Junos coming back to Saskatoon in 2020

People in Saskatoon will get to see Canada's musical superstars up close and personal when the city hosts the 2020 Juno Awards.

The largest music event in the country, with all the Juno Week festivities that go with it, begins next March and culminates with the 49th annual Juno Awards. The event will be broadcast live on CBC from SaskTel Centre, on Sunday, March 15, 2020.

"There is an incredible cultural scene here, an incredible music scene," said Allan Reid, the head of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts (CARAS).

Besides the awards, some of the signature events during the week include the Juno Cup hockey tournament that raises funds for MusiCounts, a charity that puts musical instruments into schools and communities all across Canada, the Junior Junos for the kids and Juno Fanfare where artists come out for selfies and autograph sessions.

This is the second time Saskatoon has been home to the Junos, In 2007, Nelly Furtado served as host and also took home five awards. Regina played host to the event in 2013.

Saskatchewan boasts a wide array of talented artists that include 2019 Juno Award nominees Deep Dark Woods, Jess Moskaluke, Megan Nash, The Sheepdogs and 2018 Traditional Roots Album of the Year winners —The Dead South.

Nash is nominated this year in the Contemporary Roots Album of the Year category.

The Moose Jaw musician said getting a nomination is already opening doors for her.

"A Juno nomination is the first thing you put on your resume," she laughed.

"It helps you come across as more credible to the industry and to your peers and your community."

She said there are many people in the province that aren't familiar with her work and this helps get the word out in a big way.

"It's a great chance to have a spotlight put on your work," she said, adding, "Every time the spotlight is put on this province, because we have such a community-like scene, everybody benefits"

The City of Saskatoon is contributing $350,000 for the event.

According to CARAS the Junos have been an economic boon to host cities, with each host city seeing about $12 million in direct and in-direct spinoff revenue.

As Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark looked on from the second floor of the Remai Modern onto the Joni Mitchell Promenade, he said said the Junos are more than just the awards show. The week-long event will leave a legacy that helps develop and inspire young musicians.

"So the next Joni Mitchell who's walking along the river here as a child gets to have a chance to have their voice heard and to realize their potential and talent and develop as artists," Clark said.

This year's Junos are being held in London, Ont., on March 17.