Two of Canada’s hottest young talents picked up JUNO Awards on Sunday night in a CTV broadcast packed with performances, humour and emotion.
Shawn Mendes accepted the Fan Choice Award, the night’s only award chosen by the public. In a short acceptance speech, the 18-year-old singer heaped thanks on his loyal fans — whom he called friends.
Mendes, who performed his hit “Mercy” earlier in the show, went into JUNO weekend in Ottawa with five nominations.
Backstage after the show, Mendes spoke about staying grounded.
"It's a lot harder than it looks at times," he said. "It's about having great people around you. That's No. 1. Staying close with your family and friends and really just knowing what's important to you -- and that's the music and your fans and performing live.
"As long as I focus on those things and don't get distracted, you can find your way through."
CARAS / iPhoto
Alessia Cara, who had four nominations, earned only one JUNO — for Pop Album of the Year (Know-It-All). It was the second JUNO for Cara, who won Breakthrough Artist of the Year last year.
At Saturday’s non-televised JUNO gala, The Weeknd, who was performing in Chile, won R&B/Soul Recording of the Year (for “Starboy”). He went into the weekend with five nominations.
Rap superstar Drake came up empty — except for an honourary International Achievement Award on Saturday — despite five nominations.
His blockbuster album Views lost Album of the Year to the late Leonard Cohen’s You Want It Darker.
“My father said that he saw a JUNO in my future,” said Adam Cohen. “Of course, it was his.
“My father, although he had international acclaim, always reminded me that he got his start in Canada.”
Earlier in the show, Leonard Cohen was remembered in a tribute by prime minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, who introduced a performance by Feist of Cohen’s “Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye.”
MORE: Who won what on the first night of the JUNO Awards
The Tragically Hip, who won Rock Album of the Year (Man Machine Poem) at Saturday’s non-televised JUNOs gala, beat Arkells, Billy Talent, Tegan and Sara and The Strumbellas to win Group of the Year.
The Hip’s frontman, Gord Downie was named Songwriter of the Year for his work on Secret Path.
Downie accepted the award in a video message.
A night earlier, he won Adult Alternative Album of the Year for Secret Path, which also earned a JUNO for Recording Package of the Year.
Jess Moskaluke was thrilled to win Country Album of the Year for her 2015 EP Kiss Me Quiet.
Earlier this year, the Saskatchewan native told iHeartRadio.ca she isn’t likely to release a full-length album.
“That’s just not the way that music is going these days,” she explained. “It’s too expensive and as much as I would love to put out [a full-length album], they’re not as well received as the EPs.”
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Sarah McLachlan was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. A video package included praise from former U.S. president Bill Clinton and singers Sheryl Crow, Diana Krall and Josh Groban.
“This is a great privilege and I am so honoured and humbled to be in such amazing company,” McLachlan said of the honour. “I have the best job in the world and I have so much to be thankful for.”
Calling music her “comfort and salvation,” the Halifax-born, Vancouver-based singer said that, because of music, “my life has deeper meaning and a powerful sense of purpose.”
McLachlan praised the diversity of Canada (“where people being polite is still an important thing”) and urged Canadians to “hold on to our light.”
She added: “I am immensely proud to stand here tonight and say that I am Canadian.”
Check out all the nominees and winners here.