Jesusfreakhideout.com Music News: March 2003

March 2003

*Thursday, March 27th, 2003*

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced the performers for the 34th Annual Dove Awards, which will be hosted by CeCe Winans and Steven Curtis Chapman on Thursday, April 10 in Nashville, Tenn. The performers include Amy Grant and Vince Gill, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Sixpence None the Richer and Blind Boys of Alabama. Audio Adrenaline, The Crabb Family, Mark Schultz, Bebo Norman, Nichole Nordeman, Joy Williams and The Katinas are also scheduled to perform. All six New Artist nominees Big Daddy Weave, The Rock N' Roll Worship Circus, Daily Planet, Paul Colman Trio and Jeff Deyo are lined up for the show. Winans is also slated to perform. Michael W. Smith will be joined by Point of Grace, Michael Tait, Anointed, Avalon and others to perform a tribute to Smith's signature song "Friends" which celebrates its 20th Anniversary in 2003. The song is also a bonus track on the just released Dove Hits 2003. PAX TV will air the 34th Annual Dove Awards on Saturday, April 19 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET/PT. The Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will televise the show twice, on Friday, April 25 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and Saturday, April 26 at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT.

On Saturday night, March 8, Michael W. Smith performed a benefit concert in Nashville for the Nashville Chamber Orchestra. The sold out concert raised significant funds that will be used to fund an educational arm for the Orchestra. Michael performed many of his hits as well as some of his original score from the movie Joshua. Michael just returned from the famous Skywalker Ranch, George Lucas' studio in California, where he tracked the initial songs for his next studio release. One of the highlights of the trip was a private viewing of one of the Star Wars movies in Mr. Lucas' private theatre... complete with Lucas THX sound!

Natalie and Phillip LaRue are both preparing to take the plunge into marriage in 2003. Phillip, 21, told Reunion Records last fall that he met his Florida-based fiancée through his pastor, and now he and Lia DePace have tied the knot in Italy this past Tuesday, March 25. Natalie, 19, is following her big brother's lead, planning a Southern California wedding with her fiancé, a South African named Robert Murray whom she met while touring in England last July. Their big day will take place in mid-August. They were so young when they started in Christian music that it seems hard to believe they're all grown up now, but both unions have the blessing of the close-knit clan's parents, with Pop LaRue saying in a recent e-mail to Reunion, "God truly answers prayer. Carolynne and I could not be more pleased!" Congrats to Phillip and Natalie! (Phill, we're right behind you! ;) )

It has recently been confirmed that Stacie Orrico's video for "Stuck" is not the only thing that is going to be on MTV's Total Request Live (TRL), but Stacie herself has been asked to be a guest on the popular video countdown show! On Thursday, April 3, Stacie will be stopping by the NYC studios of TRL for an interview and to say hi to her new fans! The request was made following a showcase in New York last week where Stacie performed a knock-out set to nearly 300 of the music industry's biggest names, including representatives from Entertainment Tonight, Good Morning America, VH1, USA Today, and Seventeen Magazine just to name a few. Representatives from MTV's TRL were on hand as well, and following her performance, they knew they wanted to see more of her. A date to appear as a guest on the show was confirmed shortly thereafter! Be sure to set your VCR's to catch this historic moment - April 3, 4:00-5:00 EST!

The San Diego rock group Switchfoot are continuing to make an extraordinary impact with their Columbia/RED Ink debut The Beautiful Letdown. The group debuted on the Billboard Top 200 at #85 the first week of its release. That same week, Switchfoot embarked on a U.S. headlining tour, selling out nearly every show well in advance in top markets including Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Chicago, Nashville and most recently, The Roxy in Los Angeles, which marks the second time the band has sold-out the legendary club in less than 3 months. The album’s first single, “Meant To Live,” has been steadily gathering heavy spins at radio across the country. Heavyweight stations including WMRQ/Hartford, KWOD/Sacramento, KFSD/San Diego, KZON/Phoenix, WBYR/Ft. Wayne and others have added the song into rotation. In addition, the music video for “Meant To Live” has now been added to MTV2’s “Rock Show”, (airing Monday – Thursday at 6:00 pm PST/EST) as well as Much Music USA’s “Oven Fresh” show starting this past Monday, March 24th! Look for a new JfH exclusive Switchfoot interview with frontman Jon Foreman coming soon!

Tooth & Nail Records is poised to release new modern rock compilation X2003 featuring 34 of the best rock acts in Christian music! Including on X2003 are new cuts from Thousand Foot Krutch and Five Iron Frenzy! And while X2003 boasts 30 tracks, T&N has tucked away four bonus tracks including a brand new song from Starflyer 59 and tracks from new acts Anberlin, Watashi Wa, and Lucerin Blue! For more information, check out this sweet ecard! Oh, and would you like this CD for free? Or if you buy the CD, to get a magazine subscription with it? Well, no matter how you slice it, 7 Ball Magazine is back and they're offering this cool compilation FREE with a $15.00 subscription to the sweetest Christian rock magazine on paper! Check out this link for more info!

One of the premier songwriters of today, sixstepsrecords’ Chris Tomlin is shaping the language of worship for generations present and future. In addition to his songs performed worldwide, “Forever,” “Be Glorified,” “We Fall Down,” “The Wonderful Cross,” “Famous One” and more, Tomlin’s heart for worship and God’s purpose has led him to become a founding member and lead worshipper of the new Austin Stone Community Church. The church is located in Austin, TX and meets at Fulmore Jr. High School. Serving the Austin community, the church is also preparing to minister to the students at the University of Texas at Austin, the largest college in the nation with more than 49,000 students representing all 50 states and 115 foreign countries. “Although it is the largest college in America, the largest Christian group on campus is about 600 students,” says Chris Tomlin. “Austin Stone Community has been situated in the heart of the city to not only reach out to the community as a whole, but also to the wealth of college-age people drawn to this multi-cultural city by the University of Texas.”

inPop recording group Superchic[k] was heard from twice during Sunday night's broadcast of the 75th Annual Academy Awards, as the first airings of their national ad campaign with JC Penney hit during the show's second commercial break, and just prior to the announcement of the award for Best Director. The entirety of the controversial ad consisted of various verses and the chorus of Superchic[k]'s song "One Girl Revolution," and ended with lead singer Tricia Brock singing a brand new rendition of the retail giant's "It's All Inside" slogan. "The JC Penney commercial continues to the show the impact that Superchic[k] is having on modern culture,” comments Steve Ford, inpop records. “The band continues to reach out to influence the world through many different avenues - from television and movies to touring and radio. I can't think of a better band to be a part of such a high profile commercial with phenomenal placement than during the second highest rated program of the year - the Academy Awards."

Essential Records pop group FFH takes to the wide open this spring on a 15-city tour in support of its April 15 release, Ready to Fly. Launching late next month, the tour will visit venues in Tampa, Fla., Grand Rapids, Mich., and Indianapolis, Ind., among other major markets. The "Ready to Fly" tour kicks off in Cedarville, Ohio on April 22. Its first headlining tour since Found A Place in spring 2000, FFH will be joined by labelmate the Paul Colman Trio as well as Inpop recording artist Go Fish. The band will continue to fulfill its mission statement to "reach as many people for Jesus as quickly as possible" by setting aside 10% of the tour's tickets for outreach and evangelistic purposes.

With their album release fast approaching, Seventh Day Slumber has been working non-stop! Along with their typical Acquire the Fire conferences and concerts, the band has added in-stores in Greensboro, NC, Sacramento, CA and Pittsburgh. They get to answer phones at Radio U later this month, and did we mention they are learning Spanish? Picking Up the Pieces releases on April 8!

Radio-personality Delilah has hand-picked Larnelle [Harris] to be on her new CD compilation! The album, titled Delilah: My Child features his song “The Other Woman.” Larnelle wrote this song about his daughter Teresa when she became a teenager. The album also features Natalie Cole, Carly Simon and Emmylou Harris, to name a few!

Shepherd, Ronnie Martin’s new band, will be releasing his album Committing to Tape on Northern Records. Don’t get any ideas, it’s Ronnie like you’ve never heard him before.

Random weird factoid of the day: Michael Pritzl of the Violet Burning got to hang out a bit with Paul Stanley of Kiss fame at the recent NAMM convention in Anaheim.

The Billions have fully figured out how to travel the country in style! During their last tour with The Blamed, The Billions put their $35 to work and called AAA three times – a flat tire on the trailer in an Arkansas ice storm, keys locked in the door in Myrtle Beach and they ran out of gas on the final stretch home in Indiana! The guys are playing shows around Kansas now until GMA week.

*Friday, March 21st, 2003*

Gotee Records’ rock band Relient K debuts in the top tier of The Billboard 200 sales chart this week, scanning 30,124 units with their new release, Two Lefts Don’t Make a Right… But Three Do. The critically acclaimed project follows Relient K’s long stint on the Billboard Heatseekers chart with their 2001 recording, Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek. As if a great debut on the CBA Retail Chart (#2) and The Billboard 200 (#38) weren’t enough, Relient K’s new album also enters the CMJ Radio 200 at #184 after only its second week out of the box. Ninety-five stations have already added the record to their rotation, with seven immediately placing it ' in their top 5. This marks the first time in Gotee Records’ nine-year history that one of their recordings has surpassed the 30,000 mark in one week’s time!

The new Earthsuit project is completed... or is it? Earthsuit has confirmed that they will not be doing a string of dates in the New England area this April. They are scheduling to head back into the studio with engineer/producer Jacquire King to experiment with working on the new songs even more. A release date is still up in the air!

Wanna meet the Newsboys? Well, we can't help you with that, but if you'd like your copy of the band's brand new worship album Adoration autographed by the guys, we can help you there! Go preorder the album now at MusiChristian.com and get the CD signed! This amazing album hits shelves April 8th!

It's never too late to cast your vote for Further Seems Forever! Further Seems Forever's video for "The Sound" was recently featured on MTV2's "Rock Show." Now, you can vote to keep them on TV! It's easy! Just click on the link below. Once you're there, scroll down, click on "other" and fill in Further Seems Forever (Band Name) and "The Sound" (Video Name). http://www.mtv.com/onair/mtv2/rock_countdown/vote

Drawing more than 40,000 college-aged students representing every state in the nation and 26 different countries, Passion Conferences’ OneDay event in 2000 became one of the largest collegiate gatherings of its kind in over 25 years. Looking toward OneDay03, to be held May 24-27 in Sherman, TX, Passion is seeking out a massive volunteer staff of 1,500-plus people who are passionate and dedicated to reaching this collegiate generation by helping facilitate this year’s event.

The Katinas are currently submitting demos that will create a new album that will hopefully hit around the end of October.

Jeff Deyo is in the studio working on pre-production demos for a new album that will hopefully be in stores sometime in early 2004.

Extol have finished their new record entitled Synergy. Dates are still being tossed around for release but look for an early summer drop date. Co-release date between Solid State and Century Media to be determined! Check out tour dates with The Agony Scene and Demon Hunter this summer at SolidStateRecords.com!

The Agony Scene debut will be dropping early June and the band will join Extol and Demon Hunter as they cross the country to Cornerstone. The band's self-titled debut is being mastered and MP3s will be posted shortly at SolidStateRecords.com.

Keep your eyes open for a new industry compilation album featuring 30 bestselling Christian rock artists and hits - including established best sellers (Toby Mac, Newsboys, Reliant K, Audio Adrenaline, etc.), plus many of this year's break-out artists’ (Pillar, Kutless, KJ-52, Sanctus Real, etc.). With a collective sales history of current releases selling over 1.5 million albums and counting, X 2003 promises to be one of the most sought after rock collections of 2003!

TobyMac, Michael W. Smith, Lisa Kimmey, The Katinas, and Israel have all finished contributing their talents to the upcoming debut release from Sandtown. They understand the vision and uniqueness of this relevant urban children's choir, and you will too when it hits stores May 6, 2003.

*Wednesday, March 19th, 2003*

Inpop recording group Superchic[k], recently touted by Tiger Beat magazine to have “declared it their mission to turn popular culture and high school cliques upside down with their cool kick-butt songs,” has inked a national TV and radio ad campaign with retail-giant JC Penney. Kicking off Sunday, March 23rd, the day of ABC’s broadcast of The 75th Annual Academy Awards, the ad campaign features lead singer Tricia Brock singing the retailer’s slogan, “It’s All Inside,” as well as prominently featuring the Superchic[k] song “One Girl Revolution,” which JC Penney has the rights to use for up to one year.

Following a highly successful string of fall dates, the co-billed “Come Together and Worship Tour,” featuring GRAMMY and Dove Award-winning artists Third Day and Michael W. Smith with very special guest, Max Lucado, announces 12 dates on the West Coast. The tour that NBC’s “Today Show” co-host Matt Lauer called “one of the biggest concert tours of the fall” sold out 10 of its 16 venues and drew a cumulative audience of more than 150,000, approximately 11,300 each night. The tour also ranked as one of the Top 100 Tours of 2002 by touring magazine Pollstar in its year-end issue. The “Come Together and Worship Tour” was covered by media including FOX News programs, “Your World with Neil Cavuto” and John Gibson’s “Big Story.” In addition, ABC’s “World News Tonight,” NBC’s “Today Show,” and “NBC Nightly News” covered the tour with feature packages. Significant print features have run in The New York Times and the Atlanta Journal Constitution while USA Today featured the tour as a Life-section cover story.

Fallon Jude McGinniss has arrived! Fallon was born to Audio Adrenaline's bassist Will McGinniss and his wife Andrea on March 11th weighing in at 8lbs/14.5oz and 21 in. Will's other 4-year-old son Satchel is excited to have a new brother while Satchel's 2-year-old sister Addision was hoping for a sister. Fallon was 8 days past his due date but arrived healthily into the arms of his loving and thankful parents! Audio A's current smash tour, the Go Show saw the band hitting the road without McGinniss last month. Thankfully, within 48 hours of little Fallon's arrival, Will has joined the band again on the road! In other AA news, be sure to check out the band's brand new website design at AudioA.com!

tobyMac is hitting the Spring Break circuit! This week he's in Jamaica performing at the Fun in the Son Festival which was created to be an outreach event for all the "spring-breakers" that flood into Jamaica every year. For more information on Fun in the Son, check out their website at http://www.jamaicatravel.com/funintheson. Next week, tobyMac heads to Ft. Lauderdale, FL to perform at the Luis Palau's Beachfest...

On March 15th and 16th, Nichole Nordeman finished recording a live album at The Door in Nichole's hometown of Dallas, Texas. "This is something I have been wanting to do for a long time," Nichole says, "and finally Sparrow Records gave me the green light." Both nights she expressed how grateful she was to have shared this experience amongst family and friends. Nichole and husband, Errol Ingram who was also there, announced they are expecting their first child due August 6. "Right in the middle of Texas heat," she joked. At the end of each show Nichole and Errol's pastor, Richard Ellis from Reunion Church in Dallas, briefly spoke on how the two first met. Later he shared on how to know Jesus Christ as your personal saviour. The CD, titled Live at The Door, is scheduled to release on May 20th. Indeed, this project has been well worth the wait. (thanks to Hailey from Simplicity!)

Those watching the WWE Raw Monday night, may have noticed some special guests ring side. Yes, it was indeed Blindside and crew front row center watching “The Rock” take his revenge on “The Hurricane”. On a rare off-night, the guys were invited by the WWE to the sold out event in St Louis, telecast on TNN live and scheduled to be replayed Sunday night on MTV. Also, in other Blindside news, Due to the impending war in Iraq, Elektra Records has cancelled all international touring plans. This includes the Blindside tour of the UK and Germany planned for March 27th – April 6th.

Here's the latest from Five Iron... "This is Keith with Five Iron Frenzy. I am writing you to let you know about our new album called Cheeses of Nazareth. It will be in stores on April 22. Most of you probably already know this, but this album is a collection of B-sides and demos, plus some new joke songs. The reason we are putting it out is for you, the FIF fans. If you never got a copy of "Kamikaze" on the Electric Youth tour, this is the album to get. If you have a downloaded version of "Burn" and want to hear it re-mastered, this is the album for you. What about "Marty" or "Rhubarb Pie?" It's all here. What about the songs that appeared on our first 7 inch record which there are only 500 copies of? Yep, those are here too. What about songs like "Mind For Treason" which we wrote in 1995, played it live often, but never recorded until now. It's on Cheeses. Plus, if you like songs like "Kitty-doggie" or "Shut Up" or "These Are Not My Pants," you will want to pick this up because it's got tons of stuff like that. "Dog Food," "Mayonnaise Taco Monday," "How's About Some Milk," and "Stinky Hippy," just to name a few. In total there are 33 tracks on this CD. So if you want to hear everything from our humble beginnings to our current dementia, this is the CD for you." The 33 song CD will be as low as just $11.98! Chordant Distribution is currently negotiating with Kraft Foods to be the first band-shaped noodles in this fall's Mac & Cheese line up (tentative)!

This week Tait is in the studio laying down some preliminary tracks for their new album. Before spending the long hours in the studio, the Tait Band guys decided to get out and enjoy the weather by going for a horse back ride. All went well until Michael's horse, "Rosco" decided to take Michael for a wild ride. Michael states that he felt like he was a rider in a rodeo, "I didn't make it for the full eight counts, but I got in a good three seconds before flying threw the air landing on the ground. I didn't give up then, I was determined to ride "Rosco" all the way back to the stable." And reports say that that is exactly what he did.

The Benjamin Gate was chosen to be included on the current CD sampler created by M-Audio, the leading provider of digital audio and MIDI solutions for today's electronic musicians and audio professionals. Due to the success of the first sampler M-Audio released last year, they are releasing two new music compilation discs, M-Powered V.2 and M-Powered V.3. The Benjamin Gate will be featured on Volume 3 along with Duncan Sheik and Crystal Method. The series is presented as a way of bringing greater visibility to both established and upcoming artists who use M-Audio gear.

Wake up and smell the future of family fun as Big Idea Productions, creators of the best-selling and critically-acclaimed VeggieTales children's video series and the popular feature film Jonah - a VeggieTales Movie, release VeggieTales: The Wonderful World of Auto-tainment, the latest VeggieTales episode with all-new animation, toe-tapping songs and the hilarious storytelling Veggie lovers have come to expect. VeggieTales: The Wonderful World of Auto-tainment will be available in stores May 17, 2003 on VHS for $14.99 SRP and DVD for $19.99 SRP from EMI Chordant.

Joy Williams will embark this spring on the first ever World Vision created tour, "A Call To Worship...a call to hope." The tour will include several of today's top Christian artists including 4HIM, Anointed, Among Thorns and Kelly Minter, setting the stage for an evening of praise and worship like none other. Kicking off March 14 in Birmingham, Ala., A Call To Worship will hit 30 markets throughout the spring, including Chicago, Dallas, Orlando and finishing up May 17 in Atlanta. The artists will be incorporating a style new to contemporary worship concerts. Much like the Bill Gaither homecoming concerts, all artists will be on stage for the duration of the event, leading each other, as well as the audience, in a worship experience.

Everyone, Furious? Records’ most recent and first-ever new artist signing, will be a featured artist on the highly anticipated "Cry Holy Spring 2003 Tour" with INO Music’s SONICFLOOd. Hailing from San Luis Obispo, CA, and having performed hundreds of concerts, including a full tour of North America with Delirious?, Everyone joins the tour in support of its self-titled debut album, which is set to release dually in the US and UK April 8 and May 27, respectively.

New Ardent Records’ artist Todd Agnew recently lead worship at the FutureGen Convention in Nashville. More than 500 student ministry leaders from across the country, gathering for more insight into generational, post-modern ministry, were treated to a preview of Agnew’s anticipated July 22 debut, Grace Like Rain. “Todd is nothing short of amazing,” says convention administrator Trevor Bron. “From U2 to 3 Doors Down to the most worshipful of songs, Todd sang with passion, soul and vibrancy. On each day of the convention, FutureGen attendees couldn’t get enough of his music.”

*Thursday, March 13th, 2003*

Well, it's official. Here's the word from True Vibe's (or what's left of them) booking agency, "The guys did officially disband earlier this year. Jason, Nathan, and Jordan will be releasing a new project later this year under a new name. The concert they are doing is very intimate and ministry driven. While it will feature some of the popular True Vibe songs, they will also lead worship and speak from their hearts." We'll keep you former True Vibians up to date on any new developments!

Essential rock band Third Day has scored the biggest Christian music debut so far for 2003 with their latest Offerings II: All I Have To Give, selling 53,360 units last week, placing it at the top of Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart and at an impressive #18 on the overall Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. The first week sales more than doubled the initial sales of the first Offerings project, which has since been certified gold by the RIAA. Offerings II was also the highest debut in the Billboard Top 200 for Third Day. Come Together previously debuted at #31 on the chart. Don Noes, senior vice president for Provident Music Distribution noted, “Third Day’s debut-week numbers reflect the tremendous drive of this band and the strong partnerships they have forged over their 10-year career. Premiere corporate campaigns with partners including Regal Cinema, Chevrolet and others have only enlarged their sphere of impact. Paired with strong retail relationships, this band has demonstrated impressive sell-through and we celebrate this achievement with them.”

Rebecca St. James, Michael Tait, Mark Stuart of Audio Adrenaline, John Cooper of Skillet, and many others will be appearing on a new collaborative project entitled !Hero The Rock Opera! There will also be a !Hero musical tour in October and November this year that will involve several of the artists including St. James. Rebecca teams up with Stuart for the title track "!Hero" while Tait offers "I Am." For more information about the album, tour, and comic books based on the story, surf on over to http://www.herouniverse.com

Things are still moving along for Bleach to be in the studio again in May and June. The band is hoping to go back in with producer Oran Thornton, but not really sure if schedules are going to work out. His band FLICK will be releasing a record this summer on Columbia Records. More on Bleach soon!

Nichole Nordeman was on location in her hometown of Dallas, TX last week filming her new music video for “Legacy.” "Legacy” is the second single from her highly successful project Woven & Spun which has already scanned 142,076 units since its release last September. And be sure to catch Nichole’s headlining “Woven & Spun” Tour this spring with special guest Andrew Peterson. For the most current tour schedule and updates on Nichole, visit www.nicholenordeman.com

Check out the new Relient K music video for “Chap Stick, Chapped Lips, and Things Like Chemistry”. It was directed by Elliott Lester (Grits, Out Of Eden) and edited by Johnny Rej (Further Seems Forever, John Reuben, Bleach). So, what are you waiting for, surf on over and see what happens when punk rock invades a retirement home! http://www.relientk.com

Dj Maj is in the studio putting finishing touches on his new mixtape album titled The Ringleader. It will feature Toby Mac, Kirk Franklin, Grits, John Reuben, La Symphony, Pigeon John, Verbs, 4th Ave. Jones, Out Of Eden and many more. Look for it to hit stores July 8th!

The brand new album from Joy Electric, The Tick Tock Treasury, hits stores on March 25, 2003! Check out the brand new Joy Electric website for info on the new album and to hear snippets from the album. Then, check back next week for a brand new mp3! Also look for the Joy Electric remix on the European release of The Faint remix album on City Slang!

Beloved's Solid State debut, Failure On is being mixed as you're reading this, look for new MP3's shortly. Tentatively scheduled to drop in June, Failure On is a mix of both melody and aggressive hardcore. Beloved recently finished a successful tour with labelmates Norma Jean and are still going strong.

In a recent survey conducted by Today's Christian Woman Magazine, Kathy Troccoli was named one of the top four women who has made the greatest impact in readers lives over the past five years. Published in the March/April 2003 issue, Troccoli was ranked amongst Joyce Meyers, Stormie Omartian and Beth Moore. "This was a significant surprise to me," notes Troccoli. "A few years ago, I deepened my focus on women's ministry, attempting to deal with real-life issues through various forms of media, including books, speaking and, of course, concerts. This survey simply shows that God continues to stir the hearts of women around the world with a new fire for Him and He's doing this through every woman on that list. He's an amazing God!"

*Monday, March 10th, 2003*

The numbers are in and the vote is unanimous... Switchfoot's The Beautiful Letdown is a beautiful hit! With over 14,000 albums sold its first week, The Beautiful Letdown was the #1 selling CD at Christian Retail and landed the #3 spot on the Overall Christian Albums chart. On top of the sales success, Switchfoot is sitting pretty on the radio charts capturing their first #1 Christian Hit Radio (CHR) single with "More Than Fine." "From the very beginning back in 1997, this band won the hearts of everyone who came into contact with them, and they have stayed true to their mission and vision through the years,” states Greg Bays, Sparrow Records VP of Sales. “With The Beautiful Letdown, they have truly delivered a landmark recording, and everyone -- from the fans, to the critics, to radio and retail -- agrees that this band offers something truly unique, both musically and lyrically. With a start like this, I can't wait to see what the year holds for Switchfoot." Switchfoot also kicked off their headlining club tour last week with Denison Marrs and Noiseratchet. Key markets included in this tour are New York, Orlando, Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Austin, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland, just to name a few. To see if they will be visiting a town near you, check out their website at www.switchfoot.com for a list of dates. For a recent concert review, visit this link.

Tomorrow, March 11th is the day Two Lefts Don¹t Make A Right...But Three Do is released from Relient K and the band will be doing an album release show at the Newport Music Hall in Columbus, OH with Brandtson, Love Drug, and Zilch at 7:00pm. Tickets are $16.50 and include a FREE copy of the new album. Get your tickets now. The last time the band played at this venue in Columbus, the show sold out! Don't be left out. Info is available at http://www.itickets.com

Delirious? releases its first Spanish-language CD, Libertad, in the US May 6. Delirious? has sold recordings all over the world, from Malaysia to Guatemala, Tasmania to China, but never before has the band recorded in any language other than their native English. Libertad, translated simply as “freedom,” features twelve fan favorites from the band’s celebrated worship music of its early “Cutting Edge” years. Recorded in England and mixed by Delirious? lead vocalist Martin Smith, Libertad is geared specifically for the Spanish-speaking world. “Having studied Spanish at school, Martin, it seems is still a little bit handy,” notes Tony Patoto, Delirious? manager and Furious Records CEO. “Libertad has all the vocal passion, excitement and vulnerability that punctuate the English language originals. From the epic power of 'Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble?' to the uplifting 'I Could Sing,' these tracks are far more than early sketches for the full on stadium rock that grew into Delirious?.” Catch it on May 6th!

An honor not bestowed on many, Rebecca St. James was invited to have breakfast in the West Wing of the White House with members of the Faith-based Initiatives team Friday morning. Rebecca was asked to visit the White House to discuss her ministry and her passionate support of President Bush's sexual abstinence before marriage message. Following her breakfast meeting, Rebecca was given a tour of the Capitol and attended the Senator's lunch in the Rotunda. Also, it has just been announced that Rebecca St. James' book on abstinence, "Wait For Me," has reached #1 on the CBA Young Adult Best Sellers' List! Her greatest hits compilation (coming later this month) has the "Wait For Me" moniker and her video for the song is nominated for a Dove Award.

The current issue of TeenVogue Magazine features Stacie Orrico in the "Buzzworthy" section alongside Everclear, Beyonce Knowles and The White Stripes. Stacie's "Stuck" video was on today's episode of MTV's Total Request Live (TRL) as a "Wanna Be" video. The next step is for her to be voted into the top 10! So pick up the phone and vote by calling MTV at 1-800-DIAL-MTV!

Is True Vibe truly dead? We recently received an ad promoting "The Living Room Sessions" featuring "Jason, Nathan, & Jordan... Formerly of True Vibe." The ad goes on to describe the Living Room Sessions as "An intimate evening of ministry and music. Jason, Jordan, and Nathan will share from their hearts, lead worship as well as sing several of True Vibe's most popular songs. No "lights," no "dancing," no "show"... just three guys who want to minister to your students." We'll keep you posted on the Living Room Sessions as we hear about it!

Sparrow Records’ Chris Tomlin is shaping the language of worship for generations present and future. Recognizing Tomlin for his talent, Worship Leader Magazine recently named his song, “Enough,” from his current and critically acclaimed sophomore album, Not To Us, “Best New Song” in the magazine’s second annual 2002 Praise Awards. Honored to receive the award, Tomlin says he received inspiration for “Enough” from Passion Conferences founder/director Louie Giglio. “Louie slipped me a page from his journal with yet another really big thought; the idea that God is more awesome than anything we’ve ever known, than anything we’ve ever seen, than anything we’ve ever wanted, than anything we’ve ever needed,” says Tomlin. “His scribbled page started with these words, ‘All of you is more than enough for all of me, for every thirst and every need.’ I simply took it from there.”

Continuing to push the lines of innovative technology, Sparrow Records and Microsoft take digital music a step further towards the ultimate audio experience with DJ Andy Hunter° by offering a special edition 5.1 surround sound version of Hunter's single "Go." This track is available for immediate download at Microsoft's Insider Live website http://microsoft.com/insider/live and Hunter’s website http://andyhunter.com and can be experienced with Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows XP.

On February 25th, Michael Card and crew were in a bus accident in the mountains outside of Vail, Colorado. Snowy roads and white-out conditions reportedly led to a 15-vehicle pileup on Interstate 70. Several cars were already stopped on the road, and the bus driver scraped against the guardrail in an attempt to slow down. They ended up running into a semi-truck. The front end of the bus was badly damaged, but the driver was able to walk away with only minor scratches. Michael suffered an A/C separation in his left shoulder. Doctors are waiting for the swelling to go down in order to determine whether there was damage to the rotator cuff. It may take up to eight weeks for a full recovery, but at the time this was reported Michael was hoping to be well enough to perform in Minneapolis with Phil Keaggy on March 7 & 8. No word yet on whether he did or not. For an image of the damaged bus, visit this link: http://www.michaelcard.com/images/cardbus.jpg Let's keep Michael in prayer! Hopefully Michael will be well enough to celebrate the release of his newest record A Fragile Stone when it hits shelves tomorrow!

NewSong recently announced an exclusive booking agreement with the Greg Oliver Agency (a.k.a. GOA, Inc.) This partnership merges one of the industry's top touring acts with one of the industries most respected booking agencies. "I am personally very excited about signing NewSong to our company," states company president Greg Oliver. "They have a proven ministry as well as a list of #1 hits, multiple Dove nominations and a Grammy nomination. I am looking forward to helping them take their ministry and career to the next level." NewSong joins GOA's expansive roster of artists, which include FFH, Mark Schultz and Shaun Groves.

After a couple of months on the road with the Winter Jam tour, the Tait boys are back in Nashville, and working on their new studio project. More to come!

*Wednesday, March 5th, 2003*

The rumors are true! Christian rock giants Pillar have signed a mainstream record deal! Despite interest from several labels, the band has decided to go with MCA Records. In the midst of speculation about what the band's intentions are, the group released a personal email this week explaining their motives and calling. Here is a portion of that letter, "Pillar is officially on MCA Records as of February 27, 2003. They will be repackaging (new art and photos), remixing, and re-releasing Fireproof to the mainstream market worldwide later on this year. The second we know the official release date we will let you all know. It will probably be a while before we are able to release any new Pillar material. Our next four new albums will be released under MCA. "Fireproof" will be the first single going to mainstream radio, which will be released this month. There are also plans for a "Fireproof" video that will be pushed on MTV. When we say remixing... they are just remixing the songs to make them sound better (huge, clear, and powerful). You will be able to hear parts that were originally recorded, but were lost or muffled in the mixing process. We might come up with some new ideas in the mixing room to make the songs better. The reason most mainstream albums sound better sonically than Christian albums is because mainstream labels spend more money in the recording and mixing process. This means that our lyrics will remain the same. We won’t be going through the album and watering down the message. We are also planning to release a new full length DVD free with the new "Fireproof" album. It will have tons of footage from the summer of 2002 when Lester first joined the band, our December 2002 Germany trip, stuff from our January 2003 New Zealand and Australia trip, our visit to the actual location where they filmed "Hobbiton" in Lord of the Rings, and even stuff from the See Spot Rock Tour which we are filming now. There will also be a bunch of extra audio and visual stuff on the DVD, which we will explain in more detail later. We are not planning to ever sell this DVD at shows or in stores. It will only be available with the purchase of the new Fireproof CD. We want to thank Flicker Records for giving us a chance and signing us back in 2000. If it wasn’t for their hard work and support none of this would be happening. Since MCA Records doesn’t have a Christian department they worked out a deal with Flicker Records allowing them to license us to the Christian market. So we will still be working with Flicker in some capacity. Pillar will not disappear from the Christian market like some bands that go mainstream. The Christian market has been very good to us and we want to continue to give back. We will still play Christian Festivals and shows just like we always have. Since we are on a mainstream label now we will go on some mainstream tours. The first of these might be in the fall of 2003. We will bring a road pastor out with us on any mainstream tour we go out on."

Everyday Sunday has just completed their video for "Wait" which has just been released to radio. You will be able to see it on TVU, MTV2, Interlink, and their website, EverydaySunday.com. Everyday Sunday will also be releasing a full length DVD at the end of June including the video for "Wait" along with their upcoming video this summer for "Lose It Again," a video for "Stand Up," and their independent video they recorded for "Just A Story," along with interviews and other various features!

SONICFLOOd recently performed to over 700 people, one of the largest crowds ever, at the Opry Mills Mall Entertainment Court as part of the “Music at The Mills” concert series. Nashville station The One (FM 93.7/94.1), a Salem network affiliate, and Bible Factory Outlet hosted the event where the group performed songs from their upcoming release, Cry Holy, due out March 11th on INO Records. "The crowd was enthusiastic and loved every minute of it,” said Chip Johnson, Marketing Manager, Bible Factory Outlet. “We’re always excited to host an event with such an incredible talent as SONICFLOOd, and the crowd they drew definitely left happy."

Pop foursome FFH's April 15 label release, Ready to Fly, is poised for success due in part to a strategic marketing effort. The Essential Records campaign includes a music video, promotional appearances, comprehensive retail marketing, radio airplay and early coverage by select print publications. FFH recently filmed a music video for the new record's stand-out track and title cut, "Ready to Fly," its first such endeavor since 1998's "One of These Days." Shot in New York, the video's production team included producer/director W. Michael Wilson, expert editor Brian Durkin (Sprite, AT&T and Ameritrade ads) and director of photography Leif Husted-Jensen (Public Enemy, among other video credits). A special bonus DVD, including the new FFH music video, devotions written by the band, behind-the-scenes interviews, photo gallery and more, will be made available to consumers free with the purchase of Ready to Fly.

Steven Curtis Chapman's wife Mary Beth has responded to the support the family has received with the recent illness of their youngest daughter, "Dear Friends, Shaohannah is home from Vanderbilt and doing well. Shoahannah Hope Yan Chapman came home from Vanderbilt Children's hospital Friday, February 21, 2003. She had been diagnosed with a Retroharyngeal Abscess. This is a serious infection behind the wall of the throat and in front of the spinal cord area. She was treated successfully with IV antibiotics. The doctors said that we caught the infection before it actually abscessed and therefore did not require surgery. She will continue antibiotics at home for 9 more days and then go back to the doctor for a follow up appointment. She is feeling much better and her fever is gone. We are so very grateful for the wonderful support of family, friends, and fans, all over the world that have been praying for Shaohannah and our family during this time. The notes, cards, baskets, flowers, cookies, goodies, toys, etc., that she received during her illness is so thoughtful and kind of all of you. She has enjoyed ALL of her gifts, as well as the attention that came with being sick. All of the nurses and doctors fell in love with her and she got the best of care. Again, thank you so very much for your love and support. You will never know how much it meant to us to know you were thinking about us during that week. Please continue to pray for a complete recovery for Shaohannah as we still have a few blood tests that need to be done to be sure everything is as it should be. Blessings to you all, Mary Beth Chapman"

Because of how amazing the shows have been going Blindside has decided to make a live video for their amazing current single "Sleepwalking." So this week at the following shows, the band's friend Zack will be shooting the footage that will become the live video for "Sleepwalking"... 03/04: Knights of Col., Indianapolis, IN; 03/05: Metro, Chicago, IL; 03/06: Pieres, Fort Wayne, IN; 03/07: Barrymore Theatre, Madison, WI; 03/08: The Rave, Milwaukee, WI. So come early, stay late, go absolutely crazy and you just might find yourself caught... sleepwalking!

Bride has posted another demo song for you to download and send the band feedback on. The song is called "Blow it all away." This song is slightly different in style but was recorded on the same evening as the previous test demo, "Revolution." To download "Blow it all away" visit their site at www.bridepub.com and follow the instructions at the top of the page. Bride is looking forward to hearing your insight and perspective on the direction of this new song. Keep in mind it's a rough demo and not a final, produced track!

Bob Carlisle assembled his team last week at a taping of the syndicated radio program Soul2Soul. The hour-long program showcasing the Discovery House Music release David: Ordinary Man...Extraordinary God airs March 8th. David: Ordinary Man...Extraordinary God unites Bob Carlisle, Russ Lee, Clay Crosse, Greg Long, Scott Krippayne and Steve Camp for an intimate, yet profound musical portrayal of one of the most intriguing characters of ancient times.

*Monday, March 3rd, 2003*

On Wednesday, March 5th, during MTV's Total Request Live (TRL), the VJ will introduce Stacie Orrico's "Stuck" video and talk a bit about Stacie. They'll show a portion of the video and then the VJ will tell viewers to vote for Stacie's video. You'll be able to vote beginning Thursday, March 6th! Voting for TRL videos is from 3:30-4:00 p.m. by phone and on-line votes are throughout the day. Vote early, vote often and tell your friends! http://www.forefrontrecords.com/ff/newsletter/stacie/so_trlvote1.html

Recently, tobyMac visited Australia and New Zealand for the SonFest Music Festivals. While in New Zealand, tobyMac and his stage posse couldn't resist a visit to the set of one of tobyMac's favorite movies, The Lord of the Rings! Having seen the movie, everyone said being on the grounds where the movie was filmed felt like a surreal experience! Click here to check out tobyMac hanging in Hobbiton... http://www.forefrontrecords.com/images/news/toby_hobbiton1.jpg

Who would have thought? The Elms and Castrol Oil? Well, it’s true! The Elms have partnered with Castrol for their “Cruisin With Castrol” sweepstakes promotion where the band’s song "Speaking In Tongues" will be featured on a special Castrol GTX compilation project. On top of that, The Elms will be featured on 12 million cases of Castol’s GTX and GTX High Mileage motor oil. Heavy promotion from Castrol is underway with a national TV buy, radio spots, newspaper ads as well as promotion on their website. Over 24,000 retailers will be participating in this promotion including mass merchandiser heavy hitters like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Sam’s and Costco as well as auto parts retailers such as Auto Zone, Advance, and Strauss. Other bands included in this promotion are mainstream rock acts Everclear and The Exies. If that isn’t enough, The Elms will be headlining their own Truth Soul, Rock & Roll Tour this spring with newcomers Holland (Tooth & Nail) and Radial Angel (Warner Bro.).

"Don't Dream It's Over," the new CD single from Sixpence None the Richer is coming in stores on March 4th. The single with Sixpence's unique take on this Crowded House classic also comes with "Don't Pass Me By," a track you won't find on Sixpence's newest album, Divine Discontent!

Forget what you know. That's what Newsboys are telling everyone as the band prepares to release Adoration: The Worship Album on April 8. Peter Furler, Phil Joel, Jody Davis, Jeff Frankenstein, and Duncan Phillips are good at keeping big news under wraps. So far, the project is said to feature the new hit "He Reigns," interpretations of "In Christ Alone" and "You Are My King (Amazing Love)," a live version of recent #1 smash "It Is You," and much more. It's a new day for Newsboys when Adoration: The Worship Album releases to stores everywhere April 8.

Third Day is kicking off the release of their new CD, Offerings II - All I Have To Give, at the movies Tuesday, March 4, 2003. That's right, catch Third Day on the big screen in a city near you. Go to ThirdDayMovie.com or ThirdDay.com and click on a link to buy tickets for only $5! This is the last weekend to purchase tickets! Buy the new CD at the movie theatre that night and receive a free movie poster while supplies last. Also, additional screens have been added in Atlanta and Knoxville so don't wait any longer. Go to ThirdDayMovie.com and get your tickets now!

Nichole Nordeman’s “Holy” was the first song in Christian Music history to be played More than 2000 times in one week on AC Christian Radio Hear an exclusive acoustic version of Nichole Nordeman’s hit song, “Holy” Plus hear “Legacy,” the new radio single from Woven & Spun. Click here!

The guys from The Benjamin Gate have been chosen to be a part of the 2003 Fender Guitar product catalog, along with other Fender endorsers such as Coldplay, Terri Clark, The Gin Blossoms, and Mick McCready from Pearl Jam. In the catalog, which is sent to all of Fender's distributor's worldwide, you can find a picture of the band from their latest video shoot for "Lift Me Up" sporting their Fender guitars!

On March 11 Blindside will start the "underground" tour with Linkin Park. This is their first US tour this year and is sure to sell out quickly. Check the tour page at Blindside-Silence.com for dates and come and check them out

P.O.D. is diligently at work on their new single for the first Matrix sequel. Surf on over to www.payableondeath.com to view a video clip of the band at work in the studio! The clip also features a slight taste of what the track will sound like...

The positive teen pop of Jump5 is about to get even sweeter this March when the group's new hit "All I Can Do" is included on a CD inside specially marked boxes of General Mills cereals like Cocoa Puffs, Trix, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and the magically delicious frosted Lucky Charms. The quintet is also proud to be endorsing a brand new edition of the Bible designed especially for "tweens" – pre-teen kids between the ages of 6 and 12.