The Oot n鈥� Oots did a little happy dance when their 2022 Juno Awards nomination was announced.

The 琉璃神社 kids band has been nominated for Children鈥檚 Album of the Year.

Guitarist Ezra Cipes said it took three years to build the album 鈥淧onderosa Bunchgrass and the Golden Rule鈥� released in October 2021.

鈥淧onderosa bunchgrass, that鈥檚 where we live, that鈥檚 the Okanagan Valley鈥� but it鈥檚 also a name of a character on the album, a little girl named Ponderosa Bunchgrass,鈥� Cipes explained. 鈥淭he golden rule, we all know what the golden rule is. So, that鈥檚 the name of the album. This character and these values.鈥�

The Oot n鈥� Oots is Cipes, his brothers Matthew, Ari, and Gabe, and his daughter Ruthie. Cipes noted this album included many special guests.

鈥淚t was a real all-star cast. We had Corrine Derrickson and her grandson from Westbank First Nation grace the album on the last track, and they even contributed some of the writings on that last track. We had an African percussionist who lives in Vancouver named Yoro Noukoussi play on it. We had members of the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra. We had members from the carnival marching band from Vancouver playing saxophone and trumpets. It was really a collaborative effort.鈥�

The 12 track album can be found on the

Cipes noted they will have a live performance in 琉璃神社 this summer, but details have yet to be announced.

This is the first Juno nomination for the group.

The 2022 Juno Awards are being held May 15.

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brittany.webster@blackpress.ca
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