December, 2005
The Elms are happy to announce that they have rescheduled
their very special acoustic new album premiere show, which is now to be held JANUARY 8, 2006 at THE LODGE
RECORDING STUDIOS in Indianapolis, IN. As reported earlier, Owen Thomas and Thom Daugherty of THE ELMS
will perform a stripped-down, raw acoustic set, and the show will be recorded for release by Universal
alongside the band's new album in early 2006. The evening will feature Owen and Thom performing nearly
every song off THE ELMS' new album (as well as some fan favorites), many unheard before this
event. As you may remember, the original date of the show was pushed back in order to accomodate an
ALL-AGES AUDIENCE. The show will now also have no cover charge to attend! Full details for this show are as follows:
Owen Thomas and Thom Daugherty of THE ELMS / A Special New Album Acoustic Premiere /
Sunday, January 8, 2006, 7pm. / The Lodge Recording Studios / 3350 Roosevelt Ave. /
Indianapolis, IN 46218.
(from Myspace.com/TheElms)
Mute Math has made one of their most popular songs yet-to-be-released available to the public!
"Mute Math would like to say thanks to all the fans that have supported and been patient with us as we've
spent the last year completing our debut album. So as our gift to you, we would like to offer "Chaos"
from our new album as a free download. Just click the download button on the Myspace music player and
enjoy! Make "Chaos" the featured music on your personal Myspace profile!" For the song, visit their
Myspace page at myspace.com/mutemath.
(from Myspace.com/MuteMath; Thanks to Jack T.)
Pillar is just days away from heading back to the studio! "On January 2nd we head back to Lakeside
Studios in Knoxville, TN with acclaimed producer Travis Wyrick (POD, 10 Years, and Pillar) to start work
on the new album," announced Kalel in a recent email to fans. "We have seriously been writing every
chance we've had since last January. More work has been put into the writing of this new record than all
our other records combined. We hope to release the new record this summer. Keep checking www.pillarmusic.com
and myspace.com/pillar for the latest news.
Pictures and journal entries from the studio will be posted very regularly. If you want to keep us in
prayer please pray for creativity, inspired song themes that will touch people's lives, and
brotherly love while we are in high stress situations."
(from Pillar)
Robert Thompson knows what it’s like to be without the basic necessities. Two years ago, struggling
to establish a foothold in a new industry, the former Hollywood studio owner accepted Christmas gifts for
his family from Catholic Charities while members of his Nashville area church paid the rent on his modest
home. Today, as owner of a thriving purveyor of international trade and company information, he wants to
give back by helping Blood:Water Mission build wells to provide urgently needed
clean drinking water throughout Africa. The non-profit International Trade Foundation (ITF), which his
company funds, will match contributions to Blood:Water Mission up to $25,000 through December, halving
the cost of clean drinking water to a mere 50 cents per person per year.
Most people in the U.S. can get cleaner water from the ponds where they fish than many Africans can
get from the contaminated wells and streams that often are their only sources of water. Retrieving enough
water for the needs of a typical family requires more than 200 million hours each year across Africa,
keeping female children out of school and adults from income-producing work. Worse, the only water
within walking distance often teems with parasites and bacteria that decimate the health of both
otherwise healthy Africans and the nearly 26 million Africans infected by HIV. Not infrequently, exposure
to the microbes in polluted water hastens the onset of AIDS in infected persons, with death following
soon after. Last year 2.4 million women, men and children died from AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, and 13
million children are orphans following their parents’ death from AIDS.
Seeing this entirely preventable daily tragedy during a 2002 visit to Africa led Dan Haseltine, lead
singer for Christian band Jars of Clay, and fellow band members
to establish Blood:Water Mission to build clean wells throughout Africa and to provide other humanitarian
support to ease suffering and poverty there.
“About 80 percent of deaths in developing countries are water-related, but they can be virtually
eliminated with the provision of clean water,” says Haseltine. “Blood:Water Mission can build wells at a
cost of roughly $3000 each, providing clean water for approximately one dollar per person per year. With
all donations matched through December by the ITF, that cost will be reduced to a mere 50 cents per person.”
In announcing the matching funds initiative, Thompson said, “Our hope is to multiply not just contributions but ongoing interest in Blood:Water Mission’s lifesaving work. To think that a single dollar can produce a tangible improvement in someone’s health and ability to provide for their families is sobering but also extremely exciting.”
Haseltine added, "There are so many things that the Christmas season symbolizes; one of the greatest is hope. When a company like CenTradeX comes along with such a generous offer, it does more than just boost public desire to give or offer leadership to other businesses to emulate. In this case, it translates into tangible resources that bring people in Africa tools for survival, and there is nothing more exciting to me. It has been our privilege to see hope grow in places where there once was none."
(from Provident Label Group)
Franklin, Tenn.-based independent rock label Flicker Records
is proof that small fish can cause a big splash. This year, it made its debut Top 10 appearance on Radio
& Records’ Christian chart for “Overall Label Market Share” as well as claiming the No. 2 position on
“Rock Label Market Share.”
Flicker Records charted songs on four out of five Christian radio formats, including Inspirational and
Rhythmic. The label made its biggest impact, however, at Rock radio. Pillar was the most played rock
artist of 2005; its song “Hypnotized” was the No. 4 Rock Song of the Year. Other frequently charting
Flicker rock bands included subseven, whose song “Free to Conquer” was the No. 3 Rock
Song of the Year according to Radio & Records, Kids in the Way, Everyday Sunday and Staple.
Another first for Flicker Records was its headway at Christian Adult Contemporary radio. The label fell
at No. 10 for “AC Monitored Label Market Share” and at No. 8 for “AC Indicator Label Market Share”
due mostly to the success of Monk & Neagle’s “Dancing With the Angels,” and “Secret” as well as The
Swift’s “I Need You.” All three aforementioned songs were additionally highlighted on Christian
Radio Weekly’s year-end charts. “I am more than proud of what we have accomplished overall as an indie
label and especially at radio,” says Troy Vest, vice president and general manager of Flicker Records.
“It has been an exciting 12 months for Flicker Records, and with four new signings in 2006, I believe
the best is yet to come.”
(from Savvy Media)
Sanctus Real is giving aspiring musicians an opportunity to join the band on tour this Spring!
"This is Mark from Sanctus Real. We are looking
for a 5th guy to tour with us. The commitment would be to do our Spring tour
which basically is all of Feb. and then all of April. There is the possibility
that this would turn into a permanent position assuming the Spring tour goes
well. What we are looking for is a guy between the ages of 18 to 30 and who is a
solid guitar player, vocalist, and is at least decent at piano and knows how to
work with a keyboard well in a live concert setting. Obviously we also take very
seriously the spiritual condition of a person's heart. We are a very ministry
focused band so we definitely want someone who is a solid believer in Christ and
who sees this as an opportunity to worship Christ and to honor Him with your
talents (no "rock stars" please).
Due to the amount of people responding to this opportunity, what we would like
to do is a video audition. Basically we need each of you to send us either a VHS
tape or a DVD of yourself playing a song on guitar and singing at the same time
as a well as a song on piano, singing and playing at the same time. Please also
give us a short verbal bio on who you are and what experience you have. After we
go through the videos we will pick out who we think are the best two or three
guys for the job and have them come out and do a practice with us sometime in
January. From there we will make our decision as to who will do the tour with
us. After we narrow it down to the two or three guys we will discuss payment for
the tour, in which I assure you it will be fair.
As far as the videos go, I would suggest learning one of our songs from our
Fight The Tide record, the guitar parts and harmonies, and for piano
maybe a Coldplay song or something of that nature. Thanks so much for all the
interest! We can't wait to hear from you!
Please send your audition video to: Vineyard Toledo / Attn: Sanctus Real / 1421B Holloway Rd / Holland, OH 43528"
(from MySpace.com/SanctusReal; Thanks to Jack T.)
Dove Award nominated artist Joy Williams receives national
TV placement on MTV networks this winter with her hit song “Every Moment” from her 2002 release By
Surprise. The song currently appears in a 60 second promotion celebrating VH1’s year end of
celebrity based reality television programming. “Every Moment” scores the network spot which airs 2005
highlights from “Celeb-Reality” shows including “The Surreal Life,” “Meet the Hogans,” “My Fair Brady,”
“Breaking Bonaduce,” and “Celebrity Fit Club.” The promotion will run through the month of December on
all MTV Networks and their affiliates.
Finding tremendous radio success on all formats, “Every Moment” grabbed the No.1 spot at CHR radio in
2003. Currently, Williams continues to impact airwaves as her latest album Genesis delivered its second
No.1 single “We,” earlier this month.
For more information on Joy Williams, please visit www.joywilliams.com.
(from Reunion Records)
Relient K are taking a well deserved break for the holidays
but will be back in action this February on the "Matt Hoopes Birthday Tour" with Maxeen and The Rocket Summer.
Just for fun, the band created a special MySpace page for the tour. Add the page to your friend list now!
And speaking of MySpace, check out the band's newest video, "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been" on their
MySpace page here: http://www.myspace.com/relientk
(from Relient K)
Slanted Records, the rock/pop imprint of parent company Spring Hill Music Group, has just signed an
exclusive recording agreement with up-and-coming rock band DecembeRadio.
Based in Blacksburg, Va., DecembeRadio, made up of Josh Reedy, Brian Bunn and Eric Miker, brings its own
style of rock 'n roll to the Christian music scene. The group's classic rock vibe is accented by
Southern rock influences. Their style is further defined by gripping guitar rifts, slamming rhythms, organic interpretations and high-energy performances.
DecembeRadio's "vintage," straight-ahead rock tunes with a modern edge create a musical style that is being described as having "hints of Lenny Kravitz and Led Zeppelin combined with elements of The Black Crowes, Jet and Lynyrd Skynyrd."
"You meet these guys and think, 'wow, great guys.' You see and hear them play and go, 'Wow! They rock!'" describes David Ecrement, director of marketing for Slanted Records. "We will be placing heavy emphasis on the live aspect of what they do-that's where the dots really connect. We are working on a 'market by market' approach to get this band heard and seen-that is key for them."
"We want to make great rock and roll music that reaches this generation for Christ," explains Reedy. "We want to use the passion for music God has given us to reach people...it's what we love, and we have a blast doing it!"
DecembeRadio's national debut, produced by veteran artist/producer Scotty Wilbanks (Third Day, Overflow, NewSong), is scheduled to release late summer/early fall of 2006.
Early buzz about the group spread after the 2005 Rock Summit, held in Columbus, Ohio, where the group was voted "breakout band of the year" by over 25 stations who attended the event. DecembeRadio has already begun to hit Christian hit radio markets as well, which they will continue doing through the spring and summer of '06.
DecembeRadio's debut release will be distributed by Word Distribution/WEA with digital distribution by EMI CMG Distribution.
(from Slanted Records)
Plumb is gearing up for the February 28th, 2006 release of her long awaited new album
Chaotic Resolve. Among three other new songs available on her MySpace page, Plumb
has released a brand new remix of "Cut" from producer Jay Joyce to whet fans appetites.
Surf on over to http://www.myspace.com/plumb for the new mix and some holiday musings from Tiffany!
(from Plumbinfo.com)
Finally! Since even before the release of their debut EP in 2004, fans have greatly anticipated the
full-length release from MUTE MATH. The band will be starting up a new spring tour with Vedera, opening
in Dallas, TX on January 20th. The tour, dubbed an "Album Release Tour," will be the only place where
fans can pick up their brand new self-titled LP until it hits stores in Fall, 2006.
(from MuteMath, Telempromt, CAA; thanks to Lee D.)
Bethany Dillon has made her contribution to the latest installment of WOW Christmas free
to her fans as a holiday 'thank you.' "I just wanted to thank you all for your supporting Imagination
these last few months," said Bethany in a recent audio message to her fans. "It's been really fun getting
to play the new songs for everyone and hearing what YOU think about them. To thank you, I'd love to
share my new Christmas song with you. It's a special version of 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman,' which has
always been one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it. Have a wonderful holiday!" To download the song
with an introduction message from Bethany, click here!
(from Bethany Dillon)
Delirious? members traveled to South Africa early this
December to celebrate bandmate Tim Jupp’s birthday, raise AIDS awareness and spread hope among Durban
street children. The band also played for more than 20,000 fans in five concerts in South Africa.
The tour took them to Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Pretoria.
The birthday bash Dec. 1 in Durban was full of balloons, party hats, music, dance, food, friendship and
ministry. Smiling faces in awe took in the splendor of the celebration, many eating for the first time in
days. Can you spot the Delirious? members celebrating with the street children in Durban, South Africa?
“For us, and for the children this day had been just a very small oasis in what for South Africa is an overwhelming problem. The party in itself was great but I knew there was more to this day than just this,” says Tim. “It was about giving them a great time, but it was also about raising funds back home that would further help the work on an ongoing basis to help bring value to these children's lives and to help re-establish them into community. I also discovered too, that this day was about me changing, as there was no way any of us guys in the band will go home without being deeply affected by this experience.”
Money was raised for the event through gifts from Tim’s friends and fans. He sent out invitations for his birthday, informing his guests that they were not actually invited to a party, but instead were invited to give any money they would have spent on gifts and traveling expenses to go towards throwing a party for the children of Durban and the ministry established in South Africa.
Many of these precious children have been orphaned by AIDS, have been left with their
wider families, abused and/or thrown out, and have then made their way into the city where they now live on the streets.
“The organization we are involved with as a band, HOPE HIV, is working with the Amos Trust in South Africa in reinstating these children into the community,” says Tim. “They put them into a stable family environment, back into education and give them hope for their future in the midst of this darkness that they live in.”
For more information about the ministry team in Durban visit: www.umthombo.org.
(from Hoganson Media)
Well-known as one of the most passionate, worshipful and eclectic bands of our time, the four-piece
rockers, formerly known as Rock 'n' Roll Worship Circus, have become The Listening. Their independent
project, Rock ‘N’ Roll Worship Circus Becomes…The Listening (LP) is set to release February 14th, 2006.
The anticipated CD is follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2002 debut Welcome To The Rock ‘N’ Roll
Worship Circus, 2003’s A Beautiful Glow and last year’s The Listening EP. The band made their mark with
their three independent releases from 1999 to 2001. Renowned for their unique sound, stage presence,
strong work ethic and deep spirituality, the members of The Listening are also notorious for their
relentless touring. Having been around for more than seven years, they’ve performed nearly 1,000 times
since 1999, playing to more than 600,000 people in more than 14 countries in North America, Europe, and
Africa. The Listening are more than excited to offer new music, a new name, their continued message of
worship infused with rock.
Even with Dove Award nominations and big tours throughout the U.S. and Europe with bands like Delirious,
The Listening’s music is based on a specific vision and calling; one the band has not abandoned but has
simply taken to another level. The listener is sure to still hear influences of Pink Floyd, Love and
Rockets, U2, and The Beatles wafting through the songs.
To record the project, the band set up in a well-worn studio with their vintage tube and analog gear.
“We’re purists in that respect,” Wilson admits. “The drums are all old 1960’s Ludwigs and even our
cymbals are old. The hi-hats are from the 1940’s!” A unique aspect to their sound is the lack of bass
guitar and focusing on the low end, while capturing it all on analog two-inch tape instead of digital.
“Tape is becoming a forgotten format with the advent of digital technology,” Wilson explains. “But we’re
purists. Analog always wins.” After recording and mixing was completed, the band went to the famous Abbey
Road Studios in London for mastering with legendary Chris Blair at the helm. Blair has worked with The
Beatles as well as other influences of The Listening, including Radiohead, and British band Travis.
The band has been performing a few new songs at their concerts to the excitement of their fans. In fact,
to them, just performing for their fans is what it’s all about. Wilson describes, “We believe that
people come to experience something outside of them when they come see The Listening. They’re brought to
a place of introspection, getting in touch with their souls and the struggle within. Something from
outside moves all of us – the band and the audience – inward. We are attracting people that want to be a
part of something bigger than themselves, whether they know it or not. It’s enveloping, tragic, ambiguous,
and healing.” Josiah Sherman, the band’s keyboardist, revels in the flow of The Listening concert. “It’s
an experience from beginning to end,” he says. “One song flows into another and hopefully the listener
feels something bigger than himself. It’s not just a musical experience but rather a spiritual one.”
In 2005 alone, The Listening headlined France’s Radical Festival, Holland’s Flevo Festival, co-headlined
Germany’s OwenTech Rock Night Festival, performed this spring at Morocco’s Friendship Festival to over
85,000 people, headlined their own nationwide U.S. tours in the spring and this past fall. They are back
on the road for 2006 with plans to headline a spring tour, appear at GMA, hit all major summer festivals
then head back to Europe in the fall.
Rock ‘N’ Roll Worship Circus Becomes…The Listening will be distributed in the United
States with Infinity Distribution, and in Europe with ASAPH.
(from The M Collective)
In all of the excitement over the CCM GRAMMY nominations, Norma Jean was overlooked for their noteworthy
nod for "Best Recording Package." "O God The Aftermath has been nominated for a Grammy Award
for Best Recording Package. We are all pretty stoked about it," the band said on Normajeannoise.com earlier
this month. "Thanks to Ryan Clark at Asterik Studios for the job he did on this. We really feel like our
vision was expressed through his work. Ryan is going to be working with us on NEW art for the re-release
as well. Due to be out in February." For more details on the band's happenings, visit Normajeannoise.com!
(from Normajeannoise.com)
After its highly successful Fall 2005 tour, performing to nearly 150,000 fans over 38 dates,
Casting Crowns announces plans for a second leg of its
headlining “Lifesong Tour.” Joining Casting Crowns on the Spring leg will be award-winning and
critically-acclaimed female artist Nichole Nordeman, plus singer/songwriter newcomer
Josh Bates and speaker Tony Nolan.
Casting Crowns will take to the road on February 9th through May 7th with plans to reach 46 markets
across the country in support of their recently GRAMMY-nominated, RIAA Gold Lifesong album.
About the fall leg, Shane Quick from Real Life Promotions stated, “To call the Casting Crowns Lifesong Tour ‘just a concert’ would be an injustice. It was so much more than that. I feel like I’m a step closer to God because of it. The only thing that shines brighter than Casting Crowns’ amazing music is their love for Jesus Christ and his lost people. I believe Casting Crowns has set the standard for how a Christian concert should be.”
Even with a heavy touring schedule set for 2006, Mark Hall and the band remain focused on the ministry, with Mark still leading his youth group’s 400 students each Wednesday night, even while on tour.
For more information on Casting Crowns and/or for updated tour listings, please visit www.lifesongtour.com.
(from Provident Music Group)
Rock music's breakout band, BarlowGirl, is now online at
Yahoo! Music in the "Who's Next" competition between four top bands. The program puts the power into the
hands of the fans with a monthly online showcase of four bands/ artists culminating with Yahoo! Music
users voting on who they think will be the next big thing. Fans can go to www.music.yahoo.com and click
on the Who's Next icon to vote for BarlowGirl. They'll also get a chance to check out the group's new
video, "I Need You To Love Me," from Fervent/Warner Bros.
Earlier this week, BarlowGirl was the featured performing artist in a special Today Show piece. In
September, they were selected to be the first Christian artist in the itunes Download of the Week Program
with their previous single, "Let Go," receiving over 250,000 downloads.
(from Word Records)
We reported the other day on a special show from The Elms for a live taping of their new music.
Well, the band has postponed until next month... "Due to an overwhelming response from the 18-and-up-but-
not-quite-21-yet crowd, we've decided to postpone our show this Sunday (Radio Radio) till January, to
find another venue in town where we could do an 18+ show instead. As soon as we suss out the details,
we'll make known the new date and location of the show. Not sure when college and uni will be back in
session, but hopefully some of you will still be around to be a part of a special evening and special
recording to be released later on Universal. So yes... you the people have spoken, and we have heard from on-high...
Look forward to seeing you in January! Much Love, Thom (THE ELMS)" For more info, visit their myspace page
at Myspace.com/TheElms!
(from Myspace.com/TheElms)
Radio stations, retailers and fans alike can’t seem to get enough of veteran rock band Third Day,
as “Cry Out To Jesus,” the debut single from the group’s eighth full-length project Wherever You Are,
has ascended to the top of every Christian music radio format chart.
“Cry Out To Jesus” was added to many major radio station play lists in heavy rotation at the end of
August after radio promoters heard early clips, and is now being used as anchor music for various
hurricane relief effort campaigns due to its fitting message of hope. Since then, it’s climbed to No. 1
(and in many cases stayed there for a considerable amount of time) on the industry’s most respected
charts. Additionally, Wherever You Are debuted on The Billboard 200 album chart in November
at number eight, with street week sales of more than 63,000 units. The 12-song CD package for Wherever
You Are offers fans three different themed album covers (two as limited editions) plus a
free-with-purchase bonus CD.
(from Provident Music Group)
Word Records’ Grammy nominated, Dove Award-winning and Platinum-selling recording artist,
Point Of Grace, is spreading Christmas cheer across the country
with its Winter Wonderland headline tour as fans respond with several sold-out shows.
Tour stops in Savannah, GA, Garner, NC, Birmingham, AL, and two shows in Oklahoma City, OK have sold out
and additional dates have seen record numbers.
This yuletide, 16-city tour supports Point Of Grace’s newest CD, Winter Wonderland,
and showcases classic holiday tunes and original compositions. Wearing festive red dresses, Shelley
Breen, Heather Payne, Denise Jones, and Leigh Cappillino, sparkle on stage with their unique harmony and
powerhouse vocals. Performances further include a special surprise for children during “Santa Medley”
when Frosty (The Snowman), Rudolph (The Red Nosed Reindeer) and Santa Claus join Point Of Grace onstage
while the kids are invited to come up and sing along. Also featured on the Winter Wonderland tour is
John David Webster and a live choir in every city.
Produced by Brown Bannister (Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith), Winter Wonderland was released October 4,
2005 and is the 11th album for Point Of Grace in an illustrious career. Click here for our review!
(from Bozeman Media)
Ana Laura, new Reunion recording artist, is celebrating the
holiday season on “The Christmas Blessing Tour” with GRAMMY-nominated NewSong and acclaimed duo Anointed.
The 19-year-old artist is featured performing Christmas and holiday music in addition to songs from her
self-titled debut album slated for release March 7, 2006.
“The Christmas Blessing Tour” runs through Dec. 18 stopping in 16 cities. On the final evening of the
tour, CBS will broadcast “The Christmas Blessing,” a sequel to the 2002 movie and New York Times
best-selling book “The Christmas Shoes.”
Ana Laura performed this fall on the “Girls of Grace Tour” with Point of Grace, Rebecca St. James and
Jaime Jamgochian. She is also featured on the opening track of the 2006 Christmas album Come Let Us
Adore Him from the producers of the City On A Hill series.
For more information on Ana Laura including “The Christmas Blessing Tour” dates, please visit
www.AnaLauraMusic.com and www.ReunionRecords.com.
(from Provident Music Group)
Subseven has decided to take a break... maybe indefinitely. The band sent out the following letter
to fans this week under the subject of "Farewell...," "Hey everyone this is Clint, I wanted to first off
thank all of you that ditched whatever plans you had, (studying for Finals, ACTS, etc.) and made it to
the video shoot and YES, last gathering for the band subseven. ...If you were there last night you also
heard our announcement that we will be taking a break. Why did we do it last night? We felt that all of
you who showed up last night, stood in the cold, and payed to get in deserved to hear it first, from us,
face to face. What does this mean? Basically we are done as subseven... for now, we may piece back
together as something else is the future... we all still enjoy playing music together and are all still
bro's... but we never want to quench or stop or hinder what God could do with the members of this band...
we're leaving it wide open for God to do amazing things in our lives... for now we will enjoy spending
time home with family and friends, and seeking God's next step for us.
We've had a great run... Over 6 years as a ministry... I can say that it has been one of the most amazing
experiences in my life. God is good to those who diligently seek him... and He has been that and so much
more to everyone that has played a part in subseven. We have learned so much as a band and have been able
to spread that around to everyone we meet and know. God has shown us so much... it's hard to type it all
in. Thanks for coming to the shows, buying our merch, befriending us on myspace : ), voting for us on TV
and radio, promoting us, loving us, and supporting us. God has blessed us with a huge group of friends
that span from coast to coast and beyond, Thank You friends... We Will Prosper!
You can keep it contact with us by hitting our myspace, our personal myspace pages are on the ever so
popular Top 8 : ). http://myspace.com/subseven"
Subseven will be missed greatly! Please keep the band members in your prayers.
(from Subseven; thanks to Z. Foxx)
According to CNN online reports Sunday, “another fantasy world has joined Hollywood's instant-
blockbuster club. Disney's The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe --
adapted from C.S. Lewis' tale of enchantment, epic battles and talking animals -- debuted as the weekend's
top movie with $67.1 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.” According to a feature in Variety
posted online yesterday, “ this is the second-highest weekend gross ever for December, behind only that
of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, which debuted with $72.6 million in 2003.”
Following the box office success of the film is the Music Inspired By: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion,
The Witch and The Wardrobe Soundtrack project, which over the weekend saw significant sales
increases as reported from leading music suppliers, including Anderson Merchandisers, Hastings, Family
Christian Stores, and others. This past September 27th, EMI Music – the world’s largest independent
music company partnered with Walt Disney Studios and Walden Media to release the soundtrack of music
inspired by Lewis’ best-selling classic.
This past Thursday, December 8th, Nashville’s Christian music community came out by the hundreds to
support the film, including artists from the Music Inspired By: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The
Witch and The Wardrobe soundtrack, Rebecca St. James and members of Jars of Clay.
Following the screening, other artists attending, including Audio Adrenaline, Building 429, Plumb,
ZOEgirl, Nicole C. Mullen, George Rowe, Don Moen, Warren Barfield, Selah, Veggie Tales' Mike Nawrocki
and Kurt Heinecke, participated in a live radio broadcast produced by Renaissance Communications, and
co-hosted by Moody Broadcasting Network’s Wayne Shepherd and St James, airing on over 75 stations across
the country via Salem Radio Network. Also in attendance conducting interviews for their network shows
were HIS Radio, Soul2Soul, WAYfm’s Total Axxcess, the Salem Music Network, The Weekend Top 25 Countdown
Show, and major Internet portal BeliefNet.
Commenting on the film, St James noted, "The cinematography is stunning, the acting is brilliant and the
scenes of redemption and forgiveness are very powerful. It's a movie with a message for all ages--and
one with values that children can benefit tremendously.”
Kicking off the weekend’s biggest movie debut, E! Entertainment Television closed out their E! News Daily
broadcast this past Friday with Steven Curtis Chapman’s video for his Inspired-by soundtrack single,
“Remembering You.”
(from The M Collective)
KJ-52 is hard at work on a brand new compilation/remix project.
KJ is producing the entire record, working with underground rappers that haven't been signed, established
artists, and even veteran artists throughout the duration of the undertaking. Some artists KJ has named specifically include Bonafide of Grits, MOC, and new
Gotee signee Liquid. He also elaborated on some of the remixes on the project that include a
special, reinvisioned version of "Dear Slim," a fleshed out version of "47 Emcees," as well as mixes done by
other artists for KJ of "Plain White Rapper," and "Never Look Away," among others.
For more information go to www.kj52.com, click on journal, and listen
to the newest podcast.
(from KJ52.com)
Owen Thomas and Thom Daugherty from The Elms will play a
stripped-down set at an extremely special show, performing the band's ENTIRE NEW ALBUM in a very intimate
setting. Here's the news: Owen and Thomas' set will be recorded for exclusive release alongside the band's
new album in early Spring '06 on Universal South! Don't miss a chance to be a part of this show.
Admission for this show is only five bucks (door only, no pre-sales), and the venue seats only 150.
Make plans to be there, and arrive early to ensure great seats. The show is currently 21+, but stay
tuned to MySpace.com/TheElms to see if they can make it 18+. Radio Radio (1119 Prospect St.
Indianapolis, IN 46201) is a non-smoking venue. So be there December 18th to be a part of history!
(from myspace.com/theelms)
tobymac’s WINTERWONDERSLAM tour sold out it’s first weekend
of shows in Nashville and Montgomery, AL, and broke records for tour sponsor Toys For Tots, where Marines
from local military bases have been at each show to collect the toys for their community. In both Nashville
and Montgomery, the tour set records for the amount of toys collected, needing five 15 passenger vans to
carry all the toys from Nashville’s show, many of which will be designated for kids that have been
relocated there from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In Montgomery, over 1000 toys were collected, and in
Huntsville, with over 4000 tickets sold, there was a massive response to the toy collection effort.
In the last show in the weekend run, Daren Bobb, promotions director of Toys for Tots in Fort Smith,
AR, stated, “I have never experienced what I experienced last night. I had no idea what to expect. I
collected more than 1,000 toys tonight. What a crowd. I really didn’t expect this kind of response. I
sincerely hope this will happen again next year and that Toys for Tots will be allowed to take part.”
With their greatest need each Christmas being pre-teen/teenage kids, TobyMac jumped at the chance to provide hope for what is his core fanbase. For more information about Toys for Tots, go to: http://www.toysfortots.org/home/about.html
(from The M Collective)
Five-time GRAMMY© winner and Sparrow Records artist Steven Curtis Chapman has
just received his sixth nomination for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album – All I Really Want For Christmas
- for the 48th Annual GRAMMY© Awards. Announced last week in New York City, Chapman is the reigning
winner for this category, walking away with the award last year for his project, All Things New.
No stranger to the GRAMMYS©, Chapman has previously won four consecutive GRAMMY© Awards for Best Pop/
Contemporary Gospel Album (for Speechless, For The Sake of the Call, The Great Adventure
and The Live Adventure). Selling well over nine million records in his career, Speechless
has been RIAA-certified Platinum, while For The Sake of the Call and The Great Adventure are
RIAA-certified Gold. The recording industry's most prestigious award, the GRAMMY© is presented annually
by the Recording Academy, NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences). A GRAMMY© is awarded
by the Recording Academy's voting membership to honor excellence in the recording arts and sciences. It
is a peer honor, awarded by and to artists and technical professionals for artistic or technical
achievement, not sales or chart positions. The 48th Annual Awards will be held Wednesday, Feb. 8, at
Staples Center in Los Angeles on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
Millions of viewers will be able to experience the Chapman family’s adoption story as the Chapmans will
appear on the popular show “CBS Sunday Morning.” The segment will offer never-before seen interviews
with the family, a behind the scenes look at their home life, and hear touching stories from families
impacted by the Shaohannah’s Hope Foundation. Hosted by Charles Osgood, CBS Sunday Morning has over
seven million viewers every week and has been on the air for over 26 years. The Chapman’s story is set
to air Christmas morning at 8:30am CST. Check local listings for airdate in your area or log onto
www.cbsnews.com/sections/sunday.
Millions more will be able to catch Chapman on CMT/Country Music Television and the network’s top rated
program, the Top 20 Countdown. The video has been added to CMT and GAC/Great American County rotation,
and this weekend’s Top 20 Countdown show will feature an interview with Chapman and debut the music video
to his current hit radio single, "All I Really Want For Christmas." Award-winning Brandon Dickerson
directed the heartfelt video, featuring orphans from the U.S., China and Africa, interspersed with a
performance by Chapman. The Top 20 Countdown will air this Thursday, December 15th and re-run numerous
times throughout the following weekend. The video will also receive regular rotation through Christmas
Visit www.CMT.com for more information.
(from The M Collective)
Audio Adrenaline receives its sixth consecutive GRAMMY®
nomination this week for its eighth studio album Until
My Heart Caves In, which released Aug. 30 to rave reviews. The nominees for the 48th Annual
GRAMMY Awards were announced in New York City last week. The album is nominated for “Best Rock Gospel
Album,” an award that AudioA received for its acclaimed 2004 release, Worldwide. CBS will televise the
awards show from the Staples Center in Los Angeles Wednesday, February 8 from 8-11:30 p.m. (PST/EST).
Audio Adrenaline joins the ranks of such guitar legends as Sting, Geddy Lee (Rush), Buddy Guy, Eric
Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen and the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, becoming the latest band to be endorsed by
world renown guitar maker, Fender®. AudioA will be exclusively playing Fender and Gretsch basses and
guitars. “We want to thank personally, Bruce Bolen and Fender for their kind generosity in supporting
Audio Adrenaline and their ministry,” say the band members collectively. “Here's to a great
relationship...go to fender.com to check out some of the best guitars and basses made period.”
(from Hoganson Media)
Flicker Records alumnus Riley Armstrong has added another title to his list of roles in the industry...
he's now a father. "I have some big news... Shannon and I had our baby! We were blessed with a healthy
little boy and we named him Zeffren Kirby Mitchell Armstrong! Zeffren is a name we came up with during
a long road trip a couple months ago for our "if its a boy list," and Kirby and Mitchell are the names
of both my brother and Shannon's brother. Please stop by and see a picture of him we posted on our
blog: http://www.rileyarmstrong.com/blog/
and feel free to leave a message, we enjoy reading the comments and hearing from you guys."
Armstrong just recently released a brand new album entitled La Loop independently. To read our
review on La Loop, click here.
With undeniably the most successful tour of the fall 2005 concert season, Casting Crowns
continues to fuel a significant turnout on the road with nearly 150,000 fans attending the 38 dates of
its “Lifesong Tour,” including twelve sold-out nights. Keeping its sight set on more than just high
attendance numbers, Casting Crowns intensified their ministry focus throughout this first leg of their
headlining tour, witnessing an incredible 15,000 commitments for Christ and collecting over 5,200 World
Vision child sponsorships. The high-impact tour featured labelmate Josh Bates, plus Building 429 and
guest speaker Tony Nolan. Jon Robberson of Celebration Concerts in San Jose, California, commented, “The
Casting Crowns dates that Celebration Concerts sponsored were such refreshing ministry events that they
reminded me of Christian concerts from the early days of the CCM-Jesus Music movement. It has become so
rare that an artist and tour makes evangelism the top priority of the entire concert experience and it
was a joy to be sharing that goal with Mark and the group. Casting Crowns is a concert ministry force
long overdue in Christian music and I was honored to be part of it.”
In addition, Greg Maynard from A God Thing Productions, exclaimed, “Wow! Frankfort, Kentucky on Nov. 26th
and Dayton, Ohio on Nov 28th, with 1,213 souls brought into the Kingdom of God! What an honor. Casting
Crowns, Building 429, Tony Nolan and Josh Bates were a delight to work with, and we learned so much from
them and the crew! Thanks for including us!”
(from Provident Music Group)
**UPDATE** In regards to today's appearance of BarlowGirl on NBC, the airing of the interview has been rescheduled.
The Today Show feature that spotlights the pop/rock trio was bumped today because of the airplane crash
in Chicago. The story has now been rescheduled for: MONDAY, DECEMBER 12TH, Between 7:00 – 10:00 AM,
Eastern Time. The story focuses on Christian music’s impact on the pop culture
with BarlowGirl selected as the featured performing artist for the piece. Be sure to tune in to your local NBC affiliate.
(from Bozeman Media)
Nominations for the 48th Annual GRAMMY® Awards were announced yesterday in New York
City. CeCe Winans was among the artists on hand to read the nominations. Winans also
received two nominations - one for "Best Gospel Performance" ("Pray") and one for "Best Contemporary Soul
Gospel Album" (Purified). Nominations were announced in 108 different categories, covering 31 different
fields. There are a total of eight Gospel categories, six which are awarded to albums, and two that are
given to singles/tracks or songs, including the new "Best Gospel Song" category. Nominations are for
recordings released during the Eligibility Year October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005. Click here
for a complete list of nominations. In addition to Winans' "Pray," this year's nominees for "Best Gospel Performance" include Adams' "Be
Blessed," Kirk Franklin's "Looking For You," Donnie McClurkin's "I Call You Faithful," and "Lift Him Up,"
performed by Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir.
Ties resulted in six nominees this year in the "Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album" category with Casting
Crowns (Lifesong), Steven Curtis Chapman (All I Really Want For Christmas),
Jars of Clay (Redemption Songs), Out of Eden (Hymns),
Michael W. Smith (Healing Rain) and Third Day (Live Wire) receiving the
nods. The nominees for "Best Rock Gospel Album" are Audio Adrenaline (Until My
Heart Caves In), The Cross Movement (Higher Definition), Day of Fire (Day of Fire),
Fresh I.E. (Truth Is Fallin' In Tha Streetz) and GRITS (Dichotomy B). Last year Chapman took home the GRAMMY for "Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album"
with Third Day receiving the honor in the "Best Rock Gospel Album" category.
The 48th Annual GRAMMY Awards will take place on Feb. 8, 2006 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live on CBS.
(from GMA)
The momentum is building for the rock act, BarlowGirl, and
their sophomore project on Fervent Records, Another Journal Entry. The group will be the
featured artist in an upcoming Today Show story that is tentatively scheduled to air Today, Friday, December 9, and
in addition will be one of four featured artists/bands in the upcoming Yahoo Music’s Who’s Next: User’s
Choice Program. NBC News sent a film crew to Nashville last week to capture one of rock music’s hottest
acts, BarlowGirl, at a sold-out concert at David Lipscomb University. Earlier in the day, the NBC crew
followed BarlowGirl, (Rebecca, Alyssa, and Lauren Barlow), as they went shopping and then settled down
for an in-depth interview. That evening NBC filmed a meet & greet with BarlowGirl and their fans before
capturing the band’s live performance. The story focuses on Christian music’s impact on the pop culture
with BarlowGirl selected as the featured performing artist for the piece.
In addition to the Today Show story, BarlowGirl was selected for the upcoming Yahoo Music’s Who’s Next:
User’s Choice Program. The program puts the power into the hands of the fans with a monthly online
showcase of four bands/ artists culminating with Yahoo! Music users voting on who they think will be
the next big thing. Previous winners include Anna Nalick, My Chemical Romance, Relient K, and others.
For more information, visit http://music.yahoo.com/promotions/whosnext/.
(from Bozeman Media)
Reunion Records recording artist Joy Williams continues to
impact airwaves as her latest album Genesis delivers its second No. 1 single “We.” As the song climbs to
the top of R&R’s CHR chart this week, hundreds of fans complete a month of competition at CHR radio to be
named the national winner in the “Joy Williams Karaoke Radio Contest,” which had radio listeners submit
their own renditions of the hit song.
Julliette Welp, from Minneapolis, Minn., was named the national winner of the “Joy Williams Karaoke
Contest,” with nearly 60,000 listeners casting votes online. Her performance of Williams’ “We” is
featured on the artist’s web site (www.JoyWilliams.com),
and her winning station, “The Refuge” broadcast from Duluth, Minn., receives a free hometown concert
with Williams for all of its listeners.
“We” follows the lead of Williams’ first single release, “Hide,” off her album Genesis, which
was recently named as one of Christian Music Planet’s “Songs that Defined 2005.” “Hide” gained the No. 1
spot on seven national Christian charts in June.
(from Provident Music Group)
New music from Skillet is on the horizon! Frontman John Cooper made the following announcement to
fans in the band's newsletter yesterday, "Recording news! Skillet is finally setting a recording schedule
for Jan-Feb. We don't know where we are doing it yet, but things are coming together. I have been working
on songs and demos for some months now. I think we have about 15 songs at the moment. I am hoping to
write some more. I have been very inspired with lyrics, mostly in terms of what I want to say to people
searching for meaning in this world that can seem so cruel." We'll keep you posted as the band develops
their follow-up to 2003's rocking release, Collide...
(from Skillet; news gathered by JfH)
Michael W. Smith garnered his 11th GRAMMY nomination as
announced yesterday morning by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) at a press
conference in New York. The 48th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Staples
Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound
on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
On receiving news of his nomination, Smith commented, “It sounds trite – but the first thing that always
comes to mind is – ‘it’s a real honor’ to be nominated -- and it is. I appreciate people thinking enough
of this project to nominate it for the GRAMMY. In light of so much unrest around the world – I hope this
project has brought some healing to people that so desperately need it.”
The success of Healing Rain was propelled in part by
the hit singles “Here I Am” (a No. 1 Inspirational chart hit) and “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” which
found favor at both Contemporary Christian and mainstream AC radio. Healing Rain debuted at #11 on
Billboard’s Top 200, while the title track rose to No. 1 on Radio & Records AC charts.
After 20 years in the spotlight, singer/songwriter/composer/actor Michael W. Smith is beyond category.
Approach his career from multiple perspectives and Michael remains ever the restless rebel, ever the
impatient artist with a new self-imposed mission to accomplish. As one of the most successful artists in
Contemporary Christian music, he has tallied 30 No. 1 singles, 15 Gold and five Platinum albums, 40 Dove
Awards and three GRAMMY Awards and 11 GRAMMY nominations.
Sales of his 18 studio albums have topped 13 million. He has also stood shoulder-to-shoulder with U2’s
Bono launching the “ONE” campaign to eradicate AIDS in Africa as well as opened Rocketown, a Nashville
nightclub Smith built as a local refuge for teens.
(from Provident Music Group)
Multi-platinum and three-time GRAMMY Award winning band Jars of Clay
received its seventh career GRAMMY nomination as announced by the National Academy of Recording Arts and
Sciences (NARAS) at a press conference this morning in New York. Jars of Clay has received a nomination
for every studio album it has released. “It was truly a surprise to see Redemption Songs
on the list of nominated albums,” comments Dan Haseltine, the band’s lead singer. “We poured our hearts
into this project, we knew that it was a risk to build a record on such widely loved and hated
traditional songs. This nomination is a brilliant affirmation that hymns are still an important part of
telling the story of faith and humanity.” Multi-Platinum and three time GRAMMY Award winning band Jars
of Clay launched its career with its hit, “Flood,” in 1995. Since then, it’s amassed more than five
million in career sales along with several RIAA certifications (5 Gold, 2 Platinum and 1 Double Platinum),
an American Music Award nod, 17 No.1 radio hits, and numerous film credits and BMI honors for songwriting
and performing. Most recently, Jars of Clay was invited to participate in the world’s most impactful
concert event, Live 8, where they performed before a live audience in Philadelphia of more than 1 million
people while the event was broadcast to an estimated 3 billion worldwide.
(from Provident Music Group)
Essential Records rock artist Day of Fire continues to
receive recognition on its self-titled debut after accepting the Dove Award this past spring for Rock
Album of the Year with two additional nods at the GMA Music Awards. Today the rock band received its
first career GRAMMY nod for Day of Fire (10/26/04) as
announced by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) at a press conference in New
York City this morning. “Wow,” said Day of Fire frontman Josh Brown. “We are honored to be nominated for
this award, and hope to get a seat next to Bono at the show.”
The 48th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and
once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m.(ET/PT).
Day of Fire has seen two No. 1 radio singles from the award winning album and an additional two Top
10 radio singles. Since its debut, Day of Fire was featured on tour with Third Day, Pillar, Seventh
Day Slumber and labelmate Krystal Meyers while also headlining tours in Europe, New Zealand and
Australia. The band headlined the Rock 4 Food tour this past spring and was featured on Shoutfest
this past fall.
(from Provident Music Group)
Nashville-based Word Records, one of the leading Christian music labels and a division of
Warner Bros. Records, announced it will produce and distribute the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for
End of the Spear.
The End of the Spear soundtrack will feature the original film score, as well as songs inspired by the
film by leading Christian artists, including BarlowGirl, Steven Curtis Chapman,
Nicole C. Mullen and Mark Schultz. Produced in partnership with
entertainment company Every Tribe Entertainment, the soundtrack will release on Jan. 24, 2006, and be
available at retailers nationwide.
“The End of the Spear Original Motion Picture Soundtrack captures the sounds of the film and
the intensity, beauty and inspiration of the incredible true story behind the movie,” said Tim Marshall,
Sr. VP of Artist Relations for Word Label Group. “The movie score combined with passionate songs by
today’s top artists make this a soundtrack that will move people of all ages.”
End of the Spear releases in theaters nationwide on January 20, 2006. The film tells the true
story of two people, Mincayani, the Waodani warrior who led a spearing raid that killed five missionaries,
and Steve Saint, the son of missionary Nate Saint, whom Mincayani killed. The story was made famous by
LIFE Magazine and the book Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot. But the world has never known
the other side of the story – from the perspective of the tribe – until now, with the release of End of
the Spear. In the 50 years since the spearings, the missionary widows have turned down numerous
opportunities to have their story appear on the big screen. Steve Saint and the Waodani granted the movie
rights to Every Tribe Entertainment after producers visited the tribe in the jungle to ask their
permission. “We are delighted to announce this partnership with Word Records and to be able to extend the powerful music and message of this film in a soundtrack,” said Mart Green, founder and CEO of Every Tribe Entertainment. “We look forward to offering these inspirational music tracks to the many audience members who are moved by End of the Spear.”
(from Word Records)
Platinum-selling band Casting Crowns celebrates its first
GRAMMY nomination as announced today by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) at a
press conference in New York. The band picks up the nod for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for its
Gold-certified sophomore album Lifesong.
The seven-piece youth ministry band, led by youth pastor Mark Hall, received news of the nomination this
morning. Hall noted, “It’s awesome to be listed alongside some of our favorite artists and it’s great to
be a part of what God is doing.”
Today’s GRAMMY-nominated album Lifesong debuted in August at No. 9 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart,
one of only two Christian artists without crossover radio airplay to break the Top 10 on the Billboard
chart in ten years. Last month, Casting Crowns was a “Favorite Artist” nominee in the Contemporary
Inspirational category at the 33rd Annual American Music Awards.
(from Provident Music Group)
GRAMMY winning, multi-platinum band Jars of Clay wraps its
highly successful fall leg of the “Redemption Songs & Stories” tour, performing to sold-out audiences
across the country. Featuring special guests Chris Rice, Sara Groves and famed Blue Like Jazz author
Donald Miller, the tour completes 23 cities in support of the band’s most recent chart-topping album,
Redemption Songs. This unique project is a
collection of soulful recordings crafted from ancient 18th century hymn texts and spiritual songs.
On the road, the live show provides audiences with intimate, acoustic performances and the stories
behind some of the biggest Jars of Clay hits and favorite hymns.
(from Provident Music Group)
Pillar's dreadlock-sporting guitarist Noah Henson recently underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL!
Noah sent out the following letter to fans via their newsletter yesterday,
"...For those who don't know, about a month ago I experienced a pretty bad injury consisting of
tearing my ACL and my meniscus. I had Surgery on Wednesday, the 23rd of November and it was a success.
My doctor did an amazing job and was very pleased with his work. So don't worry, when I get back up,
it's going to be better than ever and just remember, nothing can keep me from rocking my heart out for
my peeps. Most of all, I just wanted to mention how completely blessed I feel to have so many friends
(you all) praying for me throughout this healing process. I believe your prayers are working greatly,
in fact I know they are. God is doing so much in my life right now and has really slowed me down a lot d
uring this time. I believe that God is taking this time to reveal new things to me and really help me
to plant my feet in His will. I've been able to see things in a whole new light than ever before and
I've been humbled more than you can know. God's ways are not of ours, and who could have known that
something like this would actually change me for the better. The Bible says that all things work
together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose. I truly
believe there is purpose in this whole situation and I'm looking forward to getting back on the
road to hang out with all you guys. I love you all and once again thank you for your thoughts and
prayers. You do not go unappreciated. God bless. Sincerely, Noah Henson" The newsletter also added
that Noah needs financial help for his recovery, "When the accident happened, Noah did not have any
personal health insurance and is having to pay for all the expenses out-of-pocket. Between the surgery
and rehab Noah's expenses will exceed $30,000. He could really use all of our help to cover these medical
expenses. If any of you feel lead to help Noah please make checks or money orders payable to
'Noah Henson' and mail to: Pillar/Helping Noah / PO BOX 700603 / Tulsa, OK 74170"
(from Pillar; news gathered by JfH)
December 9th is Flicker Rock Night! You'll want to make plans to be in Nashville on December 9th
at Rocketown THIS Friday for Flicker Rock Night: a benefit show for the Hands & Feet Project, an
orphanage started by Audio Adrenaline on the southern coast of Haiti. The concert starts
at 7:30PM (doors will be at 6:30PM and will feature 6 bands, including: UntilJune, EleventySeven,
FireFlight, FlatFoot56, Staple, and Kids in the Way.
Tickets are only $5.00 at the door with a free-will offering to be taken later in the evening.
ALL proceeds from the night go to benefit the Hands & Feet Project, so show up, rock your hearts out,
and show your support for the orphans of Haiti!
(from Audio Adrenaline; news gathered by JfH)
This winter, The 180 Tour will travel to high school assemblies across the nation to encourage
students to change their world—today! You're invite you to add your school to the list of tour dates.
This tour is headlined by featured speaker and Columbine tragedy survivor, Crystal Woodman Miller,
and completed with the music of national recording artist Casting Pearls.
The tour is geared to help students understand that as they prepare for tomorrow, who they are today is
what matters most. Visit http://www.180tour.com for more information.
(from Casting Pearls; news gathered by JfH)
eb+flo/INO Records has released the Merry Chris Rice Digital EP from Chris Rice, which can be found online.
Merry Chris Rice features four tunes including classics “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire”
and “Let it Snow” along with “Peace on Earth” and Chris’ classic “Welcome to Our World.”
The critically acclaimed song “When Did You Fall” from Amusing has just been released to Christian AC
radio for adds. In January 2006, the single will be released by Epic/INO Records to mainstream AC
formats.
(from The M Collective)
Dove Award-winning, Grammy-nominated hitmaker, NewSong
makes their television “acting” debut on Sunday, December 18th when CBS-TV airs the new holiday movie,
The Christmas Blessing in which the band performs the title song in an important climatic
scene in the TV movie! The Christmas Blessing is scheduled for broadcast on Sunday, Dec. 18
(9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and stars Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother)
and Rebecca Gayheart (Urban Legend) with a special appearance by Rob Lowe (West Wing) who
starred in the first movie. The Christmas Blessing is a sequel to the highly-rated 2002
television movie The Christmas Shoes. In the new movie, the young boy from the original film
has grown up and meets a young woman and a boy who both, with the help of a Christmas miracle,
change his life. The Christmas Shoes was the second highest-rated television movie of the
2002-2003 season, attracting nearly 17 million viewers.
(from Integrity Label Group)
Recently, Casting Crowns hit another sales milestone with
the Gold certification of its sophomore album Lifesong by
the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of more than 500,000 copies. Its RIAA
Gold status comes after only 12 weeks of the August 30 release, making Lifesong the band’s fastest-selling
album to date. This follows the Platinum certification of its debut album in February, with career sales
now more than 1.9 million. Lifesong debuted at No. 9 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart, one of
only two Christian artists to break the Top 10 on the Billboard chart in ten years.
This Gold certification caps off the band’s phenomenal two-year career that has included four radio No.
1’s, an RIAA Platinum debut album, and the release of the platinum-certified Live From Atlanta,
its special two-disc live DVD/CD set.
(from Provident Music Group)
Pillar has a brand new video for their hit single
"Frontline," and there's only one place to see it! Produced by a conglomerate of aspiring young film
makers ages 18 to 22, the effect-laden video "Frontline" is available online exclusively at
www.battlecry.com. The nationwide release is Dec. 12,
but you can be among the first to check it out now! The band is also hard at work on their forthcoming
new album, looking at a Summer '06 release...
(from Flicker Records)
Rocketown recording artist Ginny Owens maked an appearance
on CNN’s “Live From ...” Monday, Nov. 28. Owens was interviewed by CNN anchor Kyra Phillips about her
non-profit organization Fingerprint Initiative and its partnership with Habitat for Humanity to build
“Hope Village” in Covington, La. “Hope Village” is a community designed to provide hope and housing for
low-income families throughout eastern Louisiana. Owens latest CD, Long Way Home, released in October,
and she is currently in the midst of the “Gloria: A Christmas Celebration Tour” with labelmates Shaun
Groves and Watermark. For a photo of Owens with Phillips, click here!
(from Savvy Media)
Steven Curtis Chapman's video for "Remembering You," the
first single from Music Inspired By The
Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, will make its online premiere at the
Yahoo! Music homepage on December 6. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe-a live action film
adaptation of the classic C. S. Lewis book-releases to theatres nationwide on December 9. It is widely
said to be the most anticipated movie of 2005.
In addition to the Chapman track, the Music Inspired By The Chronicles Of Narnia soundtrack
features original new recordings by David Crowder*Band, Nichole Nordeman, Chris Tomlin, Rebecca St.
James, Jars of Clay, tobyMac, Bethany Dillon, and several others.
See Steven Curtis Chapman's Narnia-inspired "Remembering You" clip on Yahoo! Music beginning December 6
at Music.Yahoo.com.
(from NarniaFans.com / by Paul Martin)
Fans voted in MySpace.com’s Video Contest and the word was spread that Kids In The Way
is everyone's favorite! Visit http://www.fuse.tv/content/specials/index.php?id=372 to watch the video
and download the song! Kids In The Way will have their video played on Fuse so tune-in to watch your
favorite band! The video for "Apparitions of Melody" is shot entirely against a green screen and combines
photographs and computer generated graphics to create a dark, moody landscape in front of which the band
performs. The video was produced by The Brads, directed by Blake McClure, and created by Production House
Stray Dog.
(from Night Vision / Fuse)
Following gatherings in the heart of Boston and New York City, Passion crossed the border November 22,
hosting a night of worship, prayer and teaching free for university students of the Greater Toronto Area
at Ricoh Coliseum. Home to over 300,000 university students, Toronto is one of the most vibrant and
diverse cities in the world. With over 4,400 students in attendance, sixstepsrecords artist-worshipers,
collegiate favorites Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band and Charlie Hall, as well as Passion Conferences
founder/director and author, Louie Giglio, led the evening. Students gathered across university and
denominational backgrounds as one body were challenged to be part of a generation that lives out their
faith radically on their campuses and for the fame and renown of Jesus Christ.
College students join in worship during Passion Toronto. “God is greater than our wildest imagination.
Can he change a campus, can he change culture, can he change a nation? The answer is absolutely,”
said Giglio. “We want to celebrate the bigness of God, and the smallness of you and the smallness of me.
Our [Passion’s] theme has been and will be Isaiah 26:8. ‘Yes Lord, walking in the way of your truth, we
wait eagerly for you, for Your name and Your Renown are the desire of our souls.’”
Over 4,400 college students attended Passion Toronto. Giglio also told the story of Toronto’s 100-year
centenary, which took place approximately 85 years ago at the very place the students were standing in
the Ricoh Coliseum. “In the minutes of that celebration, they read scripture and called on God to make
Toronto a city that would be sought out in the whole world for His glory… little did they know that a
seed would go into the ground that day, and decades later you would be standing on their prayer and on
what happened on this very spot of Earth.”
Passion Conferences is returning to Nashville, TN to host Passion 06 January 2 – 5, 2006. Passion 06 is
a four-day indoor gathering for college students from around the nation and world. Already surpassing
the number of registrations from the 11,000 that attended last year’s Passion 05, there are more than
14,000 students from at least 17 countries already registered for this year’s gathering. Leading Passion
06 will be renowned speakers Louie Giglio, John Piper and Beth Moore, among others, as well as such
acclaimed artist-worshipers as Charlie Hall, David Crowder Band, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Shane and
Shane, Nathan and Christy Nockels, and more.
(from Hoganson Media)
Project 86 will be performing live on January 6th before millions on "Attack of The Show." This will
be Project 86's first live national cable performance ever! Details on times, etc. will be coming soon,
so check with Project86.com often. Those of you who are gamers should be familiar with the show, but if
you want more information please visit the following: www.g4tv.com
(from Project 86)
The new film that features pop/punk rockers Hawk Nelson, Yours, Mine & Ours, opened nationwide
last week splashing in at No. 3 for the holiday weekend, grossing 17.5 million dollars. Hawk Nelson
attended the red carpet premiere on November 20 at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. For a photo of
the band performing at the party, click here!
Also, click here for a shot of the foursome on the red carpet. Hawk Nelson is also featured in the December issue of Tiger
Beat and will be featured in the “Fresh Faces” section of the January Popstar! Magazine!
(from The M Collective)
Flicker Records hard rock band Pillar answers youth–based
ministry Teen Mania’s latest call to action, the “BATTLE CRY Campaign.” The group has extended exclusive
use of its current single “Frontline” to Teen Mania for promotional efforts and will headline select
BATTLE CRY events. The BATTLE CRY campaign is a response to the unique challenges facing this generation.
Recent studies have estimated that only 4% of millennials hold to core biblical beliefs. The focus of
BATTLE CRY is to rally people of faith in a fight for the souls of America’s youth. Teen Mania producer,
Doug Rittenhouse, has tapped Pillar’s song “Frontline” to serve as BATTLE CRY’s official anthem.
“Music is the soundtrack to the lives of today’s youth,” comments Rittenhouse. “Pillar’s ‘Frontline’
speaks to the heart and passion of a movement, one that aspires to change the futures of these young
people. ‘Frontline’ will be used as a catalyst to rally pastors, churches, and youth group leaders in
their quest to incite this generation toward change.”
“Frontline” will sound the call to BATTLE CRY advocates for national stadium events at SBC Park in San
Francisco, Ford Field in Detroit and The Spectrum in Philadelphia. Pillar will headline music at each of
these functions, which will include speakers, bands, and a multimedia presentation. Pillar has also
filmed a music video for “Frontline” to debut on the “BATTLE CRY Tour.” Produced by Teen Mania’s own
Center for Creative Media, a conglomerate of aspiring young film makers ages 18 to 22, the effect-laden
video will be available online exclusively at www.BATTLECRY.com for three weeks, beginning Nov. 21. The
first 5,000 visitors to view it online will receive a free download of the video. It will release
nationwide Dec. 12.
(from Savvy Media)
David Crowder Band’s A Collision Tour wrapped up Nov. 17
with 23 dates sold out! This spring you can catch DCB on the road with Third Day during the Wherever You
Are Tour, which kicks off in Lynchburg, VA Feb 16. To see a full list of dates, go to
http://www.davidcrowderband.com/schedule
Be sure to keep your eye out for David Crowder and Chris Tomlin in CCM’s cover feature on Passion hitting newsstands in January!
(from Hoganson Media)
Many of you may already be aware that NBC has rescinded its initial order for more Three Wishes
episodes (hosted by Amy Grant) in the spring - citing budget
restraints. While the network has not "cancelled" the series - it has not ordered production of shows
beyond the December 2nd Christmas episode and the December 9th Season Finale. It is important that NBC
hears from its viewers that we value and support family friendly programming - like Three Wishes.
There are some simple things you can do to send a loud and clear signal to NBC. First, TUNE IN - ratings
do matter! Second, pass this email on to as many people as possible to help promote the DECEMBER 2nd
Christmas edition of Three Wishes. And third, use threewishes@nbcuni.com to send a message
directly to NBC to show your support of Three Wishes.
(from Floodgate Records)
In January of 2005, Jeff Deyo and his band led a series
of worship concerts at Parachute Festival in New Zealand. A DVD from those events is now available - a
powerful worship experience shared with 23,000 passionate worshipers. The Surrender: Live Worship From New Zealand DVD offers a 70-minute
feature of the two main services, including two songs that are not available on the companion CD released
on Gotee Records. The DVD also includes bonus features such as: Behind the scenes interviews, intimate
worship featurette, interactive chord charts that help you learn how to play the songs, Deyo family
featurette, and more... This product is only available through Jeff's online store and at his product
table at his events. For details, visit his merch page.
(from Jeff Deyo)
With sales of over 18,000 units this week, a Billboard Top 100 SoundScan entry, glowing reviews on
The Christmas Sessions, and hitting the road with Steven Curtis Chapman for their Christmas
tour, what more could be going on with MercyMe? Plenty!
MercyMe will perform in the annual Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade on ABC, hosted by Regis & Kelly,
airing nationwide on Sunday, December 25th. The band's new single at Christian AC radio, "Joseph's
Lullaby", is among the most added Christmas songs at that format this season, while their rendition of
"O Holy Night" is among the most added Christmas songs at mainstream AC radio as well.
Finally, the guys will share hilarious and poignant tales from holidays past and present, as well as
music from their new Christmas CD "The Christmas Sessions" in a one hour, national radio special.
The special will air on hundreds of Christian and mainstream radio stations nationwide throughout the
month of December. The special features Christmas music all will love to hear: “Winter Wonderland”,
“White Christmas”, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”, “I Heard The Bells”, “Drummer Boy”, plus live in-studio
versions recorded exclusively for this one hour radio special.
(from The M Collective)
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