Carolyn Arends

Biography

Carolyn Arends is a Canadian contemporary Christian musician, songwriter, and author based in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

Musical career

Arends began her career as a songwriter at Benson Music Publishing. In 1995, she began touring and releasing albums as a singer and guitarist. Her debut release that year (I Can Hear You) was released through Reunion Records. I Can Hear You reached No. 37 on Billboard's Contemporary Christian Chart in 1996. Feel Free was No. 10 on the chart in 1997. Since 2001 her albums have mostly been distributed by Signpost Music. She is the winner of two Gospel Music Association Dove Awards and six GMA Canada Covenant Awards. Arends co-hosted the 29th Annual Covenant Awards in 2007 (with Leland Klassen) and the 31st Annual Covenant Awards in 2009 (with Arlen Salte).

Collaborations

co-wrote lyrics for "Diamonds from the Other Side" with Steve Bell on his album: Waiting for Aidan (Signpost, 2001)
co-wrote lyrics for "Not So Hip" with Bec Abbot on her album: Not So Hip (Signpost, 2005)

Notable appearances

Parachute Music Festival (January 1997)
Cornerstone Festival (July 1997)
Kingdom Bound (August 1997)
Cornerstone Festival (July 2002)
Harmony vocals on "He Will Listen To You", "Rest", and "The Peace of Christ" on Glen Soderholm's album Rest (Signpost, 2003)
Duet on "One Heart" on Greg Magirescu's album Sweet Surrender (Angel Cake Café, 2003)
Harmony vocals on "Approach My Soul The Mercy Seat" and "Come Ye Disconsolate" on Glen Soderholm's World Without End (Signpost, 2006)
Vocals on Jacob Moon's "Winter Song", "It Came Upon The Midnight Clear" and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel", This Christmas (Signpost, 2007)

Songs in other projects

Vancouver Seeds VI, "No Trespassing" (1991)
Music You Can Believe In, "Seize the Day" (Reunion Records, 1995)
Noel, "What Child Is This", with Brent Bourgeois and Derri Daugherty (Via, 1995)
Noel, "Angels We Have Heard on High", with Jenny Gullen and Stephen Murray (Via, 1995)
Orphans of God: A Tribute to Mark Heard, "Love Is So Blind" (Fingerprint Records, 1996)
Within the Sound of Your Voice by Amy Morriss, "Has to Be You" (Myrrh Records, 1997)
Songs 4 Life: Renew Your Heart, "Seize the Day" (Madacy, 1998)
Keep the Faith 2000, "Love Is Always There" (Chordant Records, 1998)
Awesome God: A Tribute to Rich Mullins, "Jacob and Two Women" (Reunion, November 10, 1998)
Prince of Peace, "Seize the Day" (Brentwood Music, 1999)
Sing Me to Sleep, Mommy, "You Bring Me Joy" (Brentwood, April 27, 1999)
Yes I Believe in God, "Happy" (Reunion, 1999)
Songs for the Soul: Grace, "Seize the Day" (Madacy, 2000)
Songs for the Soul: Joy, "Happy" (Madacy, 2000)
Rock on Christian, "This I Know" (Madacy, 2001)
Rock on Worship, "Father Thy Will Be Done" (Madacy, 2002)
Signpost Collections, Vol. 1, "Dance Like No One's Watching" and "We've Been Waiting For You" (Signpost Music, 2003)
Sons & Daughters by Steve Bell and Sarah Bell, "Getting Ready For Glory" (Signpost, 2004)
28th Annual Covenant Hits, "Something To Give" (CMC, 2007)
Sea to Sea: The Voice of Creation, "Land of the Living" (CMC, 2007)
GMA Canada presents 30th Anniversary Collection, "Seize the Day" (CMC, 2008)
Sea to Sea: Christmas, "Angels We Have Heard on High" (Lakeside, 2009)
Bellsburg... The Songs of Rich Mullins, "Whitewater" (Old Bear Records, 2022)

Awards and recognition

GMA Canada Covenant Awards
2002 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year, "Dance Like No One's Watching"
2003 Inspirational Album of the Year, We've Been Waiting for You
2005 Inspirational Song of the Year, "Getting Ready For Glory", from Under the Gaze
2005 Seasonal Album of the Year, Christmas: An Irrational Season
2006 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year, "Not So Hip" (co-written with Bec Abbot)
2007 Folk/Roots Song of the Year, "Everybody Wants Everything" (co-written with her brother Chris Jonat)
2009 nominee, Female Vocalist of the Year
2010 Folk-Roots Song of the Year: "Be Still"
2010 CD/DVD Artwork Design of the Year: Love Was Here First
GMA Dove Awards
1995 Country Recorded Song of the Year: "Love Will" (co-written with Connie Harrington and Michael James)
1996 nominee, New Artist of the Year
1997 International Artist of the Year
Juno Awards
1998 nominee, Best Gospel Album, Feel Free
2002 nominee, Best Gospel Album, Travelers
2007 nominee, Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year, Pollyanna's Attic
Shai Awards (formerly The Vibe Awards)
2003 Female Vocalist of the Year
2003 Inspirational Album of the Year: We've Been Waiting For You
2005 Female Soloist Artist of the Year
2005 Folk Album of the Year, Under the Gaze
2005 Inspirational Album of the Year, Under the Gaze
2005 Seasonal Album of the Year, Christmas: An Irrational Season
2007 Folk Album of the Year, Pollyanna's Attic
Western Canadian Music Awards
2010 nominee, Contemporary Christian/Gospel Recording of the Year: Love Was Here First