010
Eating Disorders Awareness Song Contest
Express your identity beyond measure and win a trip to Vancouver to record your song at FadarMaster Studios (www.fadermaster.com). The winning song will open, “No Numbers:Identity beyond measure”, and premiere at screenings across North America during Eating Disorder Awareness Week, February 2011. The winner will be selected by our panel of celebrity judges Patrick Gallagher, Coach Ken Tanaka of GLEE, actor and musician Ryan Robbins from SANCTUARY, and composer Hildegard Westerkamp who’s music
10/27/2010
Taylor Mitchell Commemorated by Her Mother
In memory of her daughter Taylor Mitchell, the burgeoning Canadian songwriter who died October 28, 2009 from a coyote attack while hiking in Cape Breton, Emily Mitchell has established the Taylor Mitchell Legacy Trust and a partnership with the David Suzuki Foundation.
10/08/2010
Urban X-Posure Music Lab (for aspiring cultural entrepreneurs)
This comprehensive music lab series will take aspiring cultural entrepreneurs from genesis to revelation, building a blueprint toward a solid foundation and a sustainable career in the ever-changing music industry!
09/20/2010
S.A.C. Member lands on David Suzuki's Playlist for the Planet
Berna-Dean Holland was amongst 600 original entries that submitted to be a part of David Suzuki's Playlist for the Planet. Over 10,000 people voted and her song, "Black Gold" was chosen for Alberta.
09/09/2010
Songs and the Stories Behind Them
For every song, there is a story. For a handful of talented Atlantic Canadian songwriters, these lyrics serve as the soundtracks for their lives, and the experiences of those listening. Join an acclaimed group of East Coast talent for Soundtracks and Stories: Songwriter's Circle presented by the Songwriter's Association of Canada as part of the Music & Image Program at the 30th Annual Atlantic Film Festival.
09/07/2010
Brazil considering monetizing P2P file-sharing
As many of you know, we at the Songwriters Association of Canada have been speaking and writing about monetizing music file-sharing in Canada and around the world over the last three years. Now it appears Brazil may well be the first country in the world to adopt a system to monetize music file-sharing.