DION LEADS JUNO NOMINATIONS Cassandra Szklarski – Canadian Press Céline Dion, who marked a change in musical direction with her latest disc Taking Chances, received a leading six Juno Award nominations Tuesday.
The Quebec diva, who is known for belting out power ballads but who has recently experimented with a harder-edged sound, will compete against herself in the album-of-the-year category.
Taking Chances is up for the coveted prize, as is the singer's French-language album, D'elles.
Following closely behind Dion with five Juno nods each are: Toronto-based artist Feist, Vancouver crooner Michael Bublé and Avril Lavigne, raisedin Napanee, Ont.
All three are up for album of the year: Lavigne for The Best Damn Thing, Feist for The Reminder, and Bublé for Call me Irresponsible.
The Juno Awards, which honour the best in Canadian music, will be handed out April 6 at Calgary's Saddledome.
Montreal's Arcade Fire; Burlington, Ont., band Finger Eleven and perennial favourite Blue Rodeo received three nominations each.
The Juno Awards have enjoyed renewed popularity ever since organizers decided to move the show from city to city each year.
Performers at this year's bash will include Lavigne, opera star Measha Brueggergosman, Anne Murray and Feist.
Feist is also up for several honours at this weekend's Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
Comedian Russell Peters will be emcee of the Juno festivities. At the awards, Canadian rockers Triumph will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. |