Tourism, Culture and Recreation
February 4, 2009
Minister Congratulates 2009 Juno Award Nominees
The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and
Recreation, today congratulated Great Big Sea and Tara Oram, who have
been nominated for 2009 Juno Awards. The announcement was made yesterday
(Tuesday, February 3), by the Canadian Association of Recording Arts and
Sciences.
Great Big Sea has been nominated in the Group of the Year category.
The St. John's band is up against Nickelback, Simple Plan, the Trews,
and Tokyo Police Club. Tara Oram's album Chasing the Sun has been
nominated in the Country Recording of the Year category. Competing
alongside the songstress from Hare Bay are Thankful by Aaron Prittchett,
Dawn of a New Day by Crystal Shawanda, Beautiful Life by Doc Walker, and
What I Do by George Canyon.
Minister Jackman said the nominations are an indication that
Newfoundland and Labrador artists are continuing to make their mark on
the national music scene.
"To see established musicians like Great Big Sea nominated along with
an emerging artist like Tara Oram underscores the fact that Newfoundland
and Labrador continues to produce and export some of the best musical
talent in the country," said Minister Jackman.
"These nominations also shine a light on our province as we prepare
to host the Juno Awards in St. John's next year," the minister added.
"Anticipation for that event is already building, and we look forward to
the opportunity to showcase our home-grown talent, as well as all the
unique aspects of our culture our heritage to a national audience."
The Provincial Government announced recently it had committed
$750,000 to support efforts to host the Junos in St. John's in 2010.
Besides being of benefit to local artists and music industry
stakeholders, the investment is expected to have a positive economic
impact on local businesses and the hospitality sector, as well as
generate media exposure that will enhance tourism opportunities.
The Juno Awards are presented annually to the top Canadian musical
artists, and acknowledge artistic and technical achievements in all
facets of music. This year's winners will be announced at a gala dinner
March 28, with the 2009 Juno Awards show, hosted by Russell Peters, to
be broadcast the following evening, March 29, on CTV. For more
information on the Junos, visit:
www.junoawards.ca.
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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca
2009 02 04
3:10 p.m.