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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.


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