John attended the star-studded UCMVA 2008 Unity Awards - "The Catholic Grammy"on Sat., October 25th at Loyola University, New Orleans, LA. John received two top awards for the year; "Songwriter of the Year" and "Song of the Year" for Live Like Saints, the title song of his latest release "Live Like Saints". Joe Hand, received "Producer of the Year" for "Live Like Saints" CD. Way to go guys!!!! Performers included: Matt Maher, Trish Foti Genco, Tony Melendez, Kitty Cleveland, Kara Klein, John Michael Talbot, Matthew Baute, and many others, included 3 choirs. John was invited to lead the singing of the closing theme song "Together We Stand", along with the entire cast of recipients and performers. What a thrill! Be sure to visit the "Photo" section of this website for a glimpse of the evening! You won't be disappointed. The winners are as follows: "Song of the Year" Live Like Saints - John Grassadonia "Songwriter of the Year" - John Grassadonia "Male Vocalist of the Year"- John Michael Talbot "Female Vocalist of the Yr"- Kara Klein "Group of the Year" - Daughters of St. Paul "Artist of the Year" - Matt Maher "New Artist of the Year" - Crystal Valazquez "Producer of the Year" - Joe Hand - "Live Like Saints" from the album "Live Like Saints" "Modern Rock Alternative/Rock Song of the Year" - "Be My Everything" - Chris Padgett "Gospel Song of the Year" - "Wade in the Water" - ValLimar Jansen "Pop Contemporary Song of the Year" - "Praise & Worship Song of the Year" - "Were You There"? - Marilla Ness "Devotional Song of the Year" - "I Surrender" Sharmane "Country Song of the Year" - Traces of Jesus - Dan Duet "Liturgical/Sacramental Song of the Year" - "Adoro Te Devote" - Voice Trek "Modern Rock/Alternative Rock Album of the Year" - "Impact" - Chris PAdget "Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year" - "The Meaning of Life" - Sammy Blaze "Gospel Album of the Year" - Anointing - ValLimar & Frank Jansen "Pop Contemporary Album of the Year" - "Meet Me Where I Am" - Noelle Garcia "Devotional Album of the Year" - "Living Water 50th" John Michael Talbott "Liturgical/Sacramental Album of the Year" - Angels - Celestial Voices of Harmony" - Voice Trek "Instrumental Album of the Year" - "Rejoice" - Steve Hall "Praise & Worship Album of the Year" - Live: Songs from the Road" - Steve Angrisano "Children's Album of the Year" - "Hi God 6" - Carey Landry & Carol Jean Kinghorn "International Album of the Year" - "I Believe in You - Marilla Ness "International Artist/Group of the Year" - Marilla Ness "Choral Collection of the Year" - "Hymns & Anthems" Colin Mawby & Andrew Wright "Spoken Word Recording of the Year" - "Enduring Love" - A Rosary for Chasity - Kara Klein "Best Religious Television Presentation, DVD/ideo Release and /or Movie Presentation for Catholic Evangelization of the Year" "Bella" - Directed by Alejandro Monteverde "Video/DVD Producer of the Year" - Denise Pinckey, Eduardo Verastegun, Leo Severino, Alejandro Monteverde & Sean Wolfinton - "Bella" "Album Packaging of the Year" - "Surrender" (2007 Remix) Artist: Kitty Cleveland - Art Director: Dawn Cadard "Video/DVD Packaging of the Year" - Kara Klein DVD Trilogy - Artist: Kara Klein: Art Director: Bernard J. Klein "Seasonal Song of the Year" "What Child is This" - Trish Foti-Genco "Seasonal Album of the Year" "Light of the World" - Angelina A great time was had by all! This was the best Unity Awards ever! More Info to come later in the week....
