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Alanis Morissette is famous

On Monday, organizers announced that Alanis Morissette will be inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame. The honors will be bestowed at a ceremony on March 7, during Canadian Music Week.

Morissette will also receive a lifetime achievement award at the event. Yes, lifetime, even though she’s only 33 years old. Does this mean they want her to retire?

I don’t think I understand halls of fame generally. Are they meant to recognize fame itself, or talent? And does it make any sense that Alanis is getting inducted the same year as Gordon Lightfoot? That guy has been around forever, reading minds and taking care at sundown. He probably should have been honored (or honoured) long ago; it’s not like he had a sudden burst of fame in 2007. (But he is still touring.)

Morissette accolades aside, I’m glad to know about Canadian Music Week. On my iPod, most weeks are Canadian Music Week, because I swear there’s something in the air there that produces extraordinary musicians. For example, past Hall of Fame inductees include Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell and Anne Murray. Read me a list of awesomeness, why don’t you? And let’s not forget newer artists like the incredible Feist (and Broken Social Scene), Kinnie Starr, Holly McNarland, Bif Naked, Sarah Harmer, Martha and Rufus Wainwright, and the Organ (and maybe you’ve heard of Tegan and Sara). Or icons like Sarah McLachlan, Jann Arden, k.d. lang and Ferron. And during my formative years, I learned a lot from Mary Margaret O’Hara, Parachute Club and Jane Siberry (before she became Issa). Seriously, what is going on up there?

To answer my own question about the criteria for induction, according to the official website, “The Canadian Music Hall of Fame recognizes Canadian artists that have attained commercial success while having a positive impact on the Canadian music scene here at home and around the world.”

A positive impact on the Canadian music scene? Well, OK. I think Morissette has also had some impact on AfterEllen.com readers, not only with her music (and gay-ish videos), but also with her lesbian role on Nip/Tuck. And then there was that time she kissed Sarah Jessica Parker on Sex and the City, but that was a little weird.

Anyway. Congratulations, Alanis. I hope you don’t think you’ve made anywhere close to enough music for a lifetime.

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