The UCMVA has just announced their winners for the 2008 Unity Awards at their awards program on Saturday, October 25 at Loyola University in New Orleans.

by Susan Bailey | Source: GrapeVine

A star-studded and beautifully performed awards program honored deserving Catholic artists with Unity Awards from the United Catholic Music and Video Association (UCMVA) - the "Catholic Grammy." Performers included Matt Maher, Trish Foti Genco, Tony Melendez, Kitty Cleveland, John Michael Talbot and many others.

Special thanks go out to Philip Stein, the president of the UCMCA, Susie Gorell, Susan and Ron Stein, Trish Foti Genco, Bernie Klein and Dave Wang for making this show possible. Trish and Bernie were key to bringing the Unity Awards show to its new permanent home at Loyola University in New Orleans; Genco's relentless support of New Orleans musicians resulted in the live band and gospel choir that accompanied performances.

Watch the entire show here:

Here are the winners:

Song of the Year

Live Like Saints - John Grassadonia

Songwriter of the Year

John Grassadonia - Live Like Saints

Male Vocalist of the Year

John Michael Talbot

Female Vocalist of the Year

Kara Klein

Group of the Year

Daughters of St. Paul

Artist of the Year

Matt Maher

New Artist of the Year

Crystal Velazquez

Producer of the Year

Joe Hand – “Live Like Saints” from the Album “Live Like Saints” – Artist: John Grassadonia

Modern Rock Alternative/Rock
Song of the Year

A. Be My Everything - Chris Padgett

Gospel Song of the Year

Wade In The Water-ValLimar Jansen

Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year

Away from Myself - Noelle Garcia

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

A. Hymns & Anthems - Colin Mawby & Andrew Wright

Spoken Word Recording of the Year

Enduring Love - A Rosary for Chastity - Kara Klein

Best Religious Television Presentation,DVD/Video 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

Visit the UCMVA website for more information. You can watch a recorded version of the entire program at www.ustream.tv/channel/ucmva. Thanks to Dave Wang for producing the live show.

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