2010 Junos set for St. John's

Canada's premier music awards ceremony will be held once more in St. John's, officials said Thursday.

The Juno Awards will be presented in the Newfoundland and Labrador capital next year, Melanie Berry, president of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, told a news conference.

The Junos were last presented in St. John's in 2002.

Berry said organizers were "thrilled to be returning to a city of such enthusiasm and rich musical tradition."

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams, who participated in a news conference at The Rooms cultural complex on Thursday, welcomed "this fabulous event" and encouraged residents of the city to help prepare for it.

"I am confident the 2010 Junos will be an event that the national music industry, and people throughout the country, will remember and talk about for many years to come," Williams said.The Junos will be presented at a ceremony on April 18, 2010. CTV will broadcast the show nationally.

The ceremony will be the culmination of four days of events and concerts around St. John's.

Williams appointed a longtime business colleague Ken Marshall, the Atlantic region president of Rogers Cable to chair the city's host committee.