Arends began her career as a songwriter at Benson Music Publishing. In 1995, Carolyn 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 number 37 on Billboard Magazine's Contemporary Christian Chart in 1996. Feel Free peaked at number 10 on the chart in 1997. More recently her albums have been distributed by Signpost Music (Steve Bell's label). She is the winner of two Gospel Music Association Dove Awards and six GMA Canada Covenant Awards. Carolyn co-hosted the 29th Annual Covenant Awards in 2007 (with Leland Klassen) and the 31st Annual Covenant Awards in 2009 (with Arlen Salte). GMAC 2007 Covenant Awards. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
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 for the 2010 Covenant Awards to be announced October 29, 2010 Arends received nominations for Female Vocalist Of The Year, Folk-Roots Album Of The Year: Love Was Here First, Folk-Roots Song Of The Year: "Be Still", Inspirational Song Of The Year: "Never Say Goodbye", Jazz - Blues Song Of The Year: "Roll It", and 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
