Veteran rocker Ronnie Hawkins and polka king Walter Ostanek received major awards this year at the annual gala of the The Society of Composers Authors and Music Publishers of Canada.

"The SOCAN Awards is a wonderful opportunity for Canada's music industry to honour and celebrate its best songwriters, composers, lyricists and music publishers," said Andre LeBel, who leads the organization.

Ronnie Hawkins has been a major influence on the Canadian music scene.
(Canadian Press)

Hawkins, born in the United States but a major influence on Canada's rock scene since 1958, received a Special Achievement Award which goes to those who have "greatly contributed to Canada's music industry and or heritage over the course of their careers." Members of his former group the Hawks went on to form another group, The Band.

Ostanek, a native of St. Catharines, Ont., received the Lifetime Achievement Award which goes to those who have outstanding success throughout their career. He's won three Grammy Awards and been nominated 13 times.

Rockers Nickelback received an International Achievement Award for their worldwide success. The band was formed in Hanna, Alta., by Chad Kroeger, Mike Kroeger, Ryan Peake and Brandon Kroeger but relocated to Vancouver and has won nine Juno Awards and had seven Grammy nominations.

The late folk singer Stan Rogers also was honoured Monday night with a National Achievement Award that recognized outstanding success primarily in Canada. Rogers died in a fire on a plane in 1983.

Individual awards included: Nickelback for Savin' Me; Nelly Furtado for Promiscuous; Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida for Walk Away; Gordie Sampson for Jesus, Take The Wheel; Tomi Swick for A Night Like This; and Jim Vallance for Cuts Like A Knife, I'm Ready, It's Only Love, and This Time in the SOCAN Classics category.

The Monday night event was co-hosted by Damhnait Doyle and Kim Stockwood, who perform together as Shaye.

SOCAN was to recognize outstanding francophone music creators at a second awards show Tuesday in Montreal.

SOCAN is the Canadian copyright collective for the communication and performance of musical works. Royalties are distributed to members and to affiliated organizations throughout the world. SOCAN also distributes royalties received from those organizations to Canadians for the use of their music worldwide.