MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2016
2016 JUNO AWARDS - Don Amero/Big Dave McLean
Among the performers announced Tuesday morning, there was a Manitoba artist who scored not one but two nominations. The Winnipeg based singer/songwriter was honoured with 2 nominations for his "Refined" album - Aboriginal Album of the Year as well as Adult Contemporary Album of the Year.
Another Manitoban who caught the attention of the JUNOS is legendary Winnpeg Blues artist Big Dave McLean for his latest album, "Faded, But Not Gone".
Big Dave plays the Old Fire Hall in Dauphin at the WAC this Friday night at 8 pm with Ken Hamm. A few tickets are still available. Charge by Phone at 204.638.6231.
Other Juno nominees include 2016 Countryfest Performers Autumn Hill for Anchor, High Valley for County Line and Dean Brody's Gypsy Road disc. Other country Album of the Year nods went to Brett Kissel whose been in the area numerous times this past year and long time Canadian chart topper Paul Brandt.
Brody is also up for the coveted JUNO Fan Choice Award. His competition is made up of Alessia Cara, Carlyl Rae Jepsen, Coeur de pirate, Drake, Justin Bieber, Shawn Hook, Shawn Mendes, The Weeknd and Walk off the Earth.
MORE JUNOS
After a blockbuster year of global hits, some of Canada's biggest artists are now being recognized at home by the Juno Awards.
The Weeknd leads the way with six nominations. He's up for best single, best album, best R&B/soul album, artist of the year, songwriter of the year and the fan choice award.
Justin Bieber and Drake have five nominations each, while breakout pop singers Alessia Cara and Shawn Mendes have four.
The Weeknd, Cara, Mendes, Bryan Adams and Dean Brody will be among the performers at the Juno Awards, which will air live from Calgary on CTV on April 3.
The best album of the year field includes Bieber, Drake, Mendes, the Weeknd and francophone Jean Leloup.
Bieber, Drake, Mendes and the Weeknd are also nominated for artist of the year along with City and Colour.
Last year was a record-breaker for Canadian performers as a handful of homegrown musicians traded spots in the upper echelons of the Billboard Hot 100.
Before Adele came calling with ``Hello,'' the Weeknd, Bieber and Drake monopolized the top few spots on the Billboard singles chart, where Canadians rarely hit No. 1. Cara and Mendes also cracked the Top 10.
To see all of the nominees go to www.junoawards.ca
MUSIC-JUNOS
After scoring seven Grammy nods, the Weeknd is now being recognized on home turf with a leading six Juno Award nominations. The Toronto native, born Abel Tesfaye, is up for Junos including best album for the moody ``Beauty Behind the Madness'' as well as artist of the year, songwriter of the year and the fan choice award. Next with five nominations apiece are Justin Bieber of Stratford, Ontario, and Toronto rapper Drake. Both are also up for album of the year - Bieber for ``Purpose'' and Drake with ``If You're Reading This It's Too Late.'' Breakout vocalist Alessia Cara of Brampton, Ontario and pop star Shawn Mendes of Pickering, Ontario each have four nominations.
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DEF LEPPARD POSTPONE TOUR
Def Leppard are calling off all tour dates this month because of illness. Their website does not specify who is ill, but singer Joe Elliott has been dealing with vocal issues lately.
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AARON TIPPIN ENDORSES USE OF SONG RATHER THAN TED CRUZ
Aaron Tippin would rather not get involved in the presidential primary race but he's fine with the use of his music in it. Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz used Tippin's song ``Where The Stars and Stripes and The Eagle Fly''
during a victory rally in Iowa Monday night. Tippin says he's not endorsing anyone but he hopes his song inspires people to vote. He says he's proud that his song ``still resonates so loudly in America.''
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SUPER BOWL NATIONAL ANTHEM WILL BE SUNG BY LADY GAGA
Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem before Sunday's Super Bowl. Marlee Matlin will accompany her by performing in American Sign Language. The halftime show will be Coldplay and Beyonce'.
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GRAMMYS ENLIST LADY GAGA FOR DAVID BOWIE TRIBUTE
Lady Gaga will do a performance in David Bowie's memory at the Grammys. She will perform what the Recording Academy calls a ``multisensory tribute'' at the ceremony on February 15.
Nile Rodgers, who produced Bowie's hit ``Let's Dance,'' will be the musical director for Lady Gaga's segment.
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COUNTRY MUSICIANS PREPARE FOR THE GRAMMYS
Cam is excited to go the Grammys and not because she's nominated. Cam says she doesn't care if she wins or even what she's going to wear. Her brother-in-law scored tickets a few years ago, so she already knows what the show is like. She says she's going just for the fun of it all. Charles Kelley probably won't go to the Grammys, in spite of his nomination. Kelley's wife is pregnant and due two days after the Grammys. Raul Malo and Eddie Perez of The Mavericks say they're going to the Grammys because it's a rare opportunity to see their friends who are otherwise on tour.
Perez says he's going because he wants to see what Kanye West does this year. The Grammys are February 15 in Los Angeles and will be shown on CBS.
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DON WILLIAMS GETS HIP REPLACED
Don Williams has been sidelined after having unexpected hip replacement surgery. His publicist says Williams is postponing his concerts while he recovers. The tour was supposed to begin February 17 in Jacksonville, Florida.
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SHELTON, DRAKE, ADELE UP FOR KIDS' CHOICE AWARDS
Blake Shelton not only will host the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards -- he's got a shot at winning one.
Shelton is nominated for favourite male singer, going up against Drake, Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Nick Jonas and The Weeknd.
Favorite female singer nominees are Adele, Ariana Grande (GRAHN'-day), Meghan Trainor, Nicki Minaj, Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift. Fall Out Boy, Fifth Harmony, Imagine Dragons, Maroon 5, One Direction and Pentatonix will compete in the group category.
Favorite new artist nominees are Alessia Cara, DNCE, OMI (OH'-mee), Shawn Mendes, Silento and Walk The Moon. The Kids' Choice Awards are March 12.
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(The Associated Press)