Jesusfreakhideout.com Music News: November 2001

JFH Music News

November, 2001

*Tuesday, November 27th, 2001*

On December 4th, Luna Halo will play at a benefit concert for the victims of the World Trade Center disaster. The concert will take place at The Factory in Franklin, TN. All proceeds from the event will go towards the WTC disaster fund. The band has been in the studio since September recording tracks for their sophomore release due out sometime next Spring.

Germany has only got just one major annual indoor festival which is open to present US mainstream and rock artists covering all sorts of rock and pop styles, which is Christmas Rock festival near Düsseldorf. For the first time in its 22-year-history this year's show is running 3 days (from Dec. 7 to Dec. 9). 30 bands will be performing on 2 parallel stages. 12 bands will be over from the US, 7 of which never performed here in Germany before. The CRN 2001 line-up includes: The Newsboys, Tait, Pax 217, Luna Halo, Saviour Machine, Tourniquet, The Normals, The Violet Burning, Earthsuit, Project 86, Tree 63, Bride plus European bands like The Electrics, The Joy Brigade (formerly Split Level), Kosher, Space in Your Face and many more. For the full line-up and more info, visit www.christmasrocknight.de

As part of the Nashville Rescue Mission's Holiday Hopeline program, Andrew Osenga of The Normals, offered to donate his time and talents to entertain and inspire the Rescue Mission's recover program clients and other members of the homeless community. The only artist who performed at this event, he sang a song he penned about the desire to be home with friends and family called "I'll Be Home Soon," as well as lead the men in a time of worship. "'I'll Be Home Soon' was written during a period when I felt alone and although I was surrounded by other people, I longed to be home with my family and friends," said Osenga. "To me, that was one of the loneliest feelings I've experienced, and by being involved with the Mission, I hope to be able to provide a little hope and comfort to these men who may be feeling the same thing I did." This song is included on The Normals upcoming project, A Place Where You Belong, scheduled to release in February of 2002. This event took place on November 21st as a precursor to the Mission's gigantic Thanksgiving Day Banquet.

If you couldn't get enough of Keith Green tributes from BEC Recordings, then you're in luck. Sparrow Records will release a tribute to Keith on January 29th entitled Your Love Broke Through: The Worship Songs of Keith Green. It will have covers by Martin Smith of Delirious, Rebecca St. James, and Joanne Hogg of Iona to name a few.

Christian music fans will be seeing more of that WB green frog in the near future. Word Entertainment has been sold to the Warner Music Group for $84.1 million. It will still stay in Nashville with many of the same employees. Warner also owns Reprise and Elektra Records.

One JfH visitor reported that Superchic[k] will be making an appearance on the new Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen movie, Holiday in the Sun with their songs "One Girl Revolution" and "Get Up," from the band's debut album Karaoke Superstar.

*Tuesday, November 20th, 2001*

Jon Foreman and Mandy Moore. A match made only in music. The lead singer of Switchfoot will team up with the budding mainstream pop sensation for the soundtrack to her upcoming film, A Walk To Remember on January 25th. "Someday We'll Know," a song originally by The New Radicals will be the song of choice when the soundtrack releases January 15th.

Larry Norman recently suffered a heart attack on November 11th. As of last Monday, he was sent to a Portland, Oregon hospital and his condition is up in the air. More news to come soon. According to Larry's Web site, www.larrynorman.com, his heart was only functioning at 20 percent. Larry will be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame on Thursday, Nov. 27. Please join us in prayer for the Christian music legend.

Selling more than 300,000 copies to date and garnering a Dove Award for Special Event Album of the Year, City On A Hill - Songs of Worship and Praise has more than paved the way for the next offering from the City On A Hill worship community. Essential Records announces the arrival of City On A Hill - Sing Alleluia, available in stores February 19th. In keeping with the original concept, City On A Hill - Sing Alleluia showcases another collaboration of artists including return contributors Jars of Clay, Third Day, Caedmon's Call, FFH, and The Choir as well as newcomers Jennifer Knapp, Nichole Nordeman, Bebo Norman, Fernando Ortega, and Phil Keaggy among others. Also returning to the project is producer Steve Hindalong, who earned a Producer of the Year Dove Award nomination in 2001 for his work on the initial album.

Gotee Records worship leader, Jeff Deyo, is in the studio with his band recording their modern worship debut, which is set for a March 26, 2002 release. Produced by Deyo, SONICFLOOd's one-time founding lead singer and principal songwriter, along with Otto Price (SONICFLOOd, Grits) and Bryan Lenox (Michael W. Smith, Sixpence None the Richer), the album is tentatively titled Saturate: Prayers of Worship. "I have never been more excited or in anticipation of any CD that I have been a part of recording," says Deyo. "God has given us so much favor, innovation and passion in this new project. I am blown away that the Almighty can somehow inhabit the praises of his people through our songs to Him--the way God puts something so huge into something human and small. I am in awe of His undeserved grace towards us." On the heels of his departure from SONICFLOOd, Deyo organized his new band, which features guitarist Rob Hawkins, bassist Jeremy McCoy, keyboardist Fred Williams and drummer Nate Winters. Each member contributes heavily to Saturate: Prayers of Worship.

It was announced last week that new comers Flickerrecords.com artist Phat Chance will be joining the Spring Plus One tour as one of the opening acts.

This February, Ill Harmonics and KJ-52 will be on tour together throughout much of the US on the "Live and Direct" Tour! The tour will also feature other special guests on various dates! At present, it looks like the tour will run from Jan. 31 - Feb. 22, but there are still some openings left.

Nick Records/Jive Records and Paramount Pictures recently announced the upcoming release of the soundtrack album for the Paramount Pictures/Nickelodeon Movies animated feature film, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. The soundtrack is the first release from Nick Records/Jive Records and is scheduled to hit stores today. The movie opens in theaters nationwide on December 21, 2001. Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius is the second soundtrack this year to feature Essential Records artist True Vibe. The group was recently part of the On The Line All-Stars, performing the title track to the Miramax film On The Line, with Lance Bass and Joey Fatone of 'N Sync; Mandy Moore and Christian Burns of BBMak.

Award winning artist Helen Baylor is set to release her much-anticipated new studio recording, her first in five years, on January 22, 2002. My Everything is being marketed through a unique partnership between sister labels Verity Records and Diadem Music.

*Thursday, November 15th, 2001*

All you dc Talk fans may not have to wait too long for some new music from the guys all together. Entertainment Weekly Magazine reported that the band will have the title track to Let's Roll, an album where all proceeds go to the Todd M. Beamer Foundation. This is one of the men believed to have overcome the terrorists on United Airlines Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania. Toby Mac was also quoted in this article (even though they spelled his name Mack) saying "People are gravitating to spiritual things right now. This man gave his life up for America and the last words he said were the Lord's Prayer and 'Let's roll.' That's inspiring." Jennifer Knapp, Nicole Mullen, and many others will be featured on this album.

5 Minute Walk Records is planning to take a break. President Frank Tate announced in an email newsletter yesterday, "I started the company 6 years ago with the goal of serving bands so that they could take the message of a friendship with Christ to as many people as possible. It has been an amazing time that allowed us to work with incredible bands and organize some great tours. I really feel like we gave it our all. I have decided to take a year off so that I can slow down enough to hear what the Lord would have us do next. The bible speaks of the year of Jubilee and taking time off to enjoy your family and rest in God. That is my plan." They also stated they plan to continue to promote Five Iron Frenzy's new album Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo on their label. The album releases this Tuesday November 20th.

Gaylord Entertainment has put up the "For Sale" sign. This comes as no shock when many employees have been laid off recently. Warner Brothers, Sony Music, and Zomba Recording Corporation have shown interest in the label. The reason for selling the company is that revenue has been decreasing each year over the last few years.

ListenFirst.com reported recently on the latest news from the guys of Value Pac. Ryan Sheely and Jason Feltman will put the band on hold to further pursue their education at the Hollywood’s Musician Institute. Sheely will be studying Songwriting and Recording, while Feltman will study Percussion and Music Theory.

In more P.O.D. news, go to www.stargatesweepstakes.com to win a trip to see the guys perform a concert in an undisclosed city. To be able to register, you have to know the city, which will be revealed on one of this month's episodes of Stargate SG*1.

Gotee recording artist Relient K has signed a multi-year artist management agreement with Nashville-based Alabaster Arts, Inc., effective immediately. The new agreement comes just as Relient K is finishing the last leg of the very successful, 30+-city "Electric Youth" tour with Five Iron Frenzy and label-mate John Reuben. Relient K joins an Alabaster Arts management roster that includes the O.C. Supertones and Red Hill recording artist Katy Hudson.

Reigning Gospel Music Association "Artist" and "Group" of the year, Third Day, has for the fourth consecutive time captured the number one position on the SoundScan compiled retail charts. The band's critically acclaimed and fifth studio recording, Come Together, which released Nov. 6, not only debuted at No. 1 on the Top Christian Albums chart, but also landed at No. 31 on the Billboard Top 200. The recording has further become the fastest selling album ever for Third Day. With over 56,000 sold, the album more than doubled the first week sales of the band's next best selling debut; Time sold over 24,000 copies, while the RIAA Certified Gold recording, Offerings - A Worship Album, sold over 22,000 units.

tobyMac and his solo debut, Momentum, debuts on the Billboard Heatseekers chart at #1, as well as #110 on the Billboard Top 200, between Limp Bizkit and Lenny Kravitz according to today's SoundScan reports. He also enters at #21 on the combined Mainstream/Christian SoundScan chart. Momentum sold nearly 13,000 units after a round of promotional dates, and was the only Christian album recently mentioned by USA TODAY as a "Notable Debut" for upcoming fall releases.

The first ever Inspirational/ Contemporary Artist nominees have been announced for this year's American Music Awards on January 9th, 2002 in Los Angeles, California. The nominees are Steven Curtis Chapman, Yolanda Adams, and Donnie McClurkin. Also, Jaci Velasquez is nominated for Favorite Latin Artist as well as Lifehouse is for Favorite New Artist Pop/Rock.

Wanna learn how to sing with help from Crystal Lewis? Well, on December 4th pick up the Vocal Performance Kit with vocal exercises, singing tips, appearance, presence, performance and attitude tips.

Point of Grace has started a devotional called Girls of Grace Devotional Book. Look for this in 2002.

If you think you heard some familiar music last night on Dawson's Creek, you're right. A JfH visitor reported hearing two Christian artists' songs including Tait's song "Empty" from their debut album of the same name and The Elms' "Who Got the Meaning?" from their latest album Big Surprise. It's nice to know that some people in Hollywood have good tastes in music.