Ross Reynolds, former Universal Music Canada President/Chairman, honoured with 2010 Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award

Founding Director of CARAS to receive the prestigious award at
the 39^th Annual JUNO Awards in St. John's, NL

St. John's, NL (January 13, 2010) - The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) is very pleased to be honouring one of its own today as it announces Ross Reynolds as the 2010 Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award recipient. For more than four decades, Reynolds has been a major player in the music industry, notably as a founding board member of CARAS and long-time Universal Music Canada President and Chairman.

"On behalf of the CARAS board, we are so proud to see our friend and colleague honoured in this capacity and recognized for his tremendous contributions to the Canadian music industry," said Melanie Berry, President & CEO of CARAS. "Not only has he been instrumental in helping to steer CARAS to where it is today, Ross Reynolds has wholeheartedly dedicated his career toward fostering Canadian talent on a variety of levels."

"Receiving this award is the result of me having the extraordinary good fortune of timing and being supported by wonderful people, particularly my wife, Jane," said Ross Reynolds. "Nevertheless I'm thrilled to be honoured. It's an exciting ride."

Reynolds is a respected music industry veteran who once held the position of President at GRT Records for 10 years (from the label's inception in 1969), where he signed such Canadian artists as Dan Hill, Dr. Music, Ian Thomas, Lighthouse and Moe Koffman. His resume also includes five years as Executive VP in Canada for WEA (now Warner Music Canada).

He is perhaps best known for his long and outstanding tenure as President then Chairman of Universal Music Canada (formerly MCA) for nearly two decades from 1983 to 2001, during which he oversaw the development of a Canadian roster that included soon-to-be global stars such as The Tragically Hip. Under his leadership, Universal Music Canada experienced exponential growth to achieve a market share of approximately one-third. Today it is still considered one of Canada's most influential music companies. In 2001, Reynolds moved to the position of Chairman Emeritus where he was responsible for administering Universal's multi-million dollar commitment to the support of Canadian culture, which came as a result of the Universal/Polygram merger.

Reynolds' involvement with CARAS dates back to 1975, initially as one of the organization's founding directors. Years later in 2001, he was elected by his peers to the full-time position of Chairman, and immediately made an impact by expanding the focus of the JUNO Awards and setting out to create a brand that Canadians from coast to coast could be proud of. He was instrumental in taking Canada's Music Awards show "on the road" for the first time to St. John's, NL, in addition to growing the singular celebration into a full weekend of events that showcases the successes of Canadian music. In 2006, Stephen Stohn succeeded Reynolds as Chairman of CARAS.

His experience and expertise in the music industry has him currently acting as an advisory board member for the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame; MusiCounts, Canada's music education charity associated with CARAS; in addition to serving on the board of St. Lazarus Hospice. Reynolds is also a past Chairman of the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) and has served on the boards of the Starlight Children's Foundation, Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall, The Audio Visual Preservation Trust Fund, and Canada's Walk of Fame.

For more information about the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award, or to download photos of Ross Reynolds, go to www.junoawards.ca.

JUNO Week takes place April 12-18, 2010, in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, culminating in the live broadcast of THE 2010 JUNO AWARDS, Sunday, April 18, on CTV.

Sponsors of the 2010 JUNO Awards include FACTOR, Canada's Private Radio Broadcasters and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage's "Canada Music Fund," with commitments from The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, the City of St. John's and Radio Starmaker Fund.

Sponsors of THE 2010 JUNO AWARDS broadcast on CTV include Chevrolet, Garnier, Pepsi and Rogers.

Web Links:
Official JUNO Awards website: www.junoawards.ca
CTV's JUNO Awards website: www.junos.ctv.ca
St. John's Host Committee: www.ruckusontheedge.com
CARAS website: www.carasonline.ca
CTV website: www.ctv.ca

The JUNO Awards come full circle making a much anticipated return to St. John's, NL

JUNO Week excitement builds in the city that first hosted the Awards' cross-country road trip in 2002

ST. JOHN'S, Jan. 13 /CNW/ - It's been eight years, eight Canadian cities, and one remarkable journey for the JUNO Awards since the landmark decision was made to take the annual show on the road across Canada. Now the JUNO Awards come full circle! Canada's greatest music celebration returns to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador - site of the unforgettable first leg of the cross-country road trip - for the 39th Annual JUNO Awards.

Today at a media conference held in St. John's, The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced the official dates, venues and ticketing details for JUNO Week Events converging on the city April 12 - 18. JUNO Week culminates with THE 2010 JUNO AWARDS broadcast from Mile One Centre, Sunday, April 18 on CTV.

Tickets for THE 2010 JUNO AWARDS broadcast go on sale Saturday, March 6 at 12pm NDT. Tickets are $189 plus HST and surcharges and can be purchased at the Mile One Centre Box Office; by phoning (709) 576-7657, (toll free) at 1-800-361-4595 or online at www.admission.com.

For the full release and more information on JUNO Week and the 2010 JUNO Awards, visit www.junoawards.ca.

Submission Calls for 2010 JUNO Awards begin October 1, 2009

2010 JUNO AWARDS LAUNCHES 39th SEASON

CARAS continues to refine voting criteria
 and introduces enhanced submission process

Toronto, ON - The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced today that submissions for the 2010 JUNO Awards will open on Thursday, October 1, 2009. Submission processes have been improved since last year, making it easier for Canadian artists to submit work for consideration in advance of the 39th edition of Canada's Music Awards. The 2010 JUNO Awards week will be held in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, April 12-18, 2010.

CARAS is strengthening its partnership with YANGAROO for the 2010 awards by enhancing the submission process. Using YANGAROO's patented Digital Media Distribution System (DMDS), the process has been streamlined for ease of use with a new look and new features. It will enable users to add high-resolution photos, a digital booklet and three suggested listening tracks for judges to preview in the artist's biography page. The changes will provide judges with more information to assist them during the voting process.

Music will still be distributed electronically to judges and members during the voting period only. Members will be able to stream music online, while judges will be able to securely download music to their portable music devices.

CARAS has, again, secured the services of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to be the official ballot accountants for the 2010 JUNO Awards.

Important Dates to Remember
• Submissions for the 2010 JUNO Awards open October 1, 2009
• Early-Bird deadline (to receive discounted submission rates) is October 22, 2009 before 5:00 p.m. (EST)
• Final submission deadline for all categories except International & Album of the Year is November 13, 2009
• Final submission deadline for International & Album of the Year is January 11, 2010

Eligibility
2010 eligibility applies to works released during the period between September 1, 2008 to November 13, 2009. For a complete list of JUNO Awards categories, eligibility rules, voting criteria and submission forms, go to www.junoawards.ca

Voting Criteria Changes
COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Country Recording of the Year is now a FULL album category. Single track submissions will no longer be accepted in this category.
VOCAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR & MUSIC DVD OF THE YEAR
The winners of these categories were previously determined by CARAS member votes. Winners will now be determined by the selected jurors for each category. The juries will remain the same for both rounds of voting, round one will determine the nominees and round two decides the winner.
ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR & POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The top five nominees in each category were previously voted on by a selected jury and the winners were determined by CARAS member votes. Nominees in each category will now be determined based on 50% sales and 50% jury vote. The winners will be determined by member vote.
CD/DVD ARTWORK OF THE YEAR
CD/DVD Artwork of the Year has been renamed to "Recording Package of the Year."
This new title will be more inclusive of vinyls and any other album packaging artwork

Voting: Only current CARAS members as of December 1, 2009 will receive the Single of the Year, Group of the Year and Artist of the Year voting ballots. For other member-voted categories, only current members as of February 1, 2010 will receive voting ballots. Members registered after this date will not be eligible to vote for the 2010 JUNO Awards.

About CARAS:

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences/L'academie 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 opportunities to showcase and promote Canadian artists and music through television vehicles such as The JUNO Awards. For more information on the 39th Annual JUNO Awards, visit The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences' (CARAS) website at www.junoawards.ca.