Nelly’s sweep begins
SASKATOON — The Nelly Sweep has officially begun.
Five-time Juno nominee Nelly Furtado picked up two early awards for pop album of the year for her latest disc, Loose, and artist of the year last night at the pre-telecast gala dinner and awards held at TCU Place.
The Victoria-born, Toronto-based singer-songwriter was also in line to win the remaining three awards she’s vying for during tonight’s televised Junos at Credit Union Centre, an event she is also hosting and performing on.
Her huge hit, Promiscuous, seems a lock for single of the year, while Loose seems a sure thing for album of the year, since it’s the best selling Canadian album of 2006 and has sold a staggering 10 million copies worldwide.
“This third album’s really kind of cemented a lot of things for me, kind of set in stone that I hope to be doing this for at least the rest of my life,” Furtado said earlier in the day.
The Juno Face Choice Award, voted on by fans, also seems a sure bet for Furtado, who said before the gala dinner that she was most looking forward to the performances during tonight’s show.
“I mean I’m a quite a cheerleader, I have a lot of team spirit, and I feel it more than ever when I’m at the Juno Awards,” said Furtado.
Still, she did admit the Juno hosting gig has been “really stressful, but a good kind of stressful… I think my performance will be the most relaxing part of the evening for me.
“It’s live TV and live TV is strange,” Furtado continued. “Like anything can happen, like my microphone could stop working or the teleprompter could be on the wrong section, so there’s a lot of variables. Also I happen to have a sort of edgy personality where I like to throw people for a loop sometimes. I like to do the unexpected. I like to push buttons.”
Other early winners at last night’s pre-telecast gala dinner ceremony, which saw 32 of 39 Junos handed out, included City and Colour’s Sometimes, which picked up best alternative album, Diana’s Krall’s From This Moment On, which won vocal jazz album of the year, and Swollen Members’ Black Magic, named best rap recording.
Recent Grammy winner Gordie Sampson won songwriter of the year honours, beating out rivals that included k-os, Sarah Harmer and Ron Sexsmith, while Mobile was named best new group, and Jim Cuddy’s The Light That Guides You Home won best adult alternative album.
Harmer won home music DVD of the year for Escarpment Blues. Sam Roberts’ Bridge To Nowhere was video of the year. The Dixie Chicks’ Taking The Long Way won international album.
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