April third to sixth, the annual showcase of Canadian music hits Calgary for the first time. Capped off by the awards broadcast live from the Pengrowth Saddledome April 6th on CTV, the 37th annual Juno Awards is your chance to take in some of Canada’s greatest artists, all in the span of four days.
“It really generates excitement and pride in the host cities,” says Melanie Berry, president of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS). “The Juno Awards provides a spotlight on the city and allows them a great opportunity to shine and it really is a great celebration. There is a lot of media focus on homegrown talent. There is an obvious economic impact on the city. Any city we have gone to has been very happy to have us and we have had some of those same cities asking us back. That says a lot.”
Berry took time out of her busy schedule, which includes planning for the Juno awards up until 2012, to talk to GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine. She states that the event has been a long time in the making. “I have been working with Tourism Calgary and the city for four years to bring it to Calgary. We scouted out venues and know what the infrastructure is and that it could manage us. The timing fit into place. CARAS’ goal isn’t to pit cities against each other, we want to line them up logically so that they work. It should be a very positive experience for everybody involved. It seemed like 2008 was the perfect year.”
Berry explains the future plans of the organization. “Our goal is to announce the host city approximately 18 months in advance. We have been working on Vancouver (which was just announced as host city for 2009) for a good four to five years. I lead with the theory that we have grown and will continue to do so, so we need to pin things down well in advance. It benefits us but it also benefits the host city. They get a lot out of it from a tourism factor the longer then we can announce it, the longer they put it in as a destination. We can also work together to create bigger events. In Calgary this week there are events Thurs – Sun and it becomes much more of a team effort instead of us just rolling into town.”
Having spent most years in Toronto, the Juno Awards took the show on the road in 2002 in St. Johns, Newfoundland. After the success of that event, the decision was made to continue the event as a traveling show. It has since been hosted by Ottawa - Gatineau, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax, and Saskatoon.
“It was the province of Newfoundland that said they thought the Juno Awards should come there. Everyone said it was crazy, but they went ahead and did it. It took things to a whole new level with the interaction between the artists and the fans. It made it so much more of what it is supposed to be: a celebration of Canadian music and artists. It is a great opportunity for so many more artists to participate which is why we continue to tour.”
While there will be many other events in the city over the four day weekend, the big event will be the Juno Award broadcast on Sunday April 6th. Top award nominees include Michael Bublé, Finger 11, Celine Dion, Avril Lavigne and Calgary’s own Feist.
“Feist won New Artist of the Year in 2005. She is an incredible talent and it is great to have her as a multiple nominee the year we are in Calgary. There is a lot of great talent this year and lots of multiple nominations, which is a great sign for the music industry.”
Alberta country artist Paul Brandt will also be honored as the first recipient of the Allan Walters Humanitarian Award.
“It is to showcase somebody who has had a substantial impact. Paul Brandt has done loads of work for children’s charities and the children’s hospital. I don’t think people know that Paul has done all of this great work. I think it is a great opportunity for us to stand up and say, take a look at this, he is incredible and we are very proud to have him as part of the Canadian music industry.”
Thirty-two of the awards will be given out at a industry gala Saturday night. Sunday’s broadcast, is hosted by comedian Russel Peters.
“Russel Peters had been brought up to us before – he has sold 100,000 copies of his DVD and has sold out Madison Square Garden. In November, in Toronto he was involved in the Gilda’s Club fundraiser and a lot of industry people are involved in that event and were really impressed with him. He is kind of underground and is a huge music fan. It is going to be really exciting with him as host.”
The unique thing about attending the awards is the opportunity to see a variety of Canadian artists all perform on one stage. Canadian country artists Aaron Lines, Gord Bamford, Johnny Reid, Paul Brandt and Shane Yellowbird – four of whom are Alberta natives - will pay tribute to the Calgary and Alberta. The iconic Anne Murray will perform duets off her Duets: Friends and Legends album with Jann Arden and Sarah Brightman. Also scheduled to perform as of press are Finger 11, Avril Lavigne, Michael Bublé, Feist and opera singer Measha Brueggergosman. Regardless of your musical taste the awards offer something enjoyable.
“The Juno Awards have grown because of this opportunity of moving it around the country. We have received overwhelming support from the cities and fans which is why we have been able to grow. It is a fantastic, fun, four day weekend and I encourage everyone to come out and participate as much as possible. It is something that everybody should be proud of.”
Juno Awards 2008
April 3 – 6, 2008
www.junoawards.ca
