Jann Arden is in her car on her way to her 17 Avenue diner for a BLT sandwich ("I'm out of food at my place," she says) when I call to ask for a quote on being nominated as best female artist of the year at the upcoming Junos.

"I am?" she asks incredulously. "When did that happen?"

Actually, the nominees were announced yesterday morning at a press conference, and winners will be announced at the Junos' 30th anniversary on Sunday, March 4 in Hamilton.

"I'm completely surprised. There must be no babes out there right now singing. What happened this year?"

Well, the nomination for Jann's CD Blood Red Cherry aside, what happened this year in the best female category is that without a new Celine Dion record, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences instead went looking for a new Celine Dion.

Hence the inclusion of popular Quebecois artists Isabelle Boulay, Lara Fabian and Lynda Lemay.

"Perhaps they had to nominate someone who people knew who they were," the self-deprecating Arden says of her own nomination.

Rounding out the list is local singer Terri Clark, who's also up for best country female artist.

"Oh, Terri -- I've never liked her," Arden says.

"Actually, she's a friend of mine, but I would not feel bad about beating her," she laughs.

What's most confusing about the best female artist is the exclusion of two Canadian women who had banner years and are nominated in other categories: Sarah Harmer, the Weeping Tile member whose You Were Here album is by far the best Canadian recording of the year 2000; and 22-year-old newcomer Nelly Furtado.

On the strength of her debut CD Whoa, Nelly! and its smash single I'm Like A Bird, Furtado was invited to perform on Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and was named in numerous end-of-the-year polls, including those in Time and Entertainment Weekly.

Despite the best female snub, she was nominated for five other Junos, including best single, best pop album and best new artist.

Sharing the lead with Furtado for most nominations this year are The Barenaked Ladies, who are making the most of their south-of-the-border-sparked renaissance.

The Ladies, who perform in town next month and who are also Grammy nominees this year, are up for both best album and best pop album (for their latest disc, Maroon), as well as best single (Pinch Me), songwriter (for members Ed Robertson and Steven Page) and best group.

Joining them in the latter category arethe usual suspects -- The Tragically Hip and Blue Rodeo -- as well as The Moffatts and boy band soulDecision.

Noticeably absent from the best group list are the elsewhere-nominated acts Our Lady Peace, Treble Charger and Matthew Good Band.

Here's hoping Mr. Good wins at least one award, because the generic rock big-mouth's lack of internal editing should make his acceptance speech a highlight of the awards night.

Other notable categories include: Best male artist, which is one of the oddest list of names you'll ever see (Nicola Ciccone, Jesse Cook, Sylvain Cossette, Snow and Neil Young); and best new group -- b4-4, Kittie, Nickelback, Sum 41 and Templar -- of which let me be the first to say, sincerely: I weep for the future.