Singing the Juno's praises doesn't slow Ben Mulroney down, even as etalk's host dashes onto a Vancouver-bound flight. Destination? Canada's music award show of the year.

"I prefer covering the Junos to the Oscars," Mulroney told CTV.ca. "At the Oscars you're given a postage stamp to stand on and beg for stars to come by. But the Juno red carpet show is an etalk production. We roam the red carpet and talk to anyone we want. It's more fun and gives viewers incredible access to Canada's biggest music stars."

Mulroney, etalk host Tanya Kim, reporter Traci Melchor, style specialist Susie Wall and gossip slinger Lainey will be on hand as "etalk at the Junos" goes live from Vancouver's General Motors Place on Sunday, March 29 at 7 p.m. on CTV.

CTV's live broadcast of the 2009 Juno Awards follows at 9 p.m. ET (visit www.junos.ctv.ca to confirm local broadcast times or check local listings).

With 100 limos ready to drop off the night's nominees, performers and presenters, more than 1,200 screaming fans are expected to line the 135-foot red carpet walkway for glimpses of Canada's rock royalty.

Six etalk cameras will also capture the arriving stars from every angle so fans at home can catch all the excitement.

"Part of the beauty of the show is that we take our viewers right into the red carpet fan zone," says Kim.

From there insider's chats with Canada's music A-listers will top this year's all-access banter says Kim.

"What I love about the Junos is that we can meet new stars and reconnect with old friends in the industry," says Kim.

"I'm excited to talk to everyone, especially Nickelback. They're always a riot on the red carpet. But what really makes the show special is the mood. It's filled with good old Canadian appreciation for Canada's star system."

Hosted by comic Russell Peters, ("I pray I don't slip and call him Russell Simmons, or worse, Richard Simmons," jokes Mulroney) the star-studded broadcast marks Vancouver's first date with the Junos in more than a decade.

"This show is important, for 'etalk' and the nominees. But part of our job is to put a spotlight on Vancouver and its music scene," says Mulroney.

In February of 2008 the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) along with broadcast partner CTV named Vancouver the host city for the 38th Annual Juno Awards in 2009.

Vancouver -- the host city for the 2010 Winter Olympics -- has cultivated stars like Bryan Adams, Diana Krall, Hedley, Michael Bubl� and Sarah McLachlan.

That B.C. talent surge continues today, with homegrown artists scooping up numerous Juno nominations in 2009.

Vancouver's Nickelback leads the pack in nominations with five nods, including Song of the Year and Album of the Year,

Pop-rockers Hedley, fronted by Abbotsford-based "Canadian Idol" runner-up Jacob Hoggard, scored three nominations, including Album of the Year and Juno Fan Choice.

Vancouver country singer/songwriter Jessie Farrell is a contender for New Artist of the Year. Other B.C.-based nominees include Aaron Pritchett (Country Recording of the Year), Black Mountain (Alternative Album of the Year) and Ndidi Onukwulu (Roots & Traditional Album of the Year).

Finally, Bryan Adams caps off the well-deserved hometown kudos. His 2008 album "11" earned the Canadian rocker a nomination for Artist of the Year.

Adams will also perform at the Juno Awards.

Other featured artists include East Coast folk-rock band Great Big Sea, singer-songwriter Hawksley Workman, world music act Eccodek, and alternative country singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards.

The star-studded lineup also features Sam Roberts, k.d. lang, Sarah McLachlan, Feist, Kreesha Turner, Chantal Kreviazuk, Simple Plan, Serena Ryder, Loverboy and appearances by 2010 Olympians Jeremy Wotherspoon and Mellisa Hollingworth.

"I can't tell you about everything planned for the show, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's some kind of Olympic theme -- maybe a yoga theme, too, since it is laid-back Vancouver," says Mulroney.

Newcomers like Elise Estrada and The Trews, "Will boost the energy level and give the night a fresh new spin," says Kim.

"The Junos are a big deal. We sometimes forget that given how jaded the music industry is," says Kim. "But I like to think of Elise Estrada's reaction after she got her first nomination. That girl was absolutely joyous when she heard the news. That genuine enthusiasm is what the Juno Awards is all about."

Catch "etalk at the Junos" on Star! - Canada's Entertainment Channel (7 p.m. ET), on FashionTelevisionChannel (8 p.m. ET) and on CTV's Video Player at junos.CTV.ca (7 p.m. ET).