Rocker Neil Young keeping his Juno promise. (File photo)

WINNIPEG - Hey hey, my my, Neil Young is keeping his promise. It was announced yesterday that the ex-Winnipegger will perform at the Juno Awards April 3 in Winnipeg, holding to a vow he made years ago that he would only attend the Canadian music awards if they were ever held in the city where he began his music career.

Young last attended the Junos in 1982 when he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

As suspected, this year's Music Hall of Fame inductees The Tragically Hip will also perform, it was confirmed yesterday by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. More performers will be announced once nominations are unveiled Feb. 7.

Young is a three-time Juno winner, a member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and a two-time member of the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame -- once for his solo work and as again a member of Buffalo Springfield.

Young was put into touch with CARAS by Randy Bachman, who told the Winnipeg Sun he would like to perform with his friend at the show.

"Once he says he's coming, he's coming," a confident Bachman said.

The two released the song Prairie Town -- a nostalgic rocker about growing up in Winnipeg -- in 1993 and performed together at an environmental benefit, The Clean Air Concert, in Duncan, B.C., on Sept. 17.

But don't start painting those "Welcome Home, Neil" banners just yet. While Young is officially part of the Juno schedule, the mercurial singer-songwriter is also known for doing what he wants when he wants -- and changing his schedule at the last minute, no matter what he's committed to.

"I won't believe he's here until he steps off the plane," said one local music industry insider who shall remain nameless.

Tickets for the April 3 awards show hosted by Brent Butt at the MTS Centre go on sale Feb. 12. Ticket prices will be announced next week, along with more performers.

There are other Juno announcements due in coming weeks. Here's what's due to be released and when:

* Feb. 7 -- The nominees, the release of the Juno compilation CD, additional performers.

* Feb. 14 -- Performers at the April 3 Songwriter's Circle hosted by Burton Cummings.

* Feb. 21 -- The initial list of musicians and NHL stars who will play in the JunoCup hockey game.

* March 1 -- Local events including JunoFest and Fan Fare.

* March 8 -- International performers, Fan Fare artists, JunoCup players.

* March 15 -- Presenters, additional Fan Fare artists, performers.

* March 22 -- Entertainment at April 2 gala awards dinner.

* March 23 -- Red carpet info.

Juno week will be held from April 1 to 3 and features a gala opening dinner for industry and government representatives on April 1 at Centennial Concert Hall; the JunoFest showcases April 1 and 2 featuring 100 bands at 14 venues; the songwriter's circle April 3; the FanFare autograph session; the JunoCup hockey game in Selkirk April 1; the Music in Motion five-kilometre charity run; the non-televised gala awards dinner April 2 at the Convention Centre; and the awards broadcast on April 3.