The presentations are coming up April 3rd. Will you be watching? Do you care?
I get the impression few people, even many of the industry folks, care about them. This is what I sent to CBC and the Juno people.
---
letter and email:
The public doesn't seem to care about the Junos. It’s not a marketing disaster because it hasn’t been successful from the get-go. And please don’t shoot the messenger.
The Junos
It’s just sad. Another Juno award year is about to come and go, but few people noticed. It’s not surprising though. I don't think your average Canadian really cares.
I think we lost interest, if there ever was any interest, because the administrators of the various associations kept changing things.
Since 1949, a growing number of organizations have handed out different award statues and scrolls. In some cases, the awards themselves have changed shape or were renamed. Some of the presenting organizations have also been renamed, or new ones created. In short, whoever keeps doing this has confused the heck out of people. As a result, many of us gave up caring.
Canadians like award shows, but most prefer watching the Oscars or the Grammys. We don’t give much thought to the Junos or any other home grown award anymore. Honestly, who can blame us?
This is probably a mistake, but I’ll try to walk you through some of the award changes.
If you were around in the 1960s, you might have read RPM magazine. It was started by a former Mountie and Toronto cop Walt Grealis. His big thing was charting top 40 Canadian records and singles. RPM was published from 1964 until 2000. Every year, some lucky Canadian musicians were presented with what was called the 'RPM Award'. They were given out based on a poll of the readership’s musical favourites.
In 1970, the RPM Awards changed, becoming the Gold Leaf Awards. This was the second name of what would become 'the Junos' in 1975. In eleven years, the name changed three times. Why? I dunno. History is full of unexplained stuff like this.
The word 'Juno' is actually a corruption of the name 'Juneau', inspired by Pierre Juneau, then Chairman of the Canadian Radio and Television Commission. The CRTC was created to ensure radio and television stations featured Canadian content. Their mandate was to protect our national identity and encourage artistic creativity.
Many of us chuckled when they made the announcement about the award’s new name. We got the feeling that someone desperately wanted to suck up to the boss.
Looking back, the only constant is change. In the same way that the RPM and Golf Leaf awards morphed into the Junos in 1975, the CRTC – the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission was “recreated” in 1976. I say recreated because the first CRTC was actually formed in 1968 as the Canadian Radio and Television Commission.
Did you notice that both CRTCs used the same acronym, but the titles were different? You probably didn’t, but that’s okay; neither did most Canadians. We still refer to them by their original name. The country is blissfully unaware that there even was a change.
Before I move on to the next part of this perplexing puzzle, I should mention that prior to the creation of CRTC 1 and CRTC 2 (Thing One and Thing Two); we had the Board of Broadcast Governors. The BBG was founded in 1958 to oversee the broadcast industry. But hold on! Before that, the CBC regulated things. Now are you confused?
Regardless of what they were called or when they were created, all these organizations had a turn at controlling radio and television broadcasting. To review, it started with the CBC, then the BBG, then the CRTC and finally the CRTC…again.
If you think about it, the CRTC, regardless of incarnation, was a musician's dream! The Commission ensured that Canadians had to listen to music that we wouldn't normally have bothered with. As a result, some so-so bands and performers got air time.
Since 1999, the CRTC compelled broadcasters to play a minimum of 40% Canadian content. But you know what? Talented folks don’t need government legislation to get noticed.
But never mind the CRTC. Let’s get back to the awards.
The RPM - Gold Leafs (Leaves?) - Junos were designed to spotlight accomplishments in the Canadian music industry. Overseeing everything was the responsibility of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS). Interestingly, CARAS was formed in 1975, just like the Junos. Before that, I guess no one was looking after Canadian music.
But we mustn’t forget that honours were also given out for excellence in television and the movies.
The Junos, as we know them today, were the musical version of another Canadian honour, the ACTRA Awards (The Association of Canadian Television and Radio Artists). They started in 1972 (probably) because of the burgeoning Canadian film and television scene. That, and they were looking for innovative ways to keep Canadian performers from moving to the US.
(NOTE TO ACTRA: Dumb idea! It didn't work! The best are still heading south. But really, can you blame them?)
Officially, the ACTRA awards were created to formally recognize outstanding writers, actors and broadcast journalists. The little statuette was called a Nellie, but she didn’t last long. They stopped distributing them (her?) in 1986 or 1987.
So that's about when the Gemini Awards were born. Something had to replace the Nellies, right? (What a silly name.)
To add to the chaos, another award was devised about then as well.
Along with the Geminis, someone dreamed up Genies for film. But wait, Genies already existed, but not as Genies. They were originally called the Canadian Film Awards, and were doled out from 1949 until 1979. See, it all makes sense now!
Where was I? The Association of Canadian Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) was renamed in 2003 to the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA). How clever! Just like the CRTC, they used the same acronym! I figure that ACTRA did that because they had a ton of pre-printed business cards and stationary. Being frugal, they didn’t want to throw it all away because of a name change.
That brings us up to the spring of 2012. Time for another change. The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television announced that the Genies and the Geminis were being replaced with yet another award - The Canadian Screen Awards. These were designed to recognize excellence in Canadian film, television, and digital media productions. Ain't progress wonderful?
Since World War Two, we've had Geminis, RPMs, Gold Leafs (Leaves?), Junos, ACTRA Awards (the Nellies), Genies, Canadian Film Awards and Canadian Screen Awards. There are probably others, but no one I’ve talked with really knows for sure.
The awards given out over the past 65 years kept changing shape and material. They've been wooden, crystal, acrylic, metal and Lord knows what else. They even changed size, but your average Canadian never noticed...
At the end of the day, most of us are either not aware of, or do not care about any of them. Few of us know the history. Fewer still even realize that some of these aren't given out anymore. Don't worry; if you’re one of these people, you're not alone. And it's nothing to be ashamed of! Just remember, it's not about you. It's about Canadian artists trying to be meaningful.
A couple of years ago, some young singer named Justin (not Timberlake or even Trudeau) got booed, but wasn’t there to hear it. He and four or five of 2014’s biggest Juno winners didn’t bother showing up. There were probably other no shows, but no one noticed. I guess they had more important matters to attend to.
I don’t know about you, but I got the impression that the artists don’t care either. It’s just sad.
A few suggestions.
1. Stop trying so hard.
2. Aim for consistency.
3. Do not force Canadian content. It breeds mediocrity.
4. Stop waving the flag. (People that follow music know where their performers call home. Besides, good music know no border!)
fin
I get the impression few people, even many of the industry folks, care about them. This is what I sent to CBC and the Juno people.
---
letter and email:
The public doesn't seem to care about the Junos. It’s not a marketing disaster because it hasn’t been successful from the get-go. And please don’t shoot the messenger.
The Junos
It’s just sad. Another Juno award year is about to come and go, but few people noticed. It’s not surprising though. I don't think your average Canadian really cares.
I think we lost interest, if there ever was any interest, because the administrators of the various associations kept changing things.
Since 1949, a growing number of organizations have handed out different award statues and scrolls. In some cases, the awards themselves have changed shape or were renamed. Some of the presenting organizations have also been renamed, or new ones created. In short, whoever keeps doing this has confused the heck out of people. As a result, many of us gave up caring.
Canadians like award shows, but most prefer watching the Oscars or the Grammys. We don’t give much thought to the Junos or any other home grown award anymore. Honestly, who can blame us?
This is probably a mistake, but I’ll try to walk you through some of the award changes.
If you were around in the 1960s, you might have read RPM magazine. It was started by a former Mountie and Toronto cop Walt Grealis. His big thing was charting top 40 Canadian records and singles. RPM was published from 1964 until 2000. Every year, some lucky Canadian musicians were presented with what was called the 'RPM Award'. They were given out based on a poll of the readership’s musical favourites.
In 1970, the RPM Awards changed, becoming the Gold Leaf Awards. This was the second name of what would become 'the Junos' in 1975. In eleven years, the name changed three times. Why? I dunno. History is full of unexplained stuff like this.
The word 'Juno' is actually a corruption of the name 'Juneau', inspired by Pierre Juneau, then Chairman of the Canadian Radio and Television Commission. The CRTC was created to ensure radio and television stations featured Canadian content. Their mandate was to protect our national identity and encourage artistic creativity.
Many of us chuckled when they made the announcement about the award’s new name. We got the feeling that someone desperately wanted to suck up to the boss.
Looking back, the only constant is change. In the same way that the RPM and Golf Leaf awards morphed into the Junos in 1975, the CRTC – the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission was “recreated” in 1976. I say recreated because the first CRTC was actually formed in 1968 as the Canadian Radio and Television Commission.
Did you notice that both CRTCs used the same acronym, but the titles were different? You probably didn’t, but that’s okay; neither did most Canadians. We still refer to them by their original name. The country is blissfully unaware that there even was a change.
Before I move on to the next part of this perplexing puzzle, I should mention that prior to the creation of CRTC 1 and CRTC 2 (Thing One and Thing Two); we had the Board of Broadcast Governors. The BBG was founded in 1958 to oversee the broadcast industry. But hold on! Before that, the CBC regulated things. Now are you confused?
Regardless of what they were called or when they were created, all these organizations had a turn at controlling radio and television broadcasting. To review, it started with the CBC, then the BBG, then the CRTC and finally the CRTC…again.
If you think about it, the CRTC, regardless of incarnation, was a musician's dream! The Commission ensured that Canadians had to listen to music that we wouldn't normally have bothered with. As a result, some so-so bands and performers got air time.
Since 1999, the CRTC compelled broadcasters to play a minimum of 40% Canadian content. But you know what? Talented folks don’t need government legislation to get noticed.
But never mind the CRTC. Let’s get back to the awards.
The RPM - Gold Leafs (Leaves?) - Junos were designed to spotlight accomplishments in the Canadian music industry. Overseeing everything was the responsibility of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS). Interestingly, CARAS was formed in 1975, just like the Junos. Before that, I guess no one was looking after Canadian music.
But we mustn’t forget that honours were also given out for excellence in television and the movies.
The Junos, as we know them today, were the musical version of another Canadian honour, the ACTRA Awards (The Association of Canadian Television and Radio Artists). They started in 1972 (probably) because of the burgeoning Canadian film and television scene. That, and they were looking for innovative ways to keep Canadian performers from moving to the US.
(NOTE TO ACTRA: Dumb idea! It didn't work! The best are still heading south. But really, can you blame them?)
Officially, the ACTRA awards were created to formally recognize outstanding writers, actors and broadcast journalists. The little statuette was called a Nellie, but she didn’t last long. They stopped distributing them (her?) in 1986 or 1987.
So that's about when the Gemini Awards were born. Something had to replace the Nellies, right? (What a silly name.)
To add to the chaos, another award was devised about then as well.
Along with the Geminis, someone dreamed up Genies for film. But wait, Genies already existed, but not as Genies. They were originally called the Canadian Film Awards, and were doled out from 1949 until 1979. See, it all makes sense now!
Where was I? The Association of Canadian Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) was renamed in 2003 to the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA). How clever! Just like the CRTC, they used the same acronym! I figure that ACTRA did that because they had a ton of pre-printed business cards and stationary. Being frugal, they didn’t want to throw it all away because of a name change.
That brings us up to the spring of 2012. Time for another change. The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television announced that the Genies and the Geminis were being replaced with yet another award - The Canadian Screen Awards. These were designed to recognize excellence in Canadian film, television, and digital media productions. Ain't progress wonderful?
Since World War Two, we've had Geminis, RPMs, Gold Leafs (Leaves?), Junos, ACTRA Awards (the Nellies), Genies, Canadian Film Awards and Canadian Screen Awards. There are probably others, but no one I’ve talked with really knows for sure.
The awards given out over the past 65 years kept changing shape and material. They've been wooden, crystal, acrylic, metal and Lord knows what else. They even changed size, but your average Canadian never noticed...
At the end of the day, most of us are either not aware of, or do not care about any of them. Few of us know the history. Fewer still even realize that some of these aren't given out anymore. Don't worry; if you’re one of these people, you're not alone. And it's nothing to be ashamed of! Just remember, it's not about you. It's about Canadian artists trying to be meaningful.
A couple of years ago, some young singer named Justin (not Timberlake or even Trudeau) got booed, but wasn’t there to hear it. He and four or five of 2014’s biggest Juno winners didn’t bother showing up. There were probably other no shows, but no one noticed. I guess they had more important matters to attend to.
I don’t know about you, but I got the impression that the artists don’t care either. It’s just sad.
A few suggestions.
1. Stop trying so hard.
2. Aim for consistency.
3. Do not force Canadian content. It breeds mediocrity.
4. Stop waving the flag. (People that follow music know where their performers call home. Besides, good music know no border!)
fin
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