The origins of the JUNO Awards date back to 1970. In that year, Walt Grealis and Stan Klees, publishers of the weekly trade publication, RPM, organized the Gold Leaf Awards, held at St. Lawrence Hall in Toronto. A year later, the name of the award was changed to honor Pierre Juneau, the first head of the CRTC and responsible for the implementation of the Canadian Content Regulations in 1971. The 50^th annual JUNO Awards, originally scheduled for March, and “while they are certainly going to be different, we still intend on celebrating,’” says president Allan Reid. The awards will now broadcast nationwide to celebrate 50 years in Canadian music, broadcast, NOW on May 16, 2021, on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, the free CBC Gem streaming service in Canada and globally at www.cbcmusic.ca/junos.

“It’s been a decade since the Junos returned to Toronto and while this 50th-anniversary celebration is certainly going to be different, we still intend on celebrating all of the artists who unite our country through their music,” said Allan Reid, president and CEO, CARAS/The Juno Awards and MusiCounts.

To mark the occasion, three new award statuettes were also unveiled, all inspired by the late Shirley Elford, whose handcrafted trophies were awarded between 2000 and 2010. A gold version will be awarded to all award winners, a silver version will go to Special Award recipients and a gold and silver version will go to Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees.

“It is more important now than ever that we recognize our amazing artists, industry professionals, and emerging talent – while continuing to showcase the strength and unity of our vibrant culture sector,” said Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries. “Our government is proud to support CARAS with a $1 million investment and excited to welcome the Juno Awards back to Ontario in 2021.” To help celebrate the JUNO Awards 50th anniversary, MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity, will be awarding $1.5 million dollars worth of instruments and equipment to schools and community organizations across Canada through the MusiCounts Band Aid Program and TD Community Music Program. Teachers in search of support for a school music program are encouraged to apply, before December 11, 2020, to musicounts.ca.  Applications for the TD Community Music Program will open this spring.

SO STOKED TO SHARE THE OFFICIAL NOMINEES FOR THIS PRESTIGIOUS 5OTH JUNO AWARDS. 4 MORE SLEEPS till March 9th, when the nominations for the 50th Juno Awards are announced.