Canadian Musician - May/June 2017 | Page 15

SOCAN & SODRAC Discussing Combining Operations THE award goes to... DANIELLE BOURJEAURD CCMA Discovery Program Names 2017 Finalists The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) has announced the top six finalists of the 2017 CCMA Discovery Program: Danielle Bourjeaurd (Ontario); Jesse Gold (Ontario); Kalsey Kulyk (Alberta); Steph La Rochelle (Ontario); Shylo Sharity (British Columbia); and Sons of Daughters (British Columbia). Now in its fifth year, this national initiative was created to educate and sup- port Canadian country artists as they pursue a career in the industry. The 2017 CCMA Discovery Program finalists are heading to Toronto for Music Industry Discovery Week for various educational opportunities. The week culminates with an industry- only showcase. Each finalist will also be paired with an established Canadian country artist for a mentorship program. Finally, they will perform at a public CCMA Discovery Showcase during PotashCorp Country Music Week 2017 in Saskatoon, SK, where an industry-led jury will help to select the winner. For more information, contact the CCMA: 416-947-1331, [email protected], www.ccma.org. W W W. C A N A D I A N M U S I C I A N . CO M SOCAN and SODRAC are actively dis- cussing the possibility of combining operations with the aim of creat- ing an integrated approach to the management of both performing rights and reproduction rights for songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The organizations say this initiative is a proactive response to the transformation of the markets and modes of consumption of music, most notably streaming. SOCAN and SODRAC say the inte- gration of the management of public performance rights and reproduc- tion rights could have many advan- tages and would reduce operating costs for rights holder members of each organization. Any agreement is subject to the approval of both boards, but the or- ganizations say an agreement could be reached in the near future. C A N A D I A N M U S I C I A N • 15