Starfield sweeps 2008 Covenant Awards
Oct 25th, 2008
CALGARY, AB ─ It was a Starfield sweep at the 30th Annual Covenant Awards on Friday, October 24.
Duplicating what fellow British Columbian Brian Doerksen accomplished only last year, Starfield won all six categories in which the band was nominated.
In the midst of a U.S. tour, Starfield was unable to attend the Canadian Christian music awards that attracted a crowd of 650 to First Alliance Church. Instead, the Sparrow recording artists designated producer Chris Janz, who had previously gone on the road with the band, to accept any awards on their behalf. But by the time Starfield was given the final award of the evening for Artist of the Year, Janz was becoming weary of his repeated trips to the podium. To his great relief, Janz managed to snag lead singer Tim Neufeld on his cell phone just as the band finished their show in Denver. With Janz holding the cell up to the microphone, Neufeld was able to personally address the Calgary audience and express his appreciation for all the awards.
On top of the Artist honor, Starfield took the prizes for Group of the Year, Album of the Year and Modern Worship Album of the Year (I Will Go), Recorded Song of the Year (Hosanna) and Praise & Worship Song of the Year (Reign In Us).
The winnings left slimmer pickings for others to snap up. Top nominee Steve Bell, with eight nods, took home only the trophy for Producer of the Year together with his colleague Dave Zeglinski. And among the five artists with seven nominations, The University of Toronto Gospel Choir captured the most Covenant Awards with three, including New Artist of the Year, Gospel Album of the Year (Send Me) and Choir Song of the Year (I Surrender).
The most Covenant Awards any other artist claimed in 2008 were two. Members of the double-winner club are Cheryl Bear, Amanda Falk, 4Given, Fresh I.E., God Rocks! BibleToons, Manic Drive, Ali Matthews, Paulis Sanchez, Secret & Whisper and Zoë Theodorou.
Meanwhile, British Columbia’s Rhythm & News, which topped Canadian Christian album sales charts during the ’90s, was bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Widely popular among youth during the band’s tenure from 1988-98, the “funkapella” boy’s quartet toured throughout North and South America. On hand to welcome Rhythm & News to the Lifetime Achievement ranks were last year’s recipients, show hosts and good friends, Hokus Pick.
In all, 55 Covenant Awards were handed out during the show’s 30th anniversary. Additional awards given away by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) Canada at the ceremonies included the Lifetime Achievement honors and the Blessings Fan Choice Award received by Toronto-area Caribbean Gospel singer/songwriter Jimmy Lalla.
Below is a complete list of award winners.
Aboriginal Song Of The Year
Residential School Song: Cheryl Bear
Children’s Song Of The Year
The Plans I Have: Ian Tanner (God Rocks! BibleToons)
Choir Song Of The Year
I Surrender: Stephen Lewis (The University Of Toronto Gospel Choir)
Classical/Traditional Song Of The Year
I Will Give You All The Praise: Monica Cota/Evangeline Inman/Mark Inman (4Given)
Country/Bluegrass Song Of The Year
The Prayer Song: Steve Rain (Steve Rain & Friends)
Folk/Roots Song Of The Year
On The Blue: Joel Augé
Francophone Song Of The Year
Pour Te Louer: Catherine Grenier (Catherine)
Gospel Song Of The Year
Because Of You: Ryan Resmer (Toronto International Celebration Church)
Hard Music Song Of The Year
Xoxoxo: Charles David Furney/Secret & Whisper (Secret & Whisper)
Inspirational Song Of The Year
Trust: Adam Padfield
Instrumental Song Of The Year
The Cry Of Bethlehem: Ali Matthews
Jazz/Blues Song Of The Year
I Believed It: Zoë Theodorou/Viviane Cardinal/Daniel Martin/Gavin Sorochan/Rodney Hunter/Eric Boseman/Rique Pantoje (Zoë Theodorou)
Modern Rock/Alternative Song Of The Year
Anyways: Everyother
Modern Worship Song Of The Year
Faithful Forever: Elias Dummer (Elias)
Pop/Contemporary Song Of The Year
Beautiful: Malynda Zacharias/Marshall Zacharias/Amanda Falk (Amanda Falk)
Praise And Worship Song Of The Year
Reign In Us: Tim Neufeld/Jon Neufeld/Ben Glover (Starfield)
Rap/Hip Hop Song Of The Year
Heat: Rob Wilson/Rob James (Fresh I.E.)
Rock Song Of The Year
Alone Tonight: Kiros
Seasonal Song Of The Year
The Cry Of Bethlehem: Ali Matthews
Southern Gospel Song Of The Year
Walk Out On The Water: Don Wilkie (One Heart)
Urban/R&B/Soul Song Of The Year
Me Tienes (You Got Me): Paulis Sanchez/Sean Simmonds/Kelvin Wooten/Terverius Black (Paulis Sanchez)
Aboriginal Album Of The Year
The Good Road: Cheryl Bear
Children’s Album Of The Year:
Trust And Hope In The Lord: God Rocks! BibleToons
Choir Album Of The Year
A cappella: Rocky Mountain College Choir
Classical/Traditional Album Of The Year
The Hymn Project: Buller, Balzer & Aichele
Country/Bluegrass Album Of The Year
In The Sweet By And By: Jayc Harold
Folk/Roots Album Of The Year
Salvation Station: Newworldson
Francophone Album Of The Year
Aimer Comme Toi: Claude Whiting
Gospel Album Of The Year
Send Me: The University Of Toronto Gospel Choir
Hard Music Album Of The Year
Great White Whale: Secret & Whisper
Inspirational Album Of The Year
Fountain Of Life: 4Given
Instrumental Album Of The Year
What A Gig That Will Be: Bruce Dougall
Jazz/Blues Album Of The Year
The Essence Of Life: Zoë Theodorou
Modern Rock/Alternative Album Of The Year
To The Living: Jay And The Lovebirds
Modern Worship Album Of The Year
I Will Go: Starfield
Pop/Contemporary Album Of The Year
Colors And Sounds: Article One
Praise And Worship Album Of The Year
Empty & Beautiful: Matt Maher
Rap/Hip Hop Album Of The Year
Lockjaw: Fresh I.E.
Rock Album Of The Year
Reset & Rewind: Manic Drive
Seasonal Album Of The Year
This Christmas: Jacob Moon
Southern Gospel Album Of The Year
I Believe: Three And Company
Special Events/Compilation Album Of The Year
GMA Canada 30th Anniversary Collection: Various Artists (Executive Producer Martin Smith)
Urban/R&B/Soul Album Of The Year
Seguro En Ti: Paulis Sanchez
CD/DVD Artwork Design Of The Year
The Hymn Project: Brian Kauste (Buller, Balzer & Aichele)
Music DVD Of The Year
One: Victory Christian Centre
Video Of The Year
Eleven Regrets: Manic Drive
Recorded Song Of The Year
Hosanna: Starfield
Song Of The Year
Love Is The Anchor: Greg Sczebel
Album Of The Year
I Will Go: Starfield
Producer Of The Year
Dave Zeglinski & Steve Bell
New Artist Of The Year
The University Of Toronto Gospel Choir
Group Of The Year
Starfield
Female Vocalist Of The Year
Amanda Falk
Male Vocalist Of The Year
Jon Bauer
Artist Of The Year
Starfield
Blessings Fan Choice Award
Jimmy Lalla
Lifetime Achievement Award
Rhythm & News