Canadian Musician July / August 2019 | Page 14

CHANGES RIP Brian Doherty, Guitarist for Big Wreck Media measurement and data analyt- ics company Nielsen has extended its partnership with SOCAN as the exclusive provider of detailed radio airplay data from more than 500 Canadian stations. As part of this deal, Nielsen has increased cover- age by adding 200 new stations in 137 new markets to its BDSradio product. The increased monitoring will provide deeper insights into popular Christian formats for the first time and include additional French language stations in Canada. With Nielsen BDSradio data, SOCAN members can access more detailed re- porting of ISRC numbers across platforms for more accurate and timely data for the distribution of royalties. www.socan.ca. Brian Doherty, the longtime and widely loved guitarist for Big Wreck, passed away on June 5 th after battling cancer for the past year. Via Twitter, Brian’s bandmates in Big Wreck said, “Brian started Big Wreck with Ian [Thornley] in their dorm in Boston and his passing is a profound loss to us all. Our deepest condolences go out to Brian’s family. He was a good soul who will be missed by all who knew him personally or through the beautiful music he performed.” Just days before his passing, Brian wrote to supporters on the GoFundMe page: “As hard as the realization is that this is a terminal condition, there is one bright spot. Through this whole process I have been able to reflect on some of the best moments of my life. I have been blessed with so many things, not the least of which has been being able to use the gift of music, playing in Big Wreck, through whom I have met many wonderful people in so many great places.” SOCAN & Nielsen Music Extend Data Partnership On June 1st, MI superstore Cosmo Music in Richmond Hill, ON brought thousands of people out for CosmoFest. The free, all-ag- es event had 14,000 registered attendees who came for the outdoor concert, gear exhibition, artist clinics, community zone, and more. A free concert featured Sloan (pictured), Finger Eleven, Chilliwack, Terra Lightfoot, and The Cosmo Soul Express. Rush icon Geddy Lee had a book signing and, to the surprise of everyone, showed up with Nirvana and Foo Fighters legend Dave Grohl. Artist clinics were offered with drummers Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Simon Phillips (Jeff Beck, The Who) and Omar Hakim (Michael Jackson, Daft Punk), Danger Danger guitarist Andy Tim- mons, Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick, and Down From Up guitarist Andy Wood. www.cosmomusic.ca/cosmofest. 14 CANADIAN MUSICIAN