2023 Opening Night Juno Winners

The opening night of the 2023 Junos saw two local acts awarded with the coveted statuettes. The rest of the awards will be handed our at a televised ceremony on Monday, March 13 at 8pm on CBC.

Click below to see the Opening Night Ceremony.

Video above courtesy of CBC Music

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

• Children's Album: Vol. 2 - Walk off the Earth & Romeo Eats (Burlington)
  
  
  
  Links: Walk Off The Earth, More WOTE Stories, Video above courtesy of Walk Off the Earth
  
  
• Group: Arkells (Hamilton)
  
  
  
  Links: Arkells, More Arkells Stories, View acceptance speech here, Video above courtesy Arkells Music
  
  
• Adult Alternative Album: Colder Streams - The Sadies 
• Adult Contemporary Album: Higher - Michael Bublé 
• Album Artwork: Ian Ilavsky (Art Director & Designer), Maciek Szczerbowski (Illustrator): EVERYTHING WAS FOREVER UNTIL IT WAS NO MORE – Esmerine 
• Alternative Album: Blue Rev - Alvvays 
• Artist: The Weeknd 
• Blues Album: Long River - Angelique Francis 
• Breakthrough Group: Banx & Ranx 
• Classical Album (Small Ensemble) : Early Italian Cello Concertos - Elinor Frey and Rosa Barocca, conducted by Claude Lapalme 
• Classical Album (Solo): Fables - Philip Chiu 
• Classical Album (Large Ensemble): Viola Borealis Orchestre de l’Agora, conducted by Nicolas Ellis, featuring Marina Thibeault 
• Classical Composition: Bestiary I & II - Bekah Simms 
• Comedy Album: A Person Who Is Gingerbread - Jon Dore 
• Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album: Jordan St. Cyr - Jordan St. Cyr 
• Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group: Digging Roots 
• Contemporary Roots Album: Come Morning - The Bros. Landreth
• Country Album: Masquerades -  Tenille Townes 
• Dance Recording: CTRL + ALT + DEL - Rêve 
• Electronic Album: Interior - Teen Daze 
• Francophone Album: Crash - Les Louanges
• Global Music Album: Thieves of Dreams - Lenka Lichtenberg
• Inspired Minds Ambassador Award: Kevin Drew
• Instrumental Album: Everything Was Forever Until It Was No More - Esmerine 
• International Album: Harry’s House - Harry Styles 
• Jazz Album (Group): Desert Bloom - Florian Hoefner Trio 
• Jazz Album (Solo): Kinds of Love - Renee Rosnes 
• Metal/Hard Music Album: Synchro Anarchy - VOIVOD 
• Music Video: Unholy - Sam Smith and Kim Petras (directed by Floria Sigismondi)
  
  
  
  Links: Sam Smith, Kim Petras, Video above courtesy of Sam Smith
  
  
• Pop Album: Dawn FM - The Weeknd 
• Producer: Akeel Henry 
• Rap Single: Twin Flame - KAYTRANADA and Anderson .Paak
• Recording Engineer: Serban Ghenea
• Reggae Recoding: Reggae Party - Kirk Diamond, Kairo McLean and Finn
• Rock Album: Otherness - Alexisonfire
• Single: Sacrifice - The Weeknd 
• Songwriter: The Weeknd
• Traditional Indigenous Artist or Group: The Bearhead Sisters 
• Traditional R&B/Soul Recording: Last One - Savannah Ré ft Dylan Sinclair
• Traditional Roots Album: Tell ‘Em You Were Gold - Pharis & Jason Romero 
• Underground Dance Single: I Knew Techno - Greg Gow
• Vocal Jazz Album: Featuring - Caity Gyorgy 
• Walt Grelas Special Achievement: Ron Sakamoto

Links: Juno Awards, More Juno Stories

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CONGRATS! Cambridge's The Reklaws Win Two Canadian Country Music Awards!

On September 11, 2022, Cambridge's Reklaws won two Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA). 

CONGRATS GUYS!

Below is a complete list of winners (local artists are bolded)

• Creative Director(s): Austin Chaffe (Reklaws - Cambridge -  & Others) 
• Group or Duo: The Reklaws (Cambridge)
• Top Selling Canadian Single: What The Truck – The Reklaws & Sacha 
  
  
  
  Links: Reklaws, More Reklaws Stories, Sacha, More Sacha Stories, Video above courtesy of The Reklaws
  
  
• Video Director: Ben Knechtel (One of the videos: Somewhere To Drink by Nate Haller - Waterloo, The Reklaws - Cambridge, Brett Kissel)
  
  
  
  Links: Nate Haller, Reklaws, More Reklaws Stories, Brett Kissel, More Brett Kissel Stories, Video above courtesy of Nate Heller
  
  
• Album: Masquerades – Tenille Townes
• Alternative Country Album: Songs My Friends Wrote – Corb Lund
• Bass: Brandi Sidoryk
• Booking Agency: Sakamoto Agency
• Country Music Program or Special: Pure Country Top 50 Of 2021 Hosted By Shannon Ella With Special Guests Dustin Lynch & MacKenzie Porter – Bell Media
• Country Personality: Paul Ferguson – CHCQ-FM
• Drummer: Matthew Atkins
• Entertainer: Tenille Townes
• Fan's Choice: Dallas Smith
• Female Artist: Tenille Townes
• Fiddle: Denis Dufresne
• Guitar: Matt McKay
• Hall of Fame Inductions: George Fox, Randall Prescott
• Hank Smith Award of Excellence: Ollie Strong
• Humanitarian Award: The Unison Fund
• Industry Person: Brianne Deslippe – Big Loud Records – VP International
• Interactive Artist: Hailey Benedict
• Keyboard: Brendan Waters
• Male Artist: Dallas Smith
• Management Company: Starseed Entertainment
• Music Publishing Company: Anthem Entertainment
• Radio Station (Large Market): CFCW – Edmonton, AB
• Radio Station (Medium/Small Market): CHCQ-FM – Belleville, ON
• Record Company: Warner Music Canada
• Recording Studio: MCC Recording Studio – Calgary, AB
• Record Producer: Joey Moi- Single: Dallas Smith - Hide From A Broken Heart
• Retailer: Apple Music
• Rising Star: Andrew Hyatt
• Single: Girl Who Didn’t Care – Tenille Townes
  
  
  
  Links: Tenille Townes, More Tenille Townes Stories, Video above courtesy of Tenille Townes
  
  
• Songwriter(s): Girl Who Didn’t Care  - Tenille Townes) (co-written by Steph Jones, David Pramik)
• Specialty Instrument: Mitch Jay
• Steel Guitar Player: Mitch Jay
• Talent Buyer or Promotor: Paul Biro – Sakamoto Agency
• Top Selling Album: Dangerous: The Double Album – Morgan Wallen
• Top Selling Canadian Album: Honkytonk Revival – Jade Eagleson 
• Video: High School – Nice Horse
  
  
  
  Links: Nice Horse. Video above courtesy of Nice Horse

Links: Canadian Country Music Association, More CCMA Stories

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CONGRATS! 2021 Canadian Country Music Awards Winners, Including Cambridge's Reklaws

The 2021 Canadian Country Music Awards were held on November 28-29 at a wonderful televised event in London, Ontario. Cambridge's The Reklaws took home two trophies. CONGRATS! 

Below are highlights from the ceremony

Links: Canadian Country Music Association, More CCMA Stories, Video above courtesy of ET Canada

Below is a complete list of winners:

• Group or Duo: The Reklaws (Cambridge)
• Top Selling Canadian Single: Can’t Help Myself – Dean Brody & The Reklaws (Cambridge)
  
  
  
  Links: Reklaws, More Reklaws Stories, Dean Brody, More Dean Brody Stories, Video above courtesy of Dean Brody
  
  
• Entertainer: Dallas Smith
• Male Artist: Dallas Smith
• Top Selling Canadian Album: Timeless – Dallas Smith
• Single: “Like A Man” — Dallas Smith
• Album: Tenille Townes — “The Lemonade Stand”
• Alternative Country Album: Agricultural Tragic – Corb Lund
• Female Artist: Tenille Townes
• Fans’ Choice: Brett Kissel
• Video: Make A Life, Not A Living – Brett Kissel
  
  
  
  Links: Brett Kissel, More Brett Kissel Stories, Video above courtesy of Brett Kissel
  
  
• Live Innovation Award: Brett Kissel: Live At The Drive-In
• Country Music Program or Special: Brett Kissel: Live At The Drive-In
• Rising Star: Robyn Ottolini
• Interactive Artist or Group: Lindsay Ell
• Songwriter(s): Patricia Conroy, Ester Dean, Andrew DeRoberts, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Shane McAnally, Madeline Merlo, Tina Parol, Hillary Scott, Ryan Tedder, Dave Thomson — (Lady A: Champagne Night)
• Drummer: Matthew Atkins/Ben Bradley (tie)
• Fiddle Player: Tyler Vollrath
• Specialty Instrument Player: Mitch Jay
• Creative Director(s): Bronwin Parks, Emma-Lee (Album: Washboard Union: Everbound)
• Management Company: MDM Artist Management Services
• Recording Studio: MCC Recording Studio
• Music Publishing Company  Warner Chappell Music Canada
• Music Director (Medium or Small Market): Paul Ferguson – CHCQ – FM (Belleville, ON)
• Music Director (Large Market): Amanda Kingsland – CKBY-FM (Ottawa, ON)
• Talent Buyer or Promoter: Paul Biro – Sakamoto Agency
• Booking Agency: Sakamoto Agency
• Industry Person: Brianne Deslippe – Vice President, International – Big Loud Records
• Country Personality: Jennifer Campbell – CIKZ – FM
• Radio Station (Medium or Small Market): CHCQ – FM (Bellville, ON)/CKGY – FM (Red Deer, AB) (tie)
• Radio Station (Large Market): 840 CFCW (Edmonton, AB)
• Record Company: Warner Music Canada
• Record Producer: Danick Dupelle (“Sometimes I Don’t, But Sometimes I Do,” Tyler Joe Miller)
• Retailer: Apple Music
• Video Director: Stephano Barberis
• Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award: CP Holiday Train
• CCMA Hall of Fame Inductions: Patricia Conroy (Artist Inductee) / Randy Stark (Stan Klees Builder)

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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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CONGRATS! 2020 Canadian Country Music Award Winners

Unfortunately, no local artists won the 2020 CCMA Awards. Nevertheless, Canada's incredible Country music scene received a great online gala on September 27.

Alberta's Brett Kissel was the big winner with 4 awards to his name.

Links: Brett Kissel, More Brett Kissel Stories, Video above courtesy of Brett Kissel

Below is a complete list of winners.

• Fan's Choice: Brett Kissel
• Male Artist: Brett Kissel
• Album: Now Or Never – Brett Kissel
• Creative Director(s): Design Team: Brett Kissel, Connor Schefler, Album: Now Or Never (Artist: Brett Kissel)
• Entertainer: Dallas Smith
• Group or Duo: The Washboard Union
• Female Artist: Tenille Townes
• Songwriter(s): Tenille Townes - Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking) (co-written w Tina Parol, Gordie Sampson)
• Video: Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking) – Tenille Townes
  
  
  
  Links: Tenille Townes, More Tenille Townes Stories, Video above courtesy of Tenille Townes
  
  
• Guitar Player: Matt McKay
• Drummer: Ben Bradley
• Steel Guitar Player: Mitch Jay
• Specialty Instrument Player: Mitch Jay
• Fiddle Player: Tyler Vollrath
• Rising Star: Tenille Arts
• Roots Album: Everbound – The Washboard Union
• Interactive Artist or Group: Lindsay Ell
• Single: Keep It Simple – James Barker Band
  
  
  
  Links: James Barker Band, More James Barker Stories, Video above courtesy of James Barker Band
  
  
• Bass Player: Lisa Dodd/Justin Kudding (tie)
• Keyboard Player: Brendan Waters
• Radio Music Director (Large Market): Amanda Kingsland – CKBY-FM – Ottawa, ON
• Radio Music Director (Medium/Small Market): Shilo Bellis – CJXL-FM – Moncton, NB
• Recording Studio: Noble Street Studios – Toronto, ON
• Country Personality: Shannon Ella – Pure Country
• Radio Station (Large Market): CKRY-FM – Calgary, AB
• Radio Station (Small/Medium Market): CJXL-FX – Moncton, NB
• Booking Agency: Sakamoto Agency
• Country Club: King Eddy – Calgary, AB
• Country Festival: Boots And Hearts Music Festival – Oro-Medonte, ON
• Country Music Program: Canada Together: In Concert – Corus Entertainment
• Management Company: Invictus Entertainment Group
• Music Publishing Company: Warner Chappell Music Canada
• Record Company: Warner Music Canada
• Industry Person: Mike Denney – MDM Recordings Inc – President
• Record Producer (s): Scott Moffatt
• Retailer: Apple Music
• Talent Buyer or Promoter: Paul Biro – Sakamoto Agency
• Video Director: Ben Knechtel

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Links: Canadian Country Music Association, More CCMA Stories

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CONGRATS! Cambridge's The Reklaws Bring Home 2 Canadian Country Music Awards

Cambridge Country duo, the Reklaws, made their hometown proud after picking up two Canadian Country Music Awards on September 8, 2019 in Calgary, AB. They won for Album of the Year (Feels Like That) and Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year (Long Live The Night).



Links: Reklaws, More Reklaws Stories, Video above courtesy of The Reklaws

Ben Knechtel, their video director also earned some hardware (Video Director of the Year). He also directed The Worst Kind, featuring St. Catharines superstar Tim Hicks and Lindsay Ell



Links: Tim Hicks, More Tim Hicks Stories, Lindsay Ell, More Lindsay Ell Stories, Video above courtesy of Tim Hicks

The big winner of the night was Tenille Townes, who won 4 awards, including Video of the Year.



Links: Tenille Townes, Video above courtesy of Tenille Townes

Here's a complete list of winners.

• Album: Feels Like That - The Reklaws
• Top Selling Canadian Single: The Reklaws - Long Live The Night 
• Video Director: Ben Knechtel / Feels Like That (The Reklaws), Long Live The Night (The Reklaws), The Worst Kind  (Tim Hicks ft Lindsay Ell), more
• Bass Player: Lisa Dodd
• Booking Agency: The Feldman Agency
• Country Club: Rock 'N' Horse Saloon – Toronto, ON
• Country Festival, Fair or Exhibition: Cavendish Beach Music Festival – Cavendish, PE
• Country Music Program or Special: Girl Power Hour
• Creative Directors: Design Team: Buckspring Inc
• Drummer: Chad Melchert
• Entertainer: Dallas Smith
• Fan's Choice: Brett Kissel
• Female Artist: Tenille Townes
• Fiddle Player: Tyler Vollrath
• Group or Duo: The Washboard Union
• Guitar Player: Matt McKay
• Industry Person: Steve Coady - Vice President, Radio Promotions - Warner Music Canada  
• Interactive Artist/Group: Lindsay Ell
• Keyboard Player: Bart McKay
• Male Artist: Dallas Smith
• Management Company: Invictus Entertainment Group
• Music Director (Large Market): Amanda Kingsland - CKBY-FM - Ottawa, ON
• Music Director (Medium/Small Market): Luca James - CKGY-FM - Red Deer, AB
• Music Publishing Company: ole
• Record Company: Warner Music Canada
• Recording Studio: Revolution Recording - Toronto, ON
• Record Producer: Jeff Dalziel /Album: Juliet (Dan Davidson)
• Retailer: Apple Music
• Rising Star: Jade Eagleson
• Roots Album: Both Ways - Donovan Woods / What We're Made Of - The Washboard Union
• Single: Somebody's Daughter - Tenille Townes
• Songwriters of the Year: Barry Dean, Luke Laird, Tenille Townes - Somebody’s Daughter (Tenille Townes)
• Specialty Instrument Player: Mitch Jay
• Steel Guitar Player: Mitch Jay
• Talent Buyer or Promoter: Paul Biro - Sakamoto Agency
• Top Selling Canadian Album: Guylaine Tanguay - 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard
• Video: Somebody’s Daughter - Somebody’s Daughter (Tenille Townes)

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Links: Canadian Country Music Association, More CCMA Stories

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