The nominees for the 2012 JUNO Awards were announced by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in Toronto Feb. 7th.

Among the other nominees were Newfoundland’s rising stars the Once, nominated for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year : Group, for their Borealis/Universal album ‘Row Upon Row of the People They Know’.

An unprecedented rise has seen the group go in just three years from playing at a dinner theatre in Trinity to national and international tours. In the past year they have headlined shows right across Canada, Britain, Ireland, Denmark and most recently Australia.

Produced by Mark Neary, the CD has been well received by media and fans nation-wide and today’s announcement is proof that the Once have captured the country’s attention with their heartfelt delivery of both original and traditional Newfoundland songs.

“This nomination feels like nothing we’ve felt before. We’ve always been humbled and delighted by any recognition, but this is extra-special,” said Andrew Dale, who along with Geraldine Hollett and Phil Churchill makes up the trio known as the Once.

“We wanted people to recognize more of ourselves, all three of us in this record. It’s a much better representation of us, and how we want to progress as a band. We felt this was an important next step, and we are delighted that people have connected with that. We hope this will be the start of something that will last for a while.”

The Once are currently performing in Saskatchewan, and will be touring throughout North America for the rest of the year. They are managed by Bob Hallett, a frequent Juno nominee in his own right with Great Big Sea and Shelley Chase of Garrison Hill Entertainment in St. John’s.

The 2012 JUNO Awards Broadcast will air live on CTV the evening of Sunday, April 1 from Scotiabank Place in Ottawa.