Album Reviews
Movie reviews
Concert Reviews

Top 10
Resources
Contact Us

They came from Canada’s eastern most province Newfoundland and British Columbia on the nation’s west coast to honor the country’s best Christian musicians, singers, songwriters and producers in Calgary Alberta. On Friday October 27th Gospel Music Association Canada presented the Covenant Awards Canada’s equivalent of the Dove Awards.

It wasn’t that many years ago that it was a struggle to find enough worthy nominees to fill the various categories and the talent was sometimes suspect but that is in the past. This was an awards event that showcased good and often awesome artists who in many cases if they had turned their talents to mainstream music would be household names. 

The evening unveiled new talent such as the electrifying rock band The Silent, Edmonton’s EveryOther and the beautiful vocals of pop artist Andreanne Lafleur. Lafleur took home two awards in the Francophone categories of Best Album and Best Song of the Year. Look for this young woman next year to take her place competing for numerous other awards. Her personality charmed the audience and her talent boasts of a bright future.

The audience cheered as nominees’ names were announced. The largest cheers appeared to be reserved for the rock bands Downhere and Starfield as well as Carolyn Arends and Ali Matthews. Matthews took home four awards in the Country/Bluegrass and Folk/Roots categories. 

This was also a night to honor Connie Scott who at 18 years of age during the 1980’s became the youngest artist to ever sign a contract with Sparrow Records. Producer Roy Salmond provided a sincere and sometimes humorous overview of Scott’s career. There were vintage film clips recounting her many accomplishments and performances over the years. When she accepted the award Scott said she phoned her husband Grant when she received the message on her voice mail at home that the Gospel Music Association Canada wanted to honor her with a Lifetime Achievement Award. When she phone Grant she said, “They think I’m dead,” and she assured the audience that she would enjoy this award much more living than she ever would dead.

During my childhood and before mainstream artists such as The Guess Who, Paul Anka, Robbie Robertson, Diana Krall, Ian and Sylvia Tyson and Oscar Peterson who paved the way for today’s stars Our Lady Peace, Shania Twain, and Sarah McClachlan. Today the same can be said to be true of the Christian music scene in Canada because through the efforts and successes of artists like Connie Scott, the Daniel Band, Carolyn Arends, Steve Bell and One Hundred Days the road is a little easier to travel for Canadian artists such as Starfield, Downhere, Hawk Nelson, Carried Away and Thousand Foot Krutch all of whom either have or will soon establish themselves as the standard by which all of Canada’s young artists will measure themselves by. 

The night also paid tribute to a dear friend Southern Gospel Artist Warren Parker (The Parker Trio) who tragically was struck down and killed by a truck in January of this year. 

In the tough Group of the Year category Starfield came out on top of their peers Hawk Nelson, Downhere, Relient K and Thousand Foot Krutch. Winnipeg’s Amanda Falk triumphed over Carolyn Arends, Bec Abbot, Janelle and Tennessee’s Cindy Morgan who now spends half of her time in Red Deer Alberta with her husband. British Columbia’s Brian Doerksen took home two awards as Male Vocalist of the Year and Artist of the Year. Top honors for best song were split between Starfield and Downhere. Starfield’s “Son of God” a collaborative effort between Jon Neufeld, Tim Neufeld, Gordon Cochrane and Ed Cash took the Song of the Year award which honors the songwriter(s).  Recorded Song of the Year which pays tribute to the performance went to Downhere for their tune “A Better Way.” 

While all fourteen artists who performed this night were outstanding I had three personal favorites and I admit that at least one of them may be biased because of close friendships. Carolyn Arends playing her acoustic guitar with Greg Sczebel accompanying on piano and providing backup vocals provided a stunning performance. Canada’s premier tenor Hiram Joseph performed a stirring rendition of Brenton Brown’s “Lord Reign In Me”. Before the song was over the audience was on their feet, clapping their hands and singing their praises to God. It was only fitting that the evening should end with Connie Scott performing. 

The Natalie and Leroy Harter as well as Martin Smith who spearheaded the two days of workshops and showcases as well as the Covenant Awards and dinner are to be commended for putting together and outstanding event. To the numerous volunteers who many of us will never know were behind the scenes on behalf of all Canadians thank you for reminding us that pride well placed can be a good thing. Most of all to the artists who this evening honored none of you were losers, all of you were winners. Thank you for your ministry that makes our lives richer each and every day.

By Joe Montague, exclusive rights reserved

Joe Montague is an internationally published journalist / photographer. His ministry is dedicated to the memory of his late son Kent David Montague who went to heaven at the age of 18. All copyright and distribution rights remain the property of Joe Montague.