Rural Alberta Advantage Eye Up Sheepdogs as Juno Competition, Excited for Shatner

The Rural Alberta Advantage are in good spirits these days. In fact, frontman Nils Edenloff describes his current state of mind as "wow, exclamation point, star star!" And he has ample reason to be so elated: He and his bandmates singer-keyboardist Amy Cole and drummer Paul Banwatt (of Woodhands fame) are in the running for a pair of Junos Sunday night in Ottawa.

"Originally, they were telling us that we could present a category [at the nomination press conference] but then they took that away from us and we were like, 'Oh, what if they just forgot to uninvited us,'" says Banwatt, who is also Spinner's special Juno correspondent this weekend.

As it turns out, the band got kicked off the presenter list because they received nominations in the New Group and Video of the Year categories.

"It's something that we thought of but never expected," admits Edenloff. "Growing up with the Junos, it was always like, it would be really cool to be nominated."

Though it's their first time as Juno nominees, the Rural Alberta Advantage already have Juno etiquette down; they're tight-lipped about who they see as their biggest competition. But the trio does agree the Sheepdogs (also in the running for Group of the Year) had a banner year.

"The Sheepdogs had such an incredible year; they were huge, and that single, ["I Don't Know"]," says Banwatt. "Then there's that whole little Rolling Stone cover thing."

"Oh, that old rag," jokes Edenloff.


While walking away with a Juno (or two) would be a triumph for the RAA, Edenloff insists they're just happy to have the time to hobnob with all the nominees. "These are bands we often see in passing or while we're all playing festivals so it will be nice to be able to hang out with them," he says.

And seeing Blue Rodeo perform as Canada's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees won't be too shabby either.

"They are amazing live, so in that setting, wow!" exclaims Cole.

Then there's that little matter of Captain Kirk -- who the trio may or may not have plans to meet.

"William Shatner as host of the Junos -- that's like the best prize ever," says Edenloff.

"We can't say too much," jokes Banwatt about their plans. "He'll start upping his security."

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