Corey HartB次元官网网址檚 sizzling contributions to pop music will be in focus at the Juno Awards on Sunday, but the hitmaker says this year heB次元官网网址檒l be recognizing another significant personal milestone at the event.

Nearly 26 years ago, Hart was introduced to his wife, Quebecois singer Julie Masse, when they handed out the Juno for group of the year together live on the broadcast.

But it wasnB次元官网网址檛 originally supposed to happen that way B次元官网网址� an 11th-hour scheduling snafu is how the stars aligned for the couple back in 1993.

B次元官网网址淚f I hadnB次元官网网址檛 been pig-headed, opinionated or following my inner voice, I never wouldB次元官网网址檝e met her,B次元官网网址� said Hart, ahead of his induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

The performer was initially set to hand out album of the year, but Juno producers shuffled presenters and asked him to announce video of the year instead.

Hart was on his way to the dress rehearsal when he got the call about a change of plans.

The B次元官网网址淪unglasses at NightB次元官网网址� singer-songwriter says he rejected the idea on the spot, thinking it B次元官网网址渨as a demotionB次元官网网址� for a musician to hand out a visual prize.

B次元官网网址淭hat just doesnB次元官网网址檛 feel right,B次元官网网址� he remembered telling the producers. B次元官网网址淪o, no problem I just wonB次元官网网址檛 present this year.B次元官网网址�

A few minutes after hanging up, the producers called back with another offer B次元官网网址� he could pair up with Masse, a rising francophone star, to pass out the group of the year award.

Hart was immediately on board.

Masse was coming off her sophomore album that night and picked up best new female artist.

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When host Celine Dion welcomed the pair onto the stage, their casual banter was magnetic. They announced the Barenaked Ladies as the winners of the Juno.

As Hart made his way back to his seat, MasseB次元官网网址檚 manager stopped him to gush about their stage presence.

B次元官网网址淗e quickly garbled out to me that Julie was going to be pursuing a career in English,B次元官网网址� Hart said.

B次元官网网址淗e thought we looked like we had great chemistry together. I donB次元官网网址檛 think (this) is what he imagined when he made that comment.B次元官网网址�

Months later, Hart wound up in the studio working alongside producer Tom Lord-Alge on MasseB次元官网网址檚 single B次元官网网址淥ne More Moment.B次元官网网址� More songs followed as production moved to Morin-Heights, Que.

The pair was in love by the following year, he said.

B次元官网网址淟iterally from the time we started seeing each other in the summer of 1994 weB次元官网网址檝e never been apart for more than a few days,B次元官网网址� he said.

Both Hart and Masse were in crumbling marriages at the time, he said, and those quickly dissolved.

B次元官网网址淚t was complicated,B次元官网网址� he added.

The couple had three daughters before they wed in 2000, and a son after they tied the knot.

When Hart began to ease out of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 music industry the family settled in Barbados.

In more recent years, Hart, now 56, and Masse have collaborated on each otherB次元官网网址檚 work. She appears as a backup singer on his upcoming EP B次元官网网址淒reaming Time Again,B次元官网网址� due for release on May 3.

Masse, 48, will also join him on stage when he closes out the Juno broadcast performing some of his biggest hits.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 an empathy and an understanding that only another artist can relate to,B次元官网网址� Hart said.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e very simpatico together.B次元官网网址�

The Juno Awards air Sunday on CBC-TV.

David Friend, The Canadian Press

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