SAINT JOHN - Darlings Island's Stephanie Mainville left an indelible impression on Sunday's CCMA gospel showcase audience at the Imperial Theatre not only as an accomplished artist, but as a caring individual.

In what was the most touching moment of an inspirational 90 minutes, hosted by New Brunswick's the LaPointes, the mother of four dedicated a song from 2004 ECMA nominated album, Family, to the grandfather who inspired her to write the haunting Ern's Waltz.

With Frederictonians Ernest and Rebecca Hiscott, nearing 90 and their 65th wedding anniversary, in the audience, Mainville spoke lovingly of how as a child she loved to dance with her grandfather, especially at weddings. And sometimes, added the devoted Christian, "I believe this journey with God is a dance."

Mainville, and her backup musicians, offered a style of Celtic fiddle music that won a loud and prolonged applause from an appreciative audience.

She also joined Kent Hodgin from the Ottawa Valley for a moving musical rendition of The Lord's Prayer that set the stage for two powerful performances by the LaPointes - Joel, Andy and their sister Jancie LaPointe-McLaughlin - of new vocal arrangements, from their new CD, of the old standards How Great Thou Art and Amazing Grace.

Hodgin, who also delivered the song Wood and Stone from new latest CD, told the audience how Mainville had put him and his wife up when she found they had yet to book a place to stay.

"I didn't tell him I have four kids," she said.

The LaPointes, members of New Brunswick's first family of gospel, also shared the stage with Saskatchewan native Eli Barsi, who now makes her home in Branson, Mo., and Adam Gregory of Edmonton, who recorded his first country album at the age of 14.

Barsi, a traditional bluegrass and western singer who was making her fourth appearance at an CCMA gospel showcase, sang two songs from her new album Closer To Home, including the title track. Gregory spoke and sang a song about his recent conversion to Christ, delivered and old favourite - Go Rest High On That Mountain - from past gospel showcase appearances and when asked, sang a third song. All the performers, with Hodgin taking the lead, came together for yet another version of Amazing Grace to bring the concert to the end. It won them a standing ovation from the audience.