It's a small, big little world we live in...
Submitted by ben on November 4, 2006 - 9:52pm.
Apparently there is now something called "Gospel Music Association Canada" -- a new international affiliate of the American GMA. Being as I'm Canadian and have dabbled in Christian music journalism, you'd think I would know this. I did not.
I jumped over to the GMAC website today, however, and happened across this sentence: "Starfield and Ali Matthews led the list of winners as GMA Canada presented the 28th Annual Covenant Awards October 27th in Calgary."
"So what?" you say. "Starfield and some chick I've never heard of cleaned up at an award show I don't care about, and where's Calgary, anyway?"
Well, I just happen to know Ali. Her husband Jon was the youth pastor at my church for a few of my high school years. She used to perform her stuff at church and social events, and she was good -- but I never thought she'd take off like this.
Any way, if you at all like country, folk or roots music, go buy her CDs. Support people who know me (!)Â
Maybe someday I'll interview Ali. Her musical style doesn't really fit with this website, but maybe I'll write about her for somebody else.
Anyway, it's late and I need to get up for church tomorrow. Be blessed, and visit alimatthews.com.
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Submitted by ben on November 9, 2006 - 4:43pm.
You know more about Calgary than I do. That's where they shot Cool Runnings? I guess it makes sense because there was an Olympics there (in the '80s, I think). They would have a world-class bobsled course in/near Calgary, but I didn't know that's where they shot the movie.
I hope Ali gets a record deal of some kind. She keeps winning all kinds of awards but she's still indie, as far as I know.
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Yeah, it's Sad
Submitted by webmaster on November 11, 2006 - 11:57pm.
Cool Runnings is probably one of my favorite movies of all time. I think they did film the stuff that was supposed to be at the Olympics on the track in Calgary, because I remember seeing some of the track off Hwy. 1 and it looked like it.
Hey, being indie is no problem. The word on the street is that both Jars of Clay and Caedmon's Call are now independent groups. If it's true and they stay indie, 2007 will be interesting.
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Ali Matthews - Cool Too!
Submitted by jmatthews on November 13, 2006 - 3:57pm.
Hey Ben - I have a distint interest in the artist in question - she's my wife and I'm the "jon" you speak of (now with an "h"). Calgary is cool and so is the movie - but let's stay focused! Lot's of great artists - from rock to rap - showed up in Calgary. I wasn't able to go, but I'm told the calibar of the show jumped from plauge to Grammy-quality (from show 27 to 28). This was the 28th annual Covenants - Canada's equivalent to the US Dove awards. Frankly, I'm not surprised you don't know about it - the Christian music scene here is like a mist compared to what it is in the US. But there are artists worth noting - Amanda Falk, Brian Doerkson, downhere, Starfield, Nifty, Carolyn Arends and relative newcomer - Ali Matthews.Â
She went in with 11 nominations - wow - and walked off with 4 awards. Not bad for an indie - who's prime territory is Stratford, ON and surrounding area. Her sales would impress Soundscan - and she goes into her busieset time of year on the merits of her awesome Christmas CD - On Angels' Wings. Check out her website for dates and locations.
Window of Light is a departure from previous work and is getting great reviews. I'll toss out this link to the Toronto Star article that sheds some light on her musical journey - if it doesn't appear - go fish.
JoHn!
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