Country music was the resounding vibe in our city last week as Calgary played host to the 2019 Canadian Country Music Awards for the first time since 2005. Myriad events took place prior to the awards show on Sept. 8 in the Saddledome, but for country music legends Ian Tyson and Sylvia Tyson, one event will stand out. On Sept. 5, each was honoured with their own plaque in the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame at Studio Bell.
“Ian & Sylvia were pioneers of the singer-songwriter movement — a genre firmly established today because of their leadership,” said Vanessa Thomas, executive director of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. “As a performing duo, they were superb, and it was apparent through their second album that they wanted to announce their strong individual songwriting skills as well, which continued to drive their authenticity throughout their music careers spanning more than six decades.”
“As the official home of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, the National Music Centre is excited to welcome these latest inductees during Country Music Week,” said Andrew Mosker, president and CEO, National Music Centre. “Ian and Sylvia are indisputable folk and country songwriting legends, whose inspiring legacies will be celebrated at Studio Bell in Calgary.”
Ian and Sylvia join an illustrious list of previous inductees including: the Barenaked Ladies; Bruce Cockburn; Sarah McLachlan; Buffy Sainte-Marie; Tom Cochrane; Burton Cummings; Bob Ezrin; Randy Bachman; and The Tragically Hip to name a few.
The induction ceremony featured performances from both songwriters as well as a preview of newly discovered music and never-before-heard versions of their classics prior to the official release of Ian & Sylvia The Lost Tapes.
After the induction ceremony, the select group of guests in attendance gathered on the main floor of Studio Bell to take in the CCMA Industry Reception. Among those in attendance were: Studio Bell director Cam Crawford and his wife Donna Crawford; SOCAN CEO Eric Baptiste; Kristy Fletcher, executive director of MusiCounts; Jackie Rae Greening, Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductee; Leela Aheer, Alberta Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women; JUNO Award winner Corb Lund; National Music Centre director of development Elizabeth Reade; CCMA president Tracy Martin; Tourism Calgary’s Jeff Daniels; National Music Centre senior publicist Julijana Capone; and artists Lauren Mayell, The Washboard Union, Meghan Patrick, Leah Daniels, Chris Labelle and Beamer.
With files from National Music Centre
Pictured at the Canadian Country Music Awards Industry Reception Sept. 5 at Studio Bell are Andrew Mosker, National Music Centre president and CEO; with Leela Aheer, Alberta Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women (left) and artist Lauren Mayell. Photos, Bill Brooks
Bill Brooks /
Bill Brooks
Pictured from left at the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) Industry Reception are CCMA president Tracy Martin, with Tourism Calgary’s Jeff Daniels.
Bill Brooks /
Bill Brooks
Pictured with legendary singer-songwriter Ian Tyson at the celebration ceremony is award-winning Alberta singer-songwriter Corb Lund. Sylvia Tyson was also honoured this day with her own plaque.
Bill Brooks /
Bill Brooks
Studio Bell director Cam Crawford and his wife Donna at the Canadian Country Music Awards Industry Reception.
Bill Brooks /
Bill Brooks
Pictured with legendary singer-songwriter Sylvia Tyson (second from left) at the celebration are Vanessa Thomas, executive director of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Andrew Mosker, president and CEO, National Music Centre.
Bill Brooks /
Bill Brooks
National Music Centre director of development Elizabeth Reade (left) with senior publicist Julijana Capone.
Bill Brooks /
Bill Brooks
