Winter Jam 2010
Winter Jam 2010 will kick off on January 8th in Chattanooga, Tennessee with Third Day, Newsboys, NewSong, Tenth Avenue North, Fireflight, Sidewalk Prophets, Robert Pierre, Revive and special guest speaker Tony Nolan. Newcomers MIKESCHAIR will be on the program from Tupelo, MS through the end of the tour.
Image courtesy of: Essential Records. Used by permission.
Christian Music in Public - Who Picks the Station?
Back in 2005 I wrote an editorial because it seemed like every time I turned around, some "non-believer" was complaining about hearing a Christian song in public. I was brought back to that piece today when I read about Margaret Downey, the former President of Atheist Alliance International. Apparently Mrs. Downey and her husband were on an American Airlines flight from Hawaii to Los Angeles and during the flight "had to listen to three songs about a religious doctrine" that they found "disturbing."
After complaining to the stewardess that the flight had "become a church service" and being "ignored," Mrs. Downey wrote a letter to American Airlines, asking that they "confirm that this type of religious incident will not happen again" when she is on one of their flights.
The whole incident brings me back to the question, who picks the music? The business owner or the patrons? Should airlines poll each passenger when they book a flight to find out their musical preference and try to arrange a playlist accordingly? Would it even be possible to please everyone on a single 747, much less a whole airlines' worth? As consumers, we have the option to choose who we do business with. Isn't that really as far as our choice should go?
Image copyright: Kim Jones.
Tamela Mann News
There appears to be a rumor circulating that Gospel singer and actress Tamela Mann and her husband David Mann (also her co-star on "Meet The Browns") have gone home to God. There is no truth to the rumor. Tamela and David are both healthy and vibrant and are celebrating the release of her latest album, The Master Plan which hit stores yesterday (November 3rd).
As I listen to the CD, I have to say that there is a lot here to celebrate! This lady has a voice with a capital V!
- Visit Tamela & David on MySpace
- Purchase/Download 'The Master Plan'
MercyMe on Tour
MercyMe is kicking off the second leg of their latest tour, An Evening with MercyMe, on November 5, 2009. Jonny Diaz and Tenth Avenue North will share the stage with them on the November portion of the tour. An Evening With MercyMe runs through November 22, where it will end in Johnson City, Tennessee.
Image courtesy of: INO. Used by permission.
Top Christian & Gospel Ringtones
Ringtones are big business and a great way to hear snippets of your favorite songs anytime your phone rings. Of course, if you are extremely popular and your phone rings off of the hook, it can also be a great way to burn out on a song rather quickly!
Image courtesy of: INO. Used by permission.
Sara Groves Christmas Tour
Sara Groves, who has a new album (Fireflies & Songs) about life as a Christian wife and mom, coming out on November 17th, also has a Christmas tour coming up.
While talking about the album, Sara said, "As a songwriter, it's easier to step back and take an observer's view, and that's what I'd been doing the last couple albums. Of course, I'm in all those songs, and they're personal, but I wasn't 'digging in the dirt' for sure. It's hard to do that. It's hard to say, 'Here's my stuff. I'm not writing about other people's stuff.'"
Sara Groves O HOLY NIGHT Christmas Tour Dates
- 12/3 - Scotch Plains, NJ - Evangel Church
- 12/4 - Presque Isle, ME - Presque Isle Weslyan Church
- 12/5 - Bangor, ME - Bangor Baptist Church
- 12/6 - Manchester, NH - Manchester Christian Church
- 12/8 - Hershey, PA - Hershey Free Church
- 12/10 - Des Moines, IA - First Assembly
- 12/11 - Green Bay, WI - Cup O' Joy
- 12/13 - Niles, OH - Pleasant Valley Church
- 12/17 - Alexandria, MN - Alexandria Covenant Church
- 12/18 - Maple Grove, MN - Church of the Open Door
- 12/20 - Springfield, IL - Calvary Temple Christian Center
More About Sara Groves
More Christian Artists on Tour
Image courtesy of: INO. Used by permission.
Introducing Carl Brister
Carl Brister is a talented recording artist, a licensed minister and a psalmist who grew up listening to the soul/funk sounds of his father's band. Those roots shine through in his own music which boldly proclaims Christ as a root rather than as an afterthought.
Image courtesy of: Agape Musicworks. Used by permission.
Behind the Songs with Hearts of Saints
Craig Felker, the frontman for Hearts of Saints, shares the story behind "Angel's Light" from the band's upcoming self-titled debut.
In a press release, Craig said that the idea for the song took shape after seeing a guest on Larry King talking about an out-of-body experience where he saw orbs of light that he thought were angels. "I can't speak for the legitimacy of the story, but it triggered a thought in my head/heart ... one day we will worship our Father amongst the angels (in their light). We took this idea to Michael Farren (Pocket Full of Rocks) and he helped to co-write some of the most inspiring and worshipful lyrics on the album. Ultimately, 'Angel's Light' is about being in God's presence and desiring for His glory, His light to cover us."
Image courtesy of: Revolution Art. Used by permission.
Steven Curtis Chapman and "Orphan Sunday"
November is National Adoption Awareness Month and Steven Curtis Chapman, who is very well known for his support of adoption, is joining with Show Hope (the foundation he and his family created), Focus on the Family and FamilyLife to raise awareness of the more than 140 million orphans worldwide.
"Orphan Sunday," a live event on November 8th to be held in Nashville, will be simulcast through satellite, Moody Radio Network and Gospel Music Channel, and will also be available through a webcast at www.OrphanSunday.org. The event will feature a special acoustic performance from Chapman, with other musical guests Geoff Moore and the Children of the World Choir. Guest speakers include Focus on the Family President Jim Daly, a former orphan himself, Dr. Sharen Ford, Manager for Permanency Services for the Colorado Department of Human Services in the Division of Child Welfare Services, Jedd Medefind of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, and adoptive father Dennis Rainey, president of FamilyLife.
Steven shared his thoughts on the event in a press release.
"Our experience with the miracle of adoption and the chance to touch the lives of orphans has been infinitely rich and full," said Chapman, who adopted three daughters from China. "It's a privilege that God invites us to, and there are so many other children around the world who need homes and help. We're doing this event on November 8th to compel people to take action right now to be involved in caring for the world's orphans. We can each do something, whether it is donating, adopting, fostering, mentoring, visiting orphans or supporting families who have taken in orphans."
Image courtesy of: Sparrow Records. Used by permission.
Free Download From Day of Fire
Hard rockers Day Of Fire's upcoming release, Losing All, is set to hit stores on January 26th 2010. In the meantime, they want to share the first single with fans as well as a video of them performing it live.
Image courtesy of: Provident. Used by permission.