Warren Dean Flandez says his first Juno Award nomination came as a very pleasant surprise.
"It was completely unexpected," he says.
Flandez, who moved to Tsawwassen about two and a half years ago, is up for the Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year honour for Eternally Grateful.
The album is described as a "soulfully charged, urban infused gospel record" that isn't confined by genre specific stereotypes.
Flandez, who was born in Yellowknife, grew up singing in the church and at 15 began singing lead in a soul gospel choir under the direction of Checo Tohomaso, a former backup singer and keyboardist of Marvin Gaye, Lionel Ritchie and the Commodores.
He released his debut album in 2011 and followed that up with a sophomore EP release last year that won two GMA Covenant Awards for Gospel Song of the Year and Urban Song of the Year.
He's also the founder of Studio Cloud 30, a business with locations in Vancouver and Tsawwassen.
Flandez describes it as a talent development studio that's geared towards anyone who has a love or passion for learning music.
The Juno Awards take place April 2 in Ottawa.
