April 04, 2003

Premier Gary Doer and Mayor Glen Murray along with Juno nominee for Country Recording of the Year, Doc Walker, today launched Manitoba’s bid to host the 2005 Juno Awards in Winnipeg.

"Manitoba is home to many inspired and gifted musicians," said Doer. "Hosting the Juno Awards ceremony in Winnipeg would allow us to highlight their creative talents for the rest of the country."

"Winnipeggers have proven again and again that we can put on a world-class entertainment event and turn it into a great party! We can prove it again with the 2005 Junos," Murray said.

The bid for the 2005 Juno Awards ceremony is a joint venture between Manitoba Film and Sound, the Province of Manitoba, the City of Winnipeg and a number of organizations from the private sector. Part of the province’s proposal is to hold the awards ceremony at the True North Centre.

A bid reception for the 2005 Juno Awards will be held at the Empire Grill in Ottawa on Saturday for representatives from the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), Manitoba Juno nominees, Manitoba’s members of Parliament and the Senate, Canadian music industry executives and a number of special guests. Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Eric Robinson and the mayor will officially host the reception with Fred Penner serving as master of ceremonies and a performance by Randy Bachman.

The 2003 Juno Awards ceremony will be held Sunday in Ottawa. At that time, Lynn Lake’s Tom Cochrane will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

This year’s Manitoba-born Juno nominees include:

• Doc Walker - Country Recording of the Year
• Remy Shand - Artist of the Year; Songwriter of the Year; R&B/Soul Recording of the Year; the Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award
• Fred Penner - Children’s Album of the Year
• James Ehnes - Classical Album of the Year: Solo or Chamber Ensemble; Classical Album of the Year: Large Ensemble or Soloist(s) with Large Ensemble Accompaniment
• The Duhks - Roots and Traditional Album of the Year: Group
• Holly McNarland - Best Album Design

In addition, Chester Knight and Derek Miller are both up for Aboriginal Recording of the Year. Both albums were produced by Manitoba’s Brandon Friesen.

"Congratulations are due to all nominees, but I know Manitobans are especially proud of their home-grown talent," said Doer. "The diverse skills and artistic ability in this province are truly amazing and, on behalf of all Manitobans, I want to wish the nominees the best of luck at the ceremonies this weekend."

First presented in 1970 and first televised in 1975, the Juno Awards honour excellence in Canadian music. The Juno Awards are now a three-day event, encompassing Junofest, an awards ceremony and dinner, and a televised gala awards show. This year’s CTV broadcast will be hosted by Shania Twain on Sunday at the Corel Centre in Ottawa.

Details are also available online at http://www.juno-awards.ca.

- 30 -