CRI News Beat: Starfield; Soraya Moraes; Caribbean Challenge; Acoustic Gospel Vol. 2 Print
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Monday, 09 February 2009 01:37 PM America/New_York

Starfield took home six trophies during the 30th Annual Covenant Awards in Canada, winning every category that garnered a nomination for the Sparrow Records (EMI CMG Distribution) band. Held Oct. 24 at First  Alliance Church in Calgary, Alberta, the awards were the pinnacle event of the Gospel Music Association Canada Week, which featured a conference, artist showcases, talent search competition and an awards banquet. Starfield—which has 13 Covenant Awards in the band’s career—won Group of the Year, Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for I Will Go, Praise & Worship Song of the Year for “Reign in Us,” Modern Worship Album of the Year for I Will Go and Recorded Song of the Year for “Hosanna.” Starfield won its third consecutive Group of the Year award as well as second consecutive wins in the categories of Recorded Song of the Year and Album of the Year.

Brazilian gospel singer Soraya Moraes won three trophies recently during the ninth annual Latin GRAMMY Awards. Held Nov. 13 in Houston, Moraes won in the Best Christian Album (Spanish) category for Tengo sed de ti (Line Records). She also won in the Best Christian Album and Best Brazilian Song (Portuguese) categories for Som da chuva (Line Records).

Jamaica’s Christian magazine, Caribbean Challenge is going out of business, reported the Jamaica Gleaner. The magazine, published by Christian Literature Crusade in Jamaica for more than 50 years, once had a circulation of 30,000 in the region. Eaton Facey, who served as its editor, told the Gleaner that it was “a painful decision” to shutter the magazine.

A new album featuring London-based artists seeks to raise funds for disadvantaged children in war-torn Congo. Released by independent U.K. label Rockhill Music, Acoustic Gospel Volume 2—www.acousticgospel.com—is a collection of 18 original songs by Zoe Oputah, Andrea Nyles and Four Kornerz.