The 2020 Juno Awards was one of the very first things cancelled in Canada by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was an absolute shame as fans, industry members, volunteers, and artists were all ready to party and celebrate and show off Canadian music.
BUT, the 2020 Juno Awards are back on, and it's fantastic to see.
On Monday, June 29, the Junos will take place as a virtual presentation special via CBC Music at cbcmusic.ca/junos as well as the CBC Gem app, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. The special will include live performances, special guest presenters, and award announcements across all 42 categories. It's not the Junos we're used to with a red carpet and a room full of stars and emerging talent. And we're still bummed that Saskatoon didn't get to put on the show they had planned. But we're really glad that things are moving forward as they are.
The Junos matter. We know that they get made fun of sometimes or devalued as the "Canadian Grammys" because we are so conditioned to care about the US eyes, charts, dollars, and recognition. But they matter. Artists from all over this country bust their asses to write, sing, produce and perform the art they live for. They travel from coast to coast to play small towns and big cities and tiny stages and major festivals. They take grants and work extra jobs and bleed and sweat and cry - and so when they are recognized by their peers and the industry, it matters.
For every international star like Shania, Celine, Bublé and Bieber, there are emerging talents like bülow, iskwē, Jessie Reyez, and Neon Dreams. So yes, we cheered with pride with when Alesia Cara won the 2018 Grammy for Best New Artist. But that doesn't make the 2020 Juno for Breakthrough Artist of the Year any less valuable to Alexandra Stréliski, Ali Gatie, bbno$, Lennon Stella, or Tenille Townes.
Now, we have to be honest and admit that winning a Juno might not be the life-changing event that we think winning awards is. It might not mean that an artist gets more spins at radio immediately. It might not mean their next tour sells out if the last tour didn't. But, it might. It might tip the scales, it's an added line to every pitch, every poster, every press release and every step forward in their career. It's a shot in the arm to tell the winner and all of the nominees that they are valued, they are seen, and they matter.
And to any artist that wasn't nominated, hasn't gotten over the hump, or doesn't even throw their hat in the ring, we see you too. And you have value, you matter, and we miss you too.
So on June 29, when we see performances from iskwē, Neon Dreams, and The Dead South, we'll be ready and happy and excited to watch them play and celebrate them. And when we see special appearances and award presentations from Andrew Phung, Alexandra Stréliski, Chris Boucher, George Stroumboulopoulos, MP Steven Guilbeault, Florence K, Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe, Tom Power, Gary the Unicorn and more - we'll be happy and excited for all of them and to celebrate all of the award-winning names called.
It's very important that we also recognize that at this very moment, a lot of things matter a lot more than the Juno Awards.
Black Lives Matter and the demonstrations around the world protesting police brutality and deadly use of force are important and seen. At home in Canada, we are also reminded of the systemic racism that exists within our borders and the hurdles and challenges and injustices that face Indigenous people, Black people, and all racialized minorities. We look at the entertainment industry from performers to boardrooms and acknowledge a need for more representation of minorities and their voices and vision and experience. And as we celebrate Pride Month, we acknowledge the fight for respect and equality that the LGBTQ+ community has fought for generations, and still has to fight today in Canada and around the world.
I hope that the 2020 Juno awards aren't a distraction from all of that. I hope that they are instead a celebration of artistic achievement and a platform that artists, presenters, and guests can use to show Canada and the world what is important to them with their music and their words.
I'm looking forward to the 2020 Juno Awards on June 29. And we send our congratulations to all of the 171 artists who have been nominated across the 42 categories.
Music is important. Canadian music is fantastic. And celebrating it matters.