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Nelly Furtado sweeps the Juno Awards
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Monday, 2 Apr 2007
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Nelly Furtado became a prolific girl Sunday at the Juno Awards here, winning every category she was up for — single of the year for Promiscuous, fan choice of the year and album of the year for Loose.
After controversy earlier in the week about a certain reality TV show, the awards turned into more of a cakewalk than an amazing race for Furtado.
Indeed, the Victoria native takes home five glass statuettes in all, having won pop album of the year and artist of the year at the non-televised awards Saturday night. She didn’t lose a single category all weekend.
"I’m just happy to be here, and humbled," Furtado said after getting her first award of the night for fan choice. She had changed out of her comical, show-opening bird costume and into a blue gown just in time for the presentation. "Thank you Canada. Thank you for accepting me. I love you,’" she exclaimed on her second trip forward.
Furtado, after only seven years in the public eye, now has 10 Juno Awards, which places her in the top 10 all-time of Juno winners, tied with Murray McLauchlan and only one shy of the legendary Gordon Lightfoot. She has a ways to go to catch the leader Anne Murray, however, who has 24.
The picture of poise all evening, Furtado became emotional after the show, talking to the press about her early days in the music business, working an office job in Toronto, applying for grants to make her first video (which she received) and using the company photocopier to print out her bio.
"I just love doing what I do," she said with tears in her eyes. "It means a lot to me."
Furtado mentioned she lost twice in the album of the year category, so this year, "I was shocked, honestly. I didn’t think it would happen so soon."
On her high-flying entrance she said: "I was scared at the last minute but I got a lot of support from the audience."
Toronto band Billy Talent staked a claim to rock supremacy, scoring wins for group of the year and rock album of the year — beating Canadian rock veterans The Tragically Hip in both categories. The four-piece of Ben Kowalewicz, Ian D’Sa, Jon Gallant and Aaron Solowoniuk now have five Junos. They won their first in 2004 and two in 2005.
Kowalewicz made a point of thanking the band’s fans. "We believe in them as much as they believe in us."
Later, he said they would show the trophy to their parents as proof that "following your heart is okay, following your dreams [is okay]."
The band had less lofty plans for after the show, however: "Get drunk. Very, very drunk," Kowalewicz stated matter-of-factly.
There were only seven awards presented in the performance-packed show, which meant only four different artists walked up to the podium.
Tomi Swick split the difference in his category, new artist of the year; two nominees were former Canadian Idols, Eva Avila and Melissa O'Neil, and two are hot new indie acts Neverending White Lights and Patrick Watson.
Swick, from Hamilton, has built a solid fan based with constant touring with his major label debut Stalled Out In The Doorway. The burly, mop-haired singer’s first reaction was "holy crap."
Swick was supposed to play in the Juno Cup hockey game but couldn't because he had a concussion — the result of a parking dispute back home in which he ended up getting jumped from behind.
"I kind of said something and they went and told these guys."
With a heavy trophy to protect himself, Swick heads immediately out on a tour with Jeremy Fisher.
R&B/soul recording of the year went to jacksoul, AKA Haydain Neale, for mySOUL. Neale’s album was inspired by the huge response he got with a version of These Eyes, which he performed for the Guess Who's Walk of Fame induction. His wide-ranging album covers everyone from Blue Rodeo to Sam Cooke.
When his name was announced, an elated Neale walked up front and whipped up the crowd as if he were starting a concert.
"God bless you Saskatoon," he shouted over the applause.
Neale's formula for success on the album was simple: "You find some really great tunes and sing the crap out of them."
He named Jim Cuddy's "Try" as his favorite from the album. "It’s a wicked song."
Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie gave a unique introduction to producer Bob Rock's induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Known for his cryptic and poetic lyrics, Downie described Rock as "an old-world master from before the cost of sound."
Backstage, Rock joked that he was having trouble following what Downie meant.
The 36th annual Juno Awards are history. Next year they rock Calgary.
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