Coming to in Calgary, June 26–27. Artists working in gospel, worship, reggae, Latin, urban and other genres have opportunities for mentorship and collaboration, according to organizers and nominated artists.
Now in their second year, the Canadian Selah Music Awards are uniting Canadian and international Christian artists to celebrate artistic excellence and encourage collaboration among industry peers.
“We want artists, administrators, public relations and lovers of God to come together to hear the message of Christ and encourage one another,” says founder Elio Alcindor of Calgary. As a worship artist himself, he is motivated to build healthy community among Canadian creatives who choose to represent Christ.
This year’s show, open to the public, will be in Calgary, June 26–27. It includes mentorship sessions to help those in the music business and a public worship concert followed by the official awards gala.
Sharon Rurak, of Yorkton, Sask., knows the industry well, since her company Vision PR Solutions supports artists by booking interviews and promoting their music. She’s leading public relations for the event, because she believes these awards are worth the investment for nominees and attendees.
“Many of these artists would never meet each other” outside of this event, says Rurak. “We want to celebrate and promote everyone that is inspiring and giving hope to people.”
Bill and Jacqueline Clements of Oktoks, Alta., will be hosting the gala evening. The couple are founders of TCF4 Productions, working in the creative field for three decades and better known for their talk show Legacy Makers on Yes TV.
“The Lord is calling creatives to rise with confidence and take ownership of the message they’re carrying, the passion they have and letting that come through; there’s a strength and a willingness to create without apology,” says Bill.
Jacqueline adds, “We’re seeing collaboration replace competition. There’s a growing sense we’re part of a move of God [in Canada] and we don’t have to work alone.” Also an actress, she advises creatives just starting out to “Stay true to your values and what your morals are. We all have a divine purpose.”
“Calling comes first,” agrees Morrissa Nicole, a gospel artist and voice actor from Brantford, Ont., nominated for three awards. “I will forfeit everything, calling first Jesus first all the time. And as a result of me putting the calling first, everything else will trail afterwards.”
The space to connect with other artists at the awards is exciting, and so is being nominated, says Nicole. “This music industry can be very solo, so when your peers are patting you on the back and saying ‘Keep going, we’re proud of you,’ it is an honour because these are people who understand what it means to grind, what it means to be writing songs at 4 o’clock in the morning, working with producers – they get it, it’s a blessing.”
One of the scheduled performers for the gala is Noel Robinson, an award-winning worship leader and songwriter from the United Kingdom. “I felt that something was stirring in Canada, there are many coming in from other nations as a gift,” he says.
He sees the awards program as an opportunity for spiritual renewal among artists. “Artists are encouraged to build an altar, there’s a prophetic generation that’s coming that’s not just about worship leading in the Church; they will be agents of change in culture, worship evangelists.”
For more updates, live recaps and streaming from the awards show, follow the Canadian Selah Music Awards on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.