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| The Evolution of Canadian Music with Focus on the Canadian Juno Awards (The CBC, CRTC and CANCON) |
| By: Kim Green, Brieanne McConnell, Eric Vickman and Andrea Wilson |
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| State manufactured organizations like the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the CRTC (Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission) can be credited with propelling the Canadian music industry to its' current size and grandeur by providing an artistic and guaranteed outlet for Canadian musicians. The CBC created by the state in 1936 after it was determined that there was a need for a public sector for Canadian broadcasting. With the majority of music on radio airwaves being American, the CBC was also meant to be a symbol of national identity. However, during the 1960's when events such as the Quiet Revolution were occurring in Quebec and sparking national unrest, the Federal Liberal government used cultural policy to create some form of cohesion and a sense of national unity. To achieve this, it was first understood that the CBC was no longer enough. Thus, in 1968 the CRTC was created to oversee and regulate all of Canadian broadcasting and to help produce national identity. By 1970, the CRTC demanded that 30% of all music on Canadian radio had to be Canadian in origin. However, with this new introduction of support, a relatively small Canadian music industry found itself relying heavily on the talents and music of a select few artists and thus, Canadian radio stations were flooded with the likes of Anne Murray. At the time, there was an extremmley limited selection and variety of music in Canada however, over time and with the aid and support of CANCON (which is still enforced to this day and has recently increased its Canadian music percentage demands on local radio stations) a fairly large and stable Canadian recording industry has resulted. And since its' beginnings in 1971, the Canadian Juno Awards (largely supported by the CRTC) will continue to see the growth of the Canadian music industry as a vehicle not only of domestic talent, but also of national identity and pride. |
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| Recently, Canadian music has been on the forefront of the world music stage. With modern artists like Shania Twain (country/pop music), Swollen Members(rap/hip-hop) and Barenaked Ladies (adult alternative/pop) representing a broad spectrum of Canadian localities and music styles, Canada's music scene has proven to the world that it can be extremley diverse while all the while, linked with a common bond of Canadian culture and nationalism. Yet this raises the question, what brought Canadian music worldwide recognition? How has Canadian music becomes its' own powerful economic and cultural force? Conveniently, the Canadian Juno Awards can be used to trace the evolution and growth of Canadian music. |
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| Shania Twain in her Edmonton Oilers' jersey-gown at the 2003 Juno Awards |
| 2004 will mark the 33rd anniversary of the annual Canadian Juno Awards, supported by CARAS (Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences). Each year, the goal of the Canadian Juno Awards is to promote and develop Canadian music by giving its artists, songwriters, etc., national recognition. In 2003, Ottawa was host to the Juno Awards and the ceremonies rang with nationalistic overtones as hostess Shania Twain, appeared throughout the evening in different jersey-gowns of Canadian NHL hockey teams. In 2004, the Juno Awards will move to Edmonton Alberta following its histry of being hosted in cities throughout Canada. Simply by examining the continuing popularity, nationwide success and variety of award winners and nominees, it is without doubt that Canadian music has undergone extensive growth from a time when the only representatives of Canadian music to the global audience were artists like Anne Murray (adult contemporary) and Neil Young (adult contemporary/country)whom appealed to a very limited age group and music genre. However, today's Juno Awards attendants and recipients represent a broad spectrum of music genres and appeal to a variety of audience on the home front and all over the world. With bands like Nickelback (Rock), Sum 41 (punk)and Our Lady Peace (alternative), the Canadian music industry has blossomed into its own entity and into a source of national pride, ideology and symbolism. However, what were the means that allowed Canadian music to blossom over the decades to what is now a soverrign industry that is recognized and listened to internationally? |
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