Another Canadian icon is lost

casterway · June 7th, 2008, 08:51 PM

Dun dunna Dun dun Dunna!!!

That's right, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has failed to negotiate with the composer of the best known piece of music in this country, and will apparently be dropping the theme song for Hockey Night in Canada. There is a search for a replacement. For those of you outside of Canada, this is akin to changing the theme music to M*A*S*H or the Andy Griffith show. It's been around since 1968.

This is following the CBC's decision to kill off the last radio orchestra in North America.

SMPTE · June 7th, 2008, 09:41 PM

Everybody look out, HNiC is the thing that keeps the Canadians from going truly wacky over the winter!

Drunkinminer · June 7th, 2008, 09:46 PM

I think this will be the final nail in the casket for CBC. If anything they should get rid of that loud mouth Don Cherry man when will that guy shut up. and if you ask me I think they didn't try hard enough to keep the song.

casterway · June 7th, 2008, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drunkinminer

I think this will be the final nail in the casket for CBC. If anything they should get rid of that loud mouth Don Cherry man when will that guy shut up. and if you ask me I think they didn't try hard enough to keep the song.

I think they're going to lose a ton of credibility over this. Mutiny!!

My latest eyebrow riser from them is that I always have my clock radio set to CBC 1 (AM) to get up for work. I get up at 4:30 now for the new job, and have discovered the joy of waking up to what must be their period of international news. I get all the latest news and gossip from Poland, of all places when I open my eyes in the morning. Nothing against Poland, but.......why???

emailhot · June 7th, 2008, 11:02 PM

i hear that they dropped the song over $500

boneyguy · June 7th, 2008, 11:05 PM

I've been following this story on CBC AM radio. It does sound like the corporation screwed up.

Lots of folks have suggested the HNIC theme should become our national anthem now. Works for me. No words (that keep changing!!) to memorize and it has a perky sort of Star Wars theme feel to it. What's not to like?

Unseen · June 7th, 2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emailhot

i hear that they dropped the song over $500

I heard that's what they HAD BEEN paying per week. For a theme on a nationally televised show, even in a small (not geographically, but in terms of population), that is pittance.

Anyone got more detail?

casterway · June 7th, 2008, 11:42 PM

They have a recent history of making brash decisions, without regards to the listeners. They are actually government funded, and not private. I don't the real story is out yet.

robhisgtr · June 8th, 2008, 12:02 AM

What a shame. I watched HNIC just about every Saturday as a kid.

Telarkaster · June 8th, 2008, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unseen

I heard that's what they HAD BEEN paying per week. For a theme on a nationally televised show, even in a small (not geographically, but in terms of population), that is pittance.

Anyone got more detail?

It was $500 every time they played the theme. I don't know how many times they play it per broadcast, I stopped watching that godawful show when Dick Irwin retired and they stopped covering the Habs on Saturday nights.

Now it's Pierre Houde on RDS for me. I can't watch hockey in English anymore, it just isn't right. Cole and Neale are such Leaf homebodies and they should be put out to pasture along with that xenophone Don Scary...

My friend asked the band at his wedding to play that theme when he and his bride entered the reception hall. That song means a lot to a lot of people. May the CBC rot in ...

By the way, Don Cherry makes more money that the Prime Minister ($700,000+ per year for a weekly 5 minute drunken rant), and they can't afford to pay the royalties for their own song? What are they going to do, get Hank Williams Jr to write a new song for them?

Guitar_Ninja · June 8th, 2008, 12:19 AM

Hopefully the public outcry will be enough to get a deal established. Remember a few years ago when they were going to get rid of Ron MacLean due to contract issues? People raised hell and they ended up giving him what he wanted.

If the CBC is dumb enough to let it go I'd say TSN would be equally stupid not to snap it up for their broadcast.

It'll be interesting to see what they say in the House of Commons about it on Monday, the CBC being publicly funded and all.

Telakaster · June 8th, 2008, 12:27 AM

The latest I've heard is that the CBC was willing to negotiate the contract but her lawyer won't tell them what the "sticking points" are. From the songwriter's viewpoint, she is owed royalties from overseas broadcasts and is unhappy with an offer by the CBC to buy her out. This has been going on for several years. So, with the contract expiring and no closer to a settlement, the CBC has started a songwriting contest with a $100,000 prize. I don't know the details of that but I would guess that figure would mean a buyout of the royalties from the winner. Both sides claim they are still willing to negotiate but both claim the other is not.

O- Fender · June 8th, 2008, 10:06 AM

If you figure that they play the theme for the opening and closing of the game and if there is only one game a week, if there was a typo and it was only $50 per play, that's still $100 per week for a song that was written 40 years ago.

A bit off topic but I noticed they started running updated "I Am Stuck On Band Aid" commercials. Barry Manilow wrote that and is getting paid AGAIN for a song he wrote in the 70's.

Wow, I got to get into the intellectual property game.

robt57 · June 8th, 2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O- Fender

that's still $100 per week for a song that was written 40 years ago.

God forbid the author make a living.

How would this be for poetic justice? The author enters the contest for the new song incognito, wins the $100,000.00.

I am pretty sure [strong guess] the contest rule allow for the rights for all entries become the property of 'guess who'.

Well at least the winning piece.

O- Fender · June 8th, 2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robt57

God forbid the author make a living.

.

Don't get me wrong, I say this with nothing but admiration. I think that CBC should pony up the money. Even for $500 per play, it's a bargain. They are still getting something that instantly brings up "Hockey Night In Canada" and brings to mind warm and fuzzy memories like Howie Meeker, Peter Puck and gathering with family and friends for millions over several generations. (Your memories may vary.) and the composer should be paid accordingly.

Oh, and I like your composer incognito idea.

Frank B · June 8th, 2008, 12:33 PM

I was fine with my tax money paying for this classic anthem for decades to come. This is hard to understand, really. Hope we don't wind up with a cliché all-MIDI american gladiator action type anthem.

I am NOT fine with my tax money paying for Don Cherry's salary. If I want to listen to an old grouchy bitter old man's rants, I'll go to Tim Hortons on a rainy sunday morning thank you.

CBC : lose the hater old man (and his suits; the mere sight of those cause severe seizures to quite a few people anyways... it's a lawsuit waiting to happen), save a few $$$ on that and pay for the classic HNiC anthem.

casterway · June 8th, 2008, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O- Fender

Don't get me wrong, I say this with nothing but admiration. I think that CBC should pony up the money. Even for $500 per play, it's a bargain. They are still getting something that instantly brings up "Hockey Night In Canada" and brings to mind warm and fuzzy memories like Howie Meeker, Peter Puck and gathering with family and friends for millions over several generations. (Your memories may vary.) and the composer should be paid accordingly.

Oh, and I like your composer incognito idea.

Hah! Howie Meeker taught my friend's dad how to catch Sockeye Salmon, at Port Alberni.

markophonic · June 8th, 2008, 01:36 PM

What a Farce!

Dan German · June 8th, 2008, 04:37 PM

It's weird being a Canadian to whom this means nothing. From a business standpoint, I think they are probably foolish to think they can change the theme without repercussions. Think New Coke. But that silly music has nothing to do with my culture, it's just dumb music used to introduce the broadcast of a silly game that--contrary to popular opinion--not every Canadian loves. This is not an opinion I voice offline, because there are Canadians who would strike me forcibly about the head for doing so, and I don't need the grief. So I'm venting here.

PS: I do care about Don Cherry. I care deeply. I passionately wish he would shut up and go away. If it would make him go away, I would play the HNIC theme on my car stereo every 10 minutes for a year.

June 7th, 2008, 08:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
casterway Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Aldergrove, British Columbia,Canada Age: 40 Posts: 2,798	Another Canadian icon is lost Dun dunna Dun dun Dunna!!! That's right, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has failed to negotiate with the composer of the best known piece of music in this country, and will apparently be dropping the theme song for Hockey Night in Canada. There is a search for a replacement. For those of you outside of Canada, this is akin to changing the theme music to MAS*H or the Andy Griffith show. It's been around since 1968. This is following the CBC's decision to kill off the last radio orchestra in North America. __________________ There's nothing wrong with a proper repair... "I don't scratch no guitars." John Lee Hooker, when asked to carve his signature into an old acoustic.

June 7th, 2008, 09:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
SMPTE Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minneeeesoooottta Posts: 1,164	Everybody look out, HNiC is the thing that keeps the Canadians from going truly wacky over the winter! __________________ '52RI, HW1 Texas Tele, EJ Strat, MIJ JM, Epi Casino (AlnicoV), Gibson '61 RI SG, Steinberger, Squier PBass (heavily modded)

June 7th, 2008, 11:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
emailhot Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Leduc, Alberta, Canada Age: 36 Posts: 209 3 Photos	i hear that they dropped the song over $500 __________________ Ed Mailhot Modded Squier Vintage Mod now w/4-way and gfs pickups Aria Ad-28c W/b-band nady wireless Vox DA-15 &Crate Palomino V3212

June 7th, 2008, 11:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
boneyguy Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: victoria b.c. Age: 50 Posts: 2,916	I've been following this story on CBC AM radio. It does sound like the corporation screwed up. Lots of folks have suggested the HNIC theme should become our national anthem now. Works for me. No words (that keep changing!!) to memorize and it has a perky sort of Star Wars theme feel to it. What's not to like? __________________ "Shut up n' play yer guitar"

June 7th, 2008, 11:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
casterway Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Aldergrove, British Columbia,Canada Age: 40 Posts: 2,798	They have a recent history of making brash decisions, without regards to the listeners. They are actually government funded, and not private. I don't the real story is out yet. __________________ There's nothing wrong with a proper repair... "I don't scratch no guitars." John Lee Hooker, when asked to carve his signature into an old acoustic.

June 7th, 2008, 09:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
Drunkinminer Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: winnipeg Posts: 107 12 Photos	I think this will be the final nail in the casket for CBC. If anything they should get rid of that loud mouth Don Cherry man when will that guy shut up. and if you ask me I think they didn't try hard enough to keep the song.

June 8th, 2008, 12:02 AM	#9 (permalink)
robhisgtr TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Here and There, NY Posts: 38	What a shame. I watched HNIC just about every Saturday as a kid.

June 8th, 2008, 12:19 AM	#11 (permalink)
Guitar_Ninja Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kingston, Ontario Posts: 1,460 6 Photos	Hopefully the public outcry will be enough to get a deal established. Remember a few years ago when they were going to get rid of Ron MacLean due to contract issues? People raised hell and they ended up giving him what he wanted. If the CBC is dumb enough to let it go I'd say TSN would be equally stupid not to snap it up for their broadcast. It'll be interesting to see what they say in the House of Commons about it on Monday, the CBC being publicly funded and all. __________________ Wicket KNOWS.

June 8th, 2008, 12:27 AM	#12 (permalink)
Telakaster Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Age: 54 Posts: 228	The latest I've heard is that the CBC was willing to negotiate the contract but her lawyer won't tell them what the "sticking points" are. From the songwriter's viewpoint, she is owed royalties from overseas broadcasts and is unhappy with an offer by the CBC to buy her out. This has been going on for several years. So, with the contract expiring and no closer to a settlement, the CBC has started a songwriting contest with a $100,000 prize. I don't know the details of that but I would guess that figure would mean a buyout of the royalties from the winner. Both sides claim they are still willing to negotiate but both claim the other is not.

June 8th, 2008, 10:06 AM	#13 (permalink)
O- Fender Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 452	If you figure that they play the theme for the opening and closing of the game and if there is only one game a week, if there was a typo and it was only $50 per play, that's still $100 per week for a song that was written 40 years ago. A bit off topic but I noticed they started running updated "I Am Stuck On Band Aid" commercials. Barry Manilow wrote that and is getting paid AGAIN for a song he wrote in the 70's. Wow, I got to get into the intellectual property game. __________________ "Unless you are the lead dog, the scenery doesn't change much." - Kinky Friedman "Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music" - Anon.

June 8th, 2008, 12:33 PM	#16 (permalink)
Frank B Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Quebec city, canada Posts: 315 10 Photos	I was fine with my tax money paying for this classic anthem for decades to come. This is hard to understand, really. Hope we don't wind up with a cliché all-MIDI american gladiator action type anthem. I am NOT fine with my tax money paying for Don Cherry's salary. If I want to listen to an old grouchy bitter old man's rants, I'll go to Tim Hortons on a rainy sunday morning thank you. CBC : lose the hater old man (and his suits; the mere sight of those cause severe seizures to quite a few people anyways... it's a lawsuit waiting to happen), save a few $$$ on that and pay for the classic HNiC anthem. __________________ "Don't play what's there, play what's not there.” Miles Davis

June 8th, 2008, 01:36 PM	#18 (permalink)
markophonic Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan Age: 47 Posts: 954 1 Photos	What a Farce! __________________ http://www.brianvanderark.com/

June 8th, 2008, 04:37 PM	#19 (permalink)
Dan German Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rupertsland Age: 48 Posts: 716	It's weird being a Canadian to whom this means nothing. From a business standpoint, I think they are probably foolish to think they can change the theme without repercussions. Think New Coke. But that silly music has nothing to do with my culture, it's just dumb music used to introduce the broadcast of a silly game that--contrary to popular opinion--not every Canadian loves. This is not an opinion I voice offline, because there are Canadians who would strike me forcibly about the head for doing so, and I don't need the grief. So I'm venting here. PS: I do care about Don Cherry. I care deeply. I passionately wish he would shut up and go away. If it would make him go away, I would play the HNIC theme on my car stereo every 10 minutes for a year. __________________ Higgy