亚洲天堂 Lake singer-songwriters Doug and Marnie Phair found out last week that one of their songs has been nominated for 鈥榖est country song of the year鈥� by the Gospel Music Association.

The inspired couple achieved their dream of releasing their first album, called 鈥楾he main thing 鈥� a God project,鈥� in 2015.

The song that was nominated for the national award, called 鈥楨ternity,鈥� was dedicated to Doug鈥檚 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.

鈥淲e were sitting and talking about her, and we started playing guitar, and after five to 10 minutes the song was completely written,鈥� described Marnie.

鈥淲hen you have a loved one that has cancer, you鈥檙e always hopeful, but there comes a time and a place when all of a sudden you realize that that鈥檚 not going to be the answer this time,鈥� she continued. 鈥淲e got to that place [of acceptance], and that鈥檚 where we were [when we wrote the song].鈥�

鈥淚t was a divine inspiration,鈥� she added.

The couple said being nominated for this award makes them feel 鈥渉umbled.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great recognition by our peers,鈥� said Marnie. 鈥淭his is really special.鈥�

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 亚洲天堂 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 鈥渃alling.鈥�

鈥淢usic plays a very important part in our lives; it is what we do to relax; it draws us closer to each other and God.鈥�

Although their current priority is to raise a family and run a business in 亚洲天堂 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.