Backstage at the big shoo
Sunday, March 29, 2009 | 11:08 PM ET
(Photo by Kevin Chong.)
Russell Peters’ opening monologue killed with the reporters and camera people in the lower intestine of GM Place. My favourite line was when he pretended not to know the difference between Simple Plan and Hedley. It's funny because it's true (to me).
Because of a technical glitch, the media folks didn't get the first part of the broadcast, including Nickelback's performance. (Someone behind me muttered, "Thank heavens for small mercies.")
Sarah McLachlan, recipient of the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award last night and a performer tonight, was the first Juno participant brought onstage here in the media room. She spoke about the show's improved production values. She also talked about the six-year break since her last album; she mentioned laryngitis and a couple of other reasons, before quipping, "I'm giving you a Coles Notes of why I shouldn't be working as hard as I am." When a reporter asked her to sing on the spot, McLachlan graciously obliged with the chorus to Adia.
Watching Serena Ryder onscreen reminded me of how she picked a piece of lint from a reporter's dress on the red carpet. Said reporter swooned, saying, "I wish she were my friend."
New Artist of the Year Lights came in next. I'd never heard of her before, and the 21-year-old singer helpfully explained that her stage name is a play on her German surname, Poxleitner: "It's my superhero alias," she said. Superheroes seem to figure prominently in her life. Her back is dominated by a tattoo of Wonder Woman fighting Giganta: "[It's] a little encouragement there when I look in the mirror." She also spoke of the importance of Web 2.0 sites in her career: "I use YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace... I've made a lot of friends since all that started."
The members of Loverboy appeared to the press and expressed their joy and gratitude about entering the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Mike Reno offered this slightly discombobulated response: "I wasn't nervous... I got a little weak-kneed, and then I realized I was on Lipitor." (It’s for his cholesterol.) Paul Dean mentioned that the band's early influences included the Cars and Cheap Trick, and when asked to supply advice to young musicians, he said, "Go for the melody."
Artist of the Year Sam Roberts came in the media room with his band, one member of which was attired in a serape and a Band-Aid on his face. Roberts spoke about the support he's found in his home country: "If we didn't have a connection with Canadian music fans, we'd have no career... it's our lifeblood." And about his love for his home city: "It's hard to say why it took so long [for people to] realize that Montreal has something to say when it comes to music. The city itself is a sixth member of [our] band. It's a place where if you decide to make a music for a living, nobody bats an eyes. I think having that kind of support helps when you're trying to do the impossible."
Nickelback singer Chad Kroeger gave this explanation for the expression on his face when they won the Album of the Year Award: "I was hoping for Hedley. I love those guys so much. I wanted them to win that award badly. ‘Dumbfounded’ is a good word." When asked about their fan support, Kroeger also mentioned playing in economically depressed places like Detroit: "We're flattered beyond belief." Kroeger also said this about their critical reception: "We are a very mainstream band. That's not popular among the press. But that's okay, because our fans like that music. I'm terrified about that because the press is letting up, because Rolling Stone was halfway kind to us. I'm content to let this rollercoaster ride go exactly as it is."
Anyway, I think I need to go home and hug my dog, who recently had surgery. It was a really fun experience writing about the Juno festivities, as well as to observe the gala and broadcast from a media perch. If you had even a fraction as much enjoyment reading this blog as I had writing it, then that would be my own personal Juno Award equivalent. Thanks so much.
-- Kevin Chong
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About the blog
Kevin Chong reports on various events surrounding Juno Week, as well as the Juno Awards show, which will be held March 29 in Vancouver.
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- Sunday, March 29, 2009
- Red carpet reflections
- Sunday, March 29, 2009
- Songwriters' Circle
- Sunday, March 29, 2009
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Comments
Ray K
Interesting that Juno awards blog is being written by someone who hasn't heard of Russel Peters. Like him or not, maybe the writer should get out more.
Posted March 30, 2009 06:41 AM
Roy
Canada
Is that interesting, Ray? Because nowhere in the above post does the author say that. There was a joke at the beginning about how Simple Plan and Hedley sound the same.
I enjoyed Kevin Chong's Juno Blog. It's a nice change of pace from the usual smarmy music commentary.
Seriously, though, Ray, Making a bonehead of yourself on a message board about the Junos has got to give cause for a pause and recheck of your smartypants instinct.
Posted March 31, 2009 12:37 AM
Someone
BC
Actually Roy, there is an earlier blog post where Kevin Chong talks about searching for videos of Russell Peters online because he had never heard his comedy (although he had heard of the man himself). Think twice before dishing out the bonehead remarks!
Posted April 1, 2009 10:57 PM