Winners of the 2026 Juno Gala Including Album ft Jesse O'Brien

The 2026 Juno Gala took place in Hamilton on Saturday, March 28. Hear My Heart - Steve Marriner (ft Hamilton's Jesse O'Brien on keys) was the area winner.

You can see the whole event below

Links: Juno Awards, More Juno Stories, Video above courtesy of CBC Music

CONGRATS EVERYONE!

Below is a complete list of winners. Click here for the winners of the televised event.

• BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Hear My Heart - Steve Marriner (ft Hamilton's Jesse O'Brien on keys) 
  
  
  
  Links: Steve Marriner, More Steve Marriner Stories, Jesse O'Brien, More Jesse O'Brien Stories, Video above courtesof Steve Marriner
  
  
• ADULT ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR: My Second Last Album - Bahamas / Fantasy Life - Begonia - Acceptance Speech
  
  
• ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Better Broken - Sarah McLachlan 
  
  
• ALBUM ARTWORK OF THE YEAR: Tsunami Sea – Spiritbox:  Kevin Moore (Art Director), Kyle Joinson (Photographer)
  
  
• ALBUM OF THE YEAR: So Close To What - Tate McRae 
  
  
• ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Edge Of The Earth - Aysanabee
  
  
• ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Tate McRae
  
  
• CHILDREN’S ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Maestro Fresh Wes Presents: Young Maestro “Rhyme Travellers – Back to the Time Machine”  - Young Maestro
  
  
• CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (LARGE ENSEMBLE): Benedict Sheehan: Ukrainian War Requiem
  
  
• CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SMALL ENSEMBLE): Kevin Lau: Kimiko’s Pearl
  
  
• CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SOLO ARTIST): Preludes by Chopin, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Messiaen, Górecki - Jan Lisiecki
  
  
• CLASSICAL COMPOSITION OF THE YEAR: Cloud Path - Amy Brandon 
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• COMEDY ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Dragonflies - Adam Christie 
  
  
• CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Jubilate - Ryan Ofei
  
  
• CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR: Aysanabee - Acceptance Speech
  
  
• CONTEMPORARY ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Strange Trip Ahead - Mariel Buckley
  
  
• COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR: The Hard Way - Cameron Whitcomb
  
  
• DANCE RECORDING OF THE YEAR: Bet On Me - Debby Friday
  
  
• ELECTRONIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Shades of Meridian - ÈBONY
  
  
• FRANCOPHONE ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Journal d’un Loup-Garou - Lou-Adriane Cassidy 
  
  
• GLOBAL MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Ghoyoum - Kazdoura
  
  
• HUMANITARIAN AWARD: Billy Talent
  
  
• INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: LOTUSLAND - Aaron Paris
  
  
• JACK RICHARDSON PRODUCER OF THE YEAR: Cirkut
  
  
• JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR (GROUP): East Meets West: Connections - Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra 
  
  
• JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SOLO): Crossing Paths - Renee Rosnes
  
  
• LATIN MUSIC RECORDING OF THE YEAR: Índole - Alex Cuba
  
  
• METAL/HARD MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Shadow Work - DESPISED ICON 
  
  
• MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR: luther - Karena Evans (Director), Kendrick Lamar & SZA 
  
  
• POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR: So Close To What - Tate McRae 
  
  
• RAP ALBUM/EP OF THE YEAR: DRY CRY - SadBoi - Acceptance Speech
  
  
• RAP SINGLE OF THE YEAR: Who’s Driving You? - TOBi, Saukrates & Jully Black - Acceptance Speech
  
  
• RECORDING ENGINEER OF THE YEAR: Shawn Everett
  
  
• REGGAE RECORDING OF THE YEAR: Welcome To Paradise - Naomi Cowan 
  
  
• ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR: No Hard Feelings - The Beaches - Acceptance Speech
  
  
• SINGLE OF THE YEAR : Sports Car - Tate McRae
  
  
• SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR: Daniel Caesar
  
  
• SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (NON-PERFORMER): Tobias Jesso Jr. (Daniel Caesar)
  
  
• SOUTH ASIAN MUSIC RECORDING OF THE YEAR: P-POP CULTURE - Karan Aujla 
  
  
• TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR: Bear Creek - Acceptance Speech
  
  
• TRADITIONAL R&B/SOUL RECORDING OF THE YEAR: Say Yes - Melanie Fiona - Acceptance Speech
  
  
• TRADITIONAL ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Heal The Divide - Morgan Toney 
  
  
• UNDERGROUND DANCE SINGLE OF THE YEAR: Phantom Vibrations feat. Teddy Bryant - Gene Tellem Love
  
  
• WALT GREALIS SPECIAL AWARD ACHIEVEMENTS: Al Mair, Sandy Pandya, Vinny Cinquemani
  
  
• VOCAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Get Out of Town - Laura Anglade 

Performances

• Isabella Lovestory
• Ryan Ofei
• Fredz
• Saya Gray
• Manitou Mkwa Singers

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CONGRATS! 2021 Juno Opening Night Winners (incl local artists)

A few area artists took home Juno Awards during the opening night virtual festivities on June 4, 2021.

Here is the full opening gala:

Video above courtesy of CBC Music

Below is a complete list of winners. Local acts are bolded.

• Electronic Album: Suddenly by CARIBOU (Dundas)
  
  
  
  Links: Caribou, More Caribou Stories, Video above courtesy of nostalgic music
  
  
• Group: Arkells (Hamilton)
  
  
  
  Links: Arkells, More Arkells Stories, Video above courtesy of Arkells Music, Video of the Arkells Accepting
  
  
• Rock Album: Ruthless by JJ Wilde (Kitchener)
  
  
  
  Links: JJ Wilde, More JJ Wilde Stories, Video above courtesy of JJ Wilde, Video of JJ Accepting
  
  
• Vocal Jazz Album: With You by Sammy Jackson (St. Catharines)
  
  
  
  Links: Sammy Jackson, More Sammy Jackson Stories, Video above courtesy of Sammy Jackson, Video of Sammy accepting the award

• Blues Album: Church House Blues by CRYSTAL SHAWANDA (released by Waterdown's True North Records) ft Hamilton's Jesse O'Brien on keys)
  
  
  
  Links: Crystal Shawanda, More Crystal Shawanda Stories, Video above courtesy of Folk Roots and Blues, Crystal accepting the award
  
  
• Adult Alternative Album: Sad Hunk by BAHAMAS
• Adult Contemporary Album: Such Pretty Forks in the Road by ALANIS MORISSETTE
• Album Artwork: NOTRE-DAME-DES-SEPT-DOULEURS – Klô Pelgag
• Alternative Album: Pray For It by July Talk
• Breakthrough Group: Crown Lands
• Children's Album: Heart Parade by Splash’N Boots 
• Classical Album (Large Ensemble): Ginastera – Bernstein – Moussa: Œuvres pour violon et orchestre / Works for Violin and Orchestra by Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, conducted by Kent Nagano, feat. Andrew Wan
• Classical Album (Solo/Chamber): MOSAÏQUE by Ensemble Made In Canada 
• Classical Album: Vocal or Choral: Massenet: Thaïs by Erin Wall, Joshua Hopkins, Andrew Staples, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir with Toronto Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis
• Classical Composition: Violin Concerto “Adrano” by Samy Moussa 
• Comedy Album: Horse Power by JACOB SAMUEL
• Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album: THE WAY by SHAWNA CAIN
• Contemporary R&B Recording: After Hours by The Weeknd
• Contemporary Roots Album: Bravado by ROSE COUSINS
• Country Album: The Lemonade Stand by Tenille Townes
• Dance Recording: BUBBA by KAYTRANADA 
• Francophone Album: Quand la nuit tombe by Louis-Jean Cormier
• Indigenous Artist or Group: Leela Gilday
• Instrumental Album: Movements III by Blitz//Berlin
• International Album: Fine Line by  Harry Styles
• Jazz Album (Group): The reMission by Andy Milne and Unison 
• Jazz Album (Solo): Elegant Traveler by Jocelyn Gould 
• Metal/Hard Music Album: Abyss by UNLEASH THE ARCHERS
• Music Video: NO ONE'S IN THE ROOM - Jessie Reyez
• Producer: WondaGurl
• Rap Recording: ELEMENTS Vol. 1 by TOBi
• Recording Engineer: Serban Ghenea
• Reggae Recording: I Pray by TOME x Sean Kingston 
• Songwriter: The Weeknd
• Traditional Roots Album: Bet On Love by PHARIS & JASON ROMERO
• World Music Album: Espiral by OKAN

Links: Juno Awards, More Juno Stories

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2021 SOCAN Award Winners

On May 27, 2021 the winners of the 32nd SOCAN Music Awards were announced.

A number of visionaries received special awards (including a few local people). Click here for those.

Here's a complete list. Local artists are bolded.

Rock

• JJ Wilde (Kitchener): the Rush
  
  
  
  Links: JJ Wilde, More JJ Wilde Stories, Video above courtesy of JJ Wilde
  
  
• The Blue Stones: Shakin' Off the Rust
• The Beaches: Want What You Got

Viral Song

• 347aidan (Cambridge): Dancing in my Room
  
  
  
  Links: 347aidan, Video above courtesy of 347aidan
  
  
• Curtis Waters feat. Harm Franklin: Stunnin'
• Powfu feat. Beabadoobee: death bed (coffee for your head)
• Benee feat. Gus Dapperton: Supalonely

Domestic Television Music 

• Fiction: Robert Carli (Kitchener) (Murdoch Mysteries) / Keith Power (Heartland, Hawaii Five-0)
• Non-Fiction: Stephan Moccio (St. Catharines), Murray Fleming (Oakville) (SportsNet Central) / Christopher Nickel, Paul Airey, Mark Miller (Highway Thru Hell)
• Animated: Graeme Cornies, James Chapple, Brian Pickett, David Kelly (Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood) / Asher Lenz, Stephen Skratt (Rusty Rivets)

International Film Music

• Andrew Lockington (Burlington)(Rampage)
• Terry Frewer (Princess Switch)
• Jeffrey Morrow (Ant-Man and The Wasp, Jumanji: The Next Level)

Main Awards

• Folk/Roots: Bahamas
• Cultural Impact: Eddie Schwartz – “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” performer by Pat Benetar
• Songwriter – Performer: The Weeknd
• Songwriter – Producer: Frank Dukes
• Breakout Songwriter: Tate McRae
• International Song - The Weeknd: Blinding Lights
• Hargood Hardy Award: Lido Pimienta
• New Classical Music: Ian Cusson
• Screen Composer: Keith Power
• Publisher: peermusic Canada Inc. 
• Licensed to Play: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Country

• Tyler Joe Miller: Pillow Talkin’
• Jade Eagleson: Lucky
• High Valley: Grew Up On That
• The Washboard Union: Country Thunder
• Mackenzie Porter: These Days
• Maddie & Tae: Die From a Broken Heart
• Tenille Arts: Somebody Like That
• Lady A: Champagne Night
• Ingrid Andress: More Hearts Than Mine

Pop

• The Weeknd: Blinding Lights, Heartless
• Camila Cabello feat. DaBaby: My Oh My
• JP Saxe feat. Julia Michaels: If the World Was Ending
• Dua Lipa feat DaBaby: Levitating
• Tate McRae: You Broke Me First
• Lennon Stella: Kissing Other People
• Shawn Mendes & Justin Bieber: Monster
• Trevor Daniel: Falling
• Shawn Mendes: Wonder
• Niall Horan: Nice To Meet Ya 

Dance

• Felix Cartal feat. Sophie Simmons: Mine
• Loud Luxury & Bryce Vine: I'm Not Alright

Rap

• Drake feat. Lil Durk: Laugh Now Cry Later
• Drake: Toosie Slide
• Travis Scott: Highest in the Room
• DJ Khaled feat. Drake: Popstar
• Future feat. Drake: Life is Good

International Television Series Music

• Ed Robertson (Barenaked Ladies) (Big Bang Theory)
• Graeme Cornies, James Chapple, Brian Pickett, David Kelly (Paw Patrol)
• Keith Power (Hawaii Five-0)

Achievement in Made-For-TV Movie Music

• Daryl Bennett (I Am MLK Jr.)
• Laurel Macdonald, Philip Strong (You Are Here)

Most Streamed Production

• Graeme Cornies, James Chapple, Brian Pickett, David Kelly (Paw Patrol)
• Timothy Foy, Paul Koffman (Wild Kratts)

Links: SOCAN Awards, More SOCAN Award Stories

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News Roundup, Part 2: The Awards (Prism Prize, International Folk Music Awards)

Prism Prize Top 20

• Arkells: People's Champ
  
  
  
  Links: Arkells, More Arkells Stories, Video above courtesy of Arkells Music
  
  
• Bahamas: No Depression
• Belle Game: Low
• Blue Hawaii: Do You Need Me
• Cadence Weapon: High Rise
• Chad Vangaalen: Host Body
• Charlotte Cardin: The Kids
• Clairmont The Second: Gheeze
• Classified: Powerless
• Daniel Caesar and H.E.R.: Best Part, A Visual
• Deadmau5: Monophobia (Feat. Rob Swire)
• Drake: Nice For What
• Jean-Michel Blais: Dans Ma Main
• Harrison ft. Ralph: Your Girl
• Jessie Reyez: Body Count
• Rich Aucoin: The Middle
• Said The Whale: Unamerican
• So Loki: Athletes World
• SonReal: Have A Nice Day
• The Weather Station: Impossible

Links: Prism Prize, More Prism Prize Stories

International Folk Music Award Winners

Canadian winners bolded

• Album: Mary Gauthier - Rifles and Rosary Beads
• Song: Joan Baez - The President Sang Amazing Grace (written by Zoe Mulford)
  
  
  
  Links: Joan Baez, More Joan Baez Stories, Video above courtesy of The Atlantic
  
  
• Artist: I’m With Her
• Spirit of Folk Awards: Alfredo Caxaj, Ellen Hamilton, Gilles Garand, Matt Smith, Michael Wrycraft, ShoShona Kish, Sonny Ochs and Sofia Rei
• The People’s Voice Award: Buffy Sainte-Marie
• The Clearwater Award: Hillside Festival (Guelph)
• Folk DJ Hall of Fame Inductees: Bob Harris, Matt Watroba, Wanda Fischer
• Lifetime Achievement Awards: Leonard Cohen (Legacy), Joni Mitchell (Living)

Links: International Folk Music Awards, More IFMA Stories

MORE NEWS ROUNDUPS

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Danny Michel's Space Van Season 5 Videos

We here at the Hamilton Blues Lovers recently discovered that Waterloo singer/songwriter Danny Michel has a wonderful webcast series Dan's Space Van where he interviews amazing musicians in his vehicle.

Season 6 recently started up so we're posting videos of the 5th season to catch you up. We'll be posting future episodes through our News Roundup series.



Links: Bahamas, Video above courtesy of Danny Michel



Links: Skye Wallace, Video above courtesy of Danny Michel



Links: Joel Plaskett, More Joel Plaskett Stories, Video above courtesy of Danny Michel



Links: Irish Mythen, More Irish Mythen Stories, Video above courtesy of Danny Michel



Links: Kevin Breit, More Kevin Breit Stories, Video above courtesy of Danny Michel

Links: Danny Michel, More Danny Michael Stories, More Space Van Episodes

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