Fred Penner, Ian Thornley, Lights, Matt Andersen and Ryan Guldemonnd (Mother Mother) Hit The Juno Songwriters' Circle Stage

Toronto, ON (February 18, 2015) — Considered “the jewel of JUNO Week,” JUNO Songwriters’ Circle features Canada’s most talented singer-songwriters in an intimate performance showcase. Taking place on Sunday, March 15 from 12pm – 2pm (EST) at The Great Hall, Hamilton Place, JUNO Songwriters’ Circle is co-presented by the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers (SOCAN) and Yamaha Canada Music. It will feature Canadian songwriters sharing their songs and the stories behind them.

JUNO Songwriters’ Circle represents a diverse line up of 2015 JUNO Award nominees including: Emmanuel Jal (World Music Album of the Year*), Fred Penner (Children’s Album of the Year), Ian Thornley (Rock Album of the Year*), Jenn Grant (Songwriter of the Year*, Adult Alternative Album of the Year), Lights (Pop Album of the Year*), Matt Andersen (Roots & Traditional Album of the Year: Solo), Ryan Guldemond of Mother Mother (Group of the Year) and Jess Moskaluke (Breakthrough Artist of the Year* and Country Album of the Year)

Tickets to JUNO Songwriters’ Circle are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.ca, and are priced at $39.75 (plus taxes and service charges).

CBCMusic.ca is pleased to broadcast the event in a two-part special on CBC Radio 2. Part One will be broadcast on Friday, March 20 on CBC Radio One at 2:00pm (2:30pm in Newfoundland) and on Monday, March 23 on Radio 2 at 7:00pm (7:30pm in Newfoundland). Part two will be broadcast on Friday, March 27 on Radio 1 at 2:00pm (2:30pm in Newfoundland) and on Monday, March 30 on Radio 2 at 7:00pm (7:30pm in Newfoundland).

JUNO Songwriters’ Circle is a benefit concert for MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity associated with CARAS.

*Award Sponsors for THE 2015 JUNO AWARDS listed above include World Music Album of the Year (sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts), Rock Album of the Year (sponsored by SiriusXM Canada), Songwriter of the Year (sponsored by SiriusXM Canada), Pop Album of the Year (sponsored by TD) and Breakthrough Artist of the Year (sponsored by FACTOR, the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters and Radio Starmaker Fund).

Sponsors of the 2015 JUNO Awards include FACTOR, the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters, Radio Starmaker Fund, Province of Ontario, Ontario Media Development Corporation, the City of Hamilton, and TD Bank Group.

For more information on the 2015 JUNO Awards or JUNO Songwriters’ Circle please visit www.junoawards.ca

About CARAS

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences/L’académie canadienne des arts et des sciences de l’enregistrement (CARAS) is a not-for-profit organization created to preserve and enhance the Canadian music industry and to contribute toward higher artistic and industry standards. The main focus of CARAS is the exploration and development of ongoing opportunities to showcase and promote Canadian artists and music through vehicles such as The JUNO Awards and other year-round initiatives. For more information on the 44th Annual JUNO Awards or The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) please visit www.junoawards.ca or www.carasonline.ca.

About SOCAN

SOCAN is a member-based and governed 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 125,000 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 Yamaha Canada Music

Established in 1969, Yamaha Canada Music Ltd. offers a full line of musical instruments and audio/visual products to the Canadian market. Yamaha Canada Music is a wholly owned subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation, Japan, whose products and services are recognized the world over for superior quality in acoustics, design, technology, and craftsmanship.

About CBC Music.ca

CBCMusic.ca is Canada’s free digital music service connecting Canadians with the very best in Canadian and international music, concerts and features. Simple and easy to navigate, CBCMusic.ca gives music fans access to 50 Web radio stations, 12 distinct genre-based music communities, CBC Radio 2 and CBC Radio 3, plus content from the most knowledgeable music personalities and programmers from across the country, hundreds of concerts, playlists and more.