Covenant Awards in Alberta for 2nd year
by John Syratt

Excitement is building towards GMA Canada Week 2007. The Gospel Music Association’s Canadian contingent hits Alberta for the 29th Annual Covenant Awards Show, Shine FM Cross Canada Talent Search and the Canada Christian Music (CCM) Conference in Calgary October 24-26.

Relient K and Brian Doerksen are the leading nominees for this year’s GMA Covenant Awards. On September 11, the nominations for the awards were announced in over 45 categories.

Relient K received seven nominations including Group Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Recorded Song Of The Year. Brian Doerksen has six including Male Vocalist of the Year, Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Artist of the Year.

Several artists grabbed five nominations including Starfield, Manafest, High Valley, Lianna Klassen, Sebastian Demrey and God Rocks! Bible Toons.

(L-R) High Valley’s Bryan Rempel, Curtis Rempel and Brad Rempel vying with Kevin Elias and Kim Elias. 
— photo by Peter Fleck

The Shine FM Cross-Canada Talent Search adds a brand new competition to GMA Canada Week. Each artist may enter up to four songs as a songwriter, as well as the performance competition. Details are available at www.ccmconference.com or by calling 1-877-275-5383.

The organizers of the music conference and founders of Slyngshot Productions, Leroy Harder, along with his wife Natalie, are happy to see this event in Calgary again.

"The support and technical expertise from our host venue and specifically the technical director, Nathan Pycklyk at Centre Street Church, has been a big factor as well in making the event something that the Canadian Music world can be proud of," said Harder.

With both Canadian and International speakers added to the list of presenters at the conference, the Harders are confident that the sessions presented will be sure to make a difference in the lives of artists and industry folks, as well as provide for some great networking throughout the GMA Canada Week.

Events will begin with a Worship Night October 24th at Bow Valley Christian Church featuring Downhere, Steve Bell, Matt Brouwer and Jon Bauer. Thursday and Friday will include the Canada Christian Music Conference, along with the Shine-FM Cross Canada Talent Search and the GMA Canada Industry Awards Dinner. On Friday, the Canada Christian Music Conference will continue followed by the pre-Awards show dinner and the 29th Annual Covenant Awards featuring Paul Brandt, Steve Bell, Carried Away and many more.

Recording artist Carolyn Arends and comedian Leland Klassen have been announced as the hosts for the 29th Annual Covenant Awards.

"We see Christian Canadian Music somewhat like the rumblings of an underwater earthquake," Harder added. "The movement is gaining momentum and it is just a matter of time until the waves of Christian music reach the shores where it will wash over Canada with music that is message-filled, musically inspired, and life-changing.

Already there are numerous musicians in Canada making this their full-time career and ministry, and we feel called to help foster this movement so the message can be heard across the nation with our unique Canadian talent."

For more info visit www.ccmconference.com .