Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame: Sarah McLachlan and Tom Cochrane inducted – National
As Sarah McLachlan, Thomas Cochrane and the members of Blue Rodeo were introduced into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame On Saturday, everyone took a moment to recognize that writing great music usually comes with an incredible struggle.
“Writing is often a solitary and isolating activity,” McLachlan told the audience at Toronto’s Massey Hall in his speech.
“But for me, it’s also extremely cathartic.”
Sarah McLachlan delivers a speech at the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony at Massey Hall in Toronto on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
Paige Taylor White/The Canadian Press
His sentiments were shared by Cochrane, who recognized that songwriting steals precious years from the people around its creators. He thanked his daughters for their patience with him.
But the Life is a highway The writer suggested that the creative process often leads to miracles.
“Songs have a beginning and an end – like lives,” he said. “And like the people we love, we don’t forget them.”
Tom Cochrane delivers a speech at the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Massey Hall in Toronto on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
Paige Taylor White/The Canadian Press
All of the inductees’ famous tunes punctuated an evening show that had fans dancing from their seats while Sam Roberts, Metric and Lights joined others in tributes that cut through the emotions.
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Husband-and-wife duo Whitehorse delivered a dark electro-acoustic version of McLachlan Sweet surrender while a barefoot Brett Emmons of the Glorious Sons threw his voice into a woeful version of Cochrane’s book. Great League.
Nelly Furtado opened up about how McLachlan inspired her early in her career as they toured one of Lilith Fair’s tours. She also praised McLachlan’s tireless efforts in raising funds for various charities.
The two men finished by performing a harmonious duet of Angel with Furtado standing by McLachlan’s piano.
In addition to deeper reflections on the creative struggle, the evening offered a healthy dose of humor, particularly regarding the induction of Blue Rodeo songwriters Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor.
Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies, appearing in a video message, likened the couple to being as inseparable as maple syrup and pancakes.
Keelor continued to joke as he took the podium with a thick notepad of his handwritten speech. He assured the crowd that it wasn’t as long as it seemed.
Shortly after, he pointed at McLachlan as she watched the crowd next to her daughter Taja.
“I once said, a long time ago, that when I die, I want Sarah McLachlan to sing at my grave,” he said.
“So I think I’m going to die in my place tonight.”
Country artists Tim Hicks and Tenille Townes performed a colorful and literal tribute to Blue Rodeo.
When they take the stage to sing a growling version Until I’m myself again, both were dressed in blue – Hicks in a blue denim jacket and Townes in blue leather pants.
Toronto singer Ahi toasted the country-rock group with a bluesy version To try this earned praise from Cuddy as he launched into his induction speech.
The Blue Rodeo frontman said the whole celebration was overwhelming in some ways. He thanked his wife, actress Rena Polley, for her unwavering support.
“Every time we go to a concert, or every time I play him a record, I’m still surprised by all his enthusiasm, I really think after 40 years? It’s incredible,” he said.
Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor of Blue Rodeo perform together at the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Massey Hall in Toronto on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
Paige Taylor White/The Canadian Press
Other highlights of the evening included French-Canadian singer La Zara, who represented France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. She was among the artists who toasted Quebec singer Diane Tell with a rendition steamy from his 1981 song. If I were a manwhich translates to “If I were a man”.
In accepting her honor, Tell recalled that she had written about fifty songs when she was barely a teenager and sang them “for anyone who would listen.”
She said that songwriting was invaluable in her life and that the words she wrote were so important to her that even in her early days she felt “like owning my music and protecting it from industry “.
“These songs are my anchor,” she added.
Gary LeVox of Nashville’s Rascal Flatts closed out the evening by joining Cochrane holding a harmonica on Life is a highway. During the song, all the artists of the evening returned to the stage to perform together.
“You always hope and pray that one of your songs will be timeless,” LeVox said of being at Cochrane’s induction.
“And good songs like that get rewarded.”
© 2024 The Canadian Press
