TORONTO - With five nominations each, Nelly Furtado, Billy Talent and k-os lead the pack of artists competing for Juno Awards, which recognize the absolute best in Canadian music.
At a downtown press conference on a chilly Tuesday afternoon, journalists and music industry types gathered at the Mod Club in Toronto, where the nominations were revealed.
"As we celebrate the 2007 Juno Awards, we are essentially celebrating a year in review, and what an incredible time it is for Canadian music," says Melanie Berry, the President of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS).
The 2007 Juno Awards will be held on April 1st at Saskatoon's Credit Union Centre and broadcast live on CTV.
British Columbia native Nelly Furtado enjoyed a big year in 2006 with her career defining album "Loose," and earned five nominations including Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Pop Album of the Year and Juno Fan Choice award.
Furtado, who is also hosting the awards show, may have to schedule in time during her night to accept at least a couple of statues.
Billy Talent and k-os, along with Three Days Grace and Gregory Charles are tapped to be the evening's entertainment, including the just-confirmed Tragically Hip.
After previously winning three Juno Awards themselves, Billy Talent are no stranger to the Juno stage and will take to it again in Saskatoon, scoring five nominations.
The same goes for Canadian hip-hop king k-os, who in 2005 won three awards, and adds the five nominations he received this year to his already impressive nine career nods.
Artists with three nominations included Sarah Harmer, Hedley, Malajube and Gregory Charles, who was Canada's second highest selling artist in 2006 behind Nelly Furtado.
While extremely popular in Quebec, Charles tells CTV.ca that he is trying to come up with something amazing for the show, which will be his debut performance for the cross-country audience.
"I've been filled with anguish for the past week, thinking about how to make it special," says Charles. "I'll just keep on doing what I've been doing."
Another artist who received three nominations was Dallas Green, who earned two with his band Alexisonfire, and one for his solo project City and Colour.
Green is surprised to be recognized for the laid back solo record, which is by far a dramatic departure from the sonic assault that is Alexisonfire.
"It's great. It's just something I did on my own and I didn't expect to get into it. To have people listen to it and have it recognized by the Junos, it's a very nice feeling," Green tells CTV.ca.
But in a category up against Canadian Hall of Famers the Tragically Hip, he doesn't feel so confident for his main band.
"It'd be nice for us to win Group of the Year. I don't think we are, because we're up against the Tragically Hip," says Green. "But if we have to lose, it's alright if it's them or Billy Talent."
Canadian Idol winners Melissa O'Neil (2005) and Eva Avila (2006) are competing against each other in the New Artist of the Year Category.
"If somebody would have told me that I'd have been nominated for a Juno and winning Canadian Idol, I would have just laughed," Avila tells CTV.ca.
One musician at the nomination announcement who is no stranger to the Junos was Jim Cuddy, who is nominated for Single of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.
"I like how it's spread across three decades, the 80's, 90's and now the new millennium," Cuddy told to CTV.ca.
In past years the Junos have travelled across the country, being held in various locations across Canada, including Ottawa, Edmonton, Winnipeg and last year, Halifax.
"Every year is different, that's what's so wonderful about it. I think it'll be close to the Newfoundland experience, when we first went to St. Johns," says Susanne Boyce, CTV President of Programming and Chair of the CTV Media Group.
"I think people will show up and just be blown away. It's always a surprise."
Boyce also confirmed the Tragically Hip will be performing at the awards ceremony.
And there is a tribute producer Bob Rock, who is also being added to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
"I think he'll be crying, he'll be thrilled," Boyce tells CTV.ca
Bob Rock is a world-class producer who has worked with Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Cher, Metallica, Bryan Adams and most recently produced this year's Juno Award nominated album "World Container" for the Tragically Hip, who are interrupting a 50 date North American tour to take the stage with Rock.
