Group seeks Cancon reform; wants more indie artists on radio, less Celine

TORONTO (CP) - A group of indie musicians is pushing to reform Canadian content rules in the hope that lesser-known outfits like Arcade Fire and the Trews will get more radio play.


"Frankly, Avril Lavigne doesn't need government legislation to receive radio airplay in Canada," begins the CanCon Pro petition, launched earlier this week at www.letsfixcancon.ca.

The group is asking the CRTC to create an incentive-based system to measure Canadian radio content.

"We've created a lot of stars here . . . the problem is Canadian radio, to fill their Cancon quotas, are only playing the international stars," says Gregg Terrence, who is spearheading the campaign. He's the president of Indie Pool, a Toronto-based independent distributor of CDs by unsigned artists.
[Edited 5/9/05 14:44pm]

"There's absolutely no reason to take any chance on someone new. There's no reason to play a new Kathleen Edwards or Ron Sexsmith song because you could play the new Sarah McLachlan song."

By midday Thursday, more than 1,500 signatures had been added to the online petition.

Most seemed to come from struggling musicians.

"Thank you for taking a stand and trying to improve the conditions for ALL artists trying to either attain or maintain any type of radio recognition," wrote Tracy Millar, of New Sarepta, Alta.

"I have been a professional musician in Thunder Bay for 20 years. The only time my original material has been played is when I have won some sort of contest, and even then it was sporadic and didn't last long," wrote David Miskimins.

"Local programmers/DJs have told me that the chances of any original independent releases getting a spin are 'less than slim and none, regardless of format or how good the material is.' All other local artists have the same problem. We are getting spins in Europe and Down Under, but not in our own backyard!"

Under the proposed changes, Cancon credits would be divided into four categories: international, established, national and developing artists. Each grouping would be worth between 0.75 and 1.50 credits.

For example, superstars like Celine Dion, Nickelback and Shania Twain would only be worth 0.75 while a song by a more obscure artist like Vancouver-based singer Jeremy Fisher song would earn 1.25.

Artists would jump to a different category if they received a pre-determined number of radio spins.

The proposal has generated a lot of chatter among the music industry, said Terrence.

Glenn O'Farrell, president of the Ottawa-based Canadian Association of Broadcasters, which represents the radio stations, says his organization will review the group's suggestion.

"It's an idea that's well worth debating," he said.

"It all depends on the application of the specifics . . . from a broad-stroke perspective, yes, point systems have proven to be of value. We need to examine it more carefully."

Started in 1971, Cancon forced radio stations to include 30 per cent made-in-Canada tunes in their playlists.

The level was bumped up to 35 per cent in 1999, the last time Canadian content regulations were modified.

Another review of the commercial radio policy is planned for later this year.

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Tessa said:

I think everyone realizes that radio tends to play only the biggest hits by anybody regardless of origin... part of me thinks "well why shouldn't Avril count?"

CinisterCee said:

I'm just guessing that she got as popular as she is by having early support from Canadian radio, before crossing over so hugely into the American market. Just a guess. Same for Celine. And Alanis. And Brian Adams. etc. So basically, these people want legislation for radio to play homegrown Canadian acts until they get popular

I just find it odd because the kind of radio they are trying to control through legislation plays what is most popular.

Avril wasn't instantly hot shit until Cancon got "Complicated" some spins.