TORONTO WELCOMES HOME 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE JUNO AWARDS

NEW JUNO statuette and All-NEW celebrations of Canadian music...fashion...art...and everything in between!

40th Anniversary commemorative book "Music from Far and Wide..." goes on sale November 9th!

TORONTO, Oct. 26 /CNW/ - Ruby anniversary celebrations and revelry took place in Toronto, ON, tonight as hundreds from the music industry packed the historic venue of St. Lawrence Hall - site of the first JUNO Awards in 1970 - to officially usher in the 2011 JUNO Awards. The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) is celebrating two-fold: Canada's Music Awards are turning 40, and returns home to its city of origin!

A stunning new crystal statuette for the 2011 JUNO Awards was unveiled alongside announcements of 40th Anniversary events taking place across the city. Tonight also marked the official book launch of "Music from Far and Wide: Celebrating 40 Years of the JUNO Awards" published by Key Porter Books, which goes on sale in bookstores nationwide starting November 9.

To view the full release or for more information on the JUNO Awards, go to www.junoawards.ca.

For further information: Media Contact: Adrienne Kakoullis, [phone], [email protected], www.holmescreativecommunications.com