The Wailin' Jennys' day has come. The local folk trio won a Juno Award last night for best roots & traditional album of the year for their debut recording 40 Days. They were the only Winnipeg band out of nine nominees to snag an award this year, beating out fellow Winnipeggers Nathan in the same category.
The Jennys' win was to be announced last night at the non-televised Juno Awards Gala at the Convention Centre, where most of this year's trophies were awarded. At press time, the Jennys -- Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta and Annabelle Chvostek -- had yet to hear the news and were not available for interviews.
But the win thrilled Kevin Walters, local Junos organizer and manager of sound recording programs at Manitoba Film and Sound, which helped fund the making of 40 Days.
"It's great to see a band like the Jennys, who started not that long ago at Sled Dog Music, become one of the top roots acts in Canada," he said proudly.
Unfortunately, for the Jennys, it's lonely at the top. Had it not been for the their win, Winnipeggers would have been shut out at this year's Junos.
Other nominees who went down to defeat last night included The Waking Eyes for best new group; Fresh I.E. for contemporary gospel; violinist James Ehnes in both the solo or chamber ensemble and large ensemble or soloist with large ensemble classical album categories; the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra for vocal or choral classical album; composer Robert Turner for classical composition of the year; Longhouse for instrumental album of the year; and Benjamin Weinstein in the video of the year category for directing The Reasons by The Weakerthans.
A total of 31 of 39 Junos were handed out at the industry-oriented gala, which was hosted by smart-alec singer-songwriter Jann Arden, who cracked wise about the crowd, the music business, downloading -- and opening performer Keshia Chante's aerobics-style outfit.
She made mention of Winnipeg's rich musical heritage and the fact tonight's televised award show sold out in a record 16 minutes.
"The only bigger sellout we've seen in this country is Celine Dion doing the Air Canada commercial."
Meanwhile, Avril Lavigne won the two awards she was in the running for last night, with statues for artist and pop album of the year. She had received the most nominations this year with five. Lavigne is not attending the Junos this year because she's touring in Asia.
Other notable wins went to Sum 41, who won rock album of the year for Chuck; Alexisonfire, who took new group honours; George Canyon, who nabbed best country recording; Feist, who won the alternative album prize; Diana Krall, who walked away with the vocal jazz album category; and Bob Rock, who took the producer of the year prize.
"Thanks to Nickelback for not being up for this award to allow us to win this year," Sum 41 drummer Stevo said after accepting the band's trophy.
Backstage, Stevo said he would give his Juno to Chuck Pelletier -- the UN peacekeeper the album was named after -- and joked about their fondness for our city.
"We love Winnipeg so much. It's the best of the Pegs."
The black-tie gala was attended by about 1,300 record industry executives, Canadian Academy Recording Arts and Sciences members, Juno nominees and political dignitaries. It started at 5:30 p.m. with a casual reception before the official ceremonies got under way just after 7 p.m. with a performance by Chante, who won a Juno for R&B/soul recording of the year.
Other artists slated to perform included African Guitar Summit, Measha Brueggergosman, Matt Dusk and Matt Mays.
The Tragically Hip were to be inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame to conclude the show. The Hip will go through it all again tonight, when the final eight trophies will be awarded at MTS Centre.
