Burns Lake singer-songwriters Doug and Marnie Phair found out last week that one of their songs has been nominated for ‘best country song of the year’ by the Gospel Music Association.
The inspired couple achieved their dream of releasing their first album, called ‘The main thing – a God project,’ in 2015.
The song that was nominated for the national award, called ‘Eternity,’ was dedicated to Doug’s sister Barbara Cattle (Jo), who died of cancer last year. The song was written the night before the couple travelled to Kamloops to see Jo, just a few days before she died.
“We were sitting and talking about her, and we started playing guitar, and after five to 10 minutes the song was completely written,” described Marnie.
“When you have a loved one that has cancer, you’re always hopeful, but there comes a time and a place when all of a sudden you realize that that’s not going to be the answer this time,” she continued. “We got to that place [of acceptance], and that’s where we were [when we wrote the song].”
“It was a divine inspiration,” she added.
The couple said being nominated for this award makes them feel “humbled.”
“It’s a great recognition by our peers,” said Marnie. “This is really special.”
Since the official launch of the album in September 2015, Doug and Marnie have received very positive feedback from the community. Although gospel is the predominant style, the album also includes flavous such as reggae, blues, rock and country.
The Burns Lake couple discovered their great chemistry singing together back in 2009. While Doug has a flair for composing songs, Marnie prefers to write the lyrics.
When asked what music represents in their lives, the couple said that, for them, music is a “calling.”
“Music plays a very important part in our lives; it is what we do to relax; it draws us closer to each other and God.”
Although their current priority is to raise a family and run a business in Burns Lake, the couple said their ultimate dream is to make a living out of music.
The award ceremony will take place in Edmonton in January 2017. The couple will be competing against four other finalists in their category.