(Toronto) - Rock 'n' roll legend Ronnie Hawkins and recording industry innovator Jim West will be inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame at the Canadian Music Industry Awards on Thursday, March 4, 2004 to be held at the Westin Harbour Castle as part of Canadian Music Week (CMW) 2004.

"Rompin' Ronnie has been the soul of popular music in this country for so long that it's about time he was recognized as being the real hero of Canadian rock 'n roll that he truly is," said Neill Dixon, President of Canadian Music Week (CMW).

Involved with the music business for almost three generations of Canadian rockers, many of whom he supported and played with, Ronnie Hawkins is a Canadian icon, JUNO Award winner and the recipient of the Walt Grealis Special Lifetime Achievement Award as CARAS' Industry Builder. Made famous by his version of 'Mary Lou' in 1959, Hawkins helped tear down the Berlin Wall in 1992 playing with The Band, performed at Bill Clinton's 1992 inaugural party and has also become an accomplished actor hosting his own television show 'Honky Tonk' in the early '80s and appearing in such films as 'Heaven's Gate' with Kris Kristofferson and 'Hello, Mary Lou: Prom Night II'.

"It's the greatest honor that can ever happen," Hawkins said when told of his Hall of Fame induction. "This'll make my grandkids think I must have been a somebody."

Jim West created Distribution Fusion III in 1983 with an eclectic roster, everything from a language teaching label to a world music label called Lyrichord Records. He started his own label, Justin Time Records in June 1983, and there was no stopping from there. Justin Time has released some 350 albums over the years with its most famous artists including Diana Krall (who West discovered), Oliver Jones, Ranee Lee, the Susie Arioli Swing Band, and the Montreal Jubilation Choir. The label and its artists have earned many Juno, Felix, Jazz Report and Choc awards over the years. In 1990, Justin Time launched the Just A Minute label, a subsidiary devoted to unique reissues and previously unreleased titles. Jim West is the chairman of CIRPA and FACTOR and is also a board member of the Canadian Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS).

Commenting on the honour bestowed on Jim West, Neill Dixon, President of Canadian Music Week said, "There are few people in this country who have made such an enormous contribution to the Canadian recording industry and to the development and nurturing of some unique talents."

"It's a great feeling to receive this award and be honoured by your peers," said Jim West. "To be a part of the Canadian record industry is very fulfilling and I'm extremely proud to play a small role in it."

CMW is also pleased to announce their new partnership with Solotech, a platinum sponsor for this year's event. For the past 25 years, Solotech has represented a combination of innovative technology and proficient service on a global scale including complete rental of audio, video and lighting systems with separate divisions in multimedia rental, multimedia sales, project installation and sales and international sales. Some past events include Celine Dion world tours, the JUNO Awards for over 12 years, Cirque du Soleil tours and World Youth Day gatherings.

The Canadian Music Industry Awards are open to the public. Tickets will be available in December 2003 from Canadian Music Week offices, 905-858-4747.

Canadian Music Week is Canada's largest annual entertainment event dedicated to the expression and growth of the country's music, media and entertainment industries. Combining two information-intensive conferences; a cutting-edge trade exposition; five awards shows and the Canadian Music Week Festival, CMW spans a four-day period from March 3 to March 6. 2004 at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto attracting participants from across the globe. For more information, visit www.cmw.net.