Celine, Avril, Feist lead 2008 Juno nominations
Quebec diva earns six nominations for Canadian music awards
THE CANADIAN PRESS Published Wednesday February 6th, 2008
TORONTO - It will be ladies night at this year's Juno Awards, with Celine, Avril and Feist leading the nominees for the annual bash celebrating the best in Canadian music.
Quebec diva Celine Dion drew six nods after experimenting with a harder edge last year, while indie darling Feist and pop star Avril Lavigne each racked up five nominations for catchy albums that captured listeners both home and abroad.
The awards show will be hosted by comedian Russell Peters, with the funnyman freely admitting that he's never watched the Junos in his life. "I hope to make it different -- like entertaining -- this year," quipped Peters, a Brampton, Ont., native who last week sold out two nights at New York's Madison Square Garden.
Performers will include Lavigne, Feist, Anne Murray and opera star Measha Brueggergosman of Fredericton.
Vancouver crooner Michael Buble also scored five nominations, while Montreal's Arcade Fire, Finger Eleven of Burlington, Ont., and Toronto's Blue Rodeo each earned three.
The best artist category includes Lavigne, Dion, Feist, Buble and Pascale Picard.
In an odd turn, Dion will compete against herself for album of the year, with her French disc, "D'elles" up against her English disc, "Taking Chances."
The unusual twist caught singer Dallas Green off-guard as he helped read out the nominees in a live telecast Tuesday, causing the Alexisonfire frontman to look up in puzzlement.
"I don't know if that's fair," Green said to laughter from an audience of musicians, label reps and press. "Can you have two in the same category?"
Dion is up against Lavigne for "The Best Damn Thing," Feist for "The Reminder," and Buble for "Call Me Irresponsible."
Amid all the heavyweights, the year's breakout star is undoubtedly Feist, the Calgary-bred indie darling who exploded onto magazine spreads and best-of lists after her song, "1234", was featured in an IPod commercial.