Brooke Nicholls is looking forward to bit of a do-over at this year’s Juno awards.
Brooke Nicholls is looking forward to bit of a do-over at this year’s Juno awards.
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The Chatham native and gospel singer’s third album, Glory To God, was recently nominated for Contemporary Christian/Gospel album of the year.
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Her previous Juno nomination was in 2020, when public gatherings were canceled or went virtual.
While she and her husband, Steve Lensink, tried to make the most of it, it wasn’t quite the same, she said.
“We dressed up. . . , we ordered Thai that night, and we were all excited,” she said with a laugh. “But obviously it was a lacklustre experience, because we were just sitting on our couch watching it on TV.”
But they’ll be in Halifax in person for this year’s awards March 24, with Nicholls eager to take in the experience.
With this nomination, the 38-year-old hopes people connect not only with the music, but also with something “bigger and higher” than themselves.
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“I’ve seen a hunger for spirituality more than I ever have, especially after COVID,” she said.
“As soon as I started to tour again in 2021, and into 2022, 2023, it was like people were on fire for something. People were really connecting with who God was, finding a lot of hope in who He is.”
Lensink and Trevor Robert co-produced the album, which was recorded at Oshawa’s Noisy Neighbors Studio.
“These two geniuses put their heads together and honestly made me the record of my dreams,” she said. “This is the one that I am the most proud of.”
The mother of two also has kept busy on the road, performing about 100 dates a year in 2022-23. She has two big tours coming up this spring.
Nicholls offered a shout out to concertgoers across Canada, who play a big role in her success.
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“My heart is for Canada,” she said. “Because of that support from them, . . . I can do what I do.”
Other nominees in her category include: All Ye Lepers by Joshua Leventhal; Arrow by K-Anthony; Where I’m Meant to Be by Stirling John; and Alive by Tuzee.
Nicholls also has won Canadian Gospel Music Awards for her work over the years.
“My writing, my singing, my stage presence, everything has just evolved,” Nicholls said. “I’m grateful for that. You learn by doing.
“For me, I actually grow when I interact with people. I learn from their stories, and I’m compelled and touched by their lives. That really inspires my writing as well.”
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