MichaelBubl, A Tribe Called Red andDianaKrallwereamong earlyJunowinners at a private industry ceremony Saturday evening in Vancouverthat included talkofgender parity, gun control and Indigenous issues.
Thirty six Juno Awards werehandedout to Canadian musicians ahead of the main show Sunday.
Bubl took home adult contemporary album of the year, A Tribe Called Red won group of the year and Krallwon producer of the year and vocal jazz album of the year for Turn Up The Quiet. Lights scored pop album of the year for Skin & Earth.
Battling gender stereotypes
The Beachesan all-female Toronto bandtook home breakthrough group of the year.
Backstage, members saidthey battled stereotypes when theyfirst started performing.
"People assumed we were fans, but we were headlining.That does not happen anymore, which is cool," said guitarist KylieMiller.
Family accepts award for Gord Downie
Gord Downie, the late Tragically Hip frontman, won adult alternative album of the yearposthumously and also shared songwriter of the year with Kevin Drew. His brothers, Patrick and Mike, accepted the award,advocatingfor more attention on Indigenous rights and issues facing the population.
"I can feel it, this country is changing," said Mike Downie."And it's changing for the better."
They also told media backstage that there's "stuff still to come" from Gord Downie's musical offerings.
"There's alot of material that he was doing all along, a lot of material he created after he found out he was going to die and there's a lot of archival material," said Pat Downie.
High achievers
Backstage drama
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