Second Cup and the Songwriters Association of Canada Support Emerging
Canadian
Artists

TORONTO, Sept. 24 /CNW/ - The Second Cup Café Music Series returns
this fall to
give coffee drinkers a grassroots musical experience and emerging
Canadian
musicians the exposure they deserve. Now in its second year, the
Songwriters
Association of Canada (S.A.C.) has joined the initiative that will
see emerging
artists as well as feature acts perform at Second Cup cafés
throughout the
country. The program, developed by the Canadian-born and Canadian-run
organization, is Second Cup's way of supporting Canadian singer-
songwriters and
bringing music lovers closer to classic rockers and future stars.

The S.A.C., an association led by active professional and amateur
songwriters,
is committed to the development and recognition of Canadian
songwriters. The
partnership has led to the participation of a number of talented
Canadian
musicians in the Café Music Series, including Jimmy Rankin, Suzie
McNeil, Colin
James Duo, Melissa McClelland, Hayley Sales, Wil, Jill Barber, Ima,
Michael
Kaeshammer, Pascale Picard and Amanda Martinez.

"In addition to being a Canadian singer-songwriter, I am a huge
supporter of
Canadian music," said Jimmy Rankin, one of the program's feature
artists. "I
like what Second Cup and the S.A.C. are doing to help promote
Canadian music
through the Café Music Series. Emerging Canadian musicians have the
opportunity
to show music lovers what they're made of, and established artists
can prove
they can still bring down the coffee house."

Second Cup and the S.A.C. selected the local artists for the Second
Cup Café
Music Series based on their ability to produce meaningful,
provocative,
interesting and melodic music.

Karen Gold, vice president of marketing for Second Cup, said the
musical
initiative is indicative of how much Second Cup cares about
supporting emerging
and established Canadian singer-songwriters.

"Each artist participating in the Café Music Series benefits from
increased
exposure and the opportunity to grow their fan base, and provides our
guests
with an enhanced experience," said Gold. "Second Cup cafés provide
the perfect
warm and cozy atmosphere to sit back, relax and connect with talented
Canadian
musicians and close friends."

Second Cup is also supporting Canadian music on an ongoing basis by
building
and sharing a database of Canadian singer-songwriters with its
franchisees.
Second Cup franchisees nationwide will contact talented local
musicians that
have entered their names into this database, and invite them to
perform for
Second Cup guests and the media. Second Cup is encouraging emerging
Canadian
singer-songwriters who would like to get involved with the Second Cup
Café
Music Series to apply via e-mail to music@....

"Partnering with Second Cup on the Café Music Series initiative was a
natural
fit," said Eddie Schwartz, acting president, Songwriter's Association
of
Canada. "Our goals are aligned with many of Second Cup's goals for
Canadian
music. For example, we both seek to promote Canadian singer-
songwriters, and to
educate Canadians about Canadian songwriters - the people behind
major hits
nationally as well as internationally."

The music begins on September 25, 2007 with the first concert in the
Second Cup
Café Music Series taking place in Toronto. Some of Canada's most
acclaimed
singer-songwriters will perform in 13 Second Cup locations in nine
cities,
including Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Edmonton and Calgary. Canadian
pop icons
and emerging stars will be bringing popular music back to the
intimate venue
from which it emerged - the coffee house.

About Second Cup

Second Cup is Canada's largest specialty coffee franchisor and
operates more
than 360 cafés across Canada. Serving specialty coffee, food, and
unique and
stylish gift ideas, Second Cup invites Guests to make Second Cup
their Second
Home. For more information, visit
http://secondcup.com/eng/feature_product.php?id=3

Jimmy Rankin's performance is scheduled to be at our Second Cup café
at 165 University avenue in Toronto on October 5th. The café will be
giving away tickets to their Guests. The live, intimate concert is at
8pm. If you are lucky and a few people with tickets do not show up to
the concert by 7:30, you may be able to get in....

Good luck!