Magnify album In Wonder has won the Best Gospel / Christian category at the 2004 Vodafone Music Awards held in Auckland last week.
Passionate about seeing God adored and worshipped, the group members – Ric and Marissa Knott, Andy Hamilton, Tai Fuimaono and Iopu Va’asili – have brought their message to international audiences in Singapore, Indonesia and Australia.
Released in January this year in NZ, “In Wonder” has yielded two #1 hits on Life FM – “Blown Away” and “In Wonder”. A third song Love Divine has been in Radio Rhema’s Top 10 for 26 weeks.
Parachute Music will release In Wonder throughout Australia in January 2005.
2004 Vodafone Music Awards spokesperson Adam Holt says the appeal of Gospel/Christian music is highlighted by the massive attendances at festivals each year.
“It is notable for example the Parachute Music Festival draws crowds of more than 23 000 devotees with 100 acts,” says Adam.
“The finalists and the winner in the Tuis reflect the growth in popularity of this genre of music particularly with New Zealand youth,” he says.
The other finalists were the Parachute Band for “Glorious” and Peter Posa with “My Pick”.
Parachute Records Manager David Curtis says the win is great recognition of the quality of Magnify’s debut album.
“We are pleased to have bands of this calibre in our stable,” David says.
“Magnify has worked hard to produce a guitar driven rock album that stands out in the crowded worship genre. In Wonder provides a fresh, grunty approach to worship.” he says.
In the general categories of the awards, singer-songwriter Brooke Fraser won Best Female Solo Artist and Breakthrough Artist for her album “What To Do With Daylight”.
Brooke’s first Australian single “Lifeline” is one of the most played songs on Christian radio again this week.
And NZ Idol Ben Lummis took the award for highest selling NZ single with “They Can’t Take That Away”.
The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) presented its 39th annual awards ceremony last week at The Edge, Aotea Centre in Auckland.
