Manitobans Strong Contenders for Juno Nods

Posted on

Six albums by Manitoba artists have been nominated for Junos. Doc Walker, The Duhks, Fred Penner, Remy Shand, James Ehnes and Holly McNarland will represent Manitoba April 6 in Ottawa for the 2003 Juno Awards. Shand leads the way with four nominations and is among the performers scheduled for the 31st annual ceremony. In addition, two albums handled by Winnipegs Arbor Records have also been nominated. Like the wide variety of music that Manitoba produces, the nominees are a lively and diversified bunch.

Quartet Doc Walker is nominated for Country Recording of the Year for their sophomore album, Curve. Minutes after hearing the news, vocalist / guitarist Chris Thorsteinson was understandably animated.

Were excited as hell! I want to meet Shania, exclaimed Thorsteinson. One deep breath later, he was still flying high. Its still sinking in. To get put into this league where its the top five artists in Canada, its quite an honour to be recognized by the industry. Were celebrating right now, just being nominated. It gives you that extra drive to get out there and tour some more, and write better songs, and just move forward.

Holly McNarland, who has recently moved back to Manitoba, is celebrating a Best Album Design nomination for her disc, Home Is Where My Feet Are, while Arbor Records, a local record label supporting Indigenous music, handles business for Chester Knight and Derek Miller, two artists nominated for Aboriginal Recording of the Year.

The complete list of Manitoban artists nominated for a 2003 Juno Award:

- Doc Walker Curve - Country Recording of the Year
- Remy Shand (four nominations) Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, R&B/Soul Recording of the Year, Jack Richardson Producer of the Year
- Fred Penner Sing With Fred Childrens Album of the Year
- James Ehnes (two nominations) Fritz Kreisler Classical Album of the Year (solo or chamber), Classical Album of the Year (large ensemble or soloists(s))
- The Duhks Your Daughters and Your Sons Roots & Traditional Album of the Year
- Holly McNarland Home Is Where My Feet Are Best Album Design
- Arbor Records (two nominations) Chester Knight, Derek Miller Aboriginal Recording of the Year

The Juno Awards will be held at the Corel Centre in Ottawa, Ontario at 8 p.m. Sunday, April 6. The show will be hosted by Shania Twain and broadcast nationwide by CTV.

For more information on the Juno Awards, visit www.juno-awards.ca.

Read more news