April 2013
###FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE###
REGINA, SK CANADA (April 22, 2013) – Over the weekend, PEI-native, Halifax-based Rose Cousins took home the JUNO Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year: Solo for her 2012 release WE HAVE MADE A SPARK at the 2013 JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards. It was her first JUNO nomination.
1,150 Canadian music industry members gathered to toast 35 JUNO Award winners the night before the JUNO Awards broadcast show. Hosted by CBC Q’s Jian Ghomeshi, the evening’s festivities at Regina’s Eventplex featured performances by a spectacular lineup of JUNO Award nominees and winners, as well as unforgettable tributes to some of the most influential names in Canadian music.
During the show, Cousins performed her song “This Light” for the In Memoriam tribute – a special arrangement that included musical nods to recently departed East Coasters Rita MacNeil (“Flying On Your Own”) and Raylene Rankin (“Fare Thee Well Love”).
Cousins remarks, “Considering the East Coast has been hard hit by loss in the recent past, it was an honour to play the In Memorium piece in the Gala. Raylene Rankin, Stompin’ Tom and Rita MacNeil were a huge part of my musical and Maritime upbringing. I can’t believe they are gone.”
Cousins’ acceptance speech was well-received by host and audience alike.
View it online at: http://junoawards.ca/episode/2013-juno-gala-awards-acceptance-speeches
[starts at video counter 49:05]
To make her winning album WE HAVE MADE A SPARK, Cousins traveled to Boston to work with a family of songwriters, singers and musicians including Zachariah Hickman, who produced the record. A short film “If I Should Fall Behind” documents the heart of the music community where the record was made. rosecousins.com/film
“It’s been a rough week hearing what’s happening in Boston as it’s a second home to me. I can’t wait to get back there this week to celebrate with all my friends who helped me make this record.”
Nominated alongside “first home” friends including Annabelle Chvostek and fellow East Coasters Amelia Curran and Old Man Luedecke, Cousins admits Corb Lund was the only artist nominated she did not know personally.
“I feel good. It’s been a roller coaster ride for sure, and I was very nervous about performing. But I was in a category with all my friends. It couldn’t have turned out wrong.”
When asked for highlights of her experience at the JUNOs, Cousins adds the sheer excitement of witnessing and meeting some of her heroes.
“It was amazing to be in a room filled with so many people I admire. I met Colin James and Tom Cochrane during my soundcheck on Saturday, which was so amazing. Then last night at an after party, I met Anne Murray, Michael Buble and Jim Cuddy. Couldn’t believe I was there with relevance and context. Very surreal and thrilling!”
PHOTOS (click to download):
Rose Cousins performing In Memoriam (horizontal)
Rose Cousins accepting award (vertical)Rose Cousins accepting award (horizontal)
MORE ABOUT ROSE COUSINS AT www.rosecousins.com/media-tools
FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS AT THE 2013 JUNO GALA DINNER & AWARDS, INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES AND IMAGES, GO TO WWW.JUNOAWARDS.CA
About CARAS
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences/L’académie canadienne des arts et des sciences de l’enregistrement (CARAS) is a not-for-profit organization created to preserve and enhance the Canadian music and recording industries and to contribute toward higher artistic and industry standards. The main focus of CARAS is the exploration and development of ongoing opportunities to showcase and promote Canadian artists and music through vehicles such as The JUNO Awards and other year-round initiatives. For more information on the 42nd Annual JUNO Awards or The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences’ (CARAS), please visit www.junoawards.ca or www.carasonline.ca.