August, 2005
With Switchfoot's new album,
Nothing Is Sound, out on Sept. 13th, the band is
gearing up for our World Tour. On the first U.S. jaunt, Eisley, Reeve Oliver, and Augustana will join
the San Diego rock band. :Because this album was written and recorded on the road,"
the band said in a recent newsletter, "we really think the live show is where these songs belong.
In fact, this is the first record that we've wanted to play live in it's entirety. You haven't seen
a Switchfoot show until you see this Fall Tour. Another highlight of this tour is the intimate
venues we're going to be playing. The success of the last record was an amazing experience and it
allowed us to play in front of some pretty big audiences. Coming back to the smaller clubs is
something we have really been looking forward to." Internet pre-sale begins Sept. 13th at 5:00 PM
local time through switchfoot.com (the day the record releases). This is your chance to get tickets
at a discounted price before they become available to the general public. But pre-sale quantities
are limited, so don't miss it! General public tickets go on sale Sept. 17. Available through all
Ticketmaster locations, Ticketmaster.com, or the venue box office. Check switchfoot.com for more
info. Click here for the Jesusfreakhideout.com PReview of the new record...
(from Switchfoot list; gathered by JfH)
For Third Day, the last few months have definitely been
busy! As many now know, the band has been hard at work on their next studio project, Wherever You
Are. "We're putting the finishing touches on it now and are excited about it hitting the streets
on November 1st," announced the band in a newsletter yesterday. "In the coming weeks, we'll let you
know how you can pre-buy the record, and maybe we'll even give you a sneak peak of the covers.
(Did we say "covers"?)" -- Apparently three different designs -- "In November, we'll be hitting the
road to promote Wherever You Are. Stay tuned at ThirdDay.com for more details on
exclusive events happening in several cities and how you can register to win a chance to attend!
For more details on our upcoming concerts, please check out
http://www.thirdday.com/wtour.htm"
(from Third Day list; gathered by JfH)
Tragedy has struck the recent VF tour featuring DJ Maj, Mars Ill, and new Gotee artist Liquid.
DJ Maj sent the following email out Thursday, "On the morning of Wednesday, August 24th, the 2005
VF tour discovered various pieces of band/tour equipment was removed from a parked vehicle & trailer.
A limited amount of damages will be covered by insurance, but the remainder depends on the equipment
being retrieved by law officers. Meanwhile, our musicians who have sacrificed to be a part of the
tour are in need. If you are able to make any type of contribution in this area, please forward
it to: Fistpic Productions / PO Box 441 / Antioch, TN 37013-0441.
According to our email list, we estimate that your contribution of $40.00 or more will help to cover
the remainder of the missing items. Again, whatever you are able to do is greatly appreciated.
Donations can also be made using PayPal (www.paypal.com). If you do not have a PayPal account,
click this link to use their payment
system. Be sure to reference this email: tour@virtualfrequency.com
Thanks to all who have already come forth with support both personally and anonymously. More than anything, please continue to pray reverently for us in this matter.
- Maj" Please keep the artists in prayer during this tough time!
(from DJ Maj list; gathered by JfH)
Grammy winning, multi-platinum band Jars of Clay will
follow their highly successful “Redemption Songs & Stories” tour, with a second leg this Fall.
Providing audiences with intimate, acoustic performances and the stories behind some of their biggest
hits and favorite hymns, the evening promises to hold numerous memorable highlights, especially with
the addition of special guests Chris Rice and Sara Groves, and on
selected dates, speaker Donald Miller, author of Blue Like Jazz.
This tour, which kicks off October 6th in Troy, Mi. and will visit 23 cities through Thanksgiving,
is in support of the band’s most recent release, Redemption Songs. This unique project is a collection
of soulful recordings crafted from ancient 18th century hymn texts and spiritual songs. Since debuting
at No. 1 on Nielsen SoundScan, it has already produced the No. 1 radio hit “God Will Lift Up Your Head,”
while standing at #14 on Apple iTunes’ Top 100 Albums chart.
Stephen Mason, Jars of Clay’s guitarist, comments, “Recently, we’ve been touring in a manner that is
more intimate in performance and setting and has provided us with a great opportunity to interface
with the audience in a way that a big production doesn’t. It’s simple and invites a communion with
the audience that we don’t get all the time. These days, that’s a big part of what we enjoy about
touring. In addition to this intimate setting, we’re excited that Chris and Sara will be joining us
to be a part of the evening. We look forward to Donald Miller joining us on selected dates, and
adding his thoughtful and unique presence to the night, a foreshadowing of more dates to come in the
future with Don.”
(from Provident Music Group)
Experience the greatness of an indescribable God through the music, the message, and the passion
during the Indescribable Tour, with sixstepsrecords’ artist-worshipers Chris Tomlin
and Matt Redman and Passion Conferences visionary leader
and author Louie Giglio. Featuring songs from Tomlin’s Arriving and Redman’s
Blessed Be Your Name: Songs of Matt Redman Vol. 1, as well as powerful and encouraging
messages from Giglio, the 26-city Indescribable Tour will impact such major markets as New York,
Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Grand Rapids, Sacramento and more. The tour is rooted in Passion’s
collegiate movement that the New York Times calls “Christian Music’s New Wave.”
"I am so excited about the upcoming tour,” says Chris Tomlin. “I know it is going to be an inspiring
night with my good friends, Louie and Matt, leading people in worship and pointing them toward the
indescribable God!”
The tour takes its name from Tomlin’s radio single, “Indescribable,” from his widely acclaimed
recording Arriving, which has sold well over 300,000 units.
(from Hoganson Media)
Collegiate favorites sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records’ David Crowder Band
and Inpop Records’ Shane & Shane announce their fall 2005
A Collision Tour, joined by special guest Robbie Seay Band. Following two widely
successful, groundbreaking projects, David Crowder Band continues exploring the science behind
music and worship with its first new full-length studio album in two years, A Collision, releasing
September 27. Singer/songwriter duo Shane & Shane will release its first DVD/CD combo, An Evening
With Shane and Shane, September 13, while newcomer Robbie Seay Band’s national debut,
Better Days, released August 16. Featuring not only fan favorites, but brand new music
off the bands’ respective releases, the major market A Collision Tour 05 traverses the country
into 28-states, 33-cities nationally, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Seattle,
Portland, Denver, San Antonio, Dallas, Albuquerque, Orlando, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Washington,
DC and more. “We're really looking forward to the upcoming tour,” says David Crowder. “We have been
great friends with the Shane’s and Robbie's band for a long time, and have talked about putting a
tour together for a good while. Plus, the thought of seeing these new songs come to life in a live
setting, with the visual presence of attachment to lives, is really exciting.”
"We're excited about this tour," says Shane Everett. "We hope folks will come out and join us. It's
a band of Texas boys coming together with one heart, and it's going to be fun."
With its engaging live performance, David Crowder Band has captured the attention of such
significant media as the New York Times, CNN, FOX News and others. After selling well over 200,000
copies of its sophomore release, Illuminate, David Crowder Band returns with A Collision,
its first studio album in more than two years. The already critically acclaimed third national
release includes more than 73 minutes over 18 tracks and features the first studio version of the
concert favorite, “Here Is Our King,” which released to radio the first week in August.
(from Hoganson Media)
Todd Agnew’s sophomore release, Reflection of Something
(Ardent Records/SRE Recordings), hits the No. 1 spot its first week of release! Todd entered at No. 1 with
9,964 units sold (Christian Album charts) and at No. 3 on the combined chart (Top Contemporary
Christian Chart). Reflection also enters the Billboard Top 100 Charts at No. 86, with well
over 12,000 units sold its first week! Congrats Todd!
(from The M Collective)
Warner Bros./Right Minded Records comedian Brad Stine
has released his CD/DVD titled Tolerate This! to great acclaim!
Stine’s audience has continued to grow in great numbers since he appeared on the entertainment scene.
Those current numbers include Brad appearing in front of well over 1,000,000 people, which has
equaled out in sales of over 100,000 units sold in just a few months time. His current release,
Tolerate This!, came out August 16th and already is proving to be on the same success path.
In one market alone, Brad sold over $40,000 in merchandise and only 13,000 people were at the event!
(from Big Machine Media)
Slanted Records recording artist Charity Von's current
radio single "Take Me Through It" was featured this week on the new ABC Family show "Beautiful
People." "Take Me Through It," found on Charity's debut self-titled release, was aired in the first
fifteen minutes of the show, which aired on Monday, August 22nd at 8pm CST. The scene in which it
was featured captured Sophie, one of the show's lead characters, in a discussion with Nicky, another
member of the show's primary cast.
"Take Me Through It," co-written by Charity and writer/producer Billy Smiley, is currently in the
Top 40 on the CRW CHR radio chart and is gaining momentum on the adult contemporary radio format as
well. Charity recently performed the song at the Spirit West Coast festival as well as Kingdom Bound
'05 and will be performing over the Labor Day weekend at the Rock the Light VI festival. She is
currently on the road with the New Faces Tour, alongside John David Webster and Jadon Lavik, and she
garnered overwhelming response at the annual Gospel Music Association's (GMA) Seminar in the Rockies.
"Take Me Through It" is currently featured on the KA/MO Breakout BandsTM benefit, a yearlong effort
launched by Ronald McDonald House Charities to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House of Kansas.
Charity, a native of Kansas City, Kan., featured throughout the campaign, has offered the single as a
downloadable song for campaign participants. 100% of the proceeds goes to the Ronald McDonald House.
For further details, visit www.imlovinitlate.com.
Charity's music hit network TV airwaves earlier when her song "The Narrow," also from her self-titled
debut, was featured on CBS' "Joan of Arcadia."
"Charity's voice stands out from the pack of young female artists...by a mile," stated
Slanted Records Director of Marketing David Ecrement. "While her stage presence is magnetic and her
personality energetic, her voice simply turns heads wherever people are exposed to her talents. This
inclusion on a major network is an exciting opportunity, allowing more people to experience Charity
Von's voice-a voice that is unlike any I've heard in a very long time."
(from Spring Hill)
We are regretful to say that Jaci Velsaquez has recently split from her husband.
ChristianityToday.com reported the story Monday, and although we are referencing it here,
we at JfH just ask that everyone keep Jaci and Darren in your prayers. Thank you.
"'When my husband and I started out as newlyweds, we were like all newlyweds, wanting that dream
marriage," Velasquez said. "Somehow, things took a turn and we have ended up in divorce.'"
Click here for the full Christianity Today article.
(from ChristianityToday.com)
Sixpence None The Richer sweetheart Leigh Nash is back! While in Sixpence, Nash did a series of solo
songs for various projects and films including Bounce and Uptown Girls.
Now, with the demise of SNTR, Nash is officially on her own. Leigh Nash is currently hard at work
writing and recording her first solo record! Be sure to stay updated on all the latest news,
tour dates, and events by signing up to Leigh Nash's mailing list at
LeighNashMusic.com. Also check out
Leigh Nash's Myspace page here to listen to demo versions of some new songs!
(from Leigh Nash list)
Skillet is continuing to write for their follow-up to Collide, looking at a release
sometime in 2006. "To answer everyone's question, we are working on songs for a new record."
said frontman John Cooper in a recent newsletter. "I wish I had a time table for you guys, but we don't.
We have about 9 songs written and we are working on getting another 8 or 9. We are trying some new
things, but definitely keeping the rock. Once again, I will keep the panheads up to date with new
info as soon as I know." We'll keep you posted as well!
(from Skillet list)
After months of speculation, TheElms.net announced recently that
The Elms have signed an exclusive recording agreement with
Universal Music Group's Universal South Records, home to some of America's best rock & roll, blues,
roots, and country. The Elms began recording their debut general-market album on August 20,
and will spend August and September completing what no doubt promises to be the band's finest work to
date. The album will be recorded and mixed in Nashville and Los Angeles, and will be co-produced by
the band and veteran producer/engineer David Bianco (Tom Petty, Rage Against The Machine, AC/DC, B
lack Crowes, Primal Scream). The Elms will be meticulously chronicling the recording process at their
MySpace.com site... Check it out now for daily
photos, writings, sounds, and more, which will be posted at the site everyday while they're in the
studio so fans can live the recording process with the band. A release date has not yet been
finalized, but estimations from the band point to January 2006.
(from TheElms.net; gathered by JfH; thanks to Jodi)
Could Mars Ill's agony surrounding the release of their countlessly-postponed Pro*Pain
finally be coming to an end? While its most recent release date of July 19th ended with some stores
being told to just toss away their copies of the record, many music stores online are taking preorders
for this Fall. According to JfH's MusiChristian Store,
the record may be looking at a late October release. However, if you can't possibly wait any longer,
you are in luck! WalMart.com must not have gotten the memo and has the entire album available for a
download purchase on their website. Click here for more info: http://musicdownloads.walmart.com/catalog/servlet/AlbumServlet?id=93319
We'll keep you posted on any further developments...
(new gathered by Jesusfreakhideout.com)
Audio Adrenaline’s Until My Heart Caves In
is already making headlines at iTunes. In addition to featuring the first radio single from the
album, “King,” iTunes has launched a presale campaign for Until My Heart Caves In. The presale
is live now at
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPreorder?id=78625733 and is similar to the
recent Coldplay and Dave Matthews Band presales. This is the first time iTunes has done a presale for
a Christian artist. Here are the details: Purchase Until My Heart Caves In before 8/30 for
just $9.99 and receive two free exclusive songs "Last Star Shining" and "Leaving 99 (live)."
You will also receive a digital art booklet and a video interview with each of the individual
band members about the new album (You must have iTunes installed to view the presale).
Frontman Mark Stuart is currently on a ten day motorcycle ride across America from Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida to San Francisco, California to raise money for their missions work in Haiti to build
an orphanage there. For how you can participate financially and updates (with photos) of the
trip, visit AudioA.com! Also, be sure to check
out the recent Jesusfreakhideout.com interview with Mark and guitarist Tyler!
(from Hoganson Media)
Drama has struck Tooth & Nail Records rock band Terminal
is a mighty way recently when the band decided to leave lead singer Travis Bryant
and go their separate ways. Drummer Ryan Conely posted the following explanation
and update on WeAreTerminal.com Saturday... "A lot of stuff has went down
in the past few days and I'd like to set the record straight - It's true Ryan
as well as James, Lucas, and Matt have all decided to step down from their
positions in Terminal. We can't begin to express what that means for all of us
individually as well as collectively. Terminal / Letter Twelve has been our lives for the past
7 years and it is probably the hardest thing we have ever done. We'd like to set the record straight,
the guys DID NOT leave Travis in California. The whole band had wanted to finish out
the tour with Rufio/The Spill Canvas but after sitting in the van telling each other
the most painful things for over 3 hours, it would have been impossible. Our agent as
well as EVERYONE in the band decided it would be best for the band to go home and Travis to look
for more members and continue on. We did not "throw" him out of the van, we actually helped him pack
merch and get his gear out of the trailer, while saying good-byes and giving each other much-needed
hugs. So, please take what anyone tells you with a grain of salt. All the guys have a few
more shows to play in Canada, Texas, and Louisiana. We would love to see all of you there!
If anyone ever loved these songs and what we stood for, please help Travis and our
name continue on. We're looking for two guitar players, a bass player, and a drummer.
Help Terminal, we need you now more than ever!"
Visit WeAreTerminal.com for journals from the members explaining further reasons why they have
decided to leave the band...
(from WeAreTerminal.com; gathered by JfH)
"What is true happiness?" asks Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman.
"Is it a comfortable four-door sedan with tinted windows? Does it mean I have 2.3 children and a beautiful
wife and live in a great neighborhood? Everyone has their own version of what happiness means, but many of
the things we're going for, and I include myself in this, are absurd. There's this moment in scripture, in
Ecclesiastes, where it says, 'Meaningless, meaningless, everything is meaningless.' That's the place where
our new record starts."
The San Diego alt-rock band's new record, Nothing is Sound, once again finds Foreman questioning
everything, as he did on the band's two and a half-million selling breakout album The Beautiful Letdown.
"That's pretty much where our music naturally goes," he says. "I ask myself questions and sing about it.
A lot of these songs are like an oyster. A bit of sand gets in and it's abrasive and troublesome. The oyster
starts working on it and a few years later you open it up and there's pearl in there. That's what I do in my
songs-chew on the more abrasive parts of my life."
Switchfoot's non-stop touring schedule-they performed 400 shows over the last two years-gave Foreman plenty
of time to gnaw. In fact, Nothing is Sound was recorded on the road. The band was so busy that they didn't
have time to take a break to make a record. So they set up their instruments and recording equipment in the
dressing room every night and would lay down tracks in between interviews and soundcheck.
"That was one advantage we had on this record," says Foreman. "We'd been playing some of the songs, like
"Daisy" and "Politicians," off and on for awhile. We got to road test them, check the tires, and switch
things up before we ever pressed the 'record' button. The audiences determined which songs were selected and
how they turned out. The trickiest part is trying to capture what we do live and bottle it up into the 1's
and 0's on a CD. It helped to play these songs live, feel that energy, and say, 'Okay, this is what we have
to match.'"
Switchfoot did go into a proper studio to cut drums and other parts. They produced the album themselves with
the aid of Letdown producer John Fields, whom Foreman praises as "quick and passionate about music. That's a
great combination."
Foreman describes the group's unorthodox approach to recording as a blend of professional with
"bro-fessional, combining the skillfully engineered sounds you get from a proper studio with the more raw
noise that you get from my garage," he says. "Both are necessary in making a record. You want it to be
honest and raw, but it has to be also listenable."
It's Switchfoot's raw honesty that has continued to inspire the group's hordes of loyal fans, and Nothing
is Sound does not disappoint in that area. It retains Foreman's signature thoughtful, questioning
lyrics and bathes them in huge hooks and crashing guitars. The album's centerpiece is "Happy is a Yuppie
Word" that takes its title from a 1991 interview Bob Dylan gave to Rolling Stone in which Dylan was asked,
on the occasion of his 50th birthday, if he was happy. Dylan replied, "Those are yuppie words, happiness
and unhappiness. It's not happiness or unhappiness, it's blessed or unblessed."
"For me, "Happy is a Yuppie Word" is the heart of the record pumping blood out to the limbs and mouth," Foreman says. "It's that existential urban/suburban moment of thinking, 'Wow, all this happiness that I've been trying to achieve is really just the yuppie version.'"
(from Hoganson Media)
Pillar's heading back to the studio to work on their next release. "Last night we finished up the
filming for our 'Frontline' video," announced the band in a recent newsletter. "If you remember we did a
full day out in Joshua Tree, CA last month. It took two more days in NW Texas to get all the shots. These
last two days were cool because fans were invited. Thanks everybody for coming out and being apart of our
video. You all did great! One of the funniest moments was playing with the liquid nitrogen.
After filming we dipped racket balls, apples, bananas, and a Mr. Potato head in the liquid nitrogen
and threw them in the floor and watched them shatter like glass. You'll see that someday in the
"Making of the Video." The final sequence included a massive bonfire, lots of fans pretending to be dead,
pyrotechnics, and us rocking out on a cliff. I'm sure you all want to know when the video will be done?
It should be done before the end of September. Hopefully we will be able to post it on our website so you
can see it before anyone else. On Monday [Aug. 22] we are reporting to Knoxville, TN to begin working on
our next album. We have two weeks in the studio booked and are hoping to track a handful of songs. Then
we will finish the album up at the end of the year for a Spring release. Please keep us in prayer."
Sounds good! We'll keep you posted on further developments...
(from Pillar; gathered by JfH)
Dove-nominated singer/songwriter duo Shane & Shane will
release its first CD/DVD project on September 13th. Shot in Super Definition and 5.1 Surround Sound,
An Evening with Shane & Shane features nine fan favorites and one new song, “Arise.” The CD/DVD
was taped with a live audience at Shane & Shane’s own Spaceway Studios in Duncanville, Texas, and features
special footage including a studio tour and guitar lessons from Shane Barnard.
The forthcoming CD/DVD project showcases Shane & Shane in an acoustic setting backed by a full band before
an intimate crowd of friends. Hits like “Saved By Grace,” “Psalm 13,” and “Yearn” shine with fresh
arrangements as well as familiar harmonies from this college-circuit favorite.
“Shane and I are really excited about this new project,” says Shane Everett. “An Evening with Shane and
Shane is an inside look at our lives, but our real hope is that the listeners and viewers would be
encouraged in the Lord by spending their evening with us,” he says.
“Fans have been asking for the Shane & Shane live concert experience for some time now,” says Inpop Records
General Manager Rob Poznanski, “and I think Shane & Shane have accomplished that with this piece. What’s
illuminated here, plain and simple, are their hearts. Their music speaks for itself, and their ministry is
real. This is a must-have for any music fan and a great introduction to the duo’s ministry.
”This fall, Shane & Shane will join the David Crowder Band for a 40-city, co-headlining tour kicking
off September 27th in the artist’s home state of Texas. The “Collide” tour, wrapping up in late November,
will impact clubs, colleges and churches in key markets such as Grand Rapids, Orlando and Seattle.
In addition to releasing their first CD/DVD project in September and co-headlining the “Collide” tour, Shane Barnard and Shane Everett also head up Spaceway Studios as well as the fledgling multi-media production company, Media Juice. The six-month old start-up, jointly owned by the entrepreneurial duo with Jeremy Snead (Dragonball Z), specializes in developing video game content, from storylines, commercials, trailers, cartoon character development and more.
(from InPop Records)
On her fourth recording with INO Records, critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Sara Groves
has once again delivered a prolific, creative expression of faith and relationships set to a
piano-filled musical landscape with her upcoming October 4th release, Add to the Beauty.
Groves will tour in support of the project beginning October 6th when she hits the road with
Jars of Clay and Chris Rice. Candidly truthful and compassionately hopeful, Add to the Beauty
echoes Sara’s first release in its’ intimate and honest lyrical journey. “When we started Add to
the Beauty, we set out to take beautiful pictures of the songs, to recapture the straight
forward feel of Conversations, and couldn’t have found a better song photographer than Brown
Bannister,” recalls Sara. “It has been a surreal and wonderful experience to work with the man who
helped bring Age to Age to my living room over 20 years ago.”
Song-writing has traditionally been a solo process for Sara, but this album found her co-writing with
songwriters like Joel Hanson who provided the great drive-with-the-windows-down music for
“Just Showed Up,” and Ed Cash who took “When It Was Over” to a new level. Additionally,
Gordon Kennedy put the melody to “Loving a Person,” and “It’s Going to Be Alright,” and Matt
Bronlewee topped the album off at the eleventh hour with the album’s title track Add to the Beauty,
and also helped complete “You are the Sun”. “You Are The Sun" will also be the project’s first
radio single, which will be serviced to AC and INSPO radio on August 26.
Dedicated to Sara's Granddad and Grammie who "lived as such brilliant examples of what it means to
add to the beauty," Sara comments on the theme of the project, stating, " The kingdom of God doesn't
just come in the rally or worship event. It comes when we speak respectfully to our spouses, and
refrain from letting our anger spill over onto our kids or friends, when we have an opportunity to
gossip and refrain, when we open up our homes, when we mess up royally, and have the stuff to go
apologize, when we refuse to blame everyone else for our own problems. In the everydayness of the
kingdom, we are invited to be brilliantly beautiful, all of us moons with no light of our own,
invited to shine.”
(from The M Collective)
Dwango® Wireless, a leading developer and publisher of mobile entertainment content for top
lifestyle brands, announces that music fans can download exclusive Amy Grant mastertones and images
for their mobile phones through Beliefnet Mobile. Dwango Wireless’ partnership with Beliefnet allows
the pair to deliver spiritual-themed content to mobile devices.
Exclusive mastertones, which are high quality music clips for cell phones, from Grant’s “Anywhere
With Jesus” and “How Great Thou Art'” songs and two exclusive images of Amy Grant are now live here.
In addition to the exclusive mobile content, Amy Grant ringtones, mastertones and additional image
choices are also now live at the site. The mastertones cost $2.99 each. Ringtones and images are
$1.99 each and are compatible with a variety of wireless devices.
Grant’s “Anywhere With Jesus” is featured on her newest and critically acclaimed project,
Rock of Ages…Hymns and Faith. Rock of Ages is Grant’s twentieth album and follows
the recent Gold certification of her first hymns project, Legacy…Hymns & Faith, on which
“How Great Thou Art” is found.
Additionally, Grant will be featured this fall hosting NBC’s anticipated television series,
“Three Wishes.” The hour-long, unscripted show spotlights Grant as she leads a team of experts to
"grant" wishes to help make the hopes and unbelievable dreams of deserving people come true.
Viewers will follow the deeply personal and heartwarming stories as Grant and her team transform
these hopes into a life-changing reality. For More information visit www.AmyGrant.com
(from Word Records; gathered by JfH)
Renowned storyteller Mark Schultz will release the
two-disc, CD/DVD project Mark Schultz Live – A Night Of Stories & Songs Sept. 27.
The fourth project from Mark, the compilation encompasses his greatest hits since the release
of his acclaimed self-titled debut in 2000.
Mark’s live shows and albums have connected time and time again with people, young and old, from
different walks of life. And just as the masses have embraced him over the years, so has the
industry as evidenced by his numerous accolades including six No. 1 hit songs and multiple Dove Award nominations.
Filmed LIVE before a sold-out crowd at the Marion Civic Center (Marion, IL) earlier this Spring,
the project features six favorites, two brand new songs and other timeless classics from Mark’s past
three studio albums. Live – A Night Of Stories & Songs also includes the brand new studio
cut, “I Am,” which currently continues to climb AC and INSP radio charts.
Fans will additionally enjoy a personal look at Mark’s own coming of age story as he traveled from
Colby, KS to Nashville, making his dreams a reality with the help of friends along the way. The gift
of writing stories through firsthand life experiences has made Mark Christian music’s premier
storyteller. However, his humble approach will attribute that gift to those who have been placed
in the path that God has carved out for his life, as revealed on Mark Schultz Live – A Night Of
Stories & Songs.
(from Word Records; gathered by JfH)
Point Of Grace will launch the Christmas season Oct. 4
with the release of Winter Wonderland, the anticipated follow up to the girls’ Gold-certified
A Christmas Story from the last decade. Produced by Brown Bannister (Amy Grant, Michael W.
Smith), Winter Wonderland includes 10 holiday songs showcasing Point Of Grace’s intricate
harmonies. Select tracks additionally feature string arrangements that were recorded in London.
The Christmas collection contains such sing-along classics as “Jingle Bells,” “Little Town,” and a
“Santa Medley” of “Here Comes Santa Claus,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Frosty the Snowman.”
Fans who have seen Point Of Grace on Michael W. Smith’s acclaimed “Christmastime” tour will applaud
Heather’s rendition of “All Is Well” with piano accompaniment from Michael. Also featured are Church
favorite “Breath of Heaven” and the new original song, “Let There Be Light,” which will further
support Winter Wonderland at radio this Oct.
(from Word Records; gathered by JfH)
Long before "American Idol," the Gospel Music Association
(GMA) has been discovering the future recording artists of Christian and gospel music every summer in
the Rocky Mountains. Last week, winners were named at the 31st Annual GMA Music in the Rockies'
Spotlight 2005 and Song of 2005 competitions.
"There was a lot of excitement generated at this year's event, with many key industry tastemakers
talking about the impressive level of talent that entered in the Spotlight and Song competitions.
I suspect a few of these young artists will find their way to development and songwriting deals before
too long. Perhaps some of them will experience great careers in Christian music because of this
experience," said John. W. Styll, president of GMA.
There were a total of 13 categories for this year's competition - eight finalists in Spotlight and
five finalists in Song. From those winners, four Grand Prize winners were named for Spotlight Vocal,
Spotlight Band, Spotlight Instrumental and Song. In addition to a performance slot on the main stage
on closing night of the Music in the Rockies concert series, the Grand Prize winners receive prize
packages which include musical equipment, free studio time and professional performance consultation.
The total packages are worth thousands of dollars and offer priceless opportunities for these artists
to pursue their musical goals.
An urban-flavored quartet of sisters known as Witherspoon were named the Spotlight
Vocal 2005 Grand Prize winners. Coming to Estes Park from the Seattle area, sisters Erica, Krista,
Tasha and Tamara also placed first in Urban Gospel and took home second place in the Vocal Group
Spotlight categories. In addition, Krista and Tamara's song "I'm Good," placed first in the
Urban/Gospel/Hip Hop Song category.
Taking their name from the Hebrew word for "worship," Shachah, made up of Earl
Mergelsberg, Brenden McPeek, Jesse Morales, Joshua Wagner and Bryan Whitley, captured the Spotlight
Band 2005 Grand Prize. From southern California, the band's "I Will Not Die Today," took third place
in the Urban/Gospel/Hip Hop Song category.
Daniel Yarbrough, a drummer from Oklahoma, won the Spotlight Instrumental 2005 Grand Prize and
Colorado's Megan Isaacson's "My Worship" was named Song of 2005 and also claimed first place in
the Praise & Worship/Choral Song category.
For a full list of winners, click here:
http://www.gospelmusic.org/events/winners.aspx?aid=16&pid=125
(from Spinhouse PR)
Platinum-selling singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman
is ready to spread the holiday cheer this season with his Christmas CD, All I Really Want For Christmas,
releasing September 27th on Sparrow Records. In addition, bookshelves will be stocked this fall with
Shaoey And Dot: A Christmas Miracle (Tommy Nelson Publishing), the second installment of the
“Shaoey And Dot” picture book series penned by Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth.
With more than one million of his Christmas titles sold to date, Chapman’s All I Really Want For Christmas
is his 15th studio project with Sparrow Records. This collection of 12 original and traditional holiday favorites
includes new Chapman originals, such as “The Night Before Christmas,” “The Miracle of Christmas,”
“All I Really Want,” as well a new version of the timeless hymn “Angels From The Realm of Glory.”
Also included are Chapman’s renditions, previously recorded for his 2003 Hallmark release
Christmas Is All In The Heart, of “Silver Bells,” “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” and
“Home For Christmas.” Ed Cash produces the new songs while Brown Bannister produced the songs from
Christmas Is All In The Heart. Rounding out the holiday project are a couple of special
appearances, one from country superstar Vince Gill sharing his voice on a new version of “Christmas Is
All In The Heart.” Another special guest is Chapman’s first adopted daughter, Shaohannah Hope. Shaoey
starts the CD off with her touching narration of “The Christmas Story” taken from the Book of Luke.
She closes out the project, joined by her dad, singing her rendition of “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,”
a special hidden track at the end of the CD. Shaohannah, now age 6, also appears with her dad on the CD cover.
All I Really Want For Christmas’ first single, the endearing “All I Really Want,”
promises to be a song we’ll want to hear for years to come. The song focuses on a topic dear to
Chapman’s heart – adoption. “All I Really Want” shares the story of a little boy’s one item wish
list to Santa, asking not for toys at Christmastime but for a family. Chapman sings:
“All I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in, a shoulder to cry on if I lose and
shoulders to ride on if I win / There’s so much I could ask for but there’s just one thing I need /
All I really want for Christmas is a family.”
To promote the single, Chapman will be filming a music video in Los Angeles at the end of the month.
Brandon Dickerson of Merge Productions, based in San Francisco, will direct the video. Dickerson will
also be filming him in another music video for Chapman’s song, “Remembering You,” the first radio
single from Songs Inspired By The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
J. David Huffman, COO, Creative Trust, comments, “With All I Really Want for Christmas, Steven is
giving what everybody wants for Christmas – a warm, emotive experience about all the joys of the
holiday season for all ages.”
"Steven has once again delivered a pristine offering of songs for this new Christmas album,” says
Peter York, President, EMI CMG Label Group. “He has captured the emotion, wonder and miracle of
Christmas and invites the listener to enter in."
Chapman will do a nationwide tour this holiday season promoting All I Really Want For Christmas with
friends MercyMe. Together they will appear in 21 markets beginning the day after Thanksgiving in
Greenville, SC and ending December 20th in Indianapolis, IN.
Shaoey And Dot: A Christmas Miracle will be released by publisher Tommy Nelson this November,
in time for National Adoption Awareness Month and the Christmas season. This story is a wonderful
reminder of the miraculous love that makes every Christmas a special one while sharing with its
readers the many joys of adoption.
(from The M Collective)
Project 86 will be embarking on the
"...And The Rest Will Follow, Album Release Tour" beginning on September 23rd! Also on the tour will
be bands Spoken, Number One Gun, Mourning September, and The Fold (on select dates).
So far cities confirmed include Modesto, CA, Roseville, CA, Fresno, CA, Spokane, WA, Portland, OR,
Seattle, WA, Salt Lake City, UT, Denver, CO, and Omaha, NE, many more to be announced soon!
See the shows page for details!
(from Project86.com; gathered by JfH)
You can catch Hawk Nelson this Fall touring the west coast as part of their Recess Tour with
special guest 4th Avenue Jones! Also, this Fall, the band, along with 4th Ave, will be joining Dizmas
and Thousand Foot Krutch for the latter's The Art Of Breaking Tour. Hawk Nelson is prepping for a Spring
release of their sophomore project, but be sure to check out the band's Expanded Version of their
debut Letters To The President that releases October 4th!
(from various, including HawkNelson.com; gathered by JfH)
Derek Webb is excited to announce a first for the
Christian music industry with the introduction of his very own iTunes podcast. Derek's podcast is
available now as a free download at iTunes and will feature exclusive interviews, music and
performances that can be downloaded and listened to on iTunes or on your iPod.
You will also soon be able to take home the "live" experience with the release of Derek's first-ever
live DVD, How To Kill And Be Killed. The DVD will feature live concert footage as well as
unique and extensive behind-the-scenes interviews. Well-known song favorites such as "Wedding Dress"
and "I Repent" will be featured as well as many others. The DVD is currently available for purchase
only at Derek"s concerts and officially hits store shelves October 11th.
(from INO Records)
If you missed the Tuesday, August 2 edition of Praise The Lord on TBN, you missed an amazing
program. The August 2 program featured performances by Kirk Franklin,
who debuted his new single "Looking For You" as well as another new song, "Imagine Me," live.
Hosted by Pastor Paula While, the show featured a panel discussion with guests Bishop Noel Jones,
Bishop Liston Page, Bishop Neil Ellis and Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant, as well as additional music
by Judy Jacobs.
Taped in Atlanta just prior to the launch of Mega-Fest, the compelling dialogue among the panelists
has been quite the hot topic since the show first aired. In fact, we have heard that this particular
edition of the Praise The Lord broadcast had the highest ratings of any other PTL broadcast in the
previous 90 days!
For those of you who heard about it but missed it the first time, or if you saw it before but can't
wait to see it again... set your TIVOs, DVRs and VCRs because TBN will be re-airing this riveting
program this week! The program will rerun a total of 3 times, first on Thursday, August 18 at
10pm/9pm EDT/CDT, and on Friday, August 19 at 2am/1am EDT/CDT and again at 5pm/4pm EDT/CDT
(from Fo Yo Soul Entertainment
Nationally distributed PARADE answers reader's question on
Steven Curtis Chapman. PARADE is a fixture in 330 Sunday
newspapers all across the United States with a readership of over 36 million people. In addition to
several feature articles, PARADE's best-known feature might be the Q&A page where reader's questions
are researched and answered by PARADE's staff. This weekend's PARADE feature a reader's question
about our own Steven Curtis Chapman. We don't know what the question is...
But we do know Steven's Christmas album All I Really Want For Christmas comes out September 27.
(from StevenCurtisChapman.com)
Michael W. Smith celebrated his 30th #1 single this week
as “Here I Am” secured the top spot on R&R’s Inspirational Chart. This is Michael’s second
consecutive #1 from Healing Rain (10/26/04). The album’s title track claimed #1s on the
following charts: R&R’s Inspirational (10/24-12/12 - 8 weeks), AC Monitored (11/7 -1 week) and AC
Indicator (11/7-14 - 2 weeks). It was also #1 on CRW’s Inspirational chart (11/15-29 - 3 weeks).
While his music is celebrated at radio, “Smitty” continues to perform before crowds in sold out
venues nationally and internationally. In October, he travels to Brazil and Europe for several
events where ticket sales reflect a tremendous fan base. In just four weeks, more than 14,000
tickets were sold for his concert in Holland. Hans Groeneveld, of GMI Music Partners, shares that
event organizers are discussing the possibility of adding more seats to the venue in order to meet
ticket demand. While in Europe, Michael will also visit countries including Switzerland, France,
the United Kingdom and Germany.
(from Provident Music Group)
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) recently announced its album and video
certifications for the month of July. Relient K's 2004
project, Mmhmm (Gotee) was certified Gold for shipments of more than 500,000 units. The
band's 2003 project, Two Lefts Don't Make A Right... But Three Do (Gotee) also received the
same distinction from the RIAA in March. Also, be sure to tune in next Tuesday, Aug. 16th, at 2PM EST/PST
to watch Relient K perform "Be My Escape" LIVE on MTV's TRL! Vote for the video everyday to get it on
the TRL COUNTDOWN. Click here to vote now!
(from GMA / RelientK.com, gathered by JfH)
Hard rockers Staple are set to release their sophomore
effort entitled Of Truth And Reconciliation with Flicker Records on August 30. To support
their newest release, the band will be hitting the road from September 25-October 14 with friends
Forever Changed (Floodgate Records) and Sides of the North (Word of Mouth Records)
on the HM Magazine Presents: The Tour of Duty. This tour will encompass much of the southeast
and midwest, hitting cities like Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, and Dayton, Ohio along the way.
For the past few years, Staple has been regarded as one of the premier up-and-coming heavy acts in
Christian rock music. The highly-anticipated Of Truth And Reconciliation picks up where their
self-titled debut album left off, touching on many subjects that people face in the world every day.
Forever Changed has spent most of 2005 on the road winning new fans in cities across the U.S. with the
likes of He Is Legend, Kids In The Way, The Wedding, and label-mates Yellow Second. Their debut album,
The Need To Feel Alive, has received rave reviews for lead vocalist Dan Cole’s personal and
direct lyrics and the bands catchy pop rock hooks. The first single off the record, “Encounter,” has
reached number-three on the Christian Rock R&R charts and still resides in the top five.
Hailing from Dayton, Ohio are Sides of the North, a melodic blend of emotional vocals and driving
energy comparable to the likes of Chevelle and Moments In Grace. The band released The Incurable
Romantic on Word of Mouth Records in March, and has received national airplay of their single
“Melody” for the past several months.
Fans of these bands can check out www.thetourofduty.com for
updated tour dates, ticket info, and contests featuring the bands. Look for The Tour of Duty—coming to
a town near you this fall!
(from Demus3Entertainment)
Nashville-based Christian music distributor TAG Artist Group has partnered with 3-time Dove Award
winner Clay Crosse for the September 15th release of the
live worship CD and DVD Eternity with You: Live Worship. With over 1 million records sold at
Christian retail and nine #1 Christian radio hits including "I Surrender All" and "He Walked a Mile,"
Crosse gathered members of his home church at the historic Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee to
record and film this exciting worship experience.
It has been more than three years since his last release. During that time, Crosse has served as
worship leader at The Love of Christ (TLC) Community Church in Memphis, where the idea for this
project was born. States Crosse, "This live worship CD represents the free worship experience we
encourage at TLC, and I'm very excited to share it with people."
The release of the CD and DVD coincide with the release of Crosse's confessional new book release
I Surrender All: Rebuilding A Marriage Broken by Pornography, written with his wife Renee.
The new book from NavPress will hit stores the same day.
"I met Clay a few years ago when I worked his last album internationally for another Distribution
Company,” says Dan Huisinga, president of TAG. “As a Christian I am excited to see how God has moved
in his life and where He has taken Clay's ministry. As A Company, TAG is proud to represent his
calling and musical gifts with our partners at Christian Retail."
Crosse joins the TAG roster alongside such artists as Bryan Duncan, Phil Keaggy, Leon Patillo,
Steve Archer, Chuckie Perez, Kent Bottenfield, Joy Oliver, Chronos, Substance and Bruce Carroll.
"After over a decade in Christian music, I understand the importance of having a solid team working
hard to achieve significant goals," says Clay Crosse. "I am thrilled to now be teamed with TAG to get
my music to the fans."
(from Nashville Publicity)
Building on the success of its previous outings, See Spot Rock
is excited to announce the next strong rock line-up for its upcoming fall tour. Slated to appear are
three-time tour veterans Pillar, enthusiastic rockers
Falling Up, Dove award-winning Day of Fire, the power pop/punk Stellar Kart and
emo rockers The Wedding. The tour kicks off November 4 and runs through December 17,
hitting 20 cities across North America.
See Spot Rock has quickly become a recognizable brand name in the Christian tour market. The inaugural
See Spot Rock tour was listed in Pollstar’s Top 50 Grossing Tours for that touring season, and
combined, the last two tours played for over 101,000 tickets buyers and grossed over $1.8 million,
while the readers of CCM Magazine voted See Spot Rock their “Favorite Live Show of 2003.”
“Our first two tours with See Spot Rock have branded the name with literally hundreds of youth
leaders and thousands of fans. The 2005 line-up is very strong and builds on the tradition of the
first two tours in delivering relevant, exciting music and is in fact the most well-rounded true rock
tour of the fall,” says Steve Thomas, president of Alabaster Arts and creator of See Spot Rock.
The first year See Spot Rock hit 42 cities, with many dates selling out, including one in Lancaster,
Pa., that left hundreds of fans in line with no ticket. This year tour organizers heard from concert
promoters early as they called to book dates long before a line-up was even finalized. To date, this
fall’s See Spot Rock is scheduled to stop in Dallas, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Chicago, Toronto,
Kansas City, Mo., Tulsa, Okla., and Omaha, Neb.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with See Spot Rock. The participating bands, the numbers sold and the
name recognition of the tour all speak to what a great tour this has become, one that the fans can
depend on every year to put out a quality product,” says William Morris agent Mark Guynn.
Debuting in February 2003, See Spot Rock hit the road to bring together great artists from different
popular rock backgrounds in a tour that aimed to celebrate the fact that music can still move the
masses for good. For more information on the See Spot Rock tour and tour updates, please log on to
www.SeeSpotRock.com.
(from Hoganson Media)
Robbie Seay Band, an established rock worship act newly
signed to Sparrow Records, will have the title track from its debut national release, Better Days,
featured as a free "Discovery Download" at iTunes.com beginning August 16-the same day the Houston
foursome's album hits stores nationwide.
"Better Days" will receive top placement at the iTunes.com Inspirational page for one week beginning
Tuesday, August 16, and will be free for downloading to all registered iTunes users. Learn more at
iTunes.com. With four independent albums already under its belt, Robbie Seay Band has built a
significant grassroots following among fans of modern worship music. The group also leads worship
at Ecclesia, a downtown Houston church. Following the August 16 release of Better Days, Robbie Seay
Band will join David Crowder*Band on the Collision Tour in September. See concert dates at RobbieSeayBand.com.
(from Sparrow Records)
Nearly every member of the multi-platinum and award-winning band
MercyMe would tell you that Christmas is their favorite
time of year, which is why after selling nearly 4 million units, the band puts their stamp on the
holidays with The Christmas Sessions, which will release this September 27th. Supported by a
national network TV campaign, both INO and SONY/Epic will release the project to both the CBA and
general markets respectively. (For a complete track list and album art, click here)
In order to truly represent the Christmas spirit on this project, MercyMe recorded the majority of
The Christmas Sessions last Christmas, and wrapped it up this summer. Produced by Brown
Bannister, the project features classic titles and contemporary yet recognizable melodies with
“Winter Wonderland,” the swingin’ “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Silent Night,”
“White Christmas,” and a MercyMe original with the emotional “Joseph’s Lullabye.”
INO and SONY/Epic will partner to service Christmas singles to radio as well.
Following three straight hits on mainstream AC, a single will be serviced this fall, and on the heels
of their sixth No. 1 song at Christian radio, the single “Joseph’s Lullabye” will be serviced to
Christian AC, CHR and INSPO formats in late September. MercyMe will also hit the road for a 20+ city
major market co-headline Christmas tour with Steven Curtis Chapman the day after Thanksgiving.
A band favorite is the track “I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day,” because, says guitarist Mike
Scheuchzer, “The story behind the writing of that song is amazing...the war, and hardships that
Longfellow had endured, and to still be able to find hope...that's what Christmas is all about...hope.”
(from The M Collective)
It's official... Kirk Franklin's brand new album,
Hero, will be released on October 4, 2005! Kirk has been working hard on the album for
several months and the wait is almost over. The first single from the new album, a throwback jam
called "Looking For You," is now playing exclusively at www.KirkFranklin.us.
Visitors to Kirk's website can also pre-order the new album as well as view "Constructing Hero", a series of behind the scenes videos which chronicle the making of the "Hero" album. Currently playing is "episode 1: the photo shoot".
Upcoming performance dates in support of the new album include the GMWA in Milwaukee on 8/17, Mt.
Zion Baptist Church Youth Rally in Nashville on 8/19, New Birth Baptist Church in Atlanta on 8/21,
the About My Father's Business conference in Indianapolis on 8/26, "The Takeover" taping at TBN
in Dallas on 8/30 and KISS FM's Night of Healing in New York City on 9/13.
Stay tuned to www.KirkFranklin.us for all the latest news and updates.
(from Fo Yo Soul)
Grammy Award winning singer Rebecca St. James will be a
featured performer during Family Research Council’s simulcast television program, “Justice Sunday II –
God Save the United States and this Honorable Court!” The program is set for Sunday, August 14th at
Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville , Tennessee and will be broadcast live in churches across the
nation in addition to being carried on hundreds of radio stations, via satellite and web-cast on
www.justicesunday.com.
Australian born St. James has throughout the late ‘90’s until present been considered a major
defining female voice in contemporary Christian Music. With sales of her music soaring around the
globe, her signature blend of modern pop/rock sensibilities and lyrics of unwavering devotion has
blazed straight to the heart of an entire generation. Along the road of more than 200 concert dates a
year, her path has led to 17 Top 10 singles--#9 of which reached the #1 spot on the charts.
Her book on the subject of abstinence, Wait For Me, became a #1 best seller on the Christian book
charts in 2003. This month marks the release of her latest book SHE Teen (Tyndale) which seeks to
provide biblical answers to the moral and social challenges teen girls are facing in today’s culture.
St. James has also been an articulate and passionate spokesperson on social and moral issues
pertaining to Christianity in America . Her success story in the music industry, in fact, parallels
the dream of a fresh start in a new land upon which America was built. She and her family immigated
to the U.S. from their native Australia in the early '90's.
For more information regarding the “Justice Sunday II -God Save the United States and this Honorable
Court” live simulcast, log onto www.justicesunday.com or call the FRC Press Office at (202) 393-2100.
(from Morning Star)
Hip-hop collective, L.A. Symphony will release the
highly-anticipated Disappear Here on October 4th on Gotee Records/EMI CMG Distribution.
The 15-song project, produced at large by L.A. Symphony, features guest appearances from the legendary
Madlib (Stone’s Throw), Evidence (Dialated Peoples), Great Jasn (J-beits), Sup the Chemist, and
DJ Rhetmattic. The overall theme of the album is perseverance.
"I think this is our best album to date,“ says Cookbook. “Not only do we explore more topics than
ever before, but our sound and style has grown as well. I love how the album is broad in the sense
that it has the fun stuff, the party stuff, but some deep stuff as well. This time around we took 4
months and shut everything else off, and made this album together. The result is a good blend of the
5 of us, all really contributing on every level. We've been in this for a while, and seen the ups
and downs, and we're still here to say never give up on your God-given dreams."
L.A. Symphony’s Disappear Here marks the group’s second release on Gotee Records.
Their discography includes 2003’s The End Is Now (Gotee/Basement), as well as the
independently- released The Baloney EP in 2001, and Composition #1 (Eartube Empire)
in 1999. Call It What You Want, was completed and set to release on the now-defunct Squint
label in 2000, but was never officially released to retail, although a leaked version made the
rounds on the Internet.
(from LB PR)
EMI/Tooth & Nail rock band Thousand Foot Krutch’s new
album, The Art Of Breaking - Produced by Arnold Lanni (Our Lady Peace, Finger Eleven, Simple
Plan), sold 14,396 and landed at #67 in Billboard’s Top 200 in its first week of release (according to
SoundScan) and was the #2 most selling release album over all in the CBA marketplace. It is the
follow up to their previous release, Phenomenon.
The first single, “Absolute,” is climbing the charts and is already approaching the TOP 10 at
Christian Rock radio. The first single at General Market radio “Move”, goes for adds at Active and
Alternative Rock on August 23rd. Currently, 28 stations have already added including Detroit (top 10
already), Phoenix, Amarillo, and Buffalo.
Click here for our review of
The Art Of Breaking.
(from Big Machine Media)
Fervent Records band Big Daddy Weave claimed superior
positioning at SoundScan this week with the debut of its acclaimed third national album,
What I Was Made For. Recorded amidst the devastation of 2004’s Hurricane Ivan, which
destroyed band members Mike and Jay Weaver’s family home and memories in Gulf Breeze, FL, Big Daddy
Weave this week took retail by storm as What I Was Made For debuted in the Top 10 on the Christian
SoundScan chart. The band’s project additionally debuted in the Top 20 of SoundScan’s combined
Christian and mainstream chart. The successful launch of What I Was Made For was further
supported by Big Daddy Weave’s strong debut at AC radio with the album’s second single, “Just The Way
I Am.” The song was this week’s highest debut on R&R’s AC chart and was also listed as one of the
“most added” and “most increased” on the chart. The project additionally includes the No. 1 AC hit,
“You’re Worthy Of My Praise,” which features labelmates BarlowGirl.
Advancing the release of What I Was Made For, band members Mike and Jay, Jeremy Redmon, Jeff Jones
and Joe Shirk embarked on a 10-day promotional tour, appearing on the renowned southeast broadcasted
Rick & Bubba Show and further performing during several stops including brown bag concerts in
Houston (KSBJ), New Orleans (WBSN) and Birmingham (WDJC).
(from Word Records)
Casting Crowns celebrates another remarkable week at
radio with “Lifesong” breaking into the top 10 on both R&R and CRW charts, after only one week since
the song’s official add date. This week, “Lifesong” is No. 10 on R&R’s AC Monitored chart and moves
up an incredible 20 chart positions to reach No. 7 on R&R’s AC Indicator chart. At CRW, the song
grabs the No. 8 spot on the AC chart, up from No. 20 last week, and climbs 7 positions to No. 10 on
R&R’s Inspirational chart. Also impacting the CHR format, “Lifesong” doubles its chart position in one
week landing at No. 15 on R&R and No. 13 on CRW.
Tom Greene, program director for WMHK in Columbia, South Carolina says, “This is one of the best songs I’ve heard in the last couple of years! It’s a great song with a great message coming from one of the hottest groups out there. A definite must-add!”
Debuting as the most-added song across all radio formats last week, “Lifesong” is the title track off of Casting Crowns’ anticipated sophomore album releasing Aug. 30.
(from Beachstreet)
It’s beginning to look a lot like... Christmas. In Nashville’s July heat, Steven Curtis Chapman
wrapped up recording his new Christmas recording, All I Really Want For Christmas.
This is Steven’s third holiday CD and his 15th studio project. Chapman released The Music Of
Christmas in 1995, which has sold over 500,000 copies. Then in 2003, Christmas Is All
In The Heart, offered exclusively at Hallmark Stores nationwide as their well-known national
chain’s yearly Christmas album, sold 400,000 copies in 10 weeks. In fact, the Hallmark project was
no longer available and sold out by December 9th of that year, leaving many Chapman fans “out in
the cold” on obtaining the 6 new tracks recorded for the project.
Now, in 2005 Steven has just completed work in the studio on 6 newly recorded tracks, along with
the 6 tracks that were new for that difficult to find and no longer available Hallmark exclusive
album... for the release All I Really Want For Christmas. The track list includes:
3 newly written and recorded tracks from Steven, new covers of the Christmas classics
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Angels from the Realms of Glory,” and a new ‘05 re-recorded
version of the Steven’s well-known “Christmas Is All in the Heart” with a very special guest.
Available September 27, the album features the first recorded appearance by Steven and Mary Beth’s
adopted daughter Shaohannah Hope Chapman. Shaoey also graces the album’s cover with her Dad.
Shaoey appears on the cover to try to capture the emotion behind the moving song “All I Really Want,”
written by Steven about a boy with just one Christmas wish, a family.
For a full tracklisting and album cover, click here!
(from StevenCurtisChapman.com; gathered by JfH)
Rocketown Records recently announced the release of Ginny Owens
fourth studio album, Long Way Home, set to hit stores Oct. 11. For the first time, Owens
serves as co-producer on all 10 tracks, along with Monroe Jones (Third Day, Chris Rice), Will Hunt
(Shane and Shane, Ryan Cabrera) and Vince Emmett (Paul Colman, Rebecca St. James).
“We made music in Los Angeles, Austin, Nashville and New York for Long Way Home,” said Owens.
“The tracks are as diverse as the cities themselves, and the recording process was unlike any I’ve
ever known. Venturing into the world of production was a wonderfully challenging experience, just
as playing in the studio with my band from the road was an absolute joy. I’ve laughed; I’ve cried;
I’ve learned much; and I’ve grown as an artist and writer because of it all. The songs on this
project are my attempts at sharing a bit of what I’ve learned about life, love and faith over the
course of my journey here on this planet. I hope and pray they will be a source of encouragement and
peace to those who listen.”
In addition to radio and retail promotion, Owens’ fall Street Week will be marked by the build of
a Habitat for Humanity house in New Orleans. Owens is sponsoring this build, and the house will be
occupied by a family in which both parents are disabled. Owens, who has participated in several
Habitat builds, will be on site during the week to assist with the project as part of her ongoing
activities with her own non-profit foundation, the Fingerprint Initiative (fingerprintinitiative.org).
In addition to crafting what many are already calling the landmark CD of her career in Long Way Home,
Owens has kept busy in 2005 with the release of a live CD and DVD as well as the launch of
Fingerprint, which is focusing its efforts this year on assisting disadvantaged children through a number of outreach programs and partnerships. Owens has also recently contributed vocals to works by Jim Brickman and David Wilcox, and she worked alongside former President Jimmy Carter on a summer Habitat build. Last month, Owens sang the National Anthem for President George W. Bush during a special “T-Ball on the South Lawn” game at the White House. An eight-time Dove Award nominee and 2000 winner of New Artist of the Year, Owens has achieved phenomenal acceptance and acclaim in both the Christian and mainstream music communities over her short career, including appearances at Lilith Fair, Sundance Film Festival, NPR and on multiple TV soundtracks as well as four Top 5 Christian radio singles.
Don Donahue, president of Rocketown Records, said, “Ginny Owens is unquestionably one of Christian
music's most insightful songwriters, and with Long Way Home, she sets the bar even higher. This project is
loaded with great melodies, profound truth and hooks that are bound to please radio programmers and
listeners alike. But even more importantly, it's full of heart, a passionate and authentic
expression coming from an immensely talented woman who I am privileged to call my friend.”
(from Rocketown Records)
The face of revolution has never been more radiant than that of 28 year old Australian rocker
Rebecca St. James. Her new book, She Teen, hits
bookstores this month--taking dead aim at a generation of teen girls who find themselves besieged
with sexual messages to "just do it" as they grow up in a culture when teen pregnancy is the U.S.
is at an all time high. St. James, an Australian born rocker, believes "building self esteem and
right moral choices in girls at an early age is the only defense." It's a language she understands.
Rolling Stone magazine bannered their June-July cover feature, "The New Virgin Army...Life Among
the Young and the Sexless." Inside they recommended her book, Wait For Me as must read 'Virginity
Lit 101' material on the subject of the abstinence agenda. Christian Music Planet posed her on
their most recent cover as a major influence for good in reaching a lost generation.
Discovery Channel this week sent a film crew from Canada to Nashville to tape her thoughts on the
rising tide of virgins among us for a Sex Files documentary set to air in the fall. Toronto's
influential Globe & Mail last month did a major profile feature on her--calling her "an alternative
pop music icon--the Other Madonna."
Rebecca St. James is indeed a one woman cultural revolution.
She noted in a recent interview:
"We live in a totally 'if it feels good do it world' fueling kids from every direction including too often their own classrooms with messages like 'condoms work as an alternative' or 'oral sex is not really sex.' As I tell young people, abstinence before marriage is the only guaranteed protection. Inspite of that fact, in researching for my latest book we found that even in the face of the risk of HIV and the more than 15 million new STD infections diagnosed each year, 33% of 8-11 year olds and 49% of 12-15 year olds said that the pressure to have sex is a big problem for them. Teen pregnancies and abortions scar lives with consequences that last a lifetime.Young people discover that sex satisfies only for a short time, while it's consequences, when indulged in outside of marriage, live on."
What is working?
"What is working is God's way--abstinence until marriage," she notes.
The Sydney born rock chick with music and a message of "Just Say No to Sex Before Marriage" is an artist that young people all over the globe are embracing. More than Grammy Awards and international record sales soaring into the millions, she is increasingly becoming in a two word definition: Culturally relevant.
This month, St. James, in the midst of creating her latest album of much anticipated new music,
takes time out of the studio to launch promotion for the teen edition of She.
She Teen will reach book shelves in an innovative "bookzine" format--a two hundred
plus page full color book with all the slick pizazz of a high fashion magazine. It's a book
that the author hopes will prove a real resource to girls 11-18 --an age group that Rebecca's
music is particularly popular with. Subjects such as dating, boundaries, peer pressures,
relationships with parents, real beauty--and of course sexual purity--are addressed in relevant
terms that teen girls can understand and adopt as positive reinforcements in overcoming life's
challenges.
(from Morning Star)
NewSong recently experience a close call when their tour bus lost control.
"Early Sunday morning, July 31st, we avoided major injury as our bus blew a front tire and our
driver lost control," the band announced on their website Monday. "We were on our way to a pre-game
concert at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The bus was traveling approximately 65 MPH when the tire
blew and we headed off the highway and eventually came to rest in a ravine. While a few of the guys
were thrown from their bunks, the bus miraculously kept from overturning. It took over six hours
for a wrecker service to clear the bus and trailer from the ravine.
We are thankful for all of the prayers and concerns you have expressed and apologize to all of the
Durham fans who came to the game early to see us. We cherish you all and will see you at a future concert.
Blessings, NewSong"
(from NewSongOnline.com, gathered by JfH; thanks to Justin)
MuteMath's long awaited full length debut has hit more delays. While originally looking at
a Summer 2005 release, their first LP has been pushed back to sometime next year! And on top
of that, the guys recently had to cancel an international tour...
"Yes, it is true. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our Europe trip," frontman Paul Meany
announced on the band's Myspace page Tuesday. "This was an extremely difficult decision, but the
bottom line was we couldn't afford to go. For a start up band like us, a tour over seas is always
a financial loss… We tried everything we could to pull it off, but regretfully fell short. I'm sure
to most of you who planned to see us at these events and bought tickets, an apology isn't good
enough, and honestly it feels quite inadequate to even offer one. So I won't… I'll just make a
promise. My promise is to deliver the greatest ensemble of 12 songs ever captured under one album's
title, and this will not include the EP songs. If we do decide however to put EP songs on the album
they will only be in addition to the new 12. Also when the show finally does make it to your neck
of the woods, expect a life altering experience. We have the highest respect for anyone who
considers themselves to be one of our fans, and we will only present to you our absolute best.
Regrettably, we will not be able to get our LP out this year, but there is some good news for the
meantime. This October, we will launch a new website that will be chock full of tasty treats and
what's to come. And now for the infamous Mute Math quote… 'Thank you for your patience'"
(from Myspace.com/MuteMath, gathered by JfH; thanks to J.Tinker)
Flicker Record’s hard rock band Pillar raked in its
fifth No. 1 radio hit last week with a cover of U2’s legendary song “Sunday Bloody Sunday.”
The song, from its May 24 project Where Do We Go From Here: Limited Edition, is Pillar’s
tenth Top 3 single of eleven that have been released to radio.
“Sunday Bloody Sunday” takes its place among a growing list of Pillar tunes that have topped the
Christian Rock charts, songs like “Open Your Eyes,” “Live For Him,” “Fireproof,” and “Bring Me Down.”
Additional tracks including “Original Superman,” “Echelon,” “A Shame,” “Further From Myself,” and
“Hypnotized” also earned favorable positioning in the Top 3.
News of the current single’s success comes as no surprise to Flicker Records’ vice president
and general manager, Troy Vest. “Pillar has a kind of timeless quality that makes its music more
and more relevant as the years progress,” he comments. “Not to mention that rock is ‘the’ hot
format in Christian radio right now. The guys are simply doing what they do best.”
“Sunday Blood Sunday” is one of two new tracks that were recorded for the limited edition. The
project, in all its versions, has collectively sold more than 200,000 units. For more information
on the limited edition CD/DVD visit www.pillarmusic.com or www.flickerrecords.com
(from Savvy Media)
Sharing the title of the film Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story, EMI Sparrow Records
artist Bethany Dillon¹s song "Dreamer" will be featured
as the end credit song. Opening nationwide on October 21, the movie Dreamer stars Kurt
Russell, Dakota Fanning, Kris Kristofferson and Elisabeth Shue in a heartwarming tale of a horse
trainer (Russell) and his daughter (Fanning) who nurse an injured horse back to health and,
together, strive to achieve a dream against all odds (www.dreamworks.com/dreamer).
As the end credit song, "Dreamer" is inspired by a story Fanning¹s character tells during the film
- a story of a King who gave up everything for his kingdom. The song, like the movie, is about
sacrifice and faith, and was co-written by Dillon and Ed Cash, Gospel Music Association Producer of the Year.
This month, Dillon and Sparrow Records will partner with DreamWorks to produce a music video for
"Dreamer" and begin promoting the song as a single which is set for a September 12 impact date at Hot AC and Triple A radio formats.
"Dreamer" is also the opening track to Imagination, the follow up to her highly acclaimed
eponymous debut. Continuing where the first album left off, Imagination showcases Dillon¹s
soul-searching spirit and the profoundly simple prose that is the product. The songwriter¹s lyrics
accompany listeners on a journey reflective of the conflicting thoughts and emotions that are
naturally stirred within us all - there is a song for everyone on Imagination.
(from Turning Point)
While PAX 217 is winding down to their final shows
in a few short months, lead singer David Tosti has taken a slight turn from his music career.
Tosti and his wife Alli are headed to New York City for a taping of The View. Thursday August 4,
at 10:00 am (EST/PST), the couple will be part of a segment titled "How Pornography Ruined Our
Marriage." Thankfully, the couple will be the exception to the segment's title.
For the past few months, David has been working with XXXCHURCH.COM in their office as well as
speaking at churches, concerts, colleges and festivals. He has been telling his honest story of his
struggles with this issue over the years, and how that has effected their marriage. Theirs is a
story of grace, forgiveness and mercy, and now the world will get to hear it.
PAX 217 is currently doing their farewell shows at festivals across the country, ending with a
final concert in their home region of Los Angeles on October 1.
(from Biscuit PR)
Robbie Seay Band is preparing for the August 16
release of Better Days, the group¹s major label debut with Sparrow Records/EMI CMG.
Produced by Jay Joyce (Nichole Nordeman, Patty Griffin), Will Hunt and Robbie Seay Band, and
primarily mixed by Jacquire King (Modest Mouse, Kings of Leon), Better Days features 11
vertically-focused selections, all written or co-written by the Texas foursome.
"When I first heard Robbie's music, the thing that immediately stood out to me was his
amazingly unique and soulful voice," relates Sparrow Records Vice President of A&R, Brad O¹Donnell.
"As I kept listening, though, I was affected by what he was saying and the way his lyrics dealt
with real life, how the divine appears in the most common situations. I was drawn to his
perspective on the world, on relationships and on God."
Comprised of Dan Hamilton, Ryan Owens, Chase Jenkins and Robbie Seay, the group leads worship at
Houston¹s Ecclesia, a downtown community of faith that includes a full-time coffee bar and Hyde
Park Studio, where the band recorded several songs on Better Days. In addition to their work
within Ecclesia, Robbie Seay Band has recorded four independent projects and developed a
significant grassroots following by connecting with fans online via www.robbieseayband.com,
selling their albums through online stores and touring.
"There is something more than music here, and only one in a million bands can get to this place,"
said acclaimed author and friend Donald Miller ("Blue Like Jazz"). "They validate the beauty of
the material universe by hinting at the mystery beneath it."
The album¹s first single, "Faith Of Our Fathers," has been serviced to CHR and Rock radio. "This
is a song written out of the realization that my faith was very small and very 21st century-focused,"
said Seay. "We are not alone. Faith did not just show up yesterday. Here¹s to all who¹ve gone
before, all who will go ahead‹the men and the women of faith." The song¹s theme is also the focus
of an upcoming book of the same name, written by Seay, his two brothers, father and grandfather,
in which the three generations discuss various issues of faith from five unique perspectives. The
book is slated for release this fall by Youth Specialties/Zondervan.
Robbie Seay Band joins the 30-city David Crowder*Band "Collision Tour" this fall, along with
Shane & Shane. Tour stops include New York City; Los Angeles; Seattle; Salem, Oregon; Tulsa,
Oklahoma; San Antonio; Waco, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Athens, Georgia, among other markets.
(from Turning Point)
A new Web site has launched in association with the Passion ’06 conference
to be held January 2 – 5, 2006, in Nashville, Tennessee. Registration for the event, featuring
musicians Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, and Matt Redman and speakers Louie Giglio, John Piper,
and Beth Moore, is now open. Already, Passion ’06 organizers are anticipating a larger attendance
than Passion ’05, which attracted more than 11,000 people from all 50 states and was the
setting for the current best-selling concert album, Passion: How Great Is Our God.
Passion ’06 will be based on Isaiah 26:8 and invites attendees to “Come together with your
generation. Encounter God. Process truth. Join the movement for His renown.”
Complete Passion ’06 information is now available at 268generation.com.
(from SparrowRecords.com, gathered by JfH)
Christian radio’s mega-hit producing band Casting Crowns
lands an impressive first week with its new single “Lifesong” earning the ‘most added’ banner
across all formats on both R&R and CRW charts. The single currently sits at No. 15 on R&R’s AC Monitored chart, No. 11 on its Indicator chart and debuts at No. 18 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Adult Contemporary chart. In addition, the combined charting on the CRW formats already has the hit-bound song reaching more than 5.5 million in audience impressions.
Written by Songwriter of the Year and lead singer Mark Hall, “Lifesong” is the title track off the
band’s anticipated sophomore album releasing Aug. 30. For the JfH PReview of Lifesong,
click here...
(from Providen Music Group)
sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records artist and collegiate favorite
David Crowder Band prepares to release its first new
full-length studio album in two years, A Collision, Sept. 27. Following two widely
successful, groundbreaking projects, David Crowder Band continues exploring the science behind
music and worship.
“For the past two years, I have ended most nights in concert with the following statement:
‘When our depravity meets his divinity, it is a beautiful collision.’ This recording is about that
collision,” says frontman David Crowder. “It is a rendering of our mortality and eternal life. It
is the hope in a rescue that has come, the hope in a rescue that has found us and the relentless
hope in a greater rescue that is still coming. This music, broken, improper and inadequate in its
response, is rooted in that hope. The Kingdom of Heaven is here and now and coming.”
As the band’s number-one-selling sophomore release Illuminate explored the empirical facts about
light, translating them into revelation of God and creation, so the new album stems from the
improper depiction of the atom and its elliptical paths around the nucleus. “This is the difficulty
with symbols,” says Crowder. “They are never quite proper; they are always a bit broken. This
inadequate drawing roused both hope of discovery and reminiscence of destruction in me as I thought,
‘We are creating broken containers.’”
More than 73 minutes over 18 tracks, A Collision features the first studio version of the concert favorite, “Here Is Our King,” which released to radio this week. The live recording of the song from Passion 05 can also be heard on the No. 1-selling CD, Passion: How Great Is Our God. In addition to other new, groundbreaking songs
from the David Crowder Band, the album includes a cover of “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” by
Loretta Lynn, Sufjan Stevens’ “O God Where Are You Now? (In Pickerel Lake? Pigeon? Marquette?
Mackinaw?),” “The Lark Ascending” by Ralph Vaughn Williams and the band’s first-ever take on
bluegrass with “I Saw the Light” by Hank Williams, Sr.
As the band explored bluegrass music through Williams’ song, a fairy tale collision occurred.
“We met Marty Stuart at the Dove Awards a year ago. He was backstage wearing a black suit, aglow
in rhinestones, sparkling down both sleeves and spanning the back of his jacket in the shape of a
very large cross,” Crowder recalls. “None of this would have been entirely strange if not for the
fact our guitar player had suggested one day prior that we should get Marty Stuart to help us with
the bluegrass number.” Soon after, David Crowder Band found itself gathered around a microphone in
the late Johnny Cash’s cabin outside of Nashville with Stuart, recording “I Saw the Light,” two of
Williams’ verses, the one of Cash’s and one of Crowder’s.
The rest of A Collision was recorded in Waco, TX in the barn behind Crowder’s house. Built in 1885
by then-Waco corner drugstore owner and alchemist Wade Morrison, the barn’s color resembles a Dr.
Pepper can, whose origins are Mr. Morrison’s corner store. The entire recording process was
documented online with weblogs and four webcams, which ran 24 hours a day for four weeks.
On a whim, Crowder posted an invitation to all fans watching to join the band for a BBQ and group
singing on “I Saw the Light.” People responded and arrived for the event from several surrounding
states and beyond, including California, Tennessee, Georgia and other places.
(from Hoganson Media)
Krystal Meyers, Essential recording artist,
celebrates her 17th birthday this week on the shoot of her new video “Anticonformity.”
The video is directed by “Otis” who has directed videos for artists including Stellar Cart.
Much of the video’s footage is being shot on location at New York’s famed Coney Island.
Krystal began her birthday week in concert Sunday night (7/31) in Columbus, Ohio with Seventh Day
Slumber and Day of Fire. Before the show, Krystal met up with TV-U and was surprised with a
birthday cake. At the age of 16, Krystal released her self-titled debut album on June 7. She co-wrote all songs
on the album but was the sole writer on her song “Sing For Me.” The album features Krystal’s
personal anthem of ‘anticonformity’ which she describes as, “Becoming the person God wants you to
be, instead of the person the world wants you to be.”
Right now, Jesusfreakhideout.com is giving away autographed music and swag from Meyers (as well as an "iPod Shuffle" in our latest
contest! Click here for more information...
(from Essential Records)
One of Christian music’s most innovative and energizing rock group, BarlowGirl,
will release its long awaited sophomore project, Another Journal Entry, for Fervent Records on
September 27, 2005.
Produced by Otto Price (GRITS, dcTalk), the album marks a more intimate look at the three sisters,
Becca, Alyssa, and Lauren Barlow, as the material came from their personal journals, which outlines
their joys and struggles from the last 18 months. Another Journal Entry shows the maturity and
growth of BarlowGirl as songwriters, musicians, and as spokespeople for teens and young adults in
their music ministry. However, BarlowGirl’s spiritual message remains true to what it always has
been, Don’t Conform, Be Transformed. They challenge their fans to trust God and not base
their values and self-worth on what the world thinks, as that will only lead to unhappiness and
missing God’s plan for your life.
“We are giving kids freedom to not conform and speak out loudly about what they believe,” says the
middle Barlow, Alyssa. “Our generation is ready to live boldly, free of what everyone thinks of us.
We must live, and live with passion!”
Another Journal Entry is the follow-up to the incredibly successful self-titled debut that
made BarlowGirl the breakout act of 2004. Besides the CD being a top-seller, the album produced
the hit singles, “Mirror,” and “Never Alone,” with the latter single now being released into the
mainstream market by Warner Bros. Records. The success also led to four Dove nominations that
included Best New Artist and a stellar spotlight performance on the GMA Music Awards.
“Never Alone” was also named Song of the Year by R&R and Christian Radio Weekly in 2004 and “You’re
Worthy Of My Praise” (a duet with labelmates, Big Daddy Weave) earned the honor of the fastest
rising single in Fervent Records history.
One of the perks of stardom that BarlowGirl enjoys the most is connecting with their millions of
fans, as they have been touring non-stop throughout the United States and Europe spreading their
message of hope, devotion, and acceptance. BarlowGirl can rock as loud as any male dominated rock
band but at the same time can wrap their vocals around an emotional and heartfelt ballad to deliver
it with strength and power.
On Another Journal Entry there are eight new songs written by BarlowGirl that spotlight
entries from their daily journals that include rockers “Grey,” and “Psalm 73 (My God’s Enough)”
and the fragile “Porcelain Heart.” There are also two covers of worship songs, David Crowder’s
“No One Like You” and Chris Tomlin’s “Enough.” And as a special treat for BarlowGirl fans there
is an acoustic version of the breakout single, “Never Alone.”
(from Bozeman Media)
You can pre-order the first ever Project 86 DVD now
for only $15.00 at the band's webstore on Project86.com! The DVD will ship
beginning on August 31st. It is a 1 hour documentary about the making of ...And The Rest Will Follow,
it also features the "Spy Hunter" video, brand new photos, brand new music, as well as a $2.00 off
coupon for the new album which hits stores on September 27th, 2005 thru Tooth & Nail!
Order now by clicking here.
(from Project 86, gathered by JfH)
Jars of Clay. Nichole Nordeman. Stacie Orrico. BarlowGirl. Matthew West. Rachael Lampa.
Aspiring artists from all over the country have journeyed this week to the Rocky Mountain resort
town of Estes Park, Colorado to find out if they might join this notable list of successful gospel
music recording artists who launched their careers at the gospel music industry’s longest-running
talent competition.
GMA’s 31st Annual Music in the Rockies, which continues
through August 6th, features six days of educational/professional development seminars and music
concerts, but it is the Spotlight 2005 and Song of 2005, the official Gospel Music Association
(GMA) talent competition for unsigned artists and songwriters, that draws so many aspiring artists.
Competition preliminaries began Monday morning.
Spotlight finalists for performance and Song finalists for songwriting will be chosen on Friday
for Contemporary Christian, Praise & Worship, Southern Gospel, and Urban Gospel genres with grand
prize awards handed out each category. In addition to a package of prizes, those winners will be
given a coveted performance slot on the main stage at Friday night’s Music in the Rockies’ final concert.
New to the Music in the Rockies’ competitions for 2005 is a partnership between the GMA and Walt
Disney World Resort which will send one contestant to perform at Night of Joy at the Magic Kingdom
in Orlando, Fla. in September. Judges from Walt Disney World are at the competition this week to
make their selection.
“There is nothing like Music in the Rockies in all of music,” said John Mays, Vice President of A&R for Centricity Records and faculty member for the GMA Academy. “It’s a priceless opportunity for those aspiring to join this profession to be mentored by artists and to be seen and heard by key A&R, record label and publishing decision makers. Every year lives are changed, and music careers and ministries are launched at Music in the Rockies.”
GMA Music in the Rockies started in 1974. That summer, Cam Floria, president of Christian Artists’ Corp., launched an event called Christian Artists Music Seminar in the Rockies, designed to bring together experts in the Christian music industry to provide networking and training opportunities for church choir directors and aspiring musicians. In 2000, the GMA acquired Seminar in the Rockies from Christian Artist Corporation. In 2004, GMA changed the name to GMA Music in the Rockies.
(from Spinhouse PR)
Demon Hunter's forthcoming third album, The Triptych, will be available with three
different album covers. The band is also recording their first ever cover song on the album.
"Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck" was originally released on the 1993 album Cleansing
by the band Prong, a precursor to much of what is happening in metal today. While failing to
stray too far from the band's tried and true identity, The Triptych will be Demon Hunter's
heaviest, most technical and traditionally metal oriented album thus far. The drums, guitars and
vocals will be more diverse and punishing than ever. Get ready... October is only a few months away
and will be here before you know it!
(from DemonHunter.net, gathered by JfH)
The new Justin McRoberts record is almost finished
and entitled Grace Must Wound… We are hoping for an October release and will take
pre-orders as soon as we have a finalized date. Ya-hoo! This album is fantastic and inspiring, and
is said to possibly be Justin’s best work to date...
(from JustinMcRoberts.com, gathered by JfH)
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