Juno Awards backtrack on shelving reggae, children’s and Christian/gospel categories

By David Friend, The Canadian Press on September 17, 2024.

TORONTO – The Juno Awards are reversing course on their plan to shelve three awards after strong blowback from the music community.

Junos head Allan Reid posted a message on his Instagram saying that “given the feedback” the organization has decided to reinstate the categories for the 2025 show.

He says the children’s album, reggae recording and Christian/gospel album of the year categories will be part of the honours handed out in Vancouver.

Earlier this month, a letter obtained by The Canadian Press was sent by Juno organizers to committee members of the affected categories, notifying them of plans to put their awards on “hiatus.”

The decision led to a swift negative reaction from musicians and others in the music scene who called on the Junos to reconsider their decision.

Reid’s post did not mention the fate of the international album of the year award, a fourth category that was also set to go on “hiatus” next year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.

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