THE 2017 JUNO AWARDS Honours Canadian Music History, Heritage, and its Future Stars with Powerful Live Broadcast

• Leonard Cohen, Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip receive more Academy nods, doubling their wins for the weekend
• Co-hosts Bryan Adams and Russell Peters delight fans during supersized broadcast
• Sarah McLachlan inducted to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame

OTTAWA, April 2, 2017 /CNW/ - THE 2017 JUNO AWARDS pulled out all the stops at the sold-out live broadcast celebrating Canada's diverse musical talent. Live from the Canadian Tire Centre in the nation's capital, the two-and-a-half hour broadcast opened with a greeting from this year's recipient of the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award, Buffy Sainte-Marie. Ottawa's own A Tribe Called Red, delivered an electrifying performance celebrating Canada's indigenous culture featuring the Black Bear Drum Circle, Sainte-Marie, and internationally-renowned throat singer, Tanya Tagaq. 

As a signature event for Ottawa 2017, in honour of Canada's 150th Anniversary of Confederation, THE 2017 JUNO AWARDS broadcast showcased some of the country's best talent, honoured music legends, and recognized artists who continue to shape the Canadian music scene. 

Following a big win at Saturday's JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards, Canadian music icon Leonard Cohen received further recognition during the broadcast as the Album of the Year winner*. Later in the evening, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau delivered a touching speech on Cohen's legacy, as they introduced the tribute performance of classic Cohen song "Hey That's No Way to Say Goodbye" by Feist. The recognition of Canadian music legends continued with Gord Downie receiving Songwriter of the Year*, and The Tragically Hip taking home Group of the Year.  

Shawn Mendes, who got the crowd on their feet with a performance of his song Mercy, won JUNO Fan Choice Award*.

Four of the evening's eight awards were handed to some of Canada's top women in music. Another milestone in a wildly successful year for the young star, Ruth B. took home the first award of the night, receiving a statuette for Breakthrough Artist of the Year*. She later took to the stage to perform her whimsical hit "Lost Boy" with Orkidstra, a recipient organization for MusiCounts' TD Community Music Program. Platinum-selling Jess Moskaluke took home Country Album of the Year for her sophomore album Kiss Me Quiet, while Alessia Cara snagged the Pop Album of the Year award for her 2016 smash record Know-It-All, and delivered empowered performances of her latest single "Stay", and chart-topper "Scars to Your Beautiful" with DJ/Producer Zedd. 

As well, 10-time JUNO Award winner Sarah McLachlan was inducted to the Canadian Hall of Fame by co-host Bryan Adams, celebrating a stellar career spanning more than three decades. McLachlan later performed a stirring rendition of her song "World on Fire". 

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS AT THE 2017 JUNO AWARDS, INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES AND IMAGES, GO TO
WWW.JUNOAWARDS.CA 

Co-hosted by Russell Peters and Bryan Adams, CTV's super-sized THE 2017 JUNO AWARDS show broadcast boasted 12 unique performances including Shawn Mendes, who made this third consecutive appearance on the JUNO stage, performing "Mercy" to the screaming crowd; an energetic version of single "Side Effects" by Dallas Smith; an explosive performance of "Picturing Love" by indie rock band July Talk; a performance of breakout hit "Spirits" by The Strumbellas, in their JUNO broadcast debut; Arkells, who returned to the JUNO stage with a high energy version of fan-favourite track "Drake's Dad"; and an impactful performance by Billy Talent, who delivered the title track to their hit album, "Afraid of Heights".

The broadcast also featured hilarious taped segments by co-hosts Russell Peters and Bryan Adams, and the stars of CraveTV's smash hit LETTERKENNY. Adams, who earlier in the night performed single "You Belong to Me", closed the broadcast with an all-star jam of the co-host's classic hit "Summer of '69."

The evening's exceptional roster of presenters included electronic duo Bob Moses; music pioneer and 2017 Allan Waters Humanitarian Award recipient  Buffy Sainte-Marie; singer-songwriter and JUNO Award nominee Chantal Kreviazuk; singer, songwriter, and producer Coleman Hell; singer-songwriter Delaney Jane; rapper Jazz Cartier; platinum-selling country artist Jess Moskaluke; Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy; comedian and Much Digital Studios Creator Jus Reign; Marianas Trench frontman Josh Ramsay; ETALK reporter Liz Trinnear; the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Honourable Mélanie Joly; Nathan Dales and Michelle Mylett from CraveTV's LETTERKENNY; rockers Sam Roberts Band; and Toronto rap artist Tasha the Amazon.

***

 *Award Sponsors for the 2017 JUNO Awards listed above include Album of the Year (sponsored by Music Canada), Songwriter of the Year (presented by SOCAN), JUNO Fan Choice (presented by TD) and Breakthrough Artist of the Year (sponsored by FACTOR, The Government of Canada, Canada's Private Radio Broadcast and Radio Starmaker Fund).

THE 2017 JUNO AWARDS is produced by Insight Productions in association with CTV and The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS). Executive Producers are John Brunton and Barbara Bowlby for Insight Productions, Allan Reid and Mark Cohon for CARAS, and Randy Lennox for Bell Media. Lindsay Cox is Executive Producer and Supervising Producer, Insight Productions. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Original Programming, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Content and Programming, Bell Media. Randy Lennox is President, Bell Media.

Premier Partners of The 2017 JUNO Awards: CARAS acknowledges the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada and of Canada's Private Radio Broadcasters, Radio Starmaker Fund, Ottawa 2017, the Province of Ontario, the Ontario Media Development Corporation, Ottawa Tourism, Google Play Music and TD Bank Group.

About CARAS

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences/L'académie canadienne des arts et des sciences de l'enregistrement (CARAS) is a not-for-profit organization created to preserve and enhance the Canadian music industry and to contribute toward higher artistic and industry standards. The main focus of CARAS is the exploration and development of ongoing opportunities to showcase and promote Canadian artists and music through vehicles such as The JUNO Awards and other year-round initiatives. For more information on the 46^th Annual JUNO Awards or The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) please visit www.junoawards.ca. 

About CTV  

CTV is Canada's #1 private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV has been Canada's most-watched television network for the past 15 years in a row. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, digital, and Out-of-Home. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. More information about CTV can be found on the network's website at CTV.ca.

Web Links:
Official JUNO Awards website: www.junoawards.ca
CTV's JUNO Awards website: www.junos.ctv.ca
JUNO TV: www.junotv.ca
CTV website: www.ctv.ca

Social Media:
@bryanadams
@therealrussellp

– CTV –

SOURCE CTV

For more information about THE 2017 JUNO AWARDS on CTV, contact: Tonia Addison, 416.384.2194 or [email protected]; Amanda Rinaldo, 416.384.5325 or [email protected]; For more information about CARAS and THE 2017 JUNO AWARDS, contact: Michelle Easton, rock-it promotions, [email protected], 416.454.9060