As far as red carpet shows go, the 2008 Junos saw the kind of glitz and unmatched glam that we won't likely see for some time.
But if any of the tired old stereotypes about hick-ville country-bumpkin-Cowtown were going to be erased in the minds of Canadians over the past week, it likely won't be thanks to the CTV's broadcast of the Red Carpet arrivals on Sunday night.
One by one the country's best music stars pulled up to the 'Dome, in everything from white stretch limos and black stretch Escalades, to yellow Checker cabs and a matching set of cruiser bikes. And every single last time a star arrived and stepped out of their wheels, it was set to the backdrop of the Stampede Ground's big green Agricultural Pavilion.
Although judging by the unending stream of shrieks, no one in this town seemed to notice the contrast.
The screams from fans lining the red carpet reached their height upon Avril's arrival, as she showed up sans-hubby Derek Whibley in a cute black ballerina-style dress.
But the highlight, the man who stole the red carpet how, was none other than the always-surprising, rarely-relaxed Ben Mulroney.
Despite the heavier than usual makeup and the neurotic blinking being even more incessant than last year, it was the very first words out of Mulroney's mouth that had all other mouths within earshot agape.
Introducing Juno host Russell Peters as "Russell Simmons," and being unable to roll with the gaff by pretending it was a purposeful prank at Peters' expense, left Peters speechless for what could quite possibly have been the first time in his life.
Unable to say little more to Mulroney after that than 'It's exciting," to describe how he was feeling about the evening, Page Six couldn't help but rub it in when he wandered over to our neck of the red carpet.
"That Ben Mulroney," grumbled the slightly-taller-than-Russell-Simmons
Russell Peters. "I'm going to get that guy back."
FASHION...
Red Carpet fashion for the ladies involved a lot of patent leather, red shoes, shiny dresses and poofy coats with cinched belts. I think a few people even forgot to wear a dress. They just wore poofy coats with tights instead. Shiny tights, actually. Scary.
For Nova Scotia-born oprano Meesha Bruggergosman, it was a stunning yellow dress by Calgary designer Paul Hardy.
As for the boys... Corb Lund claimed to be wearing his grandpa's suit, along with the signature tipped-back tan cowboy hat and the shiniest silver belt buckle I've ever seen. Not that I was staring. Or too dumfounded to do anything more than stand and smile like an idiot, desperately wishing I had the words to ask him for an impromptu verse from the part where the Ford gets stuck.
State of Shock wore a combo of white suit coats and shiny leather and Hedley rocked four super duper dapper Armani suits with white shades and coordinated ties.
What Alex Cuba was lacking in height he made up for with the length of his chops and the height of his afro.
JDiggz sported a Blue Jays hat in neon orange and promised us he would have worn a Flames jersey "it if had matched his outfit."
Juno nominees God Made Me Funky went with one-of-a-kind Canadian-flag-fashion, and raved about the JunoFest show at the Shamrock last night -- the same one they headlined. Looking forward to the Universal party following the awards show.
TIDBITS...
And the legends? Anne Murray is without a doubt even more charming in real life, and Jim Cuddy surprised no one when he left all the female reporters speechless.
Feist was not only the stand-along star of the awards portion of the evening, but a beautiful girl in a little gold dress -- looking tinier in real life than we would have guessed. Smaller than eTalk's Tanya Kim when standing side-by-side -- if that were possible.
Rapper Belly was enjoying his stroll on the carpet partly thanks to his two Juno nominations, partly because Sunday was also his birthday.
Finger Eleven's Sean Anderson told Page Six he had skipped out on skating in Friday's Juno Cup with his band mates because, quite simply, he was a t-ball player growing up. He loved the free outdoor concert at Olympic Plaza though. "It was awesome. At least that's what I thought. I don't know what everyone thought of us."
Best new Artist Nominee Suzie McNeil brought lots of bling along with her usual big hair and bold tattoos.
"I feel like I'm a Rock'n'Roll CInderella!" How could you not when walking around in a half-million dollars worth of diamonds designed just for her by designer Mark Rash.
Buble said: "I like the girls in Alberta," says Buble. "Especially when they grow those little Lanny McDonald moustaches. It's sexy. I don't know, I'm weird like that."
