SJ: VANCOUVER

Pip and me hanging out in Gastown. (overrated)

The Covenant Awards are presented by Gospel Music Association of Canada, awarding the best in Christian music. This year the ceremony was held in Langley, just outside of Vancouver. A little out of the way for most people in Christian music, but fun to get out of town and breathe in the Western air and check out the mountains that BCers are always bragging about. (They were looking majestic!)

Two weeks before flying out, a friend from my public school days found me on facebook. David Ross lives in BC and it turns out he was going to the Awards. He offered to pick me up at the hotel in Vancouver, drive me to Langley, and return me after the show. Had he not done that, the taxi probably would have cost me $1,000 - or close. (joking) But, wow - what a long ride!

Funny story, he texted to tell me he was ready to pick us up, waiting in the hotel parking lot but he was 45 minutes early. I was just leaving the gym in the hotel and Pip was...putting on his makeup. So, I texted David back, "we'll be right there - as soon as Pip finishes putting on his make-up!" Haha. I wondered if that would freak him out!

Stanley Park. Not sure what the totem poles are all
about, but everyone was getting their pictures
taken with them.

My travel partner was Pip Lucas, who is the Promotions Coordinator at LIFE 100.3 and the lead singer of Anthem For Today. AFT was nominated for Rock Album of the Year, and being the manager of the band, both Pip and I had double interested in this year's awards.

The ceremony began with the "pre-awards show", which are the smaller awards. I'm not sure what that means, really - all the awards are important. I'm not sure how they differentiate, but our nomination was during this "pre" period, and no, we didn't win - thanks for asking.

Then came the fancy dinner - yum! And then we moved into the auditorium for the major awards. Good music and an excellent crew running the live show. Fun to be an award presenter, too.

The highlight was watching The Color perform "One Sure Thing". Love the song! Big step forward for the boys!

view from Stanley Park

A couple of radio friends in Ontario asked me, "Why should I go? What will I get out of it"? There seems to be a need to "learn something", which isn't the case, here. It's just a chance to see all the other radio friends and the artists, who we often only see once a year. It's like a reunion. With awesome food!

We hung out in Stanley Park,Gastown and "Exit" which is a real life escape game. We got locked in "Prison" for 45 minutes. The concept is great but it was actually a let down.

Good times! Here's hoping it's back in Toronto next year so I can take the whole band, and LIFE staff!