Jesusfreakhideout.com Music News: December 2001

December, 2001

*Tuesday, December 25th, 2001*

Switchfoot have made a significant musical contribution to Warner Bros. Pictures and Pandora's movie A Walk To Remember starring Shane West (Once & Again) and Mandy Moore. The movie, slated to hit theatres on January 25, 2002, will feature four songs by Switchfoot which include "Dare You To Move" and "Learning To Breathe" from their most recent release Learning To Breathe, "Only Hope" from New Way To Be Human, and "You" from The Legend of Chin. The soundtrack will also include a special version of "Only Hope" recorded by Mandy Moore, and a duet with Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman and Mandy Moore singing "Someday We'll Know" originally recorded by The New Radicals. "Switchfoot have, by far, become my favorite new band over the past year," states Mandy Moore. "I have spent the last 12 months learning about them and their music, listening non-stop to every one of their albums and I can never get enough! The songs are so meaningful, beautiful and straight from the heart. I know I'm a bit of a late comer, but I am convinced this band is going to be huge and there are no four guys that are more deserving of success than them. Thank you guys so much for playing such an integral part in my first major motion picture, A Walk To Remember."

Don't miss P.O.D. performing "Youth of the Nation" live tonite on David Letterman! The band recently sent this thank-you out to their fans via their email newsletter: "Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year to all of our Warriors!! God has blessed us with each other and an amazing year. Our numbers have increased, but our focus has not changed. As we head into 2002, let’s continue to love God and each other as the Warrior movement continues to grow and change lives world-wide."

Didn't get enough of Kevin Max on Stereotype Be? Well, here's your chance. Go to kevinmax.com and you can hear songs that didn't make the album, such as "My Sweet Lord" (a cover of the late George Harrison), "Resonate," "End of the Beginning," "Things I Wish I Could Say," and "Shaping Space" (with samples of John Lennon's "Imagine").

The final verdict has been released on Ja'Marc Davis of Raze's case. He was sentenced to five years at an Oklahoma minimum security facility. The judge stated though that he would review Davis' case in a year to see if he should be released. Please continue to keep Davis and his family in prayer.

What do you do after fronting a groundbreaking tour that draws in 60,000 fans, a Newsweek cover story, a major feature in USA Today, and coverage on ESPN II? For the Newsboys, the answer to following up Festival Con Dios is to join the annual family-fun Winter Jam Tour 2002 with NewSong, Michelle Tumes, and many more. The tour kicks off January 3 in Greensboro, North Carolina, and on days off, the Newsboys will complete their next studio album, Thrive, due in stores everywhere March 26. For more information about Winter Jam tour dates and the drive behind Thrive, log on to: http://www.sparrowrecords.com/on_tour/

Squint Entertainment, as a component in Warner Music Group's recently announced purchase of Word Entertainment, is preparing for several significant artist releases and even greater successes in 2002 under the new parent company. Founded in 1997, Squint Entertainment boasts an impressive artist roster including Sixpence None the Richer, Burlap to Cashmere, LA Symphony and Waterdeep. With a long-awaited studio project from hugely successful, Platinum-selling Sixpence, and the sophomore release from critic and fan favorite Burlap, both slated for 2002, among other new releases, the label is expecting its most successful year to date.

Michael W. Smith recieved Gold this Christmas. His latest album, Worship sold over 500,000 copies after a September 11th release.

Skillet is announcing the spring Alien Youth tour with special guests, the Benjamin Gate and 38th Parallel. Don't forget to check skillet.org for tour dates! Rumor has it Skillet is finally getting the tour bus that they've been praying for!

Embodyment's latest release, Hold Your Breath, has garnered many new fans- most notably Universal Records. They have signed the guys to a demo deal. More news to come soon.

The Columbus, OH native John Reuben is still working hard in the studio on his 2nd album. He has currently recorded 12 brand new songs and finished vocals on 4 of them. Tentative song titles include “Hindsight”, “Soundman”, “Run the Night”, and “Full Court Duck Duck Goose”. The album is being produced by Todd Collins and will tentatively features guest vocals by Resse from Five Iron Frenzy, Manchild from Mars Ill, and Othello from Lojique. The album is scheduled for a May 21, 2002 release date.

After the recording of Slick Shoes' new self-titled 4th full length album long-time bassist Jeremiah Brown left the band. After many auditions the band has finally found a replacement in Kevin Clark. Keep your eyes peeled. He'll be in the new Slick Shoes video.

The new Creation Festival website is now up and running. Click here to see the tentative list of all the performers currently scheduled to appear plus many other new features! http://www.creationfest.com.

Emo rock youngsters, Two Thirty Eight have signed to Tooth & Nail Records. The label will re-release their album Regulate The Chemicals which is one of three that was released by their former label, TakeHold Records. The guys will go back into the studio soon for brand new material.

*Monday, December 17th, 2001*

tobyMac, Audio Adrenaline, ZOEgirl, and Avalon are featured in MSN Music’s Top Holiday Picks! tobyMac’s Momentum sits in the #2 slot right above Kid Rock and behind Britney Spears. Out of the thousands of albums released this year, only 19 are on the list (including Linkin Park, *NSYNC, Jewel, and Alica Keys to name a few). This a must see. Check it out here: http://music.windowsmedia.msn.com/holiday/ Congratulations guys!

This morning, December 17th, on Good Morning America, Lisa Beamer will introduce the first single from the Let's Roll benefit CD, "I See You In His Eyes," with a performance by Nicole C. Mullen. All revenues generated from the sale of the forthcoming CD will go to benefit the Todd M. Beamer Foundation. The performance on by Dove-Award/Song of the Year winning artist Nicole C. Mullen, will be preceded by an interview with Lisa Beamer, from her home in New Jersey, and will air at approximately at 8am EST. In addition to Mullen, the CD, produced by Tony McAnany (Chant, Missy Elliott, Jennifer Knapp) will feature an incredibly diverse group of artists such as Chaka Kahn, dcTalk, Leann Rimes, Jennifer Knapp, and more. dcTalk performs the patriotic and energetic track "Let's Roll," and a group recording (with special guests to be announced soon), of "The Lord's Prayer," will also be on the CD. Announcements regarding a label partner and release date are expected early next week. The Todd M. Beamer Foundation was created in October by the Flight 93 hero's wife, Lisa, and seeks to help meet the long-term needs of the children who lost a parent in the Sept. 11 attacks and fight future terrorism. The foundation also will work to develop character, faith and courage in youth.

One specific Kentucky kid is certainly getting into the Christmas spirit! Grammy-award winning, Sparrow recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman recorded a Christmas song, "A Winter Carol," which was featured on a special holiday episode of the CBS drama series, Touched By An Angel which aired in a special timeslot last night, December 16. Written by David Wells, Chapman recorded "A Winter Carol" specifically for the show. Touched By An Angel, now in it's eighth season, regularly airs on Saturday evenings. The show is executive produced by Martha Williamson and stars Roma Downey, Della Reese, John Dye and Valerie Bertinelli.

In some touching and surprising news, Rebecca St. James was recently invited to sing "Wait for Me" at the memorial service for SSG Brian "Cody" Prosser, who lost his life in Afghanistan for the current war for freedom. The memorial took place in Bakersfield California on December 13, 2001 and Rebecca was able to alter her schedule to make the service. "For me, this experience was something I'll never forget," says St. James to her email newsletter audience. "It was almost surreal to sit there surrounded by military officers and government leaders all paying tribute to a very courageous man. To be asked to sing at the memorial service of a man who gave his life for his country was an amazing honor. It also reaffirms to me the power of Christian music and the importance of the hope it brings." We wish the families of Brian our deepest sympathies in this terrible time.

Multi-Platinum, multi-GRAMMY and Dove Award winning band Jars of Clay recently performed a benefit concert for African Leadership. Donating its talent, the band raised over $10,000 that will go to help support this Christian Education and Development organization that offers biblical training for church leaders and meets physical needs of the poor in the same communities where they offer leadership training. African Leadership currently has over 4,000 church leaders in the training programs in 27 African countries. More information on the organization may be found at www.africanleadership.org. In other Jars news, a Jars of Clay feature went online Friday at Apple.com. Among other things, the feature talks about the making of the new album, The Eleventh Hour, which releases March 5. Check it out at: www.apple.com/hotnews/articles/2001/12/jarsofclay/

On February 19th, Kirk Franklin will have a rebirth with The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin. One notable song is "911." This song is about the September 11th tragedy co-written by Bishop TD Jakes. As many of you now, Bishop Jakes has a few albums out himself and Time Magazine hails him as "The Next Billy Graham."

Finally, after long awaiting by fans, Squad Five-0 will do it. They will make a music video. It will be shot in Savannah, Georgia at the 2428 Club located at 2428 Bull Street on January 12th, 2002. The video will be for "I Don't Want to Change the World, I Just Want to Change Your Mind" from the self-titled Squad Five-0 coming out on March 12th. The show starts at 6 PM and cost is $5. The guys want you to learn the new song and sing along! Wait, you don't know the song? Soon, they will post it on MP3.com, so memorize this thing! The Kick and Roswell will also be on the bill.

What can a 15-year-old do to top a history-making debut album (Genuine), several award nominations and two books to her credit? Well, if you’re Stacie Orrico, you keep giving it your all on tour and raise money for a very special organization. With the release of her first Christmas album, Christmas Wish, Stacie set out on an 11-city Christmas Wish Mall Tour to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Markets on the tour included Tulsa, Columbus, Cleveland, Chicago, Dallas and Nashville, among others, and in each city a $5,000 donation was awarded to the local Make-A-Wish chapter. $55,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Not bad!

HXC.com reports that Norma Jean (formerly Luti-Kriss) and the Blamed had their vans broken into while in Amsterdam, Europe on tour. Flight tickets, passports and other personal items were stolen. Please keep these guys in prayer in this trying time.

You can check out the brand new videos for Project 86 "One Armed Man (Play On)" and Further Seems Forever "Wearing Thin". There are also videos from Dogwood, The Supertones, Hangnail and others. Check them out at www.toothandnail.com/video

Some new Spring Tours are already in the works. We know you love seeing your favorite bands on tour, so just a heads up-- Spring 2002 will bring you the following fresh tours: OC Supertones with Pax 217 & Slick Shoes. Beanbag with .rod laver & Ill Harmonics! Finally there's Thousand Ft. Krutch, Justifide, Ace Troubleshooter & Nifty Tom Fifty!

Justin McRoberts has been spending more time in the studio recently, putting together a new record. "I am expecting to have it done by February (at the latest)," McRoberts stated in a recent email newsletter. "I am excited about the songs and the opportunity to communicate what God has teaching me lately. The new album will not be available in stores. You can pre-view, and pre-order it in a month or so from my website. This means lower prices! 15 smackers." We'll keep you posted on the development of this project. In the meantime, check out http://www.justinmcroberts.com

inpop Records is partnering with David Smallbone and his newly formed label, Elevate Records. inpop Records will handle the day-to-day operations of marketing, while Smallbone will continue to sign and develop artists for the new label. Smallbone, founder and president of Smallbone Management (Rebecca St. James, LaRue, Skillet) is a 25-year industry veteran. Chordant will handle the distribution. "Ever since we have arrived in the US from Australia we had a dream of encouraging people to worship God with a contemporary and youthful emphasis," says Elevate founder, Smallbone. "Elevate Records, in conjunction with our friends at inpop, is our attempt to put this dream into action." The label's first release will be Rebecca St. James' live band Fusebox with their debut release Lost in Worship which hits shelves February 26th.

*Wednesday, December 12th, 2001*

Multi-Platinum, multi-GRAMMY and Dove Award winning band Jars of Clay prepares to launch its first new album in almost two-and-a-half years. The recording marks a return to their roots as Jars of Clay members self-produce the album, as well as write, perform, conceptualize, design, direct and film for the project. Entitled The Eleventh Hour, the highly anticipated new recording bows March 5. Having produced their double-Platinum breakthrough and self-titled debut recording in 1995 that spawned the mega-hit "Flood," Jars of Clay returns to their creative roots, writing and performing the music, all while simultaneously self-producing the new album. Band members began their new creative venture by building their own studio in Nashville, Sputnik Studios. "We learned a great deal from the talented producers we worked with over the last seven years," says band member Matt Odmark, "and with this record we felt we were ready to make a record without filtering our ideas and molding our music into somebody else's vision." "It is time to get back to the root of what makes Jars of Clay," agrees band member Charlie Lowell. "It feels very similar to the spirit of the first record, only mixed with a bigger plate of life experience and musical knowledge."

Once. That's how many times Toby Mac's new Christmas song will be played. This song is for the Focus on the Family Christmas Special featuring all the members of dc Talk. Toby is in the studio now working on this song exclusively for radio. Be sure to check out this special event on Saturday, December 22nd at 9PM Eastern, but if you're lucky you may hear it Sunday as well. Go to www.lifeontheedgelive.com for more details.

P.O.D. will release a DVD in early 2002. This will highlight the first 10 years of the band as well as have concert footage and music videos. In other P.O.D. news, a JfH visitor reported that on Dec. 6, at the begining of CSI: Crime Scene Investagation on CBS, they played the begining of "Set it Off" from the band's new Satellite record.

Jennifer Knapp's latest hit "Breathe On Me" seemed so relevant recently. She was on the Oxygen Channel show, Pure Oxygen to talk about her new album, The Way I Am, out now.

The boys from Lifehouse brought what some would call a "stomping" at the Billboard Music Awards. They won Hot 100 Single of the Year, Rock New Artist of the Year, and lead singer Jason Wade snagged Best Male New Artist. Congrats guys! In other news, they will start recording their second album very soon.

Pillar fans, rejoice! The band hit the studio this past Monday to begin recording their second record Fireproof. If you saw Pillar on the Alien Youth Tour, then you heard a song from the new record. The album hits stores May 7th.

Tammy Trent will be a big part of the Olympics this year. She will run a leg of the Torch Relay in honor of her husband Trent Lenderink who died this year.

Jaci Velasquez is a nominee of the 2001 American Music Awards for "Favorite Latin Artist". She's up against mainstream favorites, Shakira and Enrique Iglesias. Watch the show on January 9th on ABC.

MTV2 has now added the video "For The Record" by Stretch Armstrong to their list. The guys are asking you to vote for this video, so get in there! The video is from the new record, A Revolution Transmission.

There's a new band for you emo and hardcore fans to check out! Dead Poetic, formerly Mindset, recently signed to Tooth & Nail Records and you may have seen them at Cornerstone. For more info go to www.dedpoetic.com (Yes, without the "a") Thanks to a JfH visitor for letting us know about these guys.

Jeremiah's Grotto have decided to call it quits, at least for a while. They may one day head back on the road but it's up in the air right now. Chris is in a new band now called Farewell To Fashion with an East Coast tour planned in March. No word yet on what the plans are for the rest of the guys or anything about this new band. More news coming soon.

*Wednesday, December 5th, 2001*

Check out the world premiere of the new music video from Kevin Max right now on forefrontrecords.com. Kevin describes the song, which was released on his debut album Stereotype Be: "Existence is a story involving a young woman who is searching and really going through a desolate time in her life. Outward appearances look like she's doing okay, but inside she's living a life of major conflict. Existence is really a song about trying to reach out for the truth. and wanting to reach out for something bigger that will give you a life of peace and joy. And that for me is obviously my relationship with God. That comes into play at the very end of the song where it says 'Just take it all make some sense. You're my existence.'" In other KMax news, he will be releasing his second book of poetry called "Slip Of The Ink" early next year.

Legendary singer/songwriter Keith Green was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame on Tuesday, November 27th in Franklin, Tennessee. Billy Ray Hearn, Chairman of EMI CMG and founder of Sparrow Records, and Hall Of Fame member himself welcomed Keith Green and presented the award along with Frank Breeden, GMA President to Melody Green, Keith's wife, and his two daughters, Rebecca and Rachel Green, who accepted it on Keith's behalf. Keith Green died in a tragic airplane crash in 1982 that claimed his life and two of his young children.

Audio Adrenaline drummer Ben Cissell is currently in the works of putting together the band’s new video for "Rejoice," an upbeat pop/rock tune from their brand new album LIFT. Although Ben dabbles in video work quite a bit, this will be the first time he has been responsible a music video for the band. Ben put together the band's fan favorite long form video Audio Goes Video which was made available earlier this year with their greatest hits record Hit Parade.

P.O.D. debuted their new video TRL on December 3rd. Sonny from P.O.D. called in to World Premier their brand new "Youth of the Nation" video! Howard Stern loves P.O.D.'s song "Alive" so much that he has asked the band to come back on to his show to perform it LIVE when they are in New York on December 10th.

Rebecca St. James will be in the studio this week adding the final vocals to her new album, worship GOD that will be released on February 26th.

The Benjamin Gate just spent their first Thanksgiving in the states, where they sampled the traditional turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie dinner. A fellow ForeFront Records employee had the whole band and their families over and fixed them a meal with all the trimmings. The only item that wasn’t liked by the South Africans was... the pumpkin pie!

Midwestern pop punkers Side Walk Slam will return to the Blasting Room Studio with Bill Stevenson (Descendents, All) to record their sophomore follow-up to Past Remains. SWS just finished tours with Veronica and then the 3rd Degree Tour with Hangnail.

Denison Marrs had a horrible thing happen to them right before they were about to leave on the Happy Christmas tour with Bleach and Hangnail: their trailer was stolen! It was fully loaded with all the bands gear and merchandise! They estimate the total loss of property to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $21,000. They literally lost everything. People are collecting up some donations to help out the band. If you feel led to, send money to Denison Marrs, PO Box 90841 Lakeland, FL 33804. Or if you have questions or other ideas for helping you can contact the bands manager at: manager@denisonmarrs.com

From December 3 14, a Billy Graham special called "Peace for a Fragile World" will air on major TV networks nationwide. This segment features a musical performance from The Katinas and Graham’s message titled "Sept. 11 and the Love of God”. It will air on different days and major networks depending on what city and state you live in. But almost everybody should be able to see it. The special will also be available for online viewing. You can get all the details, as well as local listings online at http://www.billygraham.org/newsevents/tvspecial.asp

Bride has another new record for their fans, Bride Live at Cornerstone 2001. This is another limited edition CD, recorded live at Cornerstone 2001. Bride only played songs from their first 3 records including the tracks: "Same Ol' Sinner," "Fool Me Once," "Whiskey Seed," "Until the End We Rock," "Hell," "I Saw the Light," & more! Bonus tracks from Bride Live Vol. 1 are also included: "Amazing Grace," "Jesus on the Mainline," & "I Have Decided." CDs are $15.00 each and are available at www.bridepub.com

Fono is back! They've been in the studio recording new material for their sophomore album. You can now download a new song entitled "Before I Blow" at www.mp3.com/fono. This is the first of several new songs the band will be placing on the website over the next month or so.

Here's an interesting bit for the Christian U2 fans... Rev. Steve Stockman has authored a brand new book titled, Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2. Pastor Steve (who officiated Sarah Masen and David Dark's wedding ceremony) has been considered an authority on the subject. To make the scenario a little more interesting, Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2 is being published by a Christian publishing company.

Calibretto 13 has just finished recording Adventures In Tokyo with Aaron Sprinkle. Be sure to get it on March 12th. Also, in early January, they will begin a tour with Mercury Radio Theater.