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