Amero up for two Junos

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This article was published 08/02/2016 (3632 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Don Amero is being mentioned in the same breath as Diana Krall.

Refined, the latest album by the North End-raised singer-songwriter, is nominated for two 2016 Juno Awards, including best adult contemporary album, alongside albums by Krall, Jann Arden, Johnny Reid and The Tenors.

Amero, who is Métis, is also nominated for best aboriginal album, alongside Armond Duck Chief, Black Bear, Derek Miller and the legendary Buffy Sainte-Marie.

“To be honest, I’m pretty blown away,” Amero told The Times on Feb. 2, the day of the Juno announcement.

“The aboriginal music category is one I’ve always admired, especially knowing that a bunch of my friends are in that category, but the one that really threw me for a loop was the adult contemporary, because it’s an incredible list of artists that most people would know. To be amongst those people is a pretty big deal for me.”

Amero isn’t the only Aboriginal artist up for multiple Junos. Cree cellist Cris Derksen is nominated in the best instrumental album and Sainte-Marie is up for best songwriter and best contemporary roots album.

“A friend of mine, Murray Porter, who a lot of people know in the Aboriginal music world, he just sent me a note saying ‘We’re breaking down walls. We’re not just Aboriginal musicians anymore’,” Amero said.

“There are a few of us (Aboriginal musicians) breaking beyond the box that we get put in. My music has always been not directly an Aboriginal style of music, but because of my Métis roots, that’s why I’m connected.

“I’m a proud aboriginal guy, but the adult contemporary nomination was really a nice feather in the cap.”

Amero, 35, who lives in Transcona with his wife and two young children, grew up the North End, attending King Edward and Isaac Newton Schools before graduating from Sisler High School.

Refined, Amero’s fifth studio album, was created alongside producer and former Doc Walker guitarist Murray Pulver. Amero said Refined is the “epitome of what I’ve been trying to accomplish on my previous four albums.”

“He (Pulver) really brought to life the kind of album I’ve been meaning to make for a long time,” Amero said. “What I hope people will get from the album is healing, that will just speak to them in the dark times and help them through tough stuff.

“That’s always the hope with my music that it pulls someone out of a bad time or a bad thought and encourages them to find a better one.”

Juno Week 2016 takes place in Calgary from March 28 to April 3. The Juno Awards will be broadcast on CTV on April 3 but most awards will be given out at a gala dinner the night before.