February, 2005
Christian artists including Michael W. Smith and
Jars of Clay launched ONE in the Spirit
a faith video in support of The ONE Campaign to fight global AIDS and poverty in Nashville,
Tennessee. The three-minute video, featuring 16 of the biggest names in Christian music, will be
featured at concerts, music festivals and places of worship across America in 2005 to rally
support for The ONE Campaign – a coalition of the nation’s leading relief and advocacy organizations.
“I am so proud to stand here with this powerful group of artists in support of The ONE Campaign,”
Smith said at a press conference to launch the video. “The emergency of global AIDS and poverty
calls out to all of our hearts. Together, ONE by ONE, we can all make a difference in the lives of
the poorest of God’s children.” From concert venues to church halls to voting booths, the voices of the Christian community are
stronger and more relevant than ever in America. ONE in the Spirit is a rallying call to the
faith community to lend their voices to the poorest of the poor as part of The ONE Campaign. The
video mobilizes Christian artists who have been engaged with DATA (Debt AIDS Trade Africa), a
founding member of The ONE Campaign, since 2002 as advocates for the world’s poorest people.
"From Hollywood to the heartland, Americans are joining the fight against global aids and poverty,”
said Jamie Drummond, executive director of DATA. “ONE in the Spirit will play a critical
role in rallying even more Americans to lend their voices.”
Every day, 8,000 people die and another 13,000 contract the HIV virus, nearly 1,800 of who are
children. In poor countries, there are approximately 6 million AIDS patients in need of lifesaving
medicines but only 700,000 currently have access. More than a billion people – including half the
population of Sub-Saharan Africa – live on less than $1 a day.
“When President Bush launched the Millennium Challenge to help the world’s poorest help themselves,
he declared ‘There are no second class citizens in the human race,’” said Jars of Clay lead singer
Dan Haseltine. “God has charged us all with ensuring dignity for his or her neighbor. I hope all
of our listeners – and all Americans – will join with The ONE Campaign to make that dignity a
reality for every person on earth.” ONE in the Spirit features: Michael W. Smith, TobyMac, Michael Tait, Charlie Peacock,
Steve Taylor, Margaret Becker, Kirk Whalum, Natalie Grant, Jars of Clay, Andrea and Danielle
Kimmey of Out of Eden, Third Day’s Mark Lee and Peter Furler of the Newsboys.
(from Provident Music Group)
Yesterday, CNN reported online that Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch had decided to leave
the band upon coming to Christ and wishing to pursue music relative to his new lifestyle. While the article is rather vague about his religion choice
(beyond "finding God"), the band's official site Korn.com reports that
Brian has "chosen the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior." "Welch broke the news Sunday on Bakersfield, California, station KRAB-FM,"
the CNN article begins. "I had it in my heart to come here and explain to you," Welch said.
"I'm good friends with Korn. I love those guys, and they love me, and they're very happy for me."
For the full article, visit http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/23/music.korn.reut/index.html.
Please keep Welch and the rest of the guys in Korn in your prayers!
(from CNN.com, Korn.com)
ZOEgirl, one of the bestselling new Christian acts
to emerge in this decade, returns with their fourth studio album, Room To Breathe,
available everywhere March 15. Pre-order Room To Breathe today from the JfH Music Store,
and your copy will arrive autographed by ZOEgirl. The group says, "We've spent many months working on Room To Breathe and seeking God's
direction on every song. It's a great combination of fun, classic ZOEgirl, worship, and deeper
ministry." Pre-order autographed copies of Room To Breathe now at the JfH Music Store...
(from Sparrow Records)
The Passion ’05 Live EP, recorded live at Passion ’05 and
released January 25, became an iTunes “Top 10 Albums” best-seller last week, the first time for
any project in EMI CMG Label Group history. The EP hit the iTunes album chart alongside such
well-known artists as Green Day, The Killers and Kenny Chesney, as well as the soundtracks from
Garden State and Phantom of The Opera. Since its release date, the EP has additionally held
the number one position on the iTunes Inspirational Chart.
The Passion ’05 Live EP features new songs by artist-worshippers Matt Redman, performing
“Whole World In His Hands,” and Chris Tomlin, contributing “Holy Is the Lord,” which is climbing
multiple radio charts and is last week’s most added single at AC radio (R&R). Also featured is
the "Waking Up To The Whole Gospel” teaching by Passion Conferences founder, speaker and author,
Louie Giglio. To download the Passion 05 Live EP, visit www.iTunes.com.
“The overall ‘Top Ten Album’ debut on iTunes for the Passion '05 Live EP was great,” adds Rich
Peluso, EMI CMG Distribution president. “To have stayed there for a week is amazing. We are
excited that the folks at iTunes were so willing to work with us on creating and featuring this
special project. Given the nature of the Passion events and their core audience, college students
and young adults, we felt that the iTunes consumer base was the perfect group to connect with and
help promote the April release of Passion: How Great Is Our God. We are confident that
this added exposure will help us build consumer awareness and grow our core retail customer's sales.”
The full-length recording Passion: How Great Is Our God, scheduled to release April 12,
was recorded live at Passion ’05, a collegiate gathering of more than 11,000 students from all
50 states and eight foreign countries.
(from Hoganson Media)
Dead Poetic has recently cycled through a couple members. Josh Shellabarger (drums) and
Todd Osborn (guitar) have left the band to pursue other things (such as Josh completing college).
Replacing them will be Jesse Sprinkle (of Demon Hunter and Poor Old Lu fame) on drums and Dusty
Redmon (of Beloved fame) on guitar. As reported earlier this month, the band has begun writing music for their third album.
You can read more about it on deadpoetic.com on the "journal" page.
(thanks to Frank D. for the news)
The official release date for Starflyer59's new release Talking Voice Vs. Singing Voice
is April 12th. Log on to Sf59.com right now to download a brand new song from the record entitled
"Something Evil." You can also check out the new album cover on the front page. Also,
The Last Laurel EP will be released on vinyl, and also Talking Voice Vs. Singing Voice will
be available in 12" format following shortly after the CD release. (from Sf59.com)
Disciple has just secured a mainstream Christian label deal, "Hi all! I wanted to send out a
quick e-mail to let you guys know that Disciple has been signed to INO Records and will be the FIRST
rock band signed to this label," announced the band in a recent newsletter. "Those who are in
Christian music might recognize INO as the same label Mercy Me is signed to. They have also
targeted in on June 7th as the new cd release date. More specific details will follow very shortly."
The album is also rumored to be titled Rise Up. More soon! (thanks
to Brandon L. for the news)
After the last of the tracking sessions for The Rock N Roll Worship Circus's brand new
The Listening full-length album, the boys took a short break, and then headed back into
the studio to work with BEC Recording artists Telecast! Word on the street is that the
record is due out sometime this summer/fall. This will be the band's first full-length release
since their 2003 INO release A Beautiful Glow. They released the critically acclaimed
The Listening EP last summer... (from worshipcircus.com)
Audio Adrenaline hit the studio last week with producer Jay Joyce. All this week they will be
recording songs for their new album Until My Heart Caves In" due to hit store shelves
early this summer. For video and audio of the band discussing new songs and recording, visit
http://www.audioa.com/news.aspx?iid=341625&cid=227.
Also, visit their "moBlog" for images of the guys hard at work! (from AudioA.com)
The highly anticipated Absolute Worship Tour
began its musical ministry last week in Texas and will continue touring 20 cities through late
March. Todd Agnew and Big Daddy Weave are co-headlining the
tour along with featured special guest Exit East. The tour is in conjunction
with the album release of Absolute Modern Worship on Fervent Records.
Absolute Modern Worship, the fourth release in the Absolute series, features
“You’re Worthy Of My Praise” by Big Daddy Weave and BarlowGirl. The song has quickly become the
fastest rising single in Fervent’s history already reaching #12 at AC and #15 at AC Indicator,
according to R&R, only one month after add date.
The Absolute series has continued to impact radio and the marketplace selling over 300,000 units
in 11 months. In support of this project and its featured artists, Fervent Records and WorldVision
have partnered in co-sponsoring The Absolute Worship Tour booked through GOA, Inc.
“We're excited, first of all, to be included on the compilation project Absolute Modern Worship
which provided us the opportunity to work with BarlowGirl, and we are now even more excited to be
apart of the Absolute Worship Tour,” says Mike Weaver of Big Daddy Weave. “This tour is unique
to others that we've done in the past. It is different because we're not out there to play the
singles that everyone would recognize necessarily. This tour is all about truly worshipping our
God. It's good to join forces with others like Todd Agnew and Exit East that have kindred hearts
toward promoting someone so much bigger than we are.”
(from Bozeman Media)
Worship Leader Magazine has awarded Gotee recording artist Sarah Kelly
the "2004 Breakthrough Artist" honor for their 4th Annual Praise Awards. The awards recognize
outstanding achievement in six key areas with the winners being selected by popular vote at
www.worshipleader.com or www.songdiscovery.com. Fellow nominees in the "Breakthrough Artist"
category included Planetshakers, Robbie Seay Band, and Jason Morant.
"Sarah Kelly is an artist that truly has broken through the normal boundaries of a worship
leader," commented Worship Leader Magazine's Trish Carlson. "Her worshiping heart and presence on
stage as she leads others in worship is addicting and rocks you to the core. Never before have
I heard such raw and authentic passion, as if Sarah is singing out for those who can't."
With Kelly's recent GRAMMY nomination for "Best Rock Gospel Album," 2005 has already proven to be
a year of high visibility for her. Last week she presented the "Third Coast Agent Of The Year"
award to winner John Huie of CAA at the 16th Annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards, and was
simultaneously nominated for a Dove Award for her participation in special album event In The
Name Of Love- Artists United For Africa. (from LB PR)
The Supertones are beginning their farewell tour this Spring with Roper but are planning to
to do a full tour to celebrate their final year as a band in the Fall.
Roper will be out with the O.C. band for 10 dates in the spring as well.
In between the dates with the Tones, Roper will be touring with a new band called Edison Glass
who just got signed to Sparrow records. (from Roper)
Rocketown Records recently announced the signing of Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter
Michael Olson as the newest artist on the nine-year-old
label’s roster. His debut CD, Long Arm of Love, releases May 17, and first single
“I Believe in Jesus” goes for adds at AC and Inspirational formats on March 11.
A worship leader for the college-age group in his home church, Olson is also known throughout
Minneapolis as a rising producer and more than capable player on a variety of instruments,
including guitar, piano and drums. In addition to writing and recording his own music, Olson has
also toured with Sara Groves. Artist/producer Scott Dente, now of Runway Network, first introduced
Olson’s music to the Rocketown staff after he played on Olson’s independent CD, which was produced
by Nate Sabin (Sara Groves). Struck by the direct and authentic nature of his songs, Rocketown
brought Olson to Nashville to get to know him and his music better. In December, Olson joined with
the Rocketown roster on the Gloria Christmas tour, in which he served as the opening act and a
featured vocalist throughout the night.
Rocketown Records’ President Don Donahue said, “Michael Olson is a great singer, a better
songwriter and an incredible artist. We are looking forward to Michael being able to showcase his
music to our market this spring. After first being drawn to him because of his voice, we quickly
noticed the accessibility of his songs. Meeting and experiencing what he does live was the icing
on the cake. Michael Olson's future is very bright, and it starts with The Long Arm of Love
on May 17.” Michael Olson said, “The highest purpose for the music I create is for others to be brought
closer to Jesus. I believe there are a lot of people in the world who have a misunderstanding
about the way God feels about them. I want to live my life in such a way that I can easily hear
from Him and use the giftings that He’s given me to lead others into the truth of who He is.
That would define success for me.
“I’m excited to be a part of the Rocketown family because it feels just like that. Family.
I’ve never been more amazed at how God grants the desires of our hearts when we align ourselves
with Him. The way that my relationship originated with Rocketown was very natural. It just felt
right. And I feel like the Rocketown team is committed to me as an artist. They are very
passionate about what they do, and I’m honored to be on their roster.”
(from Rocketown Records)
Fervent Records artist, BarlowGirl, was featured
last Friday in the official national launch of Lifeway’s True Love Waits “Takes The Town”
campaign. BarlowGirl has long been an advocate of sexual abstinence and has been a spokesperson
to their legion of teenage fans on this topic. The new “Takes The Town” campaign will involve
drawing a community together to raise the banner of sexual purity and to present students with a
united message from churches, businesses, doctors, schools, and the government.
BarlowGirl did an acoustic performance for the launch at Lifeway’s chapel service and then took
part in a panel that served as a press conference at www.truelovewaits.com. BarlowGirl’s
involvement serves as a voice from the Christian music industry and from the youth generation
that supports purity until marriage. Also joining them in this event was Mike and Christin
Bumstead, who are a recently married couple who had committed to purity. Mike is a San Diego
Padres player and the couple was recently featured on the Knot Oxygen cable show.
BarlowGirl (Becca, Alyssa, Lauren) has promoted modest dressing for teenage girls and to keep
social activities with an uneven number of guys and girls to help maintain a commitment to
abstinence. They have based their stance and have found their firm security in Romans 12:2.
Do not conform, be transformed. Alyssa Barlow states, “We look at our culture that tells us
what to wear, what to watch, what to think – which can be a really a dangerous lifestyle.
This only leads to heartache, and many of our problems are related to this striving to conform.
We say in our songs to be different- that there is a reason God made us different and why we have
different paths to walk out.” (from Bozeman Media)
P.O.D. has updated their official website, www.payableondeath.com, with a brand new behind-the-scenes
video. The video opens with highlights from the production and promotion of their 2003 record
Payable On Death set to an impressive remix of "Will You." Before the video closes,
the remix opens into a brand new guitar-driven song that is sure to excite dedicated fans of the
San Diego rock quartet. Visit the site now for the clip! (from PayableOnDeath.com)
Sparrow Records’ artist Steven Curtis Chapman was
awarded a GRAMMY Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for his latest release,
All Things New, at Sunday night’s show held live in Los Angeles. The 47th Annual Awards
were broadcast nationwide on CBS. Steven Curtis Chapman has previously won four consecutive GRAMMY Awards for Best Pop/ Contemporary
Gospel Album (for Speechless, For The Sake of the Call, The Great Adventure
and The Live Adventure). Selling over nine million records in his career, his
GRAMMY-winning project, Speechless has been RIAA-certified Platinum, while
For The Sake of the Call and The Great Adventure are RIAA-certified Gold.
Thrilled by tonight’s win, Chapman comments, “This seemed uniquely special tonight of the theme
of the album. I’ve been fortunate to have won four past Grammy awards, but it’s been a few years
and albums since. Having taken some new turns with this current project, it feels like a new
beginning and is truly ‘all things new.’ This was a truly great night.”
The recording industry's most prestigious award, the GRAMMY, is presented annually by the Recording Academy, NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences). A GRAMMY is awarded by the Recording Academy's voting membership to honor excellence in the recording arts and sciences. It is a peer honor, awarded by and to artists and technical professionals for artistic or technical achievement, not sales or chart positions. The annual GRAMMY Awards presentation brings together thousands of creative and technical professionals in the recording industry from all over the world.
(from The M Collective)
Sky Harbor announced this week the departure of guitarist Steve Houser. Steve posted the following
message in the band's official newsletter, "Hey Guys, I just wanted to take a moment to express
my thanks to Sky Harbor and the fans. Recently I have decided that it was time for me to step
down as a member of Sky Harbor. The last few years have been nonetheless amazing! Experiences
that I will hold onto forever. All of you that came to shows, hung out after shows, stayed in
contact you guys are awesome and made me feel blessed every show. The decision was just
something that I felt I needed to do, and felt that God was leading me in a different direction.
As for my future, I plan on taking it easy for a while and see where God leads me. Have even
contemplated taking up teaching if you guys can believe that! haha. Well thank you again for
welcoming me and the guys into your churches, homes, clubs, schools, and everywhere else! My
support for the guys still continues and I wish them and everyone involved now and in the future
the best. Please feel free to contact me at Steve_Houser@hotmail.com Thanks again, Steve" We wish
Steve and the band the best! (from Sky Harbor; special thanks to Carolyn)
The winners for the 47th Annual GRAMMY Awards are in! Congratulations to
Third Day for nabbing the Best Rock Gospel Album GRAMMY
for their record Wire! Congrats also to Steven Curtis Chapman for taking home the
GRAMMY Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for his album All Things New! For the full
list of winners, visit Grammy.com. (from Grammy.com)
ComingSoon.net reported this week that Mel Gibson has made a new cut of
The Passion of The Christ! The director
has trimmed five to six minutes of violent scenes, reports Variety. The new version,
The Passion Recut, will go out on 500-750 screens by Newmarket Films beginning March 11.
The new cut will be unrated, adds the trade. Gibson showed a preliminary version of this version
to the ratings board. When it became clear he would still receive an R rating, which his original
film bore, Gibson decided that would defeat his purpose.
While the original film grossed $370.2 million on an initial theatrical run that began Ash
Wednesday last year, Gibson cut a less-violent version of his film in response to an audience
segment that skipped the film because of the depiction of onscreen carnage as Jesus Christ was
tortured by Roman troops prior to being crucified.
"There are no new scenes, and the cuts are limited to the more violent aspects of the film, if
that's the right term," said Bruce Davey, Gibson's partner in Icon Productions. "The scourging
scene in particular has been substantially adjusted."
The film will be released in most major markets across the country. It is expected to run through
Easter weekend, and Davey said that this might become a perennial release.
(from ComingSoon.net)
Some of today’s most popular gospel music artists will pay tribute to the newest members of
the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame at a
television taping on Tuesday, February 22. The show, to be held at Trinity Music City in
Hendersonville at 7:30 p.m. CT, is open to the public and admission is free. (Doors open at 7:00 p.m.)
The GMA Foundation (GMAF) will induct Walter Hawkins, Mylon Le Fevre, Evie Tornquist,
The Lewis Family, Ron Huff, Don Light and Lou Hildreth into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame awards show will feauture performances by inductees Hawkins, Le Fevre and
Tornquist as well as The Newsboys, Tramaine Hawkins, Richard Smallwood, The Williams Brothers,
The Isaacs, Rebecca St. James and Larry Dalton. Also scheduled to appear are Amy Grant,
CeCe Winans, Bill Gaither, Tony Brown, The Oak Ridge Boys and Marty Raybon. Comedienne Chonda
Pierce will host the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame ceremonies.
The GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame was established in 1971 and has inducted 125 members since its inception, including Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, Amy Grant, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Andrae Crouch, Tennessee Ernie Ford, The Oak Ridge Boys, Petra, Bill and Gloria Gaither, the Rambos, Thomas A. Dorsey, the Fairfield Four, Billy Graham and the Jordanaires.
More information about the inductees can be found at www.gospelmusic.org.
(from Spinhouse)
Are you KJ-52 fans who were looking for the hidden tracks on his new album Behind The Musik
as perplexed as we were to their whereabouts? "For some of you who have purchased the new kj-52
Behind the Musik, you are probably wondering where the listed hidden trax are," KJ posted last week
on his official site. "Here is what has happened... in the last minute course of the record being
finished and mastered the 2 hidden trax ("Plain White Rapper in a Mini Van" and "Piece of Junk Car")
had to be cut off the CD because the album length was too long (i.e. more than 74 minutes), however, the
problem was the 42,000 booklets had already been printed up listing those two trax. Reprinting them
would have meant that the LP would missed it's release date of Feb. 1st. VERY CONFUSING, WE KNOW!!
We apologize for the misunderstanding. We will be posting those two trax up on kj52.com and/or
behindthemusik.com as a free mp3 download shortly! Again, we apologize for the misunderstanding
and are working to correct the problem immediately." (from kj52.com)
The fourth annual C.A.T.S., INSP's Christian Artist
Talent Search, opens Feb. 14 for interested contestants to enter. A television series on
INSP-The Inspiration Network and syndicated stations will follow the 64 finalists in competition.
The grand prize winner will receive a national recording contract from Point of Grace Entertainment
record label. The Christian music talent search is open for sign-up until April 18. The talent
search is for singers, whether solo, duo or group. Styles may be gospel, contemporary, southern
gospel, praise and worship, or other Christian genres.
"We have found great talent to showcase and found an enthusiastic audience in our prior years with
C.A.T.S.," said Ron Shuping, Senior Vice President of Programming, The Inspiration Networks.
"This talent, combined with the excitement of the competition building to the finals, makes for
exciting television viewing as well as a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of the artists."
To enter, all artists must send a CD or audio cassette with two Christian songs, two copies of
a recent photo and two copies of their biography. All entrants must be 15 years of age or older by April 18th, 2005.
Contestants may sign up for the 2004/2005 C.A.T.S. competition at www.insp.com. Rules are posted on
the web site also. More information is available by calling 704- 561-7955. (from INSP)
As Christians, what is our response to the world when tragedy, like the December 26th tsunami
that killed over 150,000 people, strikes? It's easy to praise God when things in our lives are
going well, but what about the other times? What happens when mountaintop experiences cascade into
seasons of struggling in the valley?
The question: how could a perfectly good and all-powerful God allow suffering has never been
timelier. Many of us don't feel right expressing our anger, frustration, and sadness in prayer.
Why is it that Christians have not had an understanding of the role and the importance of mourning?
In A Sacred Sorrow, releasing February 13th, 2005 from NavPress, author, musician,
and teacher Michael Card, shows us that lament is
enshrined in God's word. From Job to David to Christ, men and women of the Bible understood that
God desires for us to pour out our hearts to Him, in joy and in pain. A Sacred Sorrow
gives Christians permission to grieve and shows them that the offering of our sorrow can actually
be an act of worship. For more information, visit Card's website at www.MichaelCard.com
(from Michael Card Music)
On March 8, Sony BMG Strategic Marketing will release
Ultimate Worship: The Passion Collection, a two-CD set of twenty-five tracks performed
by internationally renowned worship leader Joel Engle.
This release follows in the footsteps of 2003's highly successful Ultimate Worship Collection.
One of Modern Worship's leading stars, Engle plays to hundreds of thousands of people each year;
he also publishes the largest Modern Worship “direct-to-church” subscription program in the world.
Engle performs the songs, with special guests who are amongst the most popular voices in Modern
Worship, the hottest format in Christian music -- and the fastest growing genre in popular music today.
Ultimate Worship The Passion Collection mixes classics such as: "At The Cross,"
"Lord I Lift Your Name On High," "Nothing But The Blood," "Oh Praise Him" and "The Happy Song"
with many of the newest, most popular songs both on the charts and in churches nationwide
including "My Glorious," "In Christ Alone," "Prince Of Peace," "Wonderful Cross," "Your Love Is
Deep,” and “Beautiful One.”
(from LB PR)
Sanctus Real has added another milestone to its list of achievements: drummer Mark Graalman
and his wife Susan announce the birth of their firstborn son, Friday, February 4, at 3:15 p.m.
Toledo, OH-time (EST)!
“Well here he is!” announces the proud new dad. “Benjamin Yo-Sup Graalman! Weighing in at 8lbs.
8oz. and standing 21 inches tall! Susan and I are doing great! God is sooo good!”
“It’s Korean tradition that the grandfather gives newborns their middle name,” adds Mark.
“Since Susan is Korean-American, we asked her father to choose a biblical name that he liked.
He chose Yo-Sup, which is Korean for Joseph.” Susan’s parents reside in South Korea.
(from Hoganson Media)
Pillar will then headline the "For Those About To Rock Tour" April 8- May 22 with special
guests Thousand Foot Krutch, John Reuben, and Dizmas. "The plan is to write as much as possible
during February and get a good head start on the next album," announced the band in a newsletter this week.
"So you know, the earliest we are able to hit the studio to record the next album won't be until
Winter 2005. Pillar will hit the road again in full force starting in early March. We have two
back-to-back tours scheduled. Hopefully we will see many of you at these shows. Lastly, I want to
let you all know that we have begun work on the ultimate Pillar DVD. Most of the footage has been
filmed by Rob or a friend of the band over the last few years. Rob will be flying to Nashville
this week to discuss the content of the new DVD with our record label. It will be released this
late spring sometime. We will reveal more information about this project in the coming months.
Check out our journal on www.pillarmusic.com to see what crazy things we are up to out on the
road." (from Pillar)
We reported last month on the mainstream signing of Mat Kearney. Here's the label's official word...
Inpop Records artist Mat Kearney recently inked a
general-market partnership with Aware/Columbia Records, home to multi-platinum singer/songwriter
John Mayer, Grammy-winning rock band Train, and alternative pop outfit Five for Fighting, among
others. Kearney released his Inpop Records debut, Bullet, last October to critical acclaim.
Aware/Columbia Records will handle all general-market promotions and marketing, including consumer
publicity, radio promotion and distribution. Inpop Records will continue to market and distribute
Kearney’s release Bullet to the CBA market. Kearney has also signed on with Creative Artist
Agency, which represents artists working in film, television, music and more.
“The second I heard Mat’s music, I knew I had to sign him and help expose him to a massive
audience,” said Aware Records Founder/President Gregg Latterman. “Everyone here at Aware/Columbia
is extremely excited for rest of the world to hear Mat’s music,” he said.
“We’re excited about teaming up with Aware/Columbia and what that means for Mat,” said Inpop
Senior Vice President/General Manager Rob Poznanski. “We’ve watched what Aware/Columbia has
successfully done with other projects, and we feel this partnership is the beginning of a great future with them.”
Kearney sprung onto the music scene in October 2004 with “Undeniable,” the first single from
Bullet. The song broke the record for the largest number of out-of-the-box adds for a
radio single on Radio and Records’ Christian CHR chart. Bullet, co-produced by
Robert Mavin and Kearney, features a unique blend of acoustic guitar, thoughtful lyrics and
driving rhythms. The 11 songs comprising the album were all co-written by the duo. Kearney
joined label mates Shane & Shane for a successful fall tour last year.
“I’m honored to be a part of the Aware/Columbia community,” said Kearney. “I’ve watched Aware
Records for some time now, and I have a huge respect for the music this company has ushered
into the marketplace. The staff at Aware/Columbia really stood out because they showed such
initial belief in me and shared a similar vision for my music and where I hope to take it.”
Currently, Kearney is in the studio working on new material. Beginning February 14, he will
join alternative rockers Graham Colton Band for a seven-city run, and this spring Kearney will
co-headline a tour with Warner Bros/Teleprompt artist MuteMath.
(from InPop)
Switchfoot's The Beautiful Letdown DualDisc hit store shelves yesterday.
The DualDisc features the original stereo mix of the entire The Beautiful Letdown album
on the CD side. On the DVD side, you'll get a 5.1 Multichannel Surround-Sound mix of the album,
with features like the making of "Dare You To Move" video with two versions of the video,
also featuring an acoustic version of "On Fire" and two audio-only bonus tracks: "Monday Comes
Around" and "Meant To Live".
The DualDisc plays on existing CD and DVD devices such as DVD players, car stereos, PCs,
game consoles and CD players!
(from Switchfoot)
INO Records and eb+flo Records' have recently announced their partnership to release Chris Rice's
next project. Rice will begin recording for the project next month in Nashville for a projected
August release. eb+flo records consists of partners Ken Lewis, Monroe Jones and Chris Rice.
"We are huge fans of what INO has done to redefine the music industry," comments Lewis, "and believe that partnering with them to do this Chris Rice project is going to be a strong and beneficial relationship."
"Chris has a strong vision, and a sense for how he wants to grow in his artistry," adds Jones,
"and as we met with potential partners for Chris and eb+flo, it became very clear that Jeff Moseley and INO not only understood that vision, but were excited and more than capable of helping us carry it out. It's just a great fit."
"We are enamored by Chris' artistry and are excited to partner with eb+flo to further an already succesful career," commented INO president, Jeff Moseley.
(from The M Collective)
“Blessed Be Your Name,” the first single from Tree63’s February 2004 release,
The Answer To The Question, has been named Billboard Magazine’s No. 1 Adult Contemporary
Christian radio single for 2004. “Blessed Be Your Name,” penned by Matt and Beth Redman, has been
nominated for the prestigious “Song of the Year” and “Worship Song” awards from the Gospel Music
Association. The winning songs will be announced at the 36th Annual Dove Awards in Nashville on
April 13. “Blessed Be Your Name” quickly climbed the charts after its release in early 2004 and
has remained a staple of radio playlists across the country. Consumer response to The Answer To
The Question has been overwhelming, resulting in the shipment of over 100,000 units to retail.
The third single from the project, “Maker Of All Things,” recently released to radio in advance
of a special retail re-release of The Answer To The Question Expanded Edition on March 1. The
expanded edition will include “Maker Of All Things,” which was previously unavailable, along with
the new song “Paradise” and several exclusive acoustic cuts. The re-release will also contain
enhanced content, including the video and chord charts for the song “King.”
The Answer To The Question Expanded Edition displays Tree63’s trademark anthemic,
guitar-driven sound coupled with intimate, worshipful lyrics. Produced by the team of Jason Burkum
and Nathan Dantzler (Audio Adrenaline) along with Tree63 frontman and founder John Ellis, the
project features Ellis as songwriter on all but two tracks.
Tree63 will also hit the studio soon to record the follow up to The Answer To The Question, slated for release this fall.
(from InPop)
Nominations for the 36th Annual GMA Music Awards were announced today with top-sellers and new
artists leading the field of nominees for the Dove Awards. A complete nominations list is
available at www.gmamusicawards.com.
Michael W. Smith leads the Dove nominations with eight individual nominations.
Casting Crowns follows with seven nominations and lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall adds six
individual nominations of his own. The Crabb Family also nabbed six nominations while the
group’s patriarch, Gerald Crabb, earned six nominations for his prolific songwriting.
Switchfoot’s nominations totaled five and frontman Jonathan Foreman added another three of his
own; and in the reverse, Israel Houghton earned five Dove nominations with his group Israel &
New Breed receiving two nominations. MercyMe and Matthew West round out the leading nominee
list with five each. Artists with four nominations include Steven Curtis Chapman, BarlowGirl,
Selah, Jeremy Camp, Martha Munizzi, Martin Smith, Joe Pace, Sanctus Real, J Moss and Matt Redman.
Sadly, many of the more alternative/rock artists and albums were sorely overlooked. Newcomer Sarah Kelly, who
although appeared on the primary ballot form, didn't take home a single nomination (save for her participation
in the In The Name Of Love project). John Reuben's critically acclaimed Professional Rapper was
snubbed as well as Project 86's popular Songs To Burn Your Bridges By. Another new artist, MuteMath,
who did achieve a nomination for Modern Rock Recorded Song of the Year with "Control," was sadly overlooked
in the New Artist Of The Year category as was popular pop/punk rockers Hawk Nelson. Regardless, congratulations
to all of this year's nominees. The winners will be announced on April 13, 2005 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee.
(from Spinhouse/JFH)
Bleach will play again! That's right, the band is reuniting next month for a benefit show
for friend Aaron Marrs who was reported lost at sea recently in Alaska.
The show is being held to raise money for Paperjack Films. Marrs had begun
a documentary on the life of Alaskan fishermen. He was lost at sea in Alaska on January 15.
The details so far for the show are as follows:
Paperjack Films Benefit on March 13 at Rocketown in Nashville, TN. Show features:
Relient K, Bleach (reunion), John Reuben,
The Evan Anthem, Holland (Lonely Hearts), and The Kick.
In other Bleach news, lead singer Davy Baysinger mentioned in a forum posting last month that there
is a chance fans will see a live DVD of their final show sometime this year. Although not set in
stone, it's possible the DVD will be packaged with a hits project with two unreleased tracks from
the band. We'll keep you posted as more solid details develop.
(from Bleached.com and The Kick)
The next studio album from Thousand Foot Krutch, entitled The Art Of Breaking,
will be released in either late June or early July. The band will send out an email to their list once the date
is set. There has been a lot of excitement about these songs and pushing it back a little helps
make sure the album gets completed in it's best form. In other TFK news, their 2003 record, Phenomenon,
was nominated today for a Juno Award (similar to Grammy's - only Canadian). The award is for
Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year. Others nominated were Fresh I.E., Aileen
Lombardo, Raylene Scarrott, Greg Sczebel. The Juno's are April 3 live from Winnipeg.
(from ThousandFootKrutch.com; thanks to Jonathan for the news!)
GRAMMY Award winning ForeFront recording artists Audio Adrenaline and TobyMac recently
announced “The Diverse City Worldwide” tour, also featuring BEC Recordings artist Kutless and new
labelmate band Hawk Nelson.
Kicking off on April 2nd in Cedarville, OH at Cedarville University, the tour will run through May
and hit 30 markets, including Phoenix, Anaheim, Denver, Kansas City and Minneapolis.
Audio Adrenaline and TobyMac are both known for their high-energy shows, and as Audio Adrenaline
frontman Mark Stuart says, “The artists of this tour were picked as perfectly as Juan Valdez
hand-selects coffee beans from the mountain sides of Columbia. A perfect blend is coming your way
- an aroma of rock and roll that you won't want to miss!"
"This tour is about unity,” TobyMac comments. “A house divided against itself cannot stand.
But when we come together and celebrate our diversity, we become a strong tower... a city on a hill."
(from The M Collective)
Number One Gun is working on a new album. And to come along with the new record, the band
has signed a new record deal as well! "Check out the shows and
come out to one to get a taste of some new songs," the guys announced on their brand
new temporary site at NumberOneGun.com. "We will be leaving in
about a week and a half to record our next record with Aaron Sprinkle.
And on that note, we are happy to announce that our record will be
coming out on Tooth and Nail Records, we are very excited about this,
and hope everyone else is as well. We hope to have the record out by
the summer, but we'll keep updating the site with details as we get
them." More to come! (from NumberOneGun.com)
Blindside is hard at work on new material as well.
"In 2005 we are going to bring you more than you expect," announced the band in a newsletter this
week. "New music, old music, music you never thought you would hear. We are just finishing our
first DVD, a new website and oh yeah we might tour again too! We have some exciting new
developments to tell you about but that will have to wait for another day..." (from Blindside)
One of our readers tipped us off to the latest from By The Tree...
"New recordings are coming! Chuck and the guys have started the long
process of conceiving the follow up to the current hit "Hold You High.
With initial plans to release something new at summer's end, Chuck and
the guys will use off days in February and March to begin developing
material for the new project. Stay tuned to ByTheTree.com for continuing
updates, sneak peak exclusives and more." (from ByTheTree.com; Thanks Ben!)
Seattle-based beverage maker Jones Soda Co., famous for its fun flavors and creative labels,
names Flicker Records rock artist subseven this week's MyJonesMusic feature band.
In an effort to support local, regional and national independent music scenes, Jones Soda Co. has
established Jones Independent Music. The purpose of Jones Independent Music is to create an
alternative way for music lovers and musicians to communicate, share and learn from one another.
The site, MyJonesMusic.com, features an information and support network that includes databases,
links and resources to help up-and-coming artists. Subseven currently occupies the coveted
"feature" spot, which allows visiters access to its music, images and other band information.
Subseven is also center stage on a 15-city west coast tour with Falling Up and Morning September.
The "Little Green Tour" tour wraps in time for subseven to promote its March 15 label release,
Free to Conquer. The album is currently supported by a Rock radio single and music video
to be serviced nationwide. (from Savvy Media)
Canadian worship band Starfield announced the departure
of their drummer John Andrews yesterday on their official site... "Some breaking news! Johnny-5 - Starfield drummer extraordinaire
has left the band as of January 1st, 2005. After much prayer and many long conversations it was
decided that Johnny would no longer be holding down the beat for the Starboys. It was a hard
decision to make, but everyone has eventually come to realize that it's in the best interests
of both Johnny and the band that he move on. We're sure gunna miss him :-) Adrian our present
technical director (and ex-drummer) is filling in for him until we can find a replacement.
We are trusting that God has someone perfect for the job. We will keep you posted."
(from Starfieldonline.com)
British worship/rock band Delirious is back in a
United Kingdom recording studio again this week and live for the entire world to see in action via
Webcam. Working on the follow-up to its current international hit album World Service
(“Rain Down,” “Majesty,” “Inside Outside”), Delirious will keep the Webcam rolling periodically in
a fun effort to give fans a front row seat to watch the band’s creative process.
After this week’s in-studio session, Delirious gets back into the spirit of World Service,
with a globetrotting February and March concert schedule that will include visits to Germany,
Denmark, the United States (March 3 – 6), Australia, and Switzerland.
(from Sparrow Records)
Underoath will be taking a week off after their
stint on the Taste of Chaos Tour and will return to launch their first major headline tour since
the release of They’re Only Chasing Safety.
Fear Before The March of Flames and the Chariot are on the entire tour, while Hopesfall
(Mar 27 - April 19) and These Arms are Snakes (April 19 - May 13), are each playing half the tour.
Underoath has set up a way for fans to buy tickets at a reduced service charge before they go on
sale to the general public. This pre-sale will run from 12:00 PM on February 3rd until February
11th. Get your tickets early by going here! This first group of dates are going on sale February
3rd, but keep checking back to www.underoath777.com because more dates will be added daily!
(from Tooth & Nail Records)
INO Records is set to release Undisguised, the new project by singer/songwriter
Kara Williamson, February 22nd, 2005.
Co-writing most of the songs on her first project with INO Records, Williamson defines
Undisguised as “shedding the performance mentality—all the comparisons, pretending,
facades and disguises.” Speaking honestly, “I’m admitting that I’m flawed,” professes
Williamson. “I’m a broken vessel—thankfully, God uses broken vessels.”
Undisguised reveals Williamson’s greatest challenge in life, the obstacle she embraces
and continues to face daily. “My biggest struggle has been feeling the need to perform and be
perfect all the time,” she says. “Growing up, I found myself motivated to meet people’s
expectations. Even on my past work, I felt like I had to prove myself to people. I still
struggle with it, but God has been breaking down my self-view through the process of this record
and I’m at the place now where I’m re-learning that I don’t have to do anything to gain His approval.”
Undisguised features songs that share with the listener Williamson’s honest and
worshipful pleas, along with a love song to her husband Charley, titled “You Are the One.”
The song “Dear Performer” is a personal take on herself, while “Work It Out” is an encouragement
to a wandering friend. Taken from a poem written by her mother, “Oh Wounded King” is a song
Williamson was compelled to write a melody to, as its words made a powerful impact on her heart.
The title cut, “Undisguised,” and a remake of Michael W. Smith’s “Unloved” sum the message of
Kara Williamson and Undisguised. Managed by Blanton Harrell Cooke & Corzine Management based in Nashville, Williamson has toured with Michael W. Smith and Point of Grace for the “Christmastime Tour,” on the “Christmas with Amy Grant” tour as well as participating on the “iWorship Tour” and dates with Natalie Grant and The Katinas.
(from The M Collective)
For the next several months, fans can get an exclusive look into the
recording of the new P.O.D. record. This information and footage is
not available anywhere else. A vnew site will launch with
the release of the new record later this year. In the meantime, check out the first clip
on payableondeath.com which features some snippets of new music in the works as well as
the band's odd encounter with a praying mantus... (from P.O.D.)
According to a recent update on his official website, David Crowder Band are up to a lot more
than just their pending remix project Sunsets & Sushi, releasing on February 15.
"Crowder is proud to present his first book, Praise Habit: Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi,"
announces Davidcrowderband.com, "and hopes that all of you read it. If for no other reason,
you need to pick it up out of respect for the marketing tie-in between it and the remix record.
And the cover, which is quite nice in its minimalist green coloring. The band has not read the
book yet, so it’s difficult to give a glowing review and say that it will change the world,
except that it contains a passage on Nunzilla, Scourge of the Convent, and that alone makes it
spine-crushingly awesome. We will go out on a limb and say that, based on the cover (and Nunzilla),
that the book will change your life. You will read it. This, once again, is pure fact."
The update continues on to give a tidbit about a new studio project, DCB is also currently working
on... "Also, the band has begun (slowly) working on tracks that will, by the grace of God, make
themselves known on a new record. Don’t hold your collective breath as we are looking at a
September release and it might prove awkward and bring some discomfort to remain oxygen
deprived for such a length of time. We would instead humbly suggest a posture of quiet, keen,
ardent expectation. Hands folded, fingers interlocking, eyes closed. This would be appreciated..."
Sounds good! We'll keep you posted... (from Davidcrowderband.com)
Project 86 is hard at work in The Square writing
new material for their fifth studio album. The boys are tentatively slated for an April/May
session in the studio. There will be a producer announcement coming soon, when the final decision
is made. Stay tuned for details on the writing process... which will be captured on the tour
journal section of Project86.com. In the meantime, the guys are teaming with
He is Legend for a special string of West Coast dates in early March. Joining them will be the mighty Classic Case, from North Carolina. During this run of shows,
Project 86 and company will be hitting the Pacific Nothwest for the first time in 3 years!
Click here for dates and details!
(from Tooth & Nail and Project86.com)
Steven Curtis Chapman's famed Abbey Road Sessions are finally being released to the public!
The Abbey Road Sessions and The Walk Long Form Video will be released on DVD
together on March 29! Recorded for Steven's 1997 Greatest Hits collection, only two of
the five Abbey Road re-recordings have ever been released to retail (but were briefly made available
on eBay by EMI and to the SCC street team). The Dove-nominated long form
video, The Walk, a retrospective ofthe first 10 years of Steven's remarkable career, has
only been available on VHS until now. This package is a must-have for any Steven Curtis Chapman
fan! (from EMI CMG)
In November, the members of Guardian met in Nashville at the World
Famous Sound Kitchen Recording Studio to discuss new Guardian music.
Tony Palacios, David Bach, Karl Ney, and Jamie Rowe hadn't been in one place
together for a number of years. The guys were very happy to spend the evening
discussing the great times together as well as make a blueprint for
the upcoming Best Of Guardian album. The band will record
three new songs very soon... (from JamieRowe.com)
Word/Curb/Warner Bros. buzz-band Stellar Kart
wrapped production on a music video for its song "Student Driver" in Phoenix last month. The group
has earned its up-and-coming status with a successful debut single, "Spending Time," and an
opening slot on Kutless' "Strong Tower Tour," launching later this month. Stellar Kart's highly
anticipated first release, All Gas. No Brake., is available to the public Feb. 15.
To view the "Student Driver" video, go to: http://ecards.wordrecords.com/stellarkart_player/
For our PReview of All Gas. No Brake., click here!
(from Savvy Media)
Kevin Max has been busy in the studio this month working on his first
release for Northern Records. "Things have been going extremely well in the studio,"
writes Max on his official website. "Andy Prickett and I have been
on a creative binge producing at least 12 new demos. The process has been
interesting because Northern has a Neotek board set up on the premises and we
can immediately go to tape. Warren Cuccurullo and I have a few more tracks together
and it looks like we may be able to get John Porter (The Smiths, Roxy Music) involved
at some juncture. A song that I have written with Dave Perkins (Steve Taylor band, passafist,
Mark Heard) back in Nashville keeps haunting me and it seems we will
add it to the project as well." Max continues on to talk about a recent new management deal
and the effects it will have on his artistry. You can visit KevinMax.com for more details as well
as recent plans for an upcoming Christmas DVD from Kevin! (from KevinMax.com)
Rocketown recording artist George Rowe and his wife Merritt recently joined Natalie Grant,
ZoeGirl, Kristy Starling, Tammy Trent and The Katinas on a tour of the Caribbean. Teaming with the
Salem Radio Network and a number of FISH radio stations and guests, the artists boarded the
Carnival Cruise ship Victory and spent a week on the open seas leading worship and exploring
such ports as Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Jamaica.
“I loved having the opportunity to be with the people on this trip, the people who are on both
sides of the radio,” said Rowe. “It was great getting to know the guests. I had a blast hanging
out with the other artists and their spouses, and the people from the FISH Radio/Salem Radio
Network were so fun too! As much as anything else, it was a special time for Merritt and me.
No phones, no email, no alarm clocks and no kids (I admit, I missed our kids). Not since our
honeymoon have we had time away, just the two of us, like this.”
In addition to writing songs for a new album (scheduled for an early fall release),
Rowe is staying busy in 2005 with a number of volunteer efforts. On Feb. 9, he will lend his voice
to a tsunami relief concert at the Rocketown club in Nashville along with fellow artists Avalon,
David Phelps, Rachael Lampa, Tait, Anthony Evans and more. The event and silent auction will
benefit Operation Blessing, a non-profit international relief organization (www.ob.org).
(from Rocketown Records)
Two-time Dove Award-winning Female Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year, Jaci Velasquez,
headed to London recently where she teamed up with British Producer Martin Terefe (Ron Sexsmith, Shea Seger,
Kim Richey). The new album has a refreshingly organic sound the reveals a new musical and lyrical
side of Jaci. Beauty Has Grace releases May 3rd! (from Word Records)
Also on May 3rd, Amy Grant returns with her follow-up to 2002's
Gold-selling Legacy...Hymns & Faith. Experience a breathtaking collection of hymns and
worship songs that have touched lives and cultivated faiths from generation to generation.
Amy's new project features the production work of her husband, Vince Gill and longtime friend and
producer, Brown Bannister.
(from Word Records)
After five albums and a decade in Gospel and Christian music, the highly-acclaimed,
award-winning brother/sister gospel duo Anointed is back
in the spotlight with an eagerly-awaited new album, Now Is The Time, the beloved gospel
duo's first recording for Sony Urban/Integrity Music. Now Is The Time is slated for
release on April 5, 2005.
Since the time of the group's inception, Anointed has been guided by the creative vision of Da'dra
Crawford Greathouse and her brother, Steve Crawford. This spirit-filled vocal powerhouse draws
seamlessly from pop, gospel and R&B influences to create a sound and a message which readily
finds a home among congregations small and large, inside and outside the church. Anointed is
among a handful of artists able to bring together the diverse audiences of modern Christian
music: urban and traditional gospel as well as contemporary Christian. Anointed's wide appeal is
reflected in the seven Dove Awards, two Stellar Awards and three Grammy nominations the group has
earned over the years.
Da'dra and Steve's passion for music and ministry, as well as their gift for inspiring diverse
audiences, come together in the pair's latest musical collection. Now Is The Time is the work
of seasoned artists and showcases the sophisticated presentation Anointed is known for in concert
with the stylings of veteran producers Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary, Rueben Studdard), Mark
Heimermann (Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant) and Roger Ryan (Shirley Caesar duet with Faith Evans).
"It's about hope and encouragement and the songs are so dynamic," says Sony Urban Gospel
executive vice president Tara Griggs-Magee. "I'm so proud of their work ethic and of their
passion for this album."
Now Is The Time also represents an artistic and professional evolution for Da'dra and
Steve. While the pair are accomplished songwriters and arrangers and have always played a role
on the production side of their work, this album marks their first producing credits on “Jesus
Is Lord” and “You Are” and co-producing credits--with Ryan on both "Gonna Lift Your Name" and
"Eternal Life." Gospel legend Andrae Crouch joined Anointed in a special appearance on “Jesus
Is Lord,” the song he originally penned and made famous over two decades ago. The duo also wrote
or co-wrote all but one of the album's tracks. "Making this album has been an extraordinary
process," says Da'dra. "We made discoveries about ourselves and about the recording process,
and now it feels great to be able to express ourselves more in the production of our songs.”
(from Spinhouse)
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