Three JUNO nominations for Hamilton artists
Josh Ross, Counterparts and Daniel Lanois are up for awards at the March 29 awards ceremony in Hamilton. Justin Bieber, Tate McRae lead the pack with six nominations each.
Sarah McLachlan and Allison Russell will perform a tribute to Joni Mitchell, who will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, and breakout artist five-time JUNO nominee Cameron Whitcomb, will make his debut on the JUNO stage when Hamilton hosts the 55th annual JUNO Awards on March 29.
Mitchell and Whitcomb perfectly illustrate the idea of birth to myth: "CARAS’ long-standing philosophy of championing Canadian music talent from early development through to enduring cultural impact, a commitment rooted in education, growth, celebration, and honour," reads a press release from the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which presents The JUNOS.
Whitcomb is a Nanaimo, B.C. native whose debut album, The Hard Way, showcases deeply personal songwriting and a raw, authentic sound.
On the other end of the career trajectory is Mitchell, one of Canada’s most influential and enduring voices. She will be only the second recipient – after Anne Murray – of the Lifetime Achievement Award Presented by your National Arts Centre. Mitchell’s storied career spans multiple eras, genres, 19 studio albums, and live recordings, including timeless works like “Free Man in Paris,” “Help Me,” “River,” “A Case of You” and “Big Yellow Taxi."
She has redefined songwriting and left an immeasurable mark on music worldwide.
Hamilton will be well represented at the JUNO Awards with nominations for Waterdown native Josh Ross, veteran hardcore band Counterparts, and Hamilton musical legend Daniel Lanois.
Another highlight for Hamilton is teacher Raquel McIntosh from Adelaide Hoodless Elementary School being named among five educators nominated for a MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award.
The JUNOS, Canada’s Biggest Night in Music, hosted by comedian Mae Martin, will be broadcast live on CBC from TD Coliseum on March 29. The show will feature a performance by the beloved Arkells, a rock band that formed in Hamilton and is named after a Westdale street.
Ten-time JUNO winner Nelly Furtado is being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and is also nominated in Pop Album of the Year for her 11th album, 7.
CARAS says the nominees for this year's JUNOS “marking a defining year that spans global superstardom, breakthrough success, and a historic recognition of Canada's dynamic and diverse music ecosystem.”
Leading the pack are Justin Bieber and Tate McRae with six nominations, followed by The Weeknd and Whitcomb with five.
In total, this year’s cohort of nominees includes 248 nominations across 47 categories, including 65 artists being nominated for JUNOS for the first time.
Bieber, an eight-time JUNO winner adds to his 32 career nominations, with his six nods this year, including Single of the Year for “Daisies.” McRae adds to her 17 JUNO nominations and builds on last year’s multiple wins.
Following his two wins at the Canadian Country Music Awards, Whitcomb, will make his JUNOS debut with five nominations, including Fan Choice, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year, and Country Album of the Year.
The Weeknd, who has won 22 JUNOS and been nominated 46 times, is already one of the most celebrated artists in JUNOS history.
Daniel Caesar earns four nominations this year, and will take The JUNO Awards stage as both a performer and the recipient of The International Achievement Award, recognizing his global impact and continued international success. He is joined on the broadcast by The Beaches, five-time JUNO Award winners and nominees, whose momentum continues to build following their 2025 Group of the Year win.
Six-time JUNO Award winner Jessie Reyez, also earns three nominations this year.
SEE THE FULL LIST OF NOMINEES HERE
This year marks a milestone in JUNOS history with the introduction of Latin Music Recording of the Year, recognizing the growing influence and creative excellence of Latin music in Canada.
The inaugural nominees – two-time winner and seven-time JUNO nominee Alex Cuba, two-time nominee Lido Pimienta, and first-time nominees Andy Rubal, Isabella Lovestory, and Mario Puglia – represent a range of sounds and voices shaping the genre today, capturing a distinctly Canadian perspective that sets them apart within the global Latin Music landscape.
Country star Josh Ross earned four nominations following a breakout year in 2025 that included a JUNOS win for Country Album of the Year and a performance on the national broadcast.
Lanois, an eight-time JUNO Award winner, 17-time nominee, and Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee, is nominated for Album Artwork of the Year. Counterparts, which formed in Hamilton in 2007 and is made up of singer Brendan Murphy, drummer Kyle Brownlee, bassist Tyler Williams, and guitarist Jesse Doreen, are first-time nominees, earning a nod for Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year.
