Local musicians disappointed Christian category cut at Junos

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This article was published 13/09/2024 (747 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Local Christian and gospel artists say they are disappointed the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) has decided to put the contemporary Christian/gospel category on hiatus at this year’s Juno Awards.

The category is one of four impacted by the decision. The others are reggae, children’s album and international album of the year.

“I don’t understand the metrics they used to make the decision,” said Winnipeg singer-songwriter Steve Bell, adding he is curious to see the research CARAS — the non-profit organization that runs the Juno Awards — used to make its decision.

If it was sales, “then nobody phoned my office,” said Bell, who is among the top-selling Christian artists in Canada.

Bell, 64, who has won two Juno awards in that category, feels especially bad for younger artists who won’t have an opportunity to try to win an award.

“Winning a Juno, or being nominated, is a real encouragement in a career. It means something,” he said.

Bell was quick to note he doesn’t consider the decision to be a conspiracy against Christianity.

“Given the decline in religion in Canada, maybe they just consider the category to be irrelevant today,” he said.

For Carine Bado, a Winnipeg-based Black gospel artist who came to Canada 15 years ago from Ivory Coast, the decision is disappointing.

“It’s like the whole genre is being devalued, that what I am creating is not valued,” she said.

Bado, 36, won Gospel Song of the Year in 2023 at the Gospel Music Association Canada’s Convenant Awards for her song Found & Crowned.

While happy for that recognition, she would also like to the opportunity to vie for a Juno.

“If the category is taken away, it almost feels like all I can do is focus on the U.S.”

Jaylene Johnson is a Winnipeg songwriter and chair of the advisory committee for the contemporary Christian/gospel category for the Juno Awards.

“I hope they reconsider their decision,” she said, adding she is seeking clarification about what being “on hiatus” means, along with an explanation for how the decision was made.

“I’m still waiting for word about that,” she said.

The category has been a cornerstone of the Juno Awards since 1998, Johnson said, noting it has “provided vital exposure and opportunities for artists rooted in Black culture, and contemporary Christian music of all styles.”

For her, the decision to eliminate this category “delivers a profound blow to both the diverse faith-based and Black music communities who have relied on this platform to amplify their voices.”

If the category is eliminated, it will remove hundreds of Canadian artists from the national conversation, she said.

“These artists make a meaningful contribution to the Canadian music scene. Their music uplifts, brings light to dark places and brings hope,” she said.

The Juno Awards are a way to celebrate and highlight this community, she said.

“It shines a light on these artists.”

Johnson is particularly concerned about the impact on the gospel music community, which is made up primarily of Black artists.

Losing the category would be a blow to the equity-seeking community, she said, adding that gospel music, which is deeply rooted in the traditions of Black culture, can be a beacon of hope and inspiration in difficult times.

Bernie Finkelstein is founder of True North records and manager for internationally renowned Canadian musician Bruce Cockburn, whose Christian faith is at the heart of many of his songs.

“I feel bad for those artists affected by this decision,” he said.

In addition to Bell, other Manitoba Christian artists or those with Manitoba roots who have won Juno Awards include the Color, Amanda Falk, Tim Neufeld and Jordan St. Cyr.

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