From The 2017 SOCAN Awards

Songwriters, composers and music publishers behind some of the biggest songs in the world gathered in Toronto last night for the 2017 SOCAN Awards. Hosted by Canadian radio and television personality Arisa Cox, best known as the host of Big Brother Canada, the gala ceremony honoured Canada’s music creators and publishers across a wide variety of genres, including Pop, Rock, Film & Television, Urban, Dance, Folk/Roots, Jazz, Country, Classical, and more.

This year, the legendary Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance were honoured, as one of the greatest songwriting teams in music, with the SOCAN Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 35 years of songwriting success and excellence. The SOCAN Cultural Impact Award was presented to Andy Kim for the 1969 hit “Sugar, Sugar,” and world-renowned singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith charmed the audience with his rendition of the classic song.

Former International Achievement Award winner Carly Rae Jepsen was on hand to present SOCAN Classic Awards to Snow and Maestro Fresh Wesbefore they closed the show with a surprise, high-energy performance of their respective massive hits, “Informer” and “Let Your Backbone Slide.”

Also in attendance to receive SOCAN achievement awards were pop/rock superstars Hedley (National Achievement Award), Paul “Nineteen85” Jefferies(Songwriter of the Year Award for his work with international superstar Drake), and Screen Composer of the Year Keith Power, who, in front of movie-clip visuals, performed a live orchestral medley of award-winning film and TV scores.

Click here for a complete list of winners at the 2017 SOCAN Awards in Toronto.

The SOCAN Awards featured an abundance of memorable performances, starting with Derin Falana & Tay of The Remix Project.  Shaun Frank and Delaney Jane discussed the writing of The Chainsmokers’ Billboard chart-topping hit “Closer” before performing the song and Jess Moskaluke gave a brilliant rendition of her JUNO Award-winning “Take Me Home” with cowriter Kelly Archer.  Ruth B delivered a stunning cover of Bryan Adams’s “Heaven” and 2017 JUNO Award winners July Talk dazzled the audience with a heartfelt version of Leonard Cohen’s “If It Be Your Will.”