The 2018 JUNO Awards Broadcast recognizes rising talent and pays homage to legends, capping week-long celebration of Canada's biggest night in music

• Gord Downie becomes most awarded male Canadian artist of all time with Artist of the Year win
• Barenaked Ladies inducted to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame
• Host Michael Bublé surprised fans with a special performance with Diana Krall

VANCOUVER, March 25, 2018 /CNW/ - THE 2018 JUNO AWARDS celebrated Canada's biggest night in music in grand style, from the 200-foot red carpet taking over the Georgia viaduct to the sold-out live CBC broadcast from Vancouver's Rogers Arena. The two-hour show opened with a special instrumental rendition of International Achievement Award Winner, Arcade Fire's "Everything Now," who also took home Album of the Year* for their album Everything Now.

This year's broadcast on CBC, CBC Radio One and CBC Music, which was also livestreamed simultaneously around the globe through cbcmusic.ca/JUNOS, showcased some of the nation's best talent, honoured artistic legends and recognized rising talent who continue to transform the Canadian music scene.

As a true testament to the craft, dedication and inspirational artistry that defined Gord Downie's career, the beloved musician received recognition as Artist of the Year*. This marks Downie's 21st JUNO Award, following his two wins from for his solo album, Introduce Yerself, Saturday, along with his multiple wins with The Tragically Hip, making him the most awarded male artist in the history of the awards. The Canadian icon was further honoured in a moving tribute introduced by Kevin Drew and Pearl Wenjack. Sarah Harmer with Barenaked Ladies' keyboardist Kevin Hearn performed "Introduce Yerself" and Dallas Green of City and Colour performed an emotional rendition of "Bobcaygeon," later re-joined by Sarah Harmer.

Canada's hottest rising stars took home some of JUNO weekend's biggest awards. Jessie Reyez took home the recognition for Breakthrough Artist of the Year* and took to the stage to deliver a raw rendition of her breakout hit "Figures." She was joined by fellow R&B sensation Daniel Caesar, who capped the JUNO stop of his global tour by taking home R&B/Soul Recording of the Year* for his debut studio album, Freudian.

Tory Lanez received the JUNO Award for Rap Recording of the Year for his runaway hit, "Shooters." Presenters Northern Touch Allstars: Rascalz, Checkmate, Kardinal Offishall, Thrust and Choclair surprised fans with a performance of their hit song, "Northern Touch," to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking hip-hop release.

Following his major win last night, bringing home the JUNO Award for Single of the Year, Shawn Mendes was awarded the JUNO Fan Choice Award.*

The evening's awards were anchored by the induction of eight-time JUNO Award winners Barenaked Ladies, alongside co-founder and singer-songwriter Steven Page, into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Presented by Geddy Lee, the recognition marked three decades as legendary performers and one of Canada's most celebrated groups. Fans rejoiced as Barenaked Ladies and Page took the stage for a special one-time performance of "If I Had $1,000,000," with original member Andy Creegan, and "One Week," joined by friends Jann Arden, Jim Cuddy, The Jerry Cans, City & Colour, Eric McCormack and Northern Touch Allstars and more.

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS AT THE 2018 JUNO AWARDS, INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES AND IMAGES, GO TO WWW.JUNOAWARDS.CA

CBC's broadcast of THE 2018 JUNO AWARDS featured 10 performances including a stunning return by Diana Krall performing "L-O-V-E" and joined by the evening's host Michael Bublé; first-time nominees The Jerry Cans performed their hit song "Ukiuq (Northern Lights)"; Vancouver local Shawn Hook gave a special performance joined by The Vancouver Chinese Youth Orchestra honouring MusiCounts; fan-favourite Arkells rocked the stage with their hit track "Knocking at the Door"; vocal powerhouse Lights performed a beautiful rendition of her hit "Giants" and honoured other female JUNO nominees artists with personalized graphic novel-style portraits depicting them as powerful characters; and DJ Felix Cartal kept sounds flowing as house DJ throughout the evening.

The evening's exceptional roster of presenters included Kim's Convenience star Andrea Bang; master producer Bob Rock; trailblazing songwriter and social activist Buffy Sainte-Marie; pop, electro artist Charlotte Cardin; pop singer and visual artist Grimes; Member of the Order of Canada Jann Arden; Weaves' lead singer Jasmyn Burke; Canadian Olympic snowboarder Mark McMorris; Canadian Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly; singer-songwriter Ria Mae, pop sensation Ruth B; singer-songwriter Scott Helman; Theory frontman Tyler Connolly and Canadian hip-hop trailblazers Northern Touch Allstars: Rascalz, Checkmate, Kardinal Offishall, Thrust and Choclair.

*Award Sponsors for the 2018 JUNO Awards include Artist of the Year (presented with Apple Music), Songwriter of the Year (presented by SOCAN), JUNO Fan Choice (presented by TD), Album of the Year (sponsored by Music Canada), Breakthrough Artist of the Year (sponsored by FACTOR, The Government of Canada and Canada's Private Radio Broadcast), and R&B/Soul Recording of the Year (sponsored by CBC Music).

Exclusive Broadcast and Content Partner: CBCmusic.ca

CARAS acknowledges the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada and of Canada's Private Radio Broadcasters.

Premier Partners of the 2018 JUNO Awards: The Province of British Columbia, Creative BC, the City of Vancouver, Apple Music and TD Bank Group.

Web Links:
Official JUNO Awards website: www.junoawards.ca
Twitter:@TheJUNOAwards
Instagram:@TheJUNOAwards
Hashtag: #JUNOS

About CARAS:
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences/L'académiecanadienne des arts et des sciences de l'enregistrement (CARAS) is a not-for-profit organization created to preserve and enhance the Canadian music industry and to contribute toward higher artistic and industry standards. CARAS' mandate is comprised of four key pillars: Educate through our music education charity MusiCounts programs and initiatives, Develop emerging artists through mentorship and development programs, Celebrate Canadian artists with year round JUNO Awards showcasing, and Honour music industry icons through the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. For more information on The 47th Annual JUNO Awards or The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) please visit junoawards.ca.

About CBC/Radio-Canada:
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada's trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.

SOURCE CARAS

For further information: on the JUNO Awards or interview requests, please contact: Zai Karim, rock-it promotions, [email protected], 416 656 0707 ext. 127; Sheri Clish, rock-it promotions, [email protected], 416 656 0707 ext. 122