'Continue to persist': Musicians get political at early Junos ceremony

MichaelBubl, A Tribe Called Red andDianaKrallwereamong earlyJunowinners at a private industry ceremony Saturday evening in Vancouverthat included talkofgender parity, gun control and Indigenous issues.

Thirty six Juno Awards werehandedout to Canadian musicians ahead of the main show Sunday.

Bubl took home adult contemporary album of the year, A Tribe Called Red won group of the year and Krallwon producer of the year and vocal jazz album of the year for Turn Up The Quiet. Lights scored pop album of the year for Skin & Earth.

Battling gender stereotypes

The Beaches an all-female Toronto band took home breakthrough group of the year.

Backstage, members saidthey battled stereotypes when theyfirst started performing.

"People assumed we were fans, but we were headlining.That doesn't happen anymore, which is cool," said guitarist KylieMiller.

Family accepts award for Gord Downie

Gord Downie, the late Tragically Hip frontman, won adult alternative album of the yearposthumously and also shared songwriter of the year with Kevin Drew. His brothers, Patrick and Mike, accepted the award,advocatingfor more attention on Indigenous rights and issues facing the population.

"I can feel it, this country is changing," said Mike Downie."And it's changing for the better."

They also told media backstage that there's "stuff still to come" from Gord Downie's musical offerings.

"There's alot of material that he was doing all along, a lot of material he created after he found out he was going to die and there's a lot of archival material," said Pat Downie.

High achievers

A number of achievement awards were also handed out, including to Grammy-winning rock band Arcade Fire.

Rgine Chassagnepaid tribute to the group's home base of Montreal, while her husband, Win Butler, acknowledged the student-ledprotests Saturday whichtook place across the U.S. and elsewherecalling for gun control.

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"I just want to give a shoutout to our brothers and sisters down south," Butler said onstage. "Canada is just such a beautiful example of how it doesn't have to be like that."

He added backstage about the rallies: "I hope that we can continue to persist."

Blue Rodeo's JimCuddyand DeniseDonlon, who began on-air as aMuchMusicTV personality before becoming the first female president of Sony Music Canada, also received awards.

Donlon saidshe's only the second woman in 35 years to win theWalt Grealis Special Achievement Award, but added backstagethat it feels like "we're starting to move the needle."

Philanthropist and music industry heavyweight GarySlaightreceived a humanitarian award andstanding ovation.

Backstage drama

Rapperk-oswas supposed topresent the award to Slaight alongside Kim Stockwoodbut was late to the stage.

As hewas racing to make his slot and possibly ignored protocol,CBCradio host Grant Lawrence tweeted from the gala that the musician was"dive tackled by three security guards as he sprinted full speed to the stage."

The top Juno awards will be presented Sunday during a live broadcast hosted by Bublon CBC-TV, CBCRadio One and CBC Musicbeginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. It will also be livestreamedat cbcmusic.ca/junos.

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