A Los Angeles-based music maker will be inducted Nov. 30 onto the Comox Valley Walk of Achievement.
Comox Valley-raised Brian Howes is a songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, A&R professional and studio owner.
He has earned many awards including SOCAN’s International Achievement Award (2010) and the 2012 Juno Award for Producer of the Year.
“The Comox Valley’s homegrown talent never ceases to amaze us," says Neil Havers, Walk of Achievement committee member. "And this year is no exception, we are so pleased to honour Brian Howes for his achievements.”
Howes produced Nickelback's newest release Here and Now, which debuted at No. 2 in the U.S. and Canada.
Brian has been instrumental in developing the band Hinder from Day One. He was the writer/producer on Hinder’s Extreme Behavior (four million sold worldwide) including the singles Lips of an Angel and Take it to the Limit (Certified Gold in the U.S.).
Howes has written hits with Daughtry including Over You and What I Want on his five million-selling debut album. Both songs went Top 5 in the U.S.
Howes co-wrote American Idol winner David Cook’s first single Light On with Chris Cornell, which Howes went on to win a 2010 BMI Pop Award for.
He produced and co-wrote Hedley’s Invincible Cha Ching, Don’t Talk to Strangers and Perfect, all multi-platinum singles on double-platinum albums. He also produced and co-wrote Hedley's album Storms (double-platinum), which debuted at No. 2 on Canadian Soundscan in its first week (beating out Justin Bieber), and No. 1 on iTunes.
To learn more about Brian Howes, go to www.vanhowes.com.
Howes will be inducted Nov. 30, which starts with a ceremony in the Sid Williams Theatre at noon. Everyone is invited to attend to share in the celebration.
Local musician Doug Cox and his daughter Caileigh as well as Helen Austin and her daughter Daisy will perform at the induction. Following the ceremony, attendees will step out to the courtyard (adjacent to the Sid) for the unveiling of Brian’s plaque.
So who’s next?
The Comox Valley Walk of Achievement committee is calling for nominations for worthy recipients for 2014.
Each year the organization honours a worthy Comox Valley citizen who has achieved distinction in their field of endeavour, which includes a recognition ceremony, followed by the unveiling of a personal plaque located on a sidewalk location in downtown Courtenay.
Previous honourees were Red Robinson, Dr. Fred Leung, Dr. Roberts Smith, Stan Hagen, Comox Valley Olympians, Jack Hodgins and Kim Cattrall. To learn more about these honourees, go to www.walkofachievement.com.
“The Walk of Achievement is a unique way of recognizing Comox Valley residents who have made significant and lasting contributions in their professional or personal lives,” says committee member Dave Durrant.
“We already have a substantial list of worthy recipients for future inductions but we always encourage more nominations. Potential recipients are generally very busy individuals and finding time to be here for an induction can be a challenge,” says committee member Erik Eriksson.
“The strength of this initiative is that it will inspire others to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams. The submissions we receive represent incredible people who have achieved amazing things in their lives,” says committee chair Jacqueline Green.
The purpose of the “Walk of Achievement is:
• To recognize outstanding achievement of individuals from the Comox Valley who have excelled in their field of endeavour;
• To inspire Comox Valley youth to believe in themselves and to explore the limitless possibilities the world has to offer;
• To instil a sense of pride throughout the Comox Valley that we are a community that nurtures achievement.
Nominations can be e-mailed to walkofachievement@gmail.com or mailed to Comox Valley Walk of Achievement, 391-11th St., Courtenay, B.C. V9N 1S4. Deadline for submissions is March 15.
— Comox Valley Walk of Achievement