As the dust settles now on the 2011 Juno Awards, millions of Canadians can all look back together on what was easily the most interesting and entertaining televised awards ceremony so far this year.

The awards were a huge success, by the numbers: hosted by Drake, the awards attracted 2.4 million static viewers, up 48 per cent from last year, and over five million more people tuning in just for parts of the broadcast. In total, 7.6 million viewers tuned in to the awards on March 27, making it the most-watched program on Canadian television that night.

And for good reason: Drake was very charming in his role as host, exhibiting the sort of cool grace and humility that has been sadly lacking in television award broadcasts since Hugh Jackman hosted the 81st Academy Awards in 2009.

From his opening musical number with Chilly Gonzales, serenading Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Shania Twain, to his Old Money video from the show — in which he gives lessons to senior citizens on how to be gangsta — Drake displayed a natural wit and charm that enticed viewers to keep watching the program.

The night was a great success musically as well, despite a couple of lackluster performances early in the program by Sarah McLachlan and Hedley.

Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo acted as music director for Love Letter to Toronto — a musical tribute to the stars of the Toronto music scene 40 years ago — and the result was nothing short of stunning: Sarah Harmer performed Carey by Joni Mitchell; Cuddy and Sarah Slean performed If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lightfoot; Dallas Green and Daniel Romano performed Old Man by Neil Young; Kevin Hearn performed The Genetic Method by The Band, joined by Derek Miller, Greg Keelor, Justin Rutledge, and Serena Ryder for The Shape I'm In by The Band.

Acting as the core band for the piece, The Sadies shone as brightly as anyone, and indicate that growing up in Toronto was all the preparation they needed for the performance.

"I've been listening to these songs around the clock. Well, I didn't have to really," Sadies' Travis Good told ChartAttack at the Awards. "But it was a pleasure to play them all because they're my favourite songs, genuinely and truly. I'm not just saying that. These are the songs I love."

It was a night to remember, a shining example of what television award broadcast should really be — beyond the awards, beyond the glitz and celebrity, these awards were arranged, directed and curated by people who simply love music.

If you missed the Juno Awards broadcast on March 27, you can watch the show online anytime at ctv.ca.