My Junos experience really started three days prior to the awards show. A number of Juno-related events took place in Toronto that week, and on that Thursday (March 24) I went to two of them.
The first one I went to was a photo exhibit featuring 40 years of Juno history, with shots of some of Canada's biggest stars, including Anne Murray, Gordon Lightfoot, Rush, Bryan Adams and Celine Dion.
Later that evening I spent some time at a free downtown concert. Various acts participated, and the one I heard was Dallas Green, aka City and Colour. He's the bass player and co-lead singer of Alexisonfire. I discovered that his solo work is more mellow than that of his band, which sounds much closer to heavy metal. Their styles couldn't be more different! I liked what I heard.
A Juno Fan Fare event took place that Saturday (March 26), and I couldn't resist being there. The Fan Fare was an opportunity for fans to meet some of today's most popular singers.
Johnny Reid was the singer I wanted to meet most of all. I saw the Scottish-born country singer at Massey Hall last November, and I've become a fan of his since then. He was the first singer to greet me, and I got a picture with him and an autograph. I even got to tell him about my Scottish family ties. He was very friendly and I wish him continued success.
In addition to meeting Reid, I also met Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Dean Brody, two other country stars. It was after meeting them that I got to say hi to R&B singers Keshia Chante and Danny Fernandes, and rapper Karl Wolf. Then I met Down With Webster, a Toronto group that uniquely incorporates rock, hip-hop and rap. Before I left, I met the pop-rock group Hedley. Everybody I met was kind and I enjoyed meeting all of them.
I got to the Air Canada Centre early Sunday night. I'm glad I got there early, because everybody in the audience was treated to a 40th anniversary montage that nobody at home got to see. R&B singer/rapper Drake hosted the awards, and he wasted no time getting it off the ground.
I thought his opening comedy bit with Justin Bieber via Skype was a fun way to kick things off. That was one of the highlights of the evening for me, and I'm sure for other viewers as well.
Another highlight was seeing Shania Twain make a triumphant return to the music scene. She became this year's inductee into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and she looked beautiful as always. Fellow Hall of Famer Bryan Adams (inducted 2006) welcomed her into the Hall of Fame. Twain is in the process of recording a new album and hosting her own show on Oprah's new TV channel. She is also planning to release her memoir later this year. Welcome back, Shania!
Later that evening another Hall of Famer, Neil Young (inducted 1982) received this year's humanitarian award recognizing his work with Farm Aid and the Bridge School for children with severe physical and developmental disabilities. He also gave a heartfelt and inspirational speech, encouraging aspiring young musicians to focus on their music, and to let anything else follow from that. He surprised everybody later on when he returned to pick up the Artist of the Year award. Over 40 years later, Mr. Young is still da man.
Of the performances that evening, my favourites were by City and Colour, Down With Webster, Hedley, Johnny Reid and Arcade Fire.
An honourable mention goes out to a male indie duo from Montreal who call themselves Chromeo. It consists of a Jew and an Arab, and they played a song ironically titled "Hot Mess." I found their electro-funk sound and stage presence captivating. These guys perform with such gusto and harmony that the rest of the world should stand up and take notice.
Toronto was the first Canadian city to host the Juno Awards back in 1971. Other cities have had their turn hosting them during the past 10 years. This year's Juno ceremony is the first Toronto has hosted since 2000. Next year it will be held in Ottawa, the nation's capital, for the first time since 2003.
I'm so glad I didn't pass up a chance to experience the Junos in my hometown this year. This Canadian music fan will not soon forget it.
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