Membership has its privileges, says the Amex marketing campaign. As I write this from the car on our drive home to Toronto from our weekend in Ottawa for the 2012 Juno Awards, I concur. My husband Eric is a veteran member of the music industry and by extension, our 9 year-old daughter Hannah now holds honourary membership.
Music has always been a central part of Hannah’s life. She has attended shows that range from The Wiggles to The Guthrie Family, and Swell Season, The NKOTBSB Reunion Tour, The Indigo Girls, Randy Bachman and Sophie Milman (below). Next week, Bruce Springsteen. She has grown up around music and musicians and is as comfortable in her stadium streets as she is backstage.
Eric is the Director of Media Relations for eOne Music and had 11 Juno nominations this year so we made it a family affair and headed to Ottawa for the weekend to support his artists and celebrate Canadian music.
Here’s the rundown of my impressions and memories from our weekend at the Junos:
It’s not really unlike any other business or industry conference weekend.
We stayed at one of the two official Juno hotels and rode the elevators and hung out in the lobby with the other conference attendees—who happened to be rock stars, managers, journalists and executives. The conversations were the same as they would be at any industry conference that brought together participants from across the country. “When did you get in?” “Where are you going tonight?” “Where are you going for lunch?” “What are you working on?” We had these chance meetings, encounters and conversations with Nickelback (shown below), Hedley, Jully Black (shown below), Ron Sexsmith, Alyssa Reid and Blue Rodeo.
Everyone wants to talk about their kids. Everyone misses their kids when they’re not with them.
This was a recurring theme in our conversations all weekend long. When they saw us there with Hannah, as a family, they related to us as parents and we shared stories not unlike we do when we meet up with our friends. We hung out with Sam Roberts (shown below) after the Award Gala he talked to Hannah about what it’s like to be in Grade 3, to bedtime, to sneaking in extra time reading with a flashlight under your blanket. We talked with Sam about how being a father of 3 kids under 5 has changed how he schedules his tour. He told me that he goes out for only a few days at a time and is always aware of what’s going on at home as he books his tour. “Halloween is kind of a big deal at our house. I missed it once and never again.” He was on tour on the west coast of Canada last October and made sure that he didn’t have a show on the 31st so that he could get home and trick-or-treat with his kids. He was only back for that one night, but was confident that the hours on the plane and jet lag were so worth it in order not to miss ‘those moments.’
So memorable for me was a conversation between band members from Hedley and Nickelback as we all stood waiting for the elevator. One was sharing that he had a son 5 weeks ago. He missed it and watched it on Skype. He can’t wait to get back home. Amazing, right? You want to be a rock star, it’s all you’ve ever wanted. You work hard to be part of one of those bands with #1 songs on the radio and sold out stadium shows across the country. Awesome. Then you become a dad and there’s nowhere you’d rather be than home.
In the limo on the way to the televised awards show I was talking with Devin Townsend (one of Eric’s nominated artists). He was exasperated having spent the whole afternoon looking for the toy green SUV that his son requested that he bring home for him. He felt like he turned the city upside-down in his search and came up empty-handed. Sigh.
Go to page 2 to read about my daughter's most memorable Juno moments
Hannah’s Most Memorable Juno 2012 Moments
Hannah, trailing Hedley on the Red Carpet, picked up a Sharpie dropped by vocalist Jacob Hoggard. He thanked her so much and was later rewarded by guitarist, Dave Rosin, giving her his guitar pick. She is still holding it in her hand.
Meeting Carly Rae Jepsen at Juno Fan Fair. Several onlookers told Hannah that she looks like Carly. Nice to hear. Looking at the photo, I see it too.
Being escorted to a private dining area to meet Simple Plan (more kid talk from more Dads in a band).
Riding in style to the Juno Award Ceremonies—a white stretch SUV limo for all 14 of us and stopping for eggrolls on the way there.
Running into Alyssa Reid everywhere and saying “it’s you again!” So fun.
After the show was over, Hannah got to get up on the Juno stage for her final photo of the evening—the photo at the top of this article with DeadMau5’s decks and set.
While she may have been disappointed that after much hype and speculation, Justin Bieber did not show, The Juno Award Show was a great and true showcase of Canadian talent that was inspiring for my young music-loving daughter. As a music-fan, mom and entrepreneur, my favourite take-away from the evening was from Dan Mangan. Upon receiving the New Artist of the Year Award (despite having just released his 3rd album), he said, “It doesn’t matter what you’re doing…it takes time to do anything that’s worth while.” Perfect.
The best part for me on a personal note? A weekend away as a family is always amazing, but this particular weekend was more than that for me. I love watching Eric in action in his element, doing what he does, organizing people and events, shaking hands and making plans. I got so many compliments on Hannah that ranged from cute to cool and from confident to good. Proud weekend all around for me.
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