The Wailin' Jennys Bring Home a Juno

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Winnipeg folk darlings The Wailin' Jennys' trophy shelf is starting to get a little crowded. With recents wins at the Canadian Independent Music Awards for Favourite Folk/Roots Group and the Western Canadian Music Awards for Outstanding Roots Recording, the trio added another statue on April 2, taking home the Juno for Best Roots and Traditional Album (Group) for their debut full length 40 Days.

Ruth Moody and Nicky Mehta were joined by former bandmate Cara Luft - who left the group in the fall - in accepting the award at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards in front of an ecstatic crowd at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. The Jennys acknowledged friends and fellow hometown nominees Nathan while thanking their label Jericho Beach, distributor Festival Records, and both MARIA and Manitoba Film & Sound at the non-televised event.

Returning to Winnipeg after three months of extensive touring - including a trip to the U.K. and a sold-out showcase at the prestigious South by Southwest conference in Austin - The Jennys have already had an impressive Juno weekend. Moody, Mehta, and newest member Annabelle Chvostek not only showcased at JunoFest, but will perform in the special Winnipeg tribute at the 2005 Juno Award telecast on April 3, along with Randy Bachman, Burton Cummings, and 2005 Juno nominees Nathan, Fresh I.E., and The Waking Eyes.

The Jennys' win was the only award for Manitoba acts, though nine were nominated, including Brandon violinist James Ehnes, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, instrumentalists Longhouse, classical composer Robert Turner, and video director Benjamin Weinstein. The award solidifies the trio as one of Canada's top folk acts.

For more information on the 2005 JUNO Awards and Juno events, please visit www.junoawards.ca.

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