Canadian Music Industry Awards

03/13/09 3:03am

by Steve McLean (CHARTattack)

There was an hour-long reception at Toronto's Fairmont Royal York hotel beginning at 6:15. There was an open bar — if you were willing to drink Budweiser, Bud Light or the red or white versions of Dan Aykroyd's wine.

After sitting down at our table, Gene Simmons made his entrance into the banquet hall and was immediately swarmed by people wanting their pictures taken with him or autographs. He obliged them all.

John Roberts, who we knew as J.D. back in his days hosting TheNewMusic on Citytv, received a hug from the man who gave him his break: City founder Moses Znaimer.

Dinner consisted of buns, a salad, vegetables, mashed potatoes, prime rib, a nice dessert and bottles of wine.

Some awards were announced and the winners' names were shown on video screens around the room. I was sitting with the owner and one of the bookers for Toronto's Horseshoe Tavern, which was named the best live music club, so I congratulated them. I didn't pay much attention to the other awards, and I left before host Lawrence Gowan took the stage and the main presentations began so I could get to the Horseshoe by 8:30 to see The Lovely Feathers.

Kudos to all of those who stayed at the awards show longer than me. I hope you enjoyed yourselves.

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