Junos 2016: Jann Arden, Jon Montgomery to share hosting duties

Watch your backs, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, because Canadian singer Jann Arden and Olympic gold medallist Jon Montgomery are coming for your comedic hosting crowns.

The Calgary-born singer and former skeleton racer from Russell, Man., are teaming up to host this year's Juno Awards in Calgary, and Arden likens their duties to the unforgettable pairing of Fey and Poehler at the Golden Globes.

"We're going to beat our writers up and say, 'No, give us something else to say!' until it's right," Arden jokes.

"I've got 19 gown changes, so it's going to be exhausting."

Arden says she's aiming high for the Junos given the splash that several Canadian nominees made internationally in the past year. And some of them are lined up to take the stage to perform, including the Weeknd, Alessia Cara and Shawn Mendes.

"You've got Canadians displacing other Canadians for the top of the [Billboard]charts," adds Montgomery.

"If that doesn't paint a picture of what we can proudly lay claim to here in Canada ... then nothing is going to do it for you."

Anticipating 'alot of fun' as Juno 'referees'

Over the next month, Arden and Montgomery will brainstorm ideas on how to make their hosting duties special.

"We're going to have a lot of fun," Arden says.

"I know that seems kind of trite, but we're supposed to be referees, we're supposed to keep the show moving and set a tone."

Only hours after meeting each other for the first time, the hosts were already exchanging the sort of witty banter you'd expect from two old friends.

Montgomery concedes that while neither Arden or himself have set foot on a Saturday Night Livestage like Fey and Poehler they've got the spirit to channel their own version of the classic pairing.

"We can only imagine what their relationship is like and I think we've got it in spades," he says.

Both are also bringing a formidable level of experience to the table, as they've already fronted major Canadian TV events.

Arden, who rose to fame on Canada's music scene in the 1990s with hits like Could I Be Your Girland Insensitive,previously hosted the 1997 Juno Awards in Hamilton. That's when Cline Dion and Bryan Adams took home statues for best female and male vocalists.

Montgomery has sharpened his skills as the host of Amazing Race Canadafor three seasons.

"John's very charismatic," Arden says.

"He's got good teeth and hair that reads very well on television."

The Juno Awards will air on April 3 on CTV.