The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and broadcast partner CBC today announced that The JUNOS Presented by TD will reveal the 2020 award winners in a special, virtual presentation on Monday, June 29 at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) on the free CBC Gem streaming service, CBC Music’s Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages, and for audiences around the world at CBCMusic.ca/junos. Featuring a lineup of guest presenters and special performances, the awards will be given out across all 42 categories.
Audiences will experience exclusive performances by Indigenous artist iskwē (2020 Adult Alternative Album of the Year and Music Video of the Year*nominee), alt-pop duo Neon Dreams (2020 Breakthrough Group of the Year* nominee), and bluegrass ensemble The Dead South (2020 Traditional Roots Album of the Year nominee). Presenters include three-time 2020 JUNO Award nominee and instrumental composer Alexandra Stréliski, Andrew Phung from CBC’s hit comedy Kim’s Convenience, Chris Boucher from the 2019 NBA Championship team the Toronto Raptors, Actor and musician, Finn Wolfhard from Stranger Things, IT and the upcoming Ghostbuster: Afterlife, CBC Kids’ Studio K host Gary the Unicorn, host of The Strombo Show George Stroumboulopoulos, two-time JUNO Award winner and singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez, two-time JUNO Award-winning soprano Measha Brueggergosman, 2020 Adult Contemporary Album of the Year nominee Nuela Charles, Indigenous Music Summit founder and Producer and JUNO Award-winning artist with Digging Roots – ShoShona Kish, the Minister of Canadian Heritage The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, and CBC Music hosts Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe, Florence K, Julie Nesrallah, Laila Biali, Odario Williams, Rich Terfry, Saroja Coelho, Tom Allen, and CBC q host Tom Power.
Due to the escalation of the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on communities across the country and around the world, the difficult decision was made to cancel the 49th annual JUNO Awards that were set to take place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in March 2020.
“We are thrilled to finally announce the 2020 JUNO winners and recognize all of the incredibly talented artists who’ve been waiting patiently since we had to, unfortunately, cancel JUNO Week in Saskatoon,” said Allan Reid, President & CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards & MusiCounts. “Thanks to the amazing support of our broadcast and content partner CBC and our presenting partner TD, along with all of our funders and partners, we’re able to celebrate the best in Canadian music this year through this special virtual JUNOS event.”
Alessia Cara, who was scheduled to host The JUNO Awards Broadcast in Saskatoon, leads this year with a total of six nominations including: JUNO Fan Choice*, Single of the Year, Album of the Year*, Artist of the Year*, Songwriter of the Year* and Pop Album of the Year*. Tory Lanez received five nominations including JUNO Fan Choice*, Artist of the Year*, Rap Recording of the Year and two nominations in the R&B/Soul Recording of the Year category.
Artists with three nominations include Alexandra Stréliski for Album of the Year*, Breakthrough Artist of the Year* and Instrumental Album of the Year; Bryan Adams for Album of the Year*, Artist of the Year* and Adult Contemporary Album of the Year; bülow for Single of the Year, Songwriter of the Year* and Pop Album of the Year*; Loud Luxury for JUNO Fan Choice*, Group of the Year and Dance Recording of the Year; NAV for JUNO Fan Choice*, Album of the Year* and Rap Recording of the Year; and Shawn Mendes for JUNO Fan Choice*, Single of the Year and Artist of the Year*.
The host province of Saskatchewan is well-represented with nominations including first-time nominees Hunter Brothers for Breakthrough Group of the Year* and Country Album of the Year; Foxwarren for Alternative Album of the Year*; The Dead South for Traditional Roots Album of the Year; and Terri Fidelak and Carey Shaw for Album Artwork of the Year.
Fans are encouraged to continue voting for their favourite nominee for JUNO Fan Choice Presented by TD at junofanchoice.ca. Voting will close on Tuesday, June 23 at 5 p.m. ET.
For a complete list and biographies of all nominees and more information on The JUNOS, please visit junoawards.ca.
The JUNO Awards’ Official Wine Partner Jackson Triggs will be gifting all the 2020 JUNO Award nominees with a bottle of Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Entourage Brut in celebration of their nomination and to enjoy as they tune into this year’s program.
We invite music fans from across the country, and around the world, to join us in honouring the 171 nominees in 42 categories, on June 29. We encourage you to dress up and watch along with us and share your photos and videos on social media tagging @TheJUNOAwards and #JUNOS for a chance to be featured.
