The Pearl Awards happen one night every year when faith centered musicians join together to congratulate one another on their achievements and successes, and simply to have a great time.

This year, the Pearl Awards were on Wednesday, at the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni Center. The dinner and awards ceremony honored all those who have been involved in creating new, faith centered music this past year.

Tyler Castleton is a writer and producer who swept the evening with eight Pearl Awards. The recognition was not the most important part of his night though.

"The best thing about the awards is getting to be with all the people," Castleton said. "The awards are great because they recognize good work."

The Gibbons, a group that consists of brothers Michael, Guy and Grant, took home three Pearls, including one for New Recording Artist of the Year. Guy, who is currently serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in France, was unable to attend. The three brothers plan to continue recording when he returns in December 2009.

The Faith Centered Music Awards presented their annual scholarship to Stuart Maxfield of the band Fictionist, formerly known as Good Morning Maxfield. Ron Simpson, a member of the FCMA board of directors, introduced the scholarship.

"We decided to go with a name that represents rock 'n' roll, forming a band and entrepreneurship, in addition to being a strong student," Simpson said.

Maxfield, whose band will be releasing a new album Jan. 9, described himself as "a crazy, recording, aspiring, LDS rock guy." He can be found performing at Velour tonight at 8 p.m.

The evening ended with a performance by The Nashville Tribute Band. The group has released two albums: "Joseph: A Tribute to the Prophet" and "Trek: A Tribute to the Pioneers." They have performed 70 shows for 300,000 people over the past three years. They are currently working on a third album.

Band founder Jason Deere said the group recently returned from Australia where they performed for direct descendents of Joseph and Emma Smith.

He said he admires his band-mates because "they're all mega-successful secular guys, who are coming together and giving back."

The Nashville Tribute Band performed six songs, before Deere ended the set with a request for all those in the audience to "keep making great music!"

A full list of Pearl Award winners is available online at pearlawards.org.

Some Pearl Award Winners:

• Inspirational Album of the Year: Prayer, Dallyn Vail Bayles, produced by Tyler Castleton
• Contemporary Album of the Year: Chasing Yesterday, Cheri Magill, produced by Jonathan Shults
• Holiday Album of the Year: O Holy Night, Jenny Oaks Baker, produced by Tyler Castleton
• Classical Instrumental Album of the Year: Title of Liberty: Anthems for Stripling Warriors, David Glen Hatch and Marden Pond, produced by Phil Reschke, David Glen Hatch and Marden Pond
• Inspirational or Contemporary Instrumental Album of the Year: Ampersand, Fiddlesticks, produced by Katie Davis Henderson and Liz Davis Maxfield
• Sacred Instrumental Album of the Year: Now Let Us Rejoice, John Longhurst, Clay Christiansen and Richard Elliott, produced by John Longhurst, Clay Christiansen and Richard Elliott
• Children's Album of the Year: Snail's Pace, Eric Herman, produced by Eric and Roseann Endres
• Theme or Concept Album of the Year: Showtime! Music of Broadway and Hollywood, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, produced by Mack Wilberg, Bruce Leek and Fred Volger
• Musical Presentation or Soundtrack Album of the Year: The Ten Virgins: A Musical Parable, Various Artists, produced by Tyler Castleton
• Contemporary Compilation Album of the Year: Not Your Mother's LDS Music, Various Artists, Highway Records

  Inspiration Compilation Album of the Year: Hilary Weeks: The Collection, Lumen Records

• Male Recording Artist of the Year: Wayne Burton
• Female Recording Artist of the Year: Jessie Clark Funk
• Instrumental Recording Artist of the Year: Jenny Oaks Baker
• Performing Artist of the Year: Sam Payne
• New Recording Artist of the Year (tie): Dallyn Vail Bayles; The Gibbons





Copyright Brigham Young University 14 Nov 2008