The 2014 Juno Awards finally announced the nominees of their annual awards show at a press conference in Toronto. Montreal's Arcade Fire leads the pack with six Juno Nominations including group of the year, songwriter and both best single and alternative album for their latest album "Reflektor".
11-time winner Michael Buble and Serena Ryder got five nods, while Drake, Tegan and Sara, Dion, and Hedley follow with four on their respective names.
The 43th annual Juno Awards, which will happen at Winnipeg's MTS Centre on March 30, will also include Bachman-Turner Overdrive's induction into the Canadian Music hall of Fame among other tributes.
Here are the other nominess vying for Juno Awards 2014 distinction:
- Artist of the year: Céline Dion, Drake, Michael Bublé, Robin Thicke, Serena Ryder.
- Group: Arcade Fire, Blue Rodeo, Hedley, Tegan and Sara, Walk Off the Earth.
- Single: Reflektor, Arcade Fire; Inner Ninja, Classified ft. David Myles; It's a Beautiful Day, Michael Bublé; What I Wouldn't Do, Serena Ryder; Closer, Tegan and Sara.
- Album: Reflektor, Arcade Fire; Loved Me Back to Life, Céline Dion; Nothing Was The Same, Drake; To Be Loved, Michael Bublé; Harmony, Serena Ryder.
- Songwriter: Arcade Fire, Henry (Cirkut) Walter, Ron Sexsmith, Serena Ryder, Tegan and Sara Quin.
- Breakthrough group: A Tribe Called Red, Autumn Hill, Born Ruffians, Courage My Love, July Talk.
- Breakthrough artist: Brett Kissel, Florence K, Tim Hicks, Tyler Shaw, Wake Owl.
- International album: Unorthodox Jukebox, Bruno Mars; The Marshall Mathers LP II, Eminem; Night Visions, Imagine Dragons; Take Me Home, One Direction; Truth About Love, Pink.
- Fan's Choice: Arcade Fire, Avril Lavigne, Celine Dion, Drake, Hedley, Justin Bieber, Michael Buble, Robin Thicke, Serena Ryder, Walk Off The Earth.
As the nominees spoke in elation about their involvement, Dallas Green of the band City and Colour issued a statement why they are pulling out from performing in the biggest Canadian music event. They were obviously expecting that their latest album, The Hurry and the Harm will be given recognition:
"I have had the pleasure of performing on the JUNO Awards many times and have been honoured by the recognition I've received over the years. I've performed with Alexisonfire, as City and Colour and as part of a tribute to one of my musical heroes. Not a lot of people get a chance to say that. Given that I have not been nominated this year, I would much rather see a new nominee be afforded the opportunity to perform on the show and have the same experience."
The City and Colour main man concluded: "I'm sorry to disappoint anyone hoping to see me perform next month, however, I will be back in Winnipeg at the MTS Centre in May as part of my cross Canada tour. I will see you then!"