CORNWALL, Ontario - These are great days for the co-frontman of a Canadian band with Cornwall roots that has landed a Juno nomination.
Jesse-James Cameron, and his bandmate Tammy Amstutz of Makeshift Innocence, have been nominated for Reggae Recording of the Year for the 2013 Junos, which will take place next month in Regina.
The band was nominated for Yours to Keep. Cameron, originally from Montreal but who spent a great deal of time growing up in Cornwall, has described his collaboration with Amstutz as equal parts rock and reggae.
In an interview he said his time in Cornwall has helped direct him as an artist.
"Cornwall is a great spot," he said. "A lot of things that help shape what I am now doing come from Cornwall."
Cameron lived "off and on" in the Seaway City for a number of years in his late teens and early 20s.
"I was living the Cornwall life," he says with a chuckle. "Engaged at 18 and eating at Billy K's every other day."
But in all seriousness, Cameron said the city gave him the opportunity to make both good, and bad, choices.
"I lost a lot of friends in Cornwall," he said. "And some chose a life (outside) the law.
"Partly it's about recognizing your roots...and the beautiful thing about Cornwall is that even though it's a small town, there's a lot of things happening."
Cameron said the band is still "on Cloud 9" following the Juno nod, and it's hoped they can secure the award.
"It's a humbling experience," he said. "To be recognized as a nominee...the who's who in the Canadian industry is listed there."
After the Junos the band will jet off to Germany in April to play four or five weeks of dates, before truning to Canada.
Cameron said it's his hope the band will put together some Canadian shows this summer.
Check out the link below for a catchy little Makeshift Innocence tune, Your Body.
