Furtado among main contenders for Canadian awards

TORONTO (Hollywood Reporter) - Pop singer

Nelly Furtado, rock band Billy Talent and hip-hop artist k-os have each picked up five nominations for the Juno Awards, Canada's version of the

Grammys.

Furtado, who will host the event on April 1 from Saskatoon, was nominated for best single ("Promiscuous"), album and pop album ("Loose"), artist of the year, and in the Fan Choice Award category.

Billy Talent also earned single ("Devil in a Midnight Mass") and album ("Billy Talent II") nominations, as well as best group, video and rock album nods.

k-os also earned a single ("Sunday Morning") and video nominations, and will also compete in the best songwriter, pop album ("Atlantis: Hymns for Disco") and producer races.

The nominations were announced Tuesday in Toronto by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), organizers of the 2007 Juno Awards.

The best new artist field includes two "Canadian Idol" winners -- Eva Avila and Melissa O'Neil -- while the best new group category features Evans Blue, Idle Sons, Jets Overhead, Mobile and Stabilo.

Competing in the best international album competition, based on retail record sales in Canada, are the Dixie Chicks, Il Divo,

Justin Timberlake, Madonna and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter