February 6, 2012 (Toronto) – SOCAN today announced that it has acquired the assets of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF)
“The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame is an important institution that celebrates the successes achieved by Canadian music creators,” said Eric Baptiste, CEO of SOCAN. “The Hall of Fame gives our legendary songwriters and composers the public recognition they deserve. Their creations form not only a cherished part of the fabric of Canadian culture, but also contribute to the economic success of the music industry.”
The objective of the CSHF is to honour, celebrate, and educate Canadians about the outstanding accomplishments of Canadian popular music songwriters and those who have contributed significantly to their legacy. “The Hall of Fame is a great fit for SOCAN as we continue to champion the work of our members coast to coast,” continued Baptiste.
The next step in the transition involves creating a new governance structure and establishing a new board of directors. While SOCAN will now operate the CHSF, its directors will include representatives from Canada’s music industry, including CSHF’s founding partners, the Canadian Music Publishers Association (CMPA) and the Songwriter’s Association of Canada (SAC).
“SOCAN’s new commitment to CSHF recognises the important work CSHF has done, and has still to accomplish, in honouring Canadian songs and songwriters,” said Catharine Saxberg, Executive Director, CMPA. “As a proud founder, CMPA is very excited about the potential to make CSHF even stronger with the resources and talents that SOCAN will contribute under this new agreement.”
“As one of the founding partners, the Songwriters Association of Canada is very pleased to welcome SOCAN’s increased support and involvement in the CSHF,” said Eddie Schwartz, President, S.A.C.
“SOCAN’s commitment ensures that the CSHF will be able to continue honouring the outstanding achievements of Francophone and Anglophone songwriters, and to celebrate this rich and unique musical heritage for many years to come.”
About SOCAN SOCAN is a not-for-profit, member-based organization that represents the Canadian performing rights of more than three-million Canadian and international music creators and publishers. SOCAN is proud to play a leading role in supporting the long-term success of its more than 110,000 Canadian members, and the Canadian music industry overall. SOCAN licenses more than 125,000 businesses in Canada, and distributes royalties to its members and music rights organizations around the world. SOCAN also distributes royalties to its members for the use of their music internationally in collaboration with its peer societies. www.socan.ca
About the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) honours and celebrates Canadian songwriters and those who have dedicated their lives to the legacy of music, and works to educate the public about these achievements. National and non-profit, the CSHF is guided by its own board of directors who comprise both Anglophone and Francophone music creators and publishers, as well as representation from the record industry. In December 2011, SOCAN – the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada acquired the assets of the CSHF. The Hall of Fame’s mandate aligns with SOCAN’s objectives as a songwriter and publisher membershipbased organization. The CSHF continues to be run as a separate organization. www.uatcshf.ca
