The second, televised night of the Junos was disappointing in some ways. An alarming number of winners were no-shows. Five-time nominees (and non-winner) Prozzäk was there to perform a medley of hits (making it the first time many fans had seen what the band looked like, as their videos and album are artist's caricatures), and two members of the Backstreet Boys showed up (Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean), but neither Bryan Adams nor Shania Twain, both winners, were on-hand to accept their awards. (This is opposed to Saturday, where 14 of the 31 winners didn't show.) Also a surprise was the win of Montréal group Sky for best new artist. The award is traditionally given to the group that is believed to have the most potential for future success, but Sky disbanded over a month ago. Other surprises included the fact that at least two major awards winners were NOT Canadian, and the win of talented Chantal Kreviazuk when up against the more-established Celine Dion and Alanis Morissette. Although nominated for a few awards, the recently-retired Dion didn't take anything home that night. This year's Junos featured a new award (Best Vocal Jazz Album), which, to no one's surprise, went to Grammy-winner Diana Krall.
The high points of the night were the induction of Bruce Fairbairn into the hall of fame (a Vancouver producer who worked with many rock legends, and died last year at age 49), and the recognition of singer Sarah McLachlan (despite receiving no nominations) with the International Achievement Award (presented by Alanis Morissette). Here are the nominees (and winners) in each of the nine awards categories presented on Sunday night:
BEST SELLING ALBUM (FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC)
These Are Special Times (Celine Dion)
Americana (The Offspring)
...Baby One More Time Britney Spears)
Millenium (Backstreet Boys) WINNER
Ricky Martin (Ricky Martin)
BEST ALBUM
Tuesday's Child (Amanda Marshall)
These Are Special Times (Celine Dion)
Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (Alanis Morissette) WINNER
Hot Show (Prozzäk)
On a Day Like Today (Bryan Adams)
BEST FEMALE ARTIST
Lynda Lemay
Amanda Marshall
Chantal Kreviazuk WINNER
Celine Dion
Alanis Morissette
BEST MALE ARTIST
Edwin
Tom Cochrane
Bryan Adams WINNER
Paul Brandt
Choclair
BEST GROUP
Moist
Our Lady Peace
La Chicane
The Tea Party
Matthew Good Band WINNER
BEST NEW GROUP
Serial Joe
Prozzäk
Len
Gob
Sky WINNER
BEST SONGWRITER
Tal Bachman (She's So High; If You Sleep)
Shania Twain (Man! I Feel Like a Woman; You've Got a Way; That Don't Impress Me Much) WINNER
Bruce Cockburn (Last Night of the World; Mango; Pacing the Cage)
Amanda Marshall (Believe In You; If I Didn't Have You; Love Lift Me)
Alanis Morissette (Thank U; Unsent; So Pure)
