Born and raised in Coaldale, Alberta, Ron’s lasting career as an accomplished concert promoter, manager, mentor and philanthropist within Canada’s country music landscape and beyond, has earned him close to 50 national and international accolades. Having worked with top recording artists like The Guess Who, Bryan Adams, Bee Gees, KISS, Keith Urban and so many more, Sakamoto’s success can be attributed to his continued drive and dedication to elevating Canadian entertainment.
From a young age, Ron had a true entrepreneurial spirit and deep passion for entertainment. As a teenager, he opened his first club “Honeycomb-a-go-go” in Medicine Hat, Alberta and later operated a booking/management agency that afforded him his second club in Lethbridge, Alberta. Sakamoto hustled, working as an accountant during the week, while running his two clubs on the weekends. His love for live music propelled him to expand his operations and open his concert company Gold & Gold Productions Ltd., where Ron was truly the man behind the mask. From booking acts, to marketing, ticketing, producing and settling the shows, Ron did it all himself. He had the privilege of putting on Shania Twain’s first tour, “The Come on Over Tour” in 1998.
Read MoreAbout The Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award
The Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award recognizes individuals whose work has significantly impacted the growth and development of the Canadian music industry. Named after legendary Canadian publisher and co-founder of the JUNO Awards, the award will be presented at the JUNO Opening Night Awards Presented by Music Canada on March 11, streamed live on CBC Gem and globally at cbcmusic.ca/junos.