Afters The * Fireflight

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2/15/08 1:00 PM Page 1 FIND US ONLINE: CCMMAGAZINE.COM • CMCENTRAL.COM • CHRISTIANMUSICPLANET.COM THE AFTERS R G O T K C A B G IN O G S Y A W AL E AT WHY WE NEE D L A E R S U T C N A S FIREFLIGHT GOES BIONIC * STELLAR KART CHILDREN 18:3 EDISON GLASS 2/13/08 4:23 PM Page 3 [03.08] CONTENTS 24 COVER STORY departments 38—In Review The new album from The Afters serves as proof that the success of “Beautiful Love” was no fluke. If anything, it was only the beginning . . . 04—Editor’s Notes 05—yourCCM Jon Foreman’s seasonal solo outings, plus, new music from Fireflight, Jaci Velasquez, newcomer Laura Story and more. features 07—What Now! 46—Top Gear 32 Stellar Kart Expect the impossible, and enter the colorful world of Stellar Kart… Children 18:3 enters the scene; Krystal Meyers is in the studio; plus Hawk Nelson, Demon Hunter and much more. 16—Hit Lists 34 Fireflight This month’s radio and retail charts Rock outfit Fireflight had no idea its new album, Unbreakable, would be so symbolic. 20—Trend Watch The print version of CCM Magazine may be going away, but its future online looks bright. 36 Edison Glass The indie-rock of Edison Glass emerges once again as the band continues on its ever-innovative journey. 47—Tour Scrapbook Winter Jam featuring MercyMe, Skillet, BarlowGirl and more 48—Roots Building 429’s Jason Roy and his wife are serious about pouring into the lives of college students. 22—New Noise with Andrew Schwab 8 Jaymes Reunion, Advent, Number One Gun and more… 30—Sanctus Real Energize your iPod… Plus, uploading video just got easier. On the heels of a new album, Sanctus Real’s Matt Hammitt tells us why we need each other . 50—Final Word The Fat is Gone 2/13/08 4:07 PM Page 4 EDITOR’S NOTES THE END OF AN ERA... ...THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER As you may have already heard, CCM Magazine is gearing up for some big changes in May—the likes of which I certainly never expected to see, much less announce myself. You see, I’ve been a loyal CCM reader since 1984 when I first subscribed. (Any magazine cool enough to put Steve Taylor on the cover was cool enough for me.) And I’ve witnessed a lot of changes over the past 24 years, not just with the magazine, but the entire music industry. I remember the first time I examined a compact disc, a copy of Taylor’s Meltdown. “Will these things really catch on?” I wondered. “Do they really sound so good that fans will be willing to forego ‘real’ album packaging?” (My questions were answered when I listened to that recording of Meltdown.) Fifteen years later, I found myself asking the same sort of questions. “Digital downloads will some day be more popular than CDs, and fans will forego CD art and packaging altogether? You seriously believe that?” (And those questions are being answered for me even as I write this.) Call me “old school,” but I’m still a CD guy. And not just a CD guy, I’m a magazine guy—as in printed magazines. Sure, I like to surf the Web just as much as the next music fan, but I dig the magazine experience. It’s tangible…holding it, flipping through the pages, taking it with me on the go. Like I said, maybe I’m old school. The new school? You know the trend—especially among teens and 20-somethings. Printed magazines have been getting harder and harder to promote to you guys. A growing number of you have seen the power of the Web, and you want more information and want it faster than can be delivered in a monthly printed magazine. And the big news I would have never imagined? After 30 years as a print publication, CCM Magazine is preparing to move online—as in, exclusively online. Sure, I know that’s common with music/entertainment pubs these days, but we’re talking about the end of an era here. I should know. This print publication has done more than serve as a potent connection with my favorite artists and introduce me to new music, it was a key influencer in the decisions that ultimately brought me to Nashville 16 years ago to pursue a career in the music industry. (Sigh.) The bottom line is, our ultimate goal with CCM is to honor God through good stewardship—by serving you, the reader, well while being good stewards with our parent company’s investment. To do so, we need to make this transition. As a result, CCM Magazine will be discontinued in print form after the April issue. The good news is CCM will continue its commitment to great writing and thorough coverage, but all of that will come to you at warp speed via CCMMagazine.com. (Check out Page 21 to read a letter from our publisher, Jim Cumbee, and he will explain how your subscription will be handled after the final issue is printed in April. I think you will be pleased with your options.) The CCM fan in me has had almost four weeks to process the news you’ve just started to grasp. I know it’s a big deal, and I welcome your questions and feedback. Write me at [email protected]. The adventure continues, CCM MAGAZINE Christ • Community • Music volume 30 issue 8 Exploring redemptive music and the culture it influences. CCM Magazine is a publication of Salem Publishing, a division of Salem Communications. Publisher Jim Cumbee Associate Publisher Rick Edwards Editor Jay Swartzendruber Managing Editor Lindsay Williams Senior Art Director Christi Riddell Associate Art Directors Martina Ahlbrandt, Jonathan Starr Junior Designer Joshua Jamison Contributing Editors Andy Argyrakis, Christa A. Banister, Beau Black, Louie Giglio, Caroline Lusk, Johnston Moore, Andrew Schwab, Keith Troup, Chris Well Contributors Lizza Connor Bowen, Grace Cartwright, Ryan Clark, Matt Conner, Paul Durham, Bart Elliott, Andree Farias, Jonathan Isaac Harms, Rachel Harrold, David McCreary, Brad Moist, Brian Quincy Newcomb, Melina Powell, Dr. Tony Shore Production & Operations Director Ross E. Cluver Fulfillment Manager Jamie Kunzmann Customer Service Representatives Angela Banks, Natalie Delph, Amy Patton Executive Director of Advertising Jerry Charles 615/312-4244 Senior Director of Advertising DeDe Donatelli-Tarrant 805/987-5072 Account Executive Pat McAbee 770/237-5400 Account Executive Gary Miller 970/203-0417 Advertising Traffic Manager Carol Jones Assistant Advertising Traffic Manager Leah Totty Sales and Marketing Coordinator Melissa Smart Main Office 104 Woodmont Blvd., Suite 300 Nashville, TN 37205 615/386-3011 (ph) 615/386-3380 (business fax) 615/385-4112 (editorial fax) 615/386-3380 (advertising fax) Customer Service 104 Woodmont Blvd., Suite 300 Nashville, TN 37205 800/527-5226 or [email protected] Cover photo: Esther Havens Cover design: Christi Riddell Jay Swartzendruber [email protected] NASDAQ SYMBOL: SALM 4 [ccmmagazine.com] U 2/13/08 4:33 PM Page 5 Christina Shoemaker, via email FF5 FEEDBACK I met the brothers from Family Force 5 a couple times. They are such great guys, and I wanted to say “thank you” SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much for putting them on the front cover of CCM [January]. They truly deserve anything like that they get! Back in 1995 when they were just “The Brothers,” their song “Hide Me Away” saved me from committing suicide. They’re a very important part of my life, and I’m grateful for them. Christina Shoemaker, via email I was shocked and disgusted to see your last CCM cover on Family Force 5. I grew up in the Christian rock era. My favorite band then and still is Resurrection Band. I was around when Stryper came out with their make-up and eye shadow. It was wrong then and is now today… I am sorry if you think I am old fashioned. You probably have recieved hundreds of emails of people in disgust over this, and you probably got many letters as well, and you are not going to print them or read them. You will only report what makes you money and what your amoral fans want to see. John Maher, via CCMmagazine.com Though I was pretty disappointed with the results of the Readers’ Choice Awards [January] (being as I am not a fan of FF5), I was really excited to see how many people voted for tobyMac! He’s such an amazing musician, and he is totally talented. Other than Kutless (who, I was very sad to see, didn’t get many votes), tobyMac is surely my favorite musician. Beverly Beaudette, West Sand Lake, NY As a recent fan and owner of Family Force 5’s album, Business Up Front, Party in the Back, I was very disappointed in their feature article in the January issue [“Diamond Days”]. The band stated that they were being “persecuted” by the church because “kooky people who still play records backwards…looking for hidden messages” were asking legitimate questions about the message behind their music. First of all, the band blatantly ripped the word “persecuted” out of context. Persecution is when people are jailed, beaten or even killed for their faith in Christ. Clearly, FF5 has no concept of the suffering of their fellow believers around the world. Second, the church not only has a right, but a duty, to call all those on the carpet who claim to be Christians but are in danger of misrepresenting Christ to the world. And third, it was very immature of the band to refer to those well-meaning and sincere people as “kooky.” It's really too bad that they are as popular and influential as they are since they are clearly not role models I would want to pattern my own life off of. Bottom line, FF5 is really going to have to step it up before I vote for them for any award again! Laura Storrs, Midland, MI Why are groups being advertised in your magazine that are not Christian groups? For example, Family Force 5. This is not a Christian band. None of their lyrics have anything at all to do [with] Christ. You can't just support someone because they claim to be a Christian… If that's the case, you need to advertise Beyoncé in your magazine as well. After all, she claims to be a Christian, too. What makes her different than Family Force 5? Sandy Peters, via email Upon receiving the latest issue of CCM, I was initially frightened, next disturbed, then finally saddened. As a subscriber since the early ’80s, I've seen my share of alternative fashion covered in CCM over the years. This ranged from the heavy metal haberdashery of Stryper and the cowlick coiffures of Steve Taylor, to the custom “rock cowboy” boots of Mylon Le Fevre and the space age funky chic of Raze. However, raising two Christian teenagers in our household, it was hard to picture myself explaining what I was doing with your latest issue [January], with a cover photo featuring a scary-looking glam individual who apparently goes by the name “Nadaddy.” My initial subscription to CCM in the early ’80’s was to “replace” my previous subscription to Rolling Stone, which I had grown to dislike for two reasons. First (and foremost), because it didn’t coincide with my growing cont. on Page 6 Family Force 5 [ccmmagazine.com] 5 yourCCM THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH FOR PUTTING [FAMILY FORCE 5] ON THE FRONT COVER OF CCM [JANUARY]…THEY’RE A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF MY LIFE, AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THEM.” 4:33 PM Page 6 yourCCM 2/13/08 WHEN ARTISTS GET TO MEET YOU [Stephanie Thomas, Huntington, WV & STELLAR KART] The Devil Wears Prada cont. from Page 5 Christian faith, and second, because it had turned into more of a fashion magazine than a music magazine. Whereas it may seem to a mid-40s rocker for Christ that your coverage has swung to more style over substance, I sincerely hope that your coverage continues to reach out to today’s youth with the same relevance it did to me back when I had a full head of hair. (Perhaps it was Mr. Nadaddy’s ample crop that I found so threatening!) Thanks for being a torch for Christ (and His music!) for nearly 30 years. Bryon Holz, Brandon, FL JUST 86 THE REVIEWS I think you should just stop doing the reviews because they're causing so much uproar… I don't really like them either. They never help me decide what CD I want to buy or anything like that. The only section of “In Review” that I appreciate is the dates that the CDs come out for that coming month. That is very useful. But I encourage you to throw out the reviews…or come to a happy medium somewhere. ☺ Oh!Livia., via CCMmagazine.com NOW THAT’S HARDCORE I love how you featured The Devil Wears Prada in your January issue [“Fashion This”]. So many Christians are turned off by The Devil Wears Prada (and many other bands) because hardcore music is “ungodly,” but you pointed out that The Devil Wears Prada is, in fact, God-centered. I hope to continue to see more hardcore bands (especially The Devil Wears Prada) in future issues. Chrissy Dumire, Perkasie, PA 6 [ccmmagazine.com] I’d considered writing you with a question similar to that of Nolan Warren’s [“yourCCM,” January]. I know I'm not the only one whose parents disapprove of the music their kids listen to. Though my favorite band is Kutless, all my faves after that are in the vein of Underoath, Inhale Exhale, August Burns Red and the like. My parents seem to think I listen to hardcore chiefly because I would cut myself and have quit only in the last few months. They let me listen only because “you’re 16 and old enough to make some of your own decisions,” but they keep hoping I’ll “mature and listen to real music.” The irony of this is that it has often been a screamo song that kept me from hurting myself and even suicide a few times. The point is that the question of whether we as Christians should write and listen to hard music has been troubling me greatly, only because I love it so much. And Nolan, if by some chance or miracle they publish this and you're reading it, thank you for writing CCM in the first place and reminding me that I’m not the only one with this problem. Alia Huntington, Phoenix, AZ Correction: The website for the EYE-FI SD Card featured in last month’s “Top Gear” is eye.fi. WRITE US! We welcome your comments. Email: [email protected] or address your letter to: Feedback, CCM Magazine, 104 Woodmont Blvd., Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37205; fax 615/385-4112, Attn: Feedback. Always include your full name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. When I was asked to work the merchandise table for the Stellar Kart concert in Huntington, WV, I was ecstatic! I had a blast selling a variety of Stellar Kart items and talking with fellow fans. Adam, Brian, Cody and Jordan gave an awesome concert that evening; it was great getting to worship God with them. After the concert, I had the opportunity to meet the guys when I helped pack their merch away. It was cool getting to chat with them…and capture a few pictures. [Sarah Thompson and Meghan Scholtens, Sialom Springs, AR & JACKSON WATERS] Well, the concert was awesome! The band members were also very nice. Meghan’s uncle was friends with the lead singer, David. They went to college together and played baseball together as well. So, we got to talk to them a little bit after the show. I will never forget it! [Olivia Arnold, Sturgeon Bay, WI & TOBYMAC] [Eunice Chaidez, Oceanside, CA & LEELAND] This is a picture of Jennie, David and me (Eunice) in the picture with the band Leeland. We got to meet Leeland at a concert in Oceanside, CA. They are totally awesome and completely humble. They are very down-to-earth, and it was fun talking to them. The coolest part was when my brother played a game of Ping-Pong with lead singer Leeland and actually won. Leeland rocks! This picture is of tobyMac and I. He is awesome! You will notice the outfit... I love dressing up in Diverse City colors for his shows. I've been to many, many of his shows as well. (eight, I think is the exact number), and he now recognizes me from the outfit. It's quite fun. He's super cool, too. I mean, who didn't know that tobyMac was cool?! Ha ha. He's very real, and that's what I love and appreciate about him. [Landon, Storm, Devin and Riley, Yakima, WA & POCKET FULL OF ROCKS] [Curtis and Erica Pelton, Grand Rapids, MI & SUPERCHICK] My wife Erica and I got to meet Superchick after their show at Sunshine Community Church in Grand Rapids, MI. They were awesome to talk to, and when Tricia noticed my Thousand Foot Krutch T-shirt she informed us that she was dating the guitarist in TFK. They were all extremely friendly and easy to talk to. Our teen worship band, FlashPoint, met Michael and Alisa Farren from Pocket Full of Rocks at the Christian Musician Summit in Redmond, WA. Their worship set was awesome. We appreciated Michael's class, and we loved hanging out with them for a while. What friendly, down-to-earth, “happy to know ya” folks! We can't wait to see them again soon! Have you recently taken a picture with one of your favorite artists at a concert, in-store appearance, church event, or, hey, at the flea market? If so, send us the photo and tell us who you met, where you met ’em, and what it was like. Email the photo and info to [email protected] or use CCM’s regular mailing address (Attn: Feedback). 2/13/08 4:28 PM Page 7 8 HAWK NELSON GOES GREEN. 9 10 12 DEMON HUNTER’S STORY BEHIND “CARRY ME DOWN” KRYSTAL MEYERS IS IN THE STUDIO. TYLER PERRY BEAMS UP FOR STAR TREK. WAY ABOVE THE NORM Children 18:3 is leaving the farm far behind… Nothing about Children 18:3 is average or boring— except maybe the small farm town in Minnesota where they live. No offense to their home town; I too hail from a small Minnesota farm town, but I have never made artistic, cutting-edge music or done things the way Children 18:3 do. These three Hostetter siblings are special. They all 7 [ccmmagazine.com] grew up playing music together—David (vocals/guitar), Lee Marie (vocals/bass) and Seth (drums)—listening to everything from Rancid and MxPx to Joy Electric and The [ccmmagazine.com] Beatles. When Jay Swartzendruber (editor of this 7 2/13/08 4:29 PM Page 8 WHAT NOW! Ask Your Favorite Artist < illustrious publication) and I first saw them perform, we both looked at each other and smiled. We knew we were seeing the kind of natural artistic ability and raw talent few bands posses; this band is bursting with energy and passion. I was on the phone to my friend at Tooth & Nail Records before the sustain from the last chord of the show faded, saying, “You’ve got to hear this band!” As you talk with them, you realize their vision and integrity are amazing, something very rare in this genre. David, the oldest of the three, is the main songwriter. His knowledge of the Bible and ability to quote Scripture is the first thing that stands out, and he manages to intertwine that with his passion for art and music. Yet, his lyrics often have desperation as a theme, which he explains saying, “Happy, sappy lyrics just don’t seem real to me. If people really believed what they were saying in songs, the world would be a better place. I’m trying to be real.” After asking him what he hopes fans will take away from the shows and the music, he half jokingly questions back with, “That we’re cool?” I laugh, and he clarifies what is most important to them: “Trying to figure out how to love thy Lord your God with all your strength, and then love your neighbor as thyself; then you’ll probably start to see the kingdom of God. I think that needs to be a relevant part of all that we do.” Amen. DR. TONY SHORE 8 [ccmmagazine.com] 4 [Jeremy Camp] CCM reader Amanda Oliver of Dripping Springs, Texas, has three questions for Jeremy Camp. Taking a break from touring with tobyMac and Matthew West, Jeremy gladly took time to answer Amanda’s questions. Amanda: What's your favorite book/story of the Bible? Jeremy: That's very hard to choose, but I'd have to say my favorite book of the Bible is probably Romans. Romans deals so comprehensively with the foundations of the Christian faith and lays out what we, as believers, hold so dear to our hearts. It's in Romans that we learn from Paul who we are; once we were sinners, now we are God's children (saints in the faith), in Christ. And truly following Him leads us to real life. Amanda : Who was your biggest musical influence growing up? Jeremy: My biggest musical influence would be my dad. Growing up, I watched my dad play so passionately, songs he would write to the Lord. These were awesome worship songs. For me to see that passion in my dad gave me courage to live out my faith and my music. Amanda : What do your tattoos mean to you? Jeremy: My tattoos are very personal, and getting them is obviously not for everyone. For me they represent a deep, written, artistic expression of my love for my Lord and Savior. Different people express that in different ways, but these represent, in a small way, my devotion to Jesus. HAWK NELSON IS MY “GREEN” FRIEND We all know Hawk Nelson for their creative lyrics and exciting presence on stage, but for their “Green T Tour” this spring they’re bringing a different kind of hype to their audience. The band will be promoting its new album, Hawk Nelson Is My Friend (Tooth & Nail)— releasing April 1—as well as the “going green” cause. Each fan who purchases their ticket early will receive a “Green T” T-shirt specially designed to encourage fans to join this global effort. To learn more about the “Green T Tour” head to hawknelson.com. MELINA POWELL 2/13/08 4:29 PM Page 9 STORY BEHIND THE SONG: “Carry Me Down” is about mortality. In the lyrics of this song, I hypothetically fast forward to my own personal funeral. I wrote the song with the intention of giving people a sense of peace regarding mortality. In essence, it’s a letter to my friends and loved ones, letting them know that my heart is right with God, and they can take comfort in that. It’s also a way to get some final thoughts on paper, something I feel most people don’t get to do before they die. I’m not planning on passing any time soon, but I thought it was an issue worth covering now, regardless of my age. Although it may seem depressing, it’s meant to give hope and understanding. We received an email just the other day from a fan who told us “Carry Me Down” really helped them through the grieving process regarding a friend who had recently passed. RYAN CLARK [MY DAD] This is my dad’s gravesite. Man, do I miss him. —Bart Millard (lead vocals) THINGS T with MERCYME WHAT EXACTLY MAKES UP ALL THAT IS WITHIN THEM? [ROCKING CHAIRS] These rocking chairs represent one of my greatest memories in my marriage. Before our kids, we used to spend literally hours sitting on the front porch in these chairs…that was the life. —Mike Scheuchzer (guitars) [TELESCOPE] Worship took on a different meaning for me after purchasing a telescope. The worship service usually starts around dusk, continuing late into the wee hours of the night. It’s the perfect hobby for the nocturnal musician. God truly did make the heavens, and I get to enjoy them every clear night. —Barry Graul (guitars) [PECAN TREE] This is the big pecan tree in my front yard. It’s special because we live in Texas, and there aren’t many trees like this. —Robby Shaffer (drums) [RACE ROOM] If you haven’t heard, I’m a little bit of a race fan, and this is my “race room.” I’ve been collecting race memorabilia for 15 years and have been given some amazing things by drivers and other awesome people in the racing busines. If I wasn’t in MercyMe, my dream would be to be in racing. —Jim Bryson (keyboard) [SWORD] Hands off, kids. Ever since I was a kid, I have loved swords. Why, I am not sure. It makes me feel a bit silly to share this with everyone, but I value honesty. It makes me think of sacrifice, commitment and responsibility. —Nathan Cochran (bass) [BASEBALL HATS] I love baseball! A couple years ago, the band set out to go to every major league ballpark. The rule is you can only buy a hat once you have visited that park. So far, I am about halfway there. —Bart Millard (lead vocals) MercyMe’s latest project it called All That Is Within Me (INO). Check out mercyme.org for more photos, blogs, tour dates and more. [ccmmagazine.com] 9 WHAT NOW! DEMON HUNTER’S “CARRY ME DOWN” Most people never get the chance to write a letter to the ones they love before they die, revealing what matters most. Demon Hunter’s lead singer, Ryan Clark, on the other hand, penned his own epistle and set it to music. The hard band’s hit single can be found on its new record, Storm the Gates of Hell (Solid State). Ryan recently gave us a glimpse into his thoughts behind the song… WHAT NOW! 2/13/08 4:30 PM Page 10 4IN THE STUDIO WITH KRYSTAL MEYERS Going behind the scenes to get you ahead of the curve… THE MUSIC: “It’s like Shiny Toy Guns meets Rihanna, meets Kiley Minogue, meets Gwen Stefani, meets The Sounds. The music on this album is very pop. It’s a Studio 54, 1980s ‘throw back’ dance record. There are dance songs, songs with a more urban feel, moving ballads that groove and songs that are more rock.” —Krystal Meyers LYRICAL THEMES: “Thematically, there’s honesty, love and depth, along with some feel good dance songs. It’s a fun album!”—K.M. THE COMPARISON: “Dying for a Heart and this new record are very different. As I’m getting older, my influences are continuing to change. I don’t listen to as many hard bands as I used to. Granted, I still love to rock out, but I want to make records that reflect who I am at the time. This is a new season for me, but I’m still the same Krystal. I hope everyone loves the new sound.”—K.M. TBD LABEL: Essential RELEASE DATE: Late summer 2008 RECORDING STUDIOS: Dutchland in Brentwood, Tenn. PRODUCER: Double Dutch (Robert Marvin and Josiah Bell) NUMBER OF SONGS: 10 ALBUM TITLE: ARTIST’S CHOICE (L to R): Mitchell Solarek (Maximum Artist Management), Robert Marvin (producer, Double Dutch), Krystal Meyers, Josiah Bell (producer, Double Dutch) and Jordyn Thomas, Director of A&R, Provident Label Group NOISE MAKERS: “My favorite song so far on this record is “Beautiful Tonight” because the lyrics are very honest, the word imagery is very intricate and the message is not often addressed through music. There’s also a song I love called “Make Some Noise,” which really helped set the pace of the album from a musical standpoint. I’ve been able to perform “Make Some Noise” in Hong Kong, and ABC used it during promotions for its hit shows ‘Desperate Housewives,’ ‘Brothers and Sisters’ and ‘Extreme Home Makeover.’”—K.M. This month independent pop sensation Christine Evans shares her favorite things about winter. [FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT WINTER] 3 5 2 4 1 1—Playing with my dog, Bear, in the snow 2—Drinking hot chocolate (marshmallows, please!) by the fire with a book 3—Watching blizzards (from inside, of course!) 4—Taking time off from school ☺ 5—Hitting the slopes with my two brothers at Whistler, B.C. (except when they take me down the Double Black Diamond Runs…) 10 [ccmmagazine.com] 2/13/08 4:30 PM Page 11 Leigh Nash is reuniting with former bandmate Matt Slocum and hitting the studio once again. After some recent life-altering events in Nash’s life, Sixpence None the Richer decided to rejuvenate the band’s music. They are currently working on an EP that will be available soon and preparing for a tour scheduled to begin in April. To read more, check out myspace.com/leighnash. —M.P. SKILLET SIZZLES WITH NEW DRUMMER Lori Peters, better known as “the coolest chick drummer” to Skillet fans, has decided to leave the band to begin a “new chapter in her life.” Peters’ last appearance with the band took place this past New Year’s Eve when the band met for one last session. Another rockin’ chick, 19-year-old Jen Ledger, was recently introduced as Peters’ replacement. To find out more about Skillet’s new drummer, go to skillet.com. —M.P. FAITH ON THE MOVE TAKING THE MUSIC TO WHERE IT’S NEEDED MOST… honor to play music for the children. We hope that this becomes a trend, as we live in Music City, that more artists will involve themselves in such a sweet and life-giving opportunity.” Founded in 1999, Musicians on Call (MOC) has been opening doors for such opportunities for musicians, volunteers and patients. The concept is simple enough—provide music to patients. But the methods are brilliant in their simplicity and approachability. First, MOC offers a bedside program. If a patient is unable to leave their hospital bed, a volunteer artist will literally perform a bedside concert just for them. Imagine waking up to Jars of Clay strumming away at your feet! Next, they offer full CD pharmacies to Jars of Clay performing; 4-year-old Robbie Novack, a patient at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, hospitals. By providing libraries of albums and enjoys the music of Jars of Clay at a recent event at the hospital. (Photos Courtesy of Zach Boehm) stereos to play them on, Musicians on Call takes What do John Mayer, Chris Young and Jars of Clay have in one further step in bringing music to patients. common? Well of course, they’re all musicians. But thanks Finally, they provide an opportunity with software for a patient to record his to a groundbreaking organization, they are officially or her own music. “Musicians on Call.” No, this doesn’t mean they’re ready Perhaps the best part about MOC is that musicians don’t have to boast countless to suit up for the next episode of “ER”…well…not quite. accolades or awards to participate. In fact, local, unsigned artists are encouraged to These are just a handful of musicians who have contact MOC via their website and volunteer their time and talents. donated their time, talents and compassion to bring the When it all comes down to it, it’s hard to argue the healing power of music. And healing power of music to the bedsides of patients around the country. And from as John Mayer, a MOC volunteer himself, puts it, “It’s a great reminder of what New York to Nashville, these musicians are seeing first-hand the power of song. music was born to do.” CAROLINE LUSK “Our time spent at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital [Nashville] was incredible,” says Steve Mason of Jars of Clay. “Music has the power to heal, and it was our Visit musiciansoncall.org for more information. [ccmmagazine.com] 11 WHAT NOW! SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER MAKES A COMEBACK 2/13/08 4:31 PM Page 12 SIGHTINGS WHAT NOW! [of Faith in Culture] BY CHRIS WELL WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE…AGAIN Gospel playwright Tyler Perry (Madea's Family Reunion) will appear in the new Star Trek film, which revisits the early days of Kirk & Co. with an all-new cast. Perry portrays the head of Starfleet Academy. Directed by J.J. Abrams (“Alias”), Star Trek beams down to theaters Christmas Day 2008. WHODUNIT? If you’re tired of all the unnecessary language/sex/violence in your mystery fiction, Christian publisher Barbour has launched Heartsong Mysteries! Book Club just for you. The subscription series features exclusive light-hearted “whodunit” mysteries, with dashes of faith, suspense and romance thrown in. Subscribers receive four free mysteries just for trying out the club. Info at heartsongmysteries.com. WHAT GOD CAN DO New on DVD, The Secret Things of God explores the Judeo-Christian counterpoint to the top-selling The Secret. Hosted by best-selling author, psychologist and radio personality Dr. Henry Cloud, The Secret Things of God discusses biblical passages that give direction for creating a successful and fulfilling life, with supporting views from other spiritual leaders. EVEN BETTER THAN THE REAL THING The eye-popping concert feature film U2 3D, shot during U2’s visit to South America on the “Vertigo Tour,” has been playing in 3D cinemas. The three-dimensional shoot took place over seven shows in Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Argentina in February of last year. In other news, U2’s Bono and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates met at the Pentagon in January to discuss Africa and the fight against poverty. Among the topics discussed were plans to set up a new U.S. military command for Africa. DOUBLE-TAKE WILLIE IN CHARGE WILLIE AAMES AND WIFE MAYLO UPTON-AAMES HAVE WRITTEN A HOLLYWOOD-INSIDER MEMOIR, GRACE IS ENOUGH (B&H). THE BOOK RECALLS THEIR TROUBLED PASTS—A STORY FULL OF HEARTACHE, PAIN AND REGRET—AND THE FAITH IN GOD AND LOVE FOR EACH OTHER THAT BROUGHT THEM THROUGH. 12 [ccmmagazine.com] Straight-to-DVD outfit The Asylum has made a name (of sorts) with a series of knock-offs of high-profile Hollywood movies, on shelves just a week prior to the theatrical debut of the real deal. The company’s output includes the likes of Snakes on a Train, The Da Vinci Treasure and Transmorphers. In what some would consider an odd twist, the company has also launched a “faith film” division—where they now apparently crank out knock-offs of Left Behind. 2/13/08 4:31 PM Page 13 SIGHTINGS [of Faith in Culture] Thumbing through your Bible, it doesn’t take long to find tales of true crime: murder, theft, blasphemy—all sorts of stuff. As such, it’s no wonder that so many artists of faith are… Aw, who are we kidding? We saw a neat idea for a list and went for it. Enjoy. GOING TO THE CHAPEL HITTING SHELVES IN MARCH IS CHRIST THE LORD: ROAD TO CANA (KNOPF), THE SECOND VOLUME IN ANNE RICE'S SERIES ABOUT THE LIFE OF JESUS. THE NOVEL BEGINS DURING THE LAST WINTER BEFORE HIS BAPTISM IN THE JORDAN AND CONCLUDES WITH THE MIRACLE AT THE WEDDING IN CANA. THE NOVEL IS A RESULT OF STUDYING THE GOSPELS AND NEW TESTAMENT SCHOLARSHIP. IN AUGUST, GOOD NEWS 1|LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD (FLYLEAF) Anyone who has seen the latest entry in the “Die Hard” series, Live Free or Die Hard, got an earful of Flyleaf during the film's opening action sequence. (Those are the rocking sounds of the track “I’m So Sick,” from the band‘s self-titled debut.) HOLDINGS SCRAPPED PLANS FOR A FILM BASED ON THE FIRST NOVEL, CHRIST THE LORD: OUT OF EGYPT. KEEP ON WALKING An all-new extended cut of Johnny Cash’s biopic Walk The Line comes out on DVD March 25. The 2005 film, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, won a bevy of awards, including an Oscar for Witherspoon. The two-disc set includes 17 minutes of bonus footage, extended musical sequences, director commentary, featurettes and more. 2|THE BOURNE IDENTITY (MOBY) The action-packed Bourne Trilogy has taken spy movies into the new millennium. All three films also close with Moby’s hit “Extreme Ways” over the end-titles; the energetic tempo, coupled with Moby's haunting voice, makes a perfect theme. 3|“BIONIC WOMAN” (FIREFLIGHT) Months before the record was even available, NBC snagged the title track from Fireflight’s sophomore album, Unbreakable (Flicker), to charge up their promos for “Bionic Woman.” The band even shot a video for the song featuring scenes from the show. FREE FICTION ONLINE! Details are still being hammered out, but my debut redemptive crime thriller, Forgiving Solomon Long (Harvest House), is going to be posted online soon so you can read it—free! Named one of 2005’s 10 Best Christian Novels by Booklist (American Library Association), this is a chance for everyone to get in on the ground floor. Watch for updates at studiowell.com. 4|“MONK” (ALICE COOPER) When obsessive-compulsive detective Adrian Monk is unable to think clearly because of a garbage strike, he is temporarily convinced that the murderer is none other than rocker Alice Cooper. (Because, of course, Cooper is “the kind of hippie who breaks into people’s offices, beats them up, and shoots them in the head.”) Chris Well is an award-winning writer, editor and novelist. Keep up with the latest news of all things Chris Well (well, some things) at studiowell.com and shoutlife.com/chriswell. [ccmmagazine.com] 13 WHAT NOW! FIGHTING CRIME 2/13/08 4:32 PM Page 14 MY CHRISTIAN MUSIC WEBSITES WHAT NOW! [CCMmagazine.com, CMCentral.com, ChristianMusicPlanet.com] DIGITAL. For ALL the news, features and info on all my favorite Christian artists DON’T MISS A BEAT…JOIN US ONLINE! Now, there are THREE places you can go to find out about the music you love: CCMmagazine.com Want the inside scoop on our cover story artist this month? Head to CCMmagazine.com for exclusive blogs from THE AFTERS. Plus, enter for your chance to win a copy of their new album, Never Going Back to OK (INO/Columbia), along with an autographed poster. ChristianMusicPlanet.com It’s that time of year again! GOSPEL MUSIC ASSOCIATION WEEK will be here before you know it, and CCMmagazine.com will be there to give you an insider’s perspective into the industry’s biggest week of the year! Keep checking back for details on how you can chat with some of your favorite artists during GMA Week! Plus, log on to our new blog for updates. SPECIAL: Order before March 15 and receive the March and April issues for only $4. Plus, receive the CCM New Music Collection, Vol. 1 FREE. 4 Check out the new blog at CCMMAGAZINE.COM/BLOGS to get up-to-the-minute news and happenings. CMCentral.com We want to know what YOU think! Post COMMENTS on articles, reviews and blogs. MUSIC MADNESS PHOTO CONTEST The month of March is known for basketball’s March Madness. Since not everyone is a basketball fan, we decided to change March to MUSIC MADNESS instead. To celebrate, post pictures of your favorite musician/band in the entertainment section of CCMmagazine.com. ARTIST PROFILES and our list of NEW RELEASES are continually updated to keep you in the loop on all your favorite artists. Visit our FORUMS at CCMmagazine.com, and tell us what you’d like to see on our websites. THEFINALWORD.TV INTERVIEWS MITCH MCVICKER Look for features and interviews with RUSH OF FOOLS, LAURA STORY, JAIME JAMGOCHIAN, ADDISON ROAD and ESTERLYN throughout the month of March. Plus, look for new album reviews posted weekly. SIGN UP! Don’t miss a beat! To keep up with the latest news and happenings online, sign up to receive our FREE newsletters. Log on to CCMmagazine.com, CMCentral.com and ChristianMusicPlanet.com. Sign up for all three today. 14 [ccmmagazine.com] You voted. We listened. The winners of the CMP FAN AWARDS have been announced. Head on over to ChristianMusicPlanet.com to see how many of your favorites artists landed on top. ChristianMusicPlanet.com teams up with TheFinalWord.TV for an exclusive video interview with artist MITCH MCVICKER. McVicker shares candidly about his friendship with the late Rich Mullins, the accident that took Rich’s life (and nearly claimed his own) and McVicker’s challenging road to recovery. FAQ Have a question about your subscription to the print version of CCM Magazine? Visit CCMmagazine.com/blogs for more info, and remember to check back frequently as CCMmagazine.com will be the new place to find all of the things you love about the print magazine…and more! COME BE OUR FRIEND MySpace.com/CCMmagazine MySpace.com/ChristianMusicPlanetmagazine 2/13/08 4:14 PM Page 16 > [CHARTING THE TOP ALBUMS AND SONGS] > HIT LISTS TOP ROCK/ALTERNATIVE ALBUMS THE TOP-SELLING CHRISTIAN ALBUMS ACCORDING TO NIELSEN SOUNDSCAN TW WO ARTIST—Album (Label) ) 1 120 FLYLEAF—Flyleaf - Special Limited Edition (Octone/S-R-E) 2 TOP CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL ALBUMS OVERALL TW LW WO ARTIST—Album (Label) ) 1 1 6 KIRK FRANKLIN—The Fight of My Life (Fo Yo Soul/Gospo Centric/Zomba) 2 2 129 NATALIE GRANT—Awaken (Curb) 3 5 10 MERCYME—All That is Within Me (INO) 4 4 22 CASTING CROWNS—The Altar and The Door 5 3 120 FLYLEAF—Flyleaf - Special Limited Edition (Octone/S-R-E) 6 8 30 MARVIN SAPP—Thirsty (Verity) 7 6 17 VARIOUS—WOW Hits 2008 (Sparrow) 8 -- 1 JON FOREMAN—Winter (Credential) 9 9 70 CHRIS TOMLIN—See The Morning (sixsteps) 10 7 17 SONGS 4 WORSHIP—Songs 4 Worship Country (Integrity) 11 10 2 MATTHEW WEST—Something to Say (Sparrow) (Beach Street) 12 12 22 POINT OF GRACE—How You Live (Word) 13 33 14 GAITHER VOCAL BAND AND ERNIE HAASE—Together (Gaither Music Co) 14 11 69 SKILLET—Comatose (Ardent/S-R-E/Lava/Atlantic) 15 14 18 SHEKINAH GLORY MINISTRY—Jesus (Universal) 16 13 49 TOBYMAC—Portable Sounds - Deluxe Edition (ForeFront) 17 15 21 ISRAEL & NEW BREED—A Deeper Level (Integrity) 18 17 18 DAVID CROWDER BAND—Remedy (sixsteps) 19 22 14 STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN—This Moment (Sparrow) 20 18 86 RED—End of Silence (Essential) 21 19 100 ALAN JACKSON—Precious Memories (RCA/Arista Nashville) 22 20 126 CASTING CROWNS—Lifesong (Beach Street) 23 — BISHOP PAUL MORTON—Embracing the Next Generation (Light) 1 24 24 136 CASTING CROWNS—Casting Crowns (Beach Street) 25 23 19 IWORSHIP—iWorship 24:7 (Integrity) 26 28 27 BARLOWGIRL—How Can We Be Silent (Fervent) 27 30 69 VARIOUS—WOW Hits 2007 (Sparrow) 28 37 91 MERCYME—Coming Up To Breathe (INO) 29 42 136 MERCYME—Almost There (INO) 30 26 26 MANDISA—True Beauty (Sparrow) TIE 27 93 MAT KEARNEY—Nothing Left to Lose (Aware/Columbia/Inpop) TIE 34 136 CHRIS TOMLIN—Arriving (sixsteps) 33 16 15 JOSH GROBAN—Noel (Word) 34 38 136 VARIOUS—O Brother, Where Art Thou? (Lost Highway) 35 43 38 RUSH OF FOOLS—Rush of Fools (Midas) 36 48 42 THE CLARK SISTERS—Live One Last Time (EMI Gospel) 37 29 19 TRIN-I-TEE 5:7—T57 (Universal) 38 30 47 ELVIS PRESLEY—Elvis: Ultimate Gospel (BMG/Provident) 39 36 12 DEMON HUNTER—Storm The Gates of Hell (Solid State) 40 — PASSION—Passion: God of This City (sixsteps) 1 Third Day is going to rock into the spring season along with Sanctus Real and DecembeRadio on their 2008 spring tour. Matthew West‘s new companion documentary, Nothing To Say, is available now exclusively at Family Christian Stores. 1 JON FOREMAN—Winter (Credential) 3 69 SKILLET—Comatose (Ardent/S-R-E/Lava/Atlantic) 4 50 TOBYMAC—Portable Sounds - Deluxe Edition (ForeFront) 5 86 RED—End of Silence (Essential) 6 27 BARLOWGIRL—How Can We Be Silent (Fervent) 7 12 DEMON HUNTER—Storm The Gates of Hell (Solid State) 8 25 THIRD DAY—Chronology, Vol. 2 2001-2006 (Essential) 9 19 THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH—The Flame in All of Us (Tooth & Nail) 10 43 THE ALMOST—Southern Weather (Tooth & Nail/Virgin) 11 76 LEELAND—Sound of Melodies (Essential) 12 152 KUTLESS—Strong Tower - Deluxe Edition (BEC) 13 57 LIFEHOUSE—No Name Face (Dreamworks) 14 22 NEEDTOBREATHE—The Heat (Atlantic/Word) 15 96 FAMILY FORCE 5—Business Up Front, Party in the Back (Gotee) 16 48 RELIENT K—Five Score and Seven Years Ago (Capitol/Gotee) 17 255 CHEVELLE—Wonder What’s Next (Sony/Epic) 18 32 AUGUST BURNS RED—Messengers (Solid State) 19 39 BUILDING 429—Iris to Iris (Word) 20 JON FOREMAN—Fall and Winter (Credential) 2 TOP R&B/HIP-HOP ALBUMS TW WO ARTIST—Album (Label) ) 1 77 LECRAE—After the Music Stops (Cross Movement) Thy Kingdom Come is the new album by the profound gospel singer CeCe Winans, releasing in April. 2 136 TOBYMAC—Welcome to Diverse City (ForeFront) 3 62 PATTI LABELLE—The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle (Bungalo) 4 31 DA’ T.R.U.T.H.—Open Book (Cross Movement) 5 13 BEBE WINANS—Cherch (KOCH) 6 6 J.R.—Life By Stereo (Cross Movement) 7 43 KJ-52—The Yearbook (BEC) 8 32 116 CLIQUE—13 Letters (Reach) 9 125 CECE WINANS—Purified (Pure Springs Gospel/INO) 10 19 T-BONE—Bone-Appetit (Flicker) 11 69 VARIOUS—Body + Soul Gospel (Time Life) TIE 35 ONITSHA—Church Girl (Universal) TIE 23 GRITS—Greatest Hits (Gotee) 14 13 PHANATIK—Crime & Consequences (Cross Movement) 15 23 VARIOUS—Hip Hope 2008 (Gotee) 16 46 SHIRLEY MURDOCK—Soulfood (Tyscot) 17 128 LECRAE—Real Talk (Cross Movement) TIE 43 FLAME—Our World: Fallen (Cross Movement) TIE 35 THE CROSS MOVEMENT—HIStory: Our Place in His Story (Cross Movement) 20 29 SUNNY HAWKINS—More of You (Universal) Each chart reflects Christian and general market combined album sales for the week ending January 27, 2008. All charts © 2008 by Nielsen SoundScan (a division of VNU Marketing Information) and Christian Music Trade Association. All rights reserved. No reproduction without permission. * Hit Lists cont. on Page 18 16 [ccmmagazine.com] 2/15/08 1:04 PM Page 18 Hit Lists cont. from Page 16 TOP ADULT CONTEMPORARY/POP ALBUMS TOP PRAISE & WORSHIP ALBUMS TW WO TW WO ARTIST—Album (Label) ) 1 68 CHRIS TOMLIN—See the Morning (sixsteps) > ARTIST—Album (Label) ) NATALIE GRANT—Awaken (Curb) HIT LISTS 1 149 2 10 MERCYME—All That is Within Me (INO) 3 23 CASTING CROWNS—The Altar and The Door 4 18 VARIOUS—WOW Hits 2008 (Sparrow) 5 2 MATTHEW WEST—Something to Say (Sparrow) 6 22 POINT OF GRACE—How You Live (Word) 7 14 STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN—This Moment (Sparrow) 8 127 CASTING CROWNS—Lifesong (Beach Street) (Beach Street) After three No.1 hit radio singles, Chris Tomlin‘s See the Morning was certified gold, giving the artist his second consecutive gold album. 2 17 SONGS 4 WORSHIP—Songs 4 Worship Country (Integrity) 3 19 DAVID CROWDER BAND—Remedy (sixsteps) 4 19 IWORSHIP—iWorship 24:7 (Integrity) 5 175 CHRIS TOMLIN—Arriving (sixsteps) 6 1 PASSION—Passion: God of This City (sixsteps) 7 21 HILLSONG—Saviour King (Integrity) 8 37 HILLSONG UNITED—All of the Above (Integrity) 9 226 CASTING CROWNS—Casting Crowns (Beach Street) 9 118 10 69 VARIOUS—WOW Hits 2007 (Sparrow) 10 333 MICHAEL W. SMITH—Worship (Reunion) 11 91 MERCYME—Coming Up to Breathe (INO) 11 95 VARIOUS—WOW Worship: Aqua (Provident) 12 153 MERCYME—Almost There (INO) 12 73 HILLSONG—Mighty to Save (Integrity) 13 27 MANDISA—True Beauty (Sparrow) 13 47 VARIOUS—Beautiful Worship (INO) 14 93 MAT KEARNEY—Nothing Left to Lose (Aware/Columbia/Inpop) 14 95 UNITED—United We Stand (Integrity) 15 15 JOSH GROBAN—Noel (Word) 15 48 VARIOUS—51 Must Have Modern Worship Hits (Integrity) 16 38 RUSH OF FOOLS—Rush of Fools (Midas) 16 99 VARIOUS—Best Worship Songs Ever! (Worship Together) 17 10 NEWSBOYS—Greatest Hits (Sparrow) 17 64 VARIOUS—iWorship Platinum (Integrity) 18 33 JON MCLAUGHLIN—Indiana (Island/EMI) 18 14 DEITRICK HADDON/ VOICES OF UNITY—Together in Worship (Tyscot) 19 17 AMY GRANT—Greatest Hits 19 47 VARIOUS—Glory Revealed (Reunion) 20 14 SARA GROVES—Tell Me What You Know (INO) 20 64 LINCOLN BREWSTER—Let the Praises Ring (Integrity) (Sparrow) VARIOUS—Open the Eyes of My Heart (INO) Each chart reflects Christian and general market combined album sales for the week ending January 27, 2008. All charts © 2008 by Nielsen SoundScan (a division of VNU Marketing Information) and Christian Music Trade Association. All rights reserved. *No reproduction without permission. THE TOP SONGS ON CHRISTIAN RADIO ACCORDING TO TOP ADULT CONTEMPORARY/POP SONGS TOP CONTEMPORARY HIT SONGS TOP ROCK SONGS ARTIST—Song—Album (Label) ) ARTIST—Song—Album (Label) ) MERCYME—God With Us— 1 1 All That is Within Me (INO) 2 CHRIS TOMLIN—Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)—See the Morning (sixsteps/EMI) 3 MATTHEW WEST—You Are Everything— 4 5 Something to Say (Sparrow/EMI) CASTING CROWNS—East to West—The Altar and the Door (Beach Street/Reunion/PLG) NEWSBOYS—In Wonder—Go (Inpop) 6 NATALIE GRANT—In Better Hands—Relentless (Curb) 7 RUSH OF FOOLS—When Our Hearts Sing— 8 JEREMY CAMP—Let It Fade—Beyond Measure (BEC) 9 FEE—All Because of Jesus—We Shine (INO) 10 AARON SHUST—Give Me Words to Speak— Rush of Fools (Midas) Whispered and Shouted (Brash) 2 3 4 SANCTUS REAL—We Need Each Other—We Need Each Other (Sparrow/EMI) THE AFTERS—Never Going Back to OK— 1 For the Love of the Game (Provident) 2 3 FIREFLIGHT—Unbreakable—Unbreakable (Flicker) 4 THE AFTERS—Never Going Back to OK— 5 THE ALMOST—Southern Weather—Southern (OMG Records) ROBBIE SEAY BAND—Song of Hope (Heaven Come Down)—Give Yourself Away (Sparrow/EMI) 5 CASTING CROWNS—East to West—The Altar and the 6 MAINSTAY—Believe—Become Who You Are (BEC) Door (Beach Street/Reunion/PLG) DEMON HUNTER—Carry Me Down— Storm the Gates of Hell (Tooth & Nail) Never Going Back to OK (INO) CHASEN—Crazy Beautiful—Shine Through The Stars PILLAR—For the Love of the Game— Never Going Back to OK (INO) Weather (Tooth & Nail) 6 THE FOLD—Medicine—Secrets Keep You Sick (Tooth & Nail) 7 IVORYLINE—Be Still and Breathe—Then Came a Lion 8 SKILLET—Live Free or Let Me Die—Comatose 7 FALLING UP—Hotel Aquarium—Captiva (BEC) 8 DAVID CROWDER BAND—Everything Glorious— 9 STORYSIDE:B—Be Still—We Are Not Alone (Gotee) 9 MXPX—Angels—Secret Weapon (Tooth & Nail) 10 EVERYDAY SUNDAY—Let’s Go Back— 10 DIZMAS—Shake It Off—Tension 11 PROJECT 86—Illuminate—Rival Factions (Tooth & Nail) 12 EDISON GLASS—Let Go—Time is Fiction (Credential) 13 A DREAM TOO LATE—Intermission to the Moon— Remedy (sixsteps/EMI) Wake Up! Wake Up! (Inpop) (Tooth & Nail) (Ardent/INO) (Credential) 11 MONK & NEAGLE—The Twenty-First Time— The Twenty-First Time (Reunion/PLG) 11 RUTH—You Are—Secondhand Dreaming (Tooth & Nail) 12 BUILDING 429—You Carried Me—Iris to Iris (Word-Curb) 12 SWITCHFOOT—Head Over Heels (In This Life)— 13 POINT OF GRACE—How You Live (Turn Up The Music) —How You Live (Word-Curb) 13 STEPHANIE SMITH—Not Afraid—Not Afraid (Gotee) 14 BRITT NICOLE—Set the World on Fire—Say It (Sparrow/EMI) 14 SKILLET—The Older I Get—Comatose (Ardent/INO) 14 HAWK NELSON—Friend Like That—Hawk Nelson is 15 TOBYMAC—I’m For You—Portable Sounds (ForeFront/EMI) 15 BARLOWGIRL—I Believe In Love—How Can We Be 15 CHASING VICTORY—Wolves—Fiends (Mono vs. Stereo) 16 DAVID CROWDER BAND—Everything Glorious— 16 A ROTTERDAM NOVEMBER—City Without a Heart— 16 JEREMY CAMP—No Matter What It Takes— 17 CHILDREN 18:3—You Know We’re All So Fond of Dying—Children 18:3 (Tooth & Nail) 18 EMERY—World Away—I’m Only A Man (Tooth & 19 FAMILY FORCE 5—Never Let Me Go—Business Up Front, 20 SECRET AND WHISPER—Vanishings—Great White 17 18 19 20 Remedy (sixsteps/EMI) WAVORLY—Praise and Adore—Conquering the Fear of Flight (Flicker) BRANDON HEATH—Don’t Get Comfortable— Don’t Get Comfortable (Reunion/PLG) ROBBIE SEAY BAND—Song of Hope (Heaven Come Down)—Give Yourself Away (Sparrow/EMI) CAEDMON’S CALL—There is a Reason—Overdressed (INO) Oh! Gravity. (Sparrow/EMI) Silent (Fervent/Word-Curb) Beyond Measure (BEC) 17 HAWK NELSON—Friend Like That—Hawk Nelson is 18 SEVENGLORY—Let It Be Love—Atmosphere (7Spin) 19 20 My Friend (Tooth & Nail) THE ALMOST—Say This Sooner—Southern Weather (Tooth & Nail) ADDISON ROAD—All That Matters—All That Matters (INO) Each chart reflects Christian radio airplay for the week ending January 28, 2008 as tabulated by Christian Radio & Retail Weekly. © 2008 CRW. All rights reserved. christianradioweekly.com * 18 [ccmmagazine.com] Intermission to the Moon (Tooth & Nail) My Friend (Tooth & Nail) A Rotterdam November (independent) Nail) Party in the Back (Gotee) Whale (Tooth & Nail) 2/13/08 4:26 PM Page 20 } TREND WATCH [TUNING INTO THE FUTURE] By Beau Black WHERE DID MY CCM MAGAZINE GO? The print version of CCM Magazine may be going away, but its future online looks bright. Since you’re holding in your hands the second to last physical issue of CCM, this go-round, we’re exploring the timely subject of magazines going online. We’ll join a growing list of publications—other music mags, Christian mags and just about everything else—that are moving off the page and onto your computer screen. First, a confession: I love magazines. I subscribe to, well, too many of them to keep up with—travel, music and entertainment, news, Wired and, of course, CCM. The portability, readability, accessibility and visual appeal of a print publication have made that the medium of choice for many. But publishing online has its own considerable list of advantages: it can be easily, instantly updated or corrected, offers freedom from length restrictions, and incorporates other mediums (links, files, video, etc.) in ways that a page can’t match. For this CSI: CCM project, we turn to Jackie Marushka, publicity queen (actual title: VP Public Relations) for Provident Music Group. She’s been getting press for Third Day, Smitty, Jars, et al, for the last eight years. She says the biggest motivator behind this transition is timeliness: “I see the consumer wanting real-time info—whether it’s coverage of news or entertainment or what their favorite celebrity is doing at the moment. Life moves quickly, and print publications are not able to keep up. I log on every morning and get my news and weather, which is updated over something that was written last night,” as the morning paper was. There’s also, Marushka says, the “early adopter” appeal of being first on the scene with new info—or a new song. “Younger readers want to access information first. If you’re first to hear about something, there’s a little bit of a cool factor in coming across new music or a film or a news story that’s just breaking.” Money is another big factor: it costs a lot to layout, print and distribute publications. “Advertising dollars aren’t as attainable as they have been,” she says. “Businesses are being more selective, looking online and elsewhere they can match where their consumers are.” For her artists and others, the move online opens up new opportunities to connect with fans, a development we’ve covered here before. Beyond just the traditional Q&A, interview-based feature or review, the web “allows the artist to get creative with video, audio, blogs, etc.” One of her acts, progressive rock band Leeland, will grab a video camera and take fans on a virtual walk backstage. Another, Third Day, has a huge online community where fans can connect with others, plan to gather at the band’s shows and relate over the message boards. In sum, the options available online can help move a consumer or buyer into a fan, Marushka says. Though many publications (notably this one and Paste) help the reader discover new music by including sampler CDs, the discovery process is much easier on the Web—and easily married with an online feature. “Music sells music,” says Marushka. “I rarely will buy an album without hearing it or having it recommended to me by a friend I trust.” There’s that community thing again. And it’s a whole lot easier to be a tastemaker in a paper and plastic-free medium. “Business is changing across the board; the economy is not in the greatest shape,” she says. “We’re all having to be thoughtful about where we spend our money. The shift from print to online is what’s going to happen in the future in a lot of areas because of the cost savings.” —Jackie Marushka My money says print publications will be around for a long time, but certainly technology and economics have irrevocably changed magazine publishing, just as they have the music business. “CCM, in print, has such a history and a legacy that’s going to be missed,” concludes Marushka. “But it has an opportunity to meet new readers online and introduce more artists to a bigger group of people.” Amen to that. And here’s to many more years of your favorite Christian music magazine in cyberspace. CCM, IN PRINT, HAS SUCH A HISTORY AND A LEGACY THAT’S GOING TO BE MISSED, BUT IT HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET NEW READERS ONLINE AND INTRODUCE MORE ARTISTS TO A BIGGER GROUP OF PEOPLE.” Beau Black teaches English for Weatherford College and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University near his home in Fort Worth, Texas. He has written about the Christian music industry for more than a decade. 20 [ccmmagazine.com] 2/12/08 4:27 PM Page 21 Dear CCM Magazine Subscriber: For almost 30 years, CCM Magazine has been the preeminent voice of the Christia n music scene. Our readers have been remarkably loya l through many changes in contemporar y Christian music, from the birth of the genre in the mid -’70s to segmentation in the late ’90s to include everything from heavy metal to glorious praise. In recent years, contemporary Christian mus ic has taken on an even broader definition by going into mainstream venues and, in some cases, even performed by mainstream artists. But whatever the form, whoever performs it, or wherever it is performed, the purpose of CCM Magazine has been, and will continue to be, to highlight contemp orary Christian music and the artists who create it. As you read in Jay’s Editor’s letter (pag e 4) the printed version of CCM Magazin e will end after the April issue. You have several choices to redeem the value of any issues remainin g on your paid subscription. Just log onto www.CCMM agazine.com/offer and enter your nam e, address and subscriber number, which is on the mail ing label on the front cover of this mag azine. When you do that, your options will be immedia tely available, including a choice of othe r magazines, free music downloads from our digital mus ic store or a prorated cash refund. While the magazine comes to an end in printed form, through www.CCMMagaz ine.com you can stay connected with fresh information on new music, artist schedules, concert and album reviews, and features on the comings and goings of your favorite artists. Our best days are ahead, and our prayer is that all we do brings honor to Him whose music we enjoy every day. In His name and to His glory, Jim Cumbee Publisher 2/13/08 4:18 PM Page 22 5 [HUNTING FOR THE SPIRITUALLY SOUND AND GOOD] FLASHLIGHT JAYMES REUNION 5 NEW NOISE WITH ANDREW SCHWAB [A CLOSER LOOK] The revolving collaborative that is the Jaymes Reunion is fronted by Cameron Jaymes, a prolific songwriter from Southern California. Rather than approach this project as a solo endeavor (even though he is the songwriter, front man and lyricist), he functions as more of a big band leader, enlisting the services of a rather large pool of revolving musicians. At first listen, the sound is somewhere between Ben Folds and The Killers, though in actuality, the influence is far more broad. Cameron Jaymes reflects about his goals and vision: “When it comes to music, my goal is to write about things that people really feel, things that people from all walks of life can relate to. There are so many things that can be said through music, and it is an incredible opportunity to be able to connect with people through one of their favorite avenues—music. I am just trying to keep the music positive and keep my integrity on both a personal and musical level.” Admittedly, Jaymes has taken a more subtle approach to presenting his beliefs and will use his creative and unique approach to breach the general market. Expect great things, for even with this small taste of what is to come, this promises to be huge. The debut LP is coming late spring via BEC. Find out more at myspace.com/jaymesreunion. 22 [ccmmagazine.com] MIKE KELLY Best-kept secret Mike Kelly possesses the classic elements of a future great singer/ songwriter—insightful lyrics, memorable songwriting and a bellowing voice that conjures up imagery. Hailing from Tulsa, Okla., his songs speak of failure and redemption in everyday life as a midwestern man. While he is still without label backing, you can get a taste of his magic before the masses get ahold of him (which they are most likely to do). Check out his music and find the latest news and dates at myspace.com/mikekelly. 2/13/08 4:19 PM Page 23 NUMBER ONE GUN Jeff Schneweiss, front man and mastermind behind Number One Gun, has reinvented his band after a considerable hiatus, during which time he has been producing other projects. This power-pop outfit, which has a respectable history for delivering catchy tunes and tight song structures, is back with its brand-new record, The North Pole Project (Tooth & Nail). Not to take anything away from older material, but Schneweiss seems to have found himself during The Gun’s hibernation, as nothing released previously has this much vocal dynamic. Sometimes taking a break can clear your head, and in this case, that is a law rather than a theory. Preview these new tracks online via the band’s MySpace, and purchase the new album as well: myspace.com/numberonegun. HERE I COME FALLING A screamo outfit with death metal screams? Yes, and unabashed about their faith, as well. The band’s MySpace says (in bold) “Jesus Loves You,” and just as I read this, some kind of primordial, less-than-human growl escapes my computer speakers. This is about as extreme as it gets, the caricature of the screamo genre, which many say is the only place left for it to go. Monstrous power-pop melodies—which could easily fit in My Chemical Romance songs—break in unexpectedly, but as soon as they appear they disappear into the aforementioned death-metal growls. This is nothing if not pure entertainment, with more twists and turns than a Tom Clancy novel. The band’s new album, Oh Death, Where is Thy Victory, is out now on Rise Records. myspace.com/hicf BRIGHTEN With nearly 3 million plays on its MySpace page and over 50,000 friends, Brighten has the base that most free agents only dream of. They have toured with Hawthorne Heights, Eisley and Cute is What We Aim For. A series of unique legal scenarios has put the band in a great position with a huge fan base, and now the band is searching for a new label home. Its brand of indie rock is classic in nature, with more emo influence than the current incarnation of power-pop. Some songs are acoustic, while others are more ambient pop with song structures and melodies worthy of a major label release. Though Chico, Calif., is not necessarily known for its music scene, Brighten surely does put the town on the musical map. Expect them to get out from under the radar any moment with a new label home. You can find out how to purchase the new LP, King vs. Queen, as well as the band’s EP, Ready When You Are, at myspace.com/wearebrighten. ADVENT Many in heavy music still lament the dissolution of underground champions Beloved, a post-hardcore outfit form North Carolina which graced us up to their untimely departure in 2005. One reason for the band’s breakup was a new project by some of the members called Advent. This band is a bare-knuckled brawl of an outfit, and what they lack in subtle approach they make up for in all-out tenacity. This is hardcore tough as a saber-toothed tiger, in the vein of bands like Hatbreed and Throwdown, though a bit less “caveman” in approach. The debut album, Remove the Earth, is now available through Solid State Records. myspace.com/adventnc Andrew Schwab is the lead vocalist and lyricist for the band Project 86. He is also the author of three books, as well as an independent journalist. Visit him online at andrewschwab.com and project86.com. [ccmmagazine.com] 23 2/14/08 3:15 PM Page 24 2/14/08 3:16 PM Page 25 FAR FROM OK By Lindsay Williams The new album from The Afters serves as proof that the success of “Beautiful Love” was no fluke. If anything, it was only the beginning… The Afters are funny…really funny. Just ask them what they’ve learned since the release of their successful debut, I Wish We All Could Win (INO/Columbia). “Long division,” vocalist/guitarist Brad Wigg replies. To which lead singer Josh Havens asks with a straight face, “Have you really?” “Well, I’ve been working on the Rubix Cube,” adds vocalist/guitarist Matt Fuqua. “I’m starting to comprehend it. How the colored sides are fixed, you can’t change them…” In all seriousness, Josh rebounds, “I think we have learned a lot about our chemistry… We have really learned how to be gracious to each other. We’re like a family now. We love each other like brothers… I think that we’ve also learned that we are not a band that writes music on the road very well… We wrote our album during times that we had blocked off to be off the road… I think we [refined] our sound, too.” “We have honed our skills on Call of Duty [WWII video game],” Matt interjects. Okay, enough of that serious stuff… Drummer Marc Dodd adds, “Every tour that we’re a part of, we at least recruit one member from each band to get hooked on it.” “It’s nice to unwind shooting each other,” says Brad. This kind of unconventional humor mixed with the prolific is exactly what you get with The Afters—the perfect blend of candor and genuineness. You can’t go five minutes with them without laughter…or coffee. 2/14/08 3:16 PM Page 26 And speaking of coffee, the origin of this band takes us back to a Starbucks in Mesquite, Texas, where Josh and Matt started singing drink orders for extra tips. “People started asking, ‘You guys really sound great together. Where can we [go to] a show?’ We really hadn’t thought about it,” says Josh. Hmmm… They would go on to score the theme song for “8th & Ocean” (MTV’s popular reality series), and they hadn’t even thought about it. Go figure. Brad was actually a missionary at the time. When he started working at the same Starbucks, he was recruited. Marc just happened to work there, too. “It’s a requirement for this band,” quips Brad. And while a common love for coffee, immense talent and creativity were not a problem, the band name took a bit more time to evolve. The original name? Screaming Mimes. Josh provides a disclaimer: “The whole concept was living out your faith… We were young, and Screaming Mimes sounded really cool to us at the time.” The band later changed its name to Blisse and began developing its local following in Dallas. After discovering numerous other bands that held some form of this name, another search ensued, finally leading them to The Afters—an English term. “It stands for something that takes place after a formal get together or extravagant banquet,” Josh explains. “If you can’t afford to get all dressed up to go to the formal event, then they have the afters. Everyone’s invited; it’s not exclusive. Just come as you are. We liked the idea of that.” The title is fitting considering how they perceive their platform. “From the very beginning, we just wanted to play for anyone who would listen and because of that, we had a very diverse following,” says Josh. “We hope to continue that as we move into the next record and be able to have music that hopefully builds up and edifies believers but then also is successful with people outside the church.” One listen to their brand-new album, Never Going Back to OK (INO/Columbia), and this vision becomes clear. The songs are tailor-made for mainstream, yet possess unabashedly bold statements of faith. “We want people to see the beauty of God and His love for us, and the challenge for us is to package it in a way that people aren’t going to just walk right by,” says Matt. “We don’t want them to be able to put us in a box… We want them to listen… That’s how you keep the dialogue open.” “We hope that people judge our music on musical merit, not on the faith beliefs we have… A good example of that is iTunes,” offers Josh. The digital retail giant originally had the band categorized under Christian/Gospel but soon switched them over to Alternative. “That’s when it hit me,” Josh continues, “There’s a lot of people who won’t give it a chance because it has that label on it… I don’t want people to pass up our music or other great music done by a Christian artist just because it’s in a section that’s labeled by faith…” 26 [ccmmagazine.com] The band may have an obvious desire to reach outside the Christian subculture, but even so, the label “Christian music” continues to intrigue them: “There are other artists of faith—just not our faith—[and] they get thrown into this whole mixture of mainstream music. Whereas, if it says anything positive about Jesus, then it’s thrown into the back corner of a store with all the other stuff that says something about Jesus,” says Brad. Confusing labels as well as people’s misconceptions of Christians are barriers the band has scaled as various doors to the mainstream have opened for them over the last three years. However, they are quick to admit that being a Christian does make a difference, recalling numerous times while filming for a music video or visiting secular radio stations, conversations that have taken place because people saw a notable difference between The Afters and other bands. The difference spread like wildfire. MTV just couldn’t get enough of the band. “Beautiful Love,” was certified gold after 100,000 digital tracks were sold, and The Afters’ music was featured in Just My Luck (starring Lindsay Lohan) and ABC Family’s “Beautiful People.” Music from the band’s debut was also selected for promotions in conjunction with American Airlines and American Eagle stores and has garnered attention from not only MTV, but also VH1, “E! News,” BOP, Popstar and RollingStone.com, among others. The band even walked away with the “New Artist of the Year” Dove in 2006. While Never Going Back to OK positions the band for additional general market success, The Afters are up for the challenge, and they’re having fun while they’re at it. Still, they take what they do very seriously. Right underneath all the joking and quipping, it’s easy to unearth the hearts of these four men. Just ask them about their musical heroes. Brad: “The 77’s. Just the way he [Mike Roe] captured all the different ways it feels to be human…so many facets of human emotion [he] put into words…” Matt: “Rich Mullins, and just his commitment to charity and humility… Just listening to his music; it was so passionate, you could just tell that he really loved Jesus.” Marc: “Geoff Moore [now the band’s manager]… He has shown me ways to, while on the road and having a family at home, how to make those things balance and to just take care of those things.” Josh: “Michael W. Smith… I was a huge Smitty fan as a child… I just have a lot of respect for the way he has conducted his career and family and balanced that over the years. Even as a kid, I love how he had a desire to not only edify believers from the church, but he reached outside that and…made music that was relevant to the culture at the time.” The Afters’ own mission looks ironically similar. One of the common qualities among these influences includes that precarious balance between life on the road and family back home— something all four guys deal with daily. All are married and quick to gush about their kids. “The Afters are [my 4-year-old son’s] heroes,” Josh says. “He always talks about Marc, Brad, Matt and Daddy… He came up to me after practice and said, ‘Daddy, can you take a picture of me with The Afters?’” Marc adds, “[My daughters] don’t care that I’m in a band, nor do their friends. They just know that I know the Jonas Brothers. That’s all they care about.” “WE HOPE THAT PEOPLE JUDGE OUR MUSIC ON MUSICAL MERIT, NOT ON THE FAITH BELIEFS WE HAVE... I DON’T WANT PEOPLE TO PASS UP OUR MUSIC OR OTHER GREAT MUSIC DONE BY A CHRISTIAN ARTIST JUST BECAUSE IT’S IN A SECTION THAT’S LABELED BY FAITH...” BEAUTIFUL WORDS Don’t be fooled by all the good humor. These guys have worked hard, and it hasn’t been easy. Need evidence? Look no further than the band’s new disc. “I think one of the big goals that we had for this record, we already accomplished,” says Josh. “We set out to make what we thought was a stronger record than our first one, and I think we all agree that this album is a big step —JOSH HAVENS cont. on Page 28 2/14/08 3:16 PM Page 28 forward for us.” The band gives major props to producer Dan Muckala (Backstreet Boys, Nick Lachey, Brandon Heath) for helping with that leap. “Dan pushed us to search deep and write about things that are really important to us,” says Josh. Muckala says OK reflects who The Afters truly are: “What makes me so excited about this record is that The Afters pushed themselves to go to the next level while still delivering songs that embody exactly who they are as a band.” They say the running theme that emerged proved to be one of transformation. But if one tried to choose a word to describe the jump between their debut and the brand-new release, transformation would be an understatement. They’ve been honing more than just their video game skills. Additional songs were born out of personal life stories experienced by the other band members. The title track evokes thoughts from Josh about the transformation of his brother, who recently overcame a 15-year drug addiction. “I really look to him as evidence that there is no one who is ever really out of God’s grasp, because he rejected God for the longest time,” says Josh. “My mom used to always tell me, ‘Don’t give up on your brother. God loves him, and He is going to bring him back…’ [My brother] is definitely evidence that we should never give up on anyone we love. And that’s the thing, God’s love can turn anyone around.” And that’s the very definition of “Never Going Back to OK” for him: “Today’s a new day. You can put everything behind you. It’s all in the past—all the mistakes that you have made, all the struggles that we have, all of our regrets— and [we can] move forward, thanks to what God has done for us.” Another pivotal song on the record, “Ocean Wide,” was birthed through a series of wrecked relationships that Josh witnessed. “In the world today, a lot of marriages don’t succeed, and we make a lot of mistakes… God is forgiving of all those things, but it’s awesome that My first GMA Week, one of my most memorable interviews came from a little God’s love is not like that. He’s never going to tell us, ‘I don’t love you band of four guys from Dallas, Texas. It wasn’t necessarily unforgettable anymore.’ He’s never going to tell us, ‘I’m fed up with you; you’re because they said something profound that went on to change the course of getting annoying.’ But His love for us is forever, and it’s because that my life. But rather, it was the fact that they didn’t take themselves too love is an ocean wide. It’s forgiveness and grace and mercy—all those seriously. In fact, they spent more time talking about coffee than they did things that make love last forever.” Dove Awards, record deals or mainstream success. In short, my 30 minutes In revealing their own stories, each of the guys seem to possess with them was a nice little break in a long week filled with back-to-back wisdom normally found only with more seasoned artists. Hardly the interviews with artists answering the same Q&As. They joked about how they transparency one might expect from a band that’s famous for their could nab the cover of CCM, and I (in good humor, of course) told them if face-time on MTV. they won “New Artist of the Year” at the Doves later that week, we would put Brad continues to elaborate, painting a beautiful picture of the music them on the cover. As fate would have it, they walked away winners. And they strive to create: “There’s an un-noble part of life where we are only later, that summer of 2006, The Afters became my heroes. They saved my seeing a small section of the things that are going on with us, and we life…literally. Why don’t I let them tell you what happened: think about the way God sets out our time. The image that we have is “That show we played at Exit/In,” says Josh, “she almost was not going to God moving pieces around to teach us something or set something up so come, but then, at the last minute she decided, ‘Well The Afters are in town, we will learn something later, and sometimes the things that we go and they’re my favorite band…’” through are amazingly difficult. But you come through that and you see “Of all time…” adds Matt. that, okay, that fell into place here and that fell into place there and sort “‘And I could get hit by a car tomorrow and die never having seen them of worked out so I will be where I am now…” live.’ So, she comes to the concert,” Josh continues. “Well, her neighbor was But don’t fool yourself into thinking that the new record is all dark cleaning his shot gun, and it went off and put a hole in her wall, and she and thoughtful and multifaceted. Leave it to The Afters to do what they would have been sitting in her chair that she always sits in watching TV, and do best—lighten the mood. she would have been hit by the bullet…” Enter “MySpace Girl,” a song about their former bass player who met Each time the story gets told, my impending death looms closer, the gun a girl at In-N-Out Burger, looked her up on MySpace and ended up gets a little bit bigger and the bullet hole grows by a couple feet. But these marrying her about six months later. The couple has been happily guys believe it. And just hearing them tell this story again makes me smile. married for a year now and actually assists with the handclaps on the —L.W. song. Forget MTV, with this song, the guys have dibs on VH1: “Maybe when they have ‘Remember the 2000s,’ when they flashback to the music, they’ll remember the MySpace era, and then they’ll remember “We didn’t set out with a theme in mind,” Brad explains, “[but] we have grown the MySpace song,” Josh jokes. as people, and [since the last record] we had become something other than what From the serious to the comical, the band clearly stretches itself—both we were. And I think…our songs reflect that.” musically and lyrically—on the new record, and fellow artists are already taking “There is not a single song on the album that we put on there to just fill up note. Among them, Skillet’s Ben Kasica: “[OK is my] favorite record since space,” says Josh. “I feel like every song…has a reason to be on the album.” Switchfoot’s Beautiful Letdown. The songs have the hooks and heart that will grab And every song has a story behind it. OK is not just another creative batch of people immediately.” ear candy. As the title would lead one to believe, The Afters refuse to settle for Hooks and heart. That’s what The Afters are all about…and they want to make mediocrity. Instead, they’ve chosen to come into their own as a band, and the sure no one is excluded from the message. result is a beautifully crafted work of art, inspiring listeners to become all they can “We want people to know that our faith is the most important thing in the be and make their lives count for something meaningful. world to us,” says Josh. “We’re Christians, but we make music for everybody. We’re The lyrical depth of the new songs mirror the light of hope shining through personal never ashamed of our faith. God has opened the door for us to be able to talk struggle and hardship. Take artistic gem, “Summer Again,” for example. “[There are] about that in all kinds of places, even MTV…” seasons that you go through in life…” Brad says, “something that was really beautiful, “Beautiful Love” may have been where it all began, but The Afters are then you see a temporary decay and a lifelessness and then a rebirth again, and it’s a interested in more than just another smash single—they’re out to bring a cycle we tend to go through from time to time.” He says the song is open to message of transformation to the world. Let’s face it, they’re leaving OK in interpretation, but it personally reminds him of his 8-year-old autistic son. “When I hear the dust. that song, I end up thinking about my little boy… I remember the time before he was diagnosed, and…he was such a happy, vibrant kid. And now he’s so much different Graduating with a degree in Journalism/Mass Communication from Samford University, than he was. It’s so hard to relate in so many different ways. We hope that there’s a Lindsay Williams is the managing editor for CCM Magazine and currently resides in Nashville. recovery there that we can get our little boy back.” KEEPING ME ALIVE 28 [ccmmagazine.com] 2/13/08 4:08 PM 30 [ccmmagazine.com] Page 30 2/13/08 4:08 PM Page 31 “I can honestly say…” As the mouthpiece of modern rock quintet Sanctus Real, Matt Hammitt simply can’t mince words. In keeping with his band’s namesake, he has to keep it, well, real. After all, he’s the front man, the poster boy, the one who stands front and center at all times, whether it’s a routine photo shoot or a can’t-sit-still live performance. As with other leaders, audiences look to him for answers, and their expectations are high. The role of his bandmates is mostly to keep to their instruments and rock as hard as they can, but not Hammitt. He’s the leading man, the spokesperson, the point guard, the actual face of his group. He’s the voice. “In all honesty…” New bands come and go, but Sanctus Real’s tireless work ethic has kept them in business longer than your average, up-and-coming faith-fueled rock band. With only four albums under its belt, the band has managed an enviable portfolio of No. 1 singles, awards, sales success and high-profile slots alongside some of music’s biggest acts, and the group’s momentum just keeps mounting. In fact, members of Third Day caught the five-piece in concert last summer and were so impressed by their performance and their hearts, they simply had to invite them to tour with them this spring. Third Day bassist Tai Anderson puts it succinctly: “I was blown away.” “To be honest with you…” But those are just facts and figures anyone can rehash from a press release. The band’s true pride and joy in recent memory was The Face of Love (Sparrow), its most mature effort at the time. From the onset of Sanctus Real’s career, the group’s light-hearted spirit, colossal hooks and power-pop tendencies made it a favorite of the youth group crowd. In a way, it was as if the band was conflict-free. But The Face of Love was different. Forged in the fires of trial, loss and grief, the songs were naturally more emotional and intense—melancholy, even. Today, the band has turned a page. “All these questions we had about what was happening in the band, all the heartache from losing loved ones, we’re on the other side of that,” Hammitt says. “We feel more hopeful than we did at that time. It’s a new season.” Hammitt really means that. No, he really means it. He’s not mincing words. “I’m being really honest here…” The more CCM probes into the breeding ground of Sanctus’ new album, We Need Each Other (Sparrow), the word “honesty” keeps coming up one way or another. It has a way of prefacing each of Hammitt’s responses, as if serving as a caution to whoever reads them. “I had been selfish to want to take time or energy to communicate that I was hurt by other people, and I was holding it against them,” Hammitt confesses. “That’s when I realized, ‘I don’t want to be alone at the end of all this.’” Mind you, this is the same man who sang “I’m not alright/I’m broken inside” on The Face of Love’s achingly honest first single. But the dissimilarities between that album and We Need Each Other are like night and day. The disc finds the group performing soaring, larger-than-life pop/rock of the highest order, coupled with a message of unity, interdependence and understanding among believers. The message is nothing new in faith-based music, but for Hammitt it became a new revelation, especially in the months leading up to the recording of the album. The short of it: he had a serious beef with someone in his inner circle, and he couldn’t muster the courage to confront the person. Once he finally did and things got resolved, he wrote the album’s title track. Even so, words fail as he tries to relate the experience. “There are a couple of people in particular that I work with…” Hammitt’s voice trails off. “When you’re on the road…” Once again, he leaves the thought unfinished. “It’s hard for me to say, because I don’t even know if the person knows that I wrote the song while thinking of them.” In fact, when asked about the particulars of his conflict, Hammitt measures his words carefully. He’s reluctant to delve into specifics or to name names— apparently the flurry of emotions tied to the whole situation is too painful to recount. Regardless, he proceeds the best way he can. “There were certain things that hurt my feelings, certain things that made me upset, that were said or done that were never talked about,” Hammitt says, now with more resolve in his tone. “It really got to the point where it made me sick to my stomach when I was around certain people. I didn’t want to deal with them. I didn’t want to accept the fact that I had bitterness in my heart.” Hammitt was not all right. Broken inside, he nurtured those feelings “for months, maybe about a year.” It got to the point where Hammitt felt so powerless, he broke down: “I remember just weeping, feeling like a failure, just laying there, not knowing what to do because I had harbored [those feelings] for so long. I remember at that point realizing, ‘My gosh, you’re way too far.’” The demon of discord haunted him for so long, Hammitt says it’s only God’s unmerited favor that helped him maintain his composure as he toured, met fans and ministered day after day. “I don’t know how I kept my sanity. You just have to pray for grace. God has a way of using people who are broken. This is crazy, but sometimes I think God [has] used me in very unique ways when I have been broken.” Just as Hammitt was about to explode, he took the high road and decided, on a hot summer day after a show, to have the oft-put-off one-on-one. “We sat down in a room and I said, ‘Look, I’m literally at a point where I’m having a hard time being in a room with you,’” Hammitt says. “It was a matter of me having to say, ‘Hey, bro, I love you enough to be honest with you and to tell you that here’s the thing I see in your life making you completely unhappy and that is causing me to have to deal with it.’” Hammitt says he was “honestly” (that word again) expecting a fight. But the opposite happened: “It wasn’t at all. I was received in complete humility and graciousness. It had God’s hand all over it. It was a really open, clear, honest talk. It was really great.” The conversation’s epilogue, as told to this writer, was the best part. “At the end of the day, I want the most important thing in my life to be my friends and my family,” Hammitt says. “I want to invest more in terms of relationships. Business doesn’t matter. The band doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, when it’s all over, all we have is each other. I don’t want you or me to leave this alone, to leave this not as friends. I want you to be part of my family, and I want to be a part of your family. Years from now, when all of this is over, we’re going to call each other, and I want to sit around and talk about the good old days. And I still want to have you.” If that’s not the face of love—or at least a glimpse of what that face looks like— then I don’t know what is. When he's not cooking or reading The New York Times for fun, Andree Farias writes. Simultaneously, he's profusely in love with Stephanie, his stunning, Proverbs 31 fiancée. [ccmmagazine.com] 31 2/13/08 4:09 PM 32 [ccmmagazine.com] Page 32 2/13/08 4:10 PM Page 33 EXPECT THE IMPOSSIBLE, AND ENTER THE COLORFUL WORLD OF STELLAR KART… BY LIZZA CONNOR BOWEN Real men wear Spandex. “And mullets and short shorts!” claims Stellar Kart’s guitarist Cody Pellerin. Pellerin proves he can rock the look in the band’s music video for “Innocent,” a raucous track from Stellar Kart’s third release, Expect the Impossible, on Word Records. But viewers heed the risk: “You will laugh,” Pellerin warns, noting that his own mother, a woman “not easily embarrassed,” told him he crossed the line into “goofy” territory in his on-screen getup. But if there’s a band that can pull off such silliness, all the while spreading the weighty message of Christian redemption, it is the punk-pop cut-ups of Stellar Kart. Today, Stellar Kart front man Adam Agee and Pellerin are crammed around a 17inch stump of a table in the children’s corner, the only available interview space in the bustling Barnes & Noble bookstore outside Nashville. Onlookers pass with quizzical glances at the scene that recalls Alice in Wonderland. These grown men with lip rings and scull caps look like giants squeezed into tiny chairs. Heroes of their childhood bedtime stories, the Berenstain Bears, stare down from the shelves as if on security duty. The farcical scene isn’t far from Stellar Kart’s reality. Whether rocking 200-plus shows a year or cutting up in the studio with producer Ian Eskelin (All Star United), Agee says the band has mastered the art of whimsy. Mundane is not a part of its vocabulary. “Fun” seems to be the buzzword for this band, referenced no less than five times by Agee and Pellerin in a span of 30 seconds. (And later echoed by Eskelin.) “We were a lot less stressed this time,” says Agee. The band’s last album, We Can’t Stand Sitting Down, was recorded in record time—eight days. Eskelin deconstructs the recording process with Stellar Kart: “So many times, things get overanalyzed and torn apart to the point where the original idea gets lost. With these guys, the trick is to capture all the energy as it pours out. If it’s fun, it usually turns out right,” he told CCM via email. One listen to Expect the Impossible proves his point. The band executes a varied musical approach, infusing its signature fist-pumping fare of past albums with ’80s-style synth throwbacks, hair-band guitar licks and a few ear-splitting screams from Agee that would make punk purists proud. “There are songs that sound like anything from Simple Plan to Depeche Mode or Linkin Park. We wanted to give something for everybody, and we didn’t want anyone to get bored,” says Agee, who got his musical start with guitar lessons from drummer Jordan Messer’s father. While there was no shortage of good times in the studio, the challenge for this seven-year-old, four-piece outfit was to maintain a signature sound while evolving into new musical territory. Pellerin calls the record “a big stretch” but promises diehard fans won’t be disappointed with the departure. “I grew up with the ’80s pop/rock stuff like Van Halen. Adam is a pop guy, and Jordan is a punk guy. When we come together musically, it’s a collaboration of the four of us [with bassist Brian Calcara]. Because of Adam’s melodies, it still sounds like Stellar Kart,” he says. Agee adds, “We got together in a room, mashed earplugs in our ears and jammed out. This is where the creativity of the band comes in and makes the lyrics and melody into a song.” While the band laid down 10 tunes for Expect the Impossible, some tracks inevitably ended up on the cutting room floor. “They were repetitive, and we didn’t want to go down a road we’d already been on,” Pellerin adds. While the band mines new sonic landscapes on Expect the Impossible, the lyrics also take an unexpected turn. “The [lyrics] hold more of an outside influence, as opposed to what I’m going through personally,” Agee says. “Simple” and “direct” are still the first-choice adjectives to describe Agee’s compositional style, a talent that won him accolades for co-writing the band’s rock radio smash and Dove award winning “Me and Jesus.” “‘Me and Jesus’ was a ladder between albums two and three, and without that song, I don’t think this record would be what it is,” Pellerin says. Besides legitimizing the band in the eyes of its peers and industry execs, Pellerin says that, more importantly, they saw lives changed. “At every show, people tell us how that song helped them through [bad circumstances]. ‘Me and Jesus’ inspired us to get to the point, because we saw what it could do.” Life on the road, most recently accompanying newsboys on the “GO Tour” for 50 dates, afforded Stellar Kart the opportunity not only to whip thousands of listeners into a frenzy with its arena anthems, but placed the band in direct contact with their fans. Postconcert, the guys heard story after story at the merchandise table. Agee notes the impact of these heart-to-hearts: “There is so much more available to kids—good and bad things. A lot of it has to do with relationships kids are in. Everyone’s looking for love and acceptance.” Agee, a relatively new father, has a one-year-old little girl at home. What Stellar Kart has to offer is “hope, love and companionship,” he says. This is where these jokesters get serious. Songs like the aforementioned “Innocence” address purity from an oft-overlooked male perspective: “Everyone just tolerates what’s wrong/I’m not some empty space for rent/I want to be innocent.” “We want to provide the positive way while still keeping it fun and uplifting. We want to say, ‘Here are mistakes we made back in the day. Don’t make those same mistakes,’” says Agee. “And ‘Here’s a way out: Jesus loves you.’” Lizza Connor Bowen is a singer/songwriter and freelance journalist who, like Stellar Kart, loves God, great music and a good laugh (every day if possible). lizzaconnor.com [ccmmagazine.com] 33 2/13/08 4:11 PM Page 34 ROCK OUTFIT FIREFLIGHT HAD NO IDEA ITS NEW ALBUM, UNBREAKABLE, WOULD BE SO SYMBOLIC. BY MATT CONNER “Do you think you could write a song that makes it clear that everything is going to be all right? That not only are you going through a hard time, but that things can be awesome again?” The question, posed via a fan’s MySpace message to Fireflight, struck a chord; it was something the band members were also wrestling with. Luckily, Fireflight more than fulfilled the fan’s request. Unbreakable. That’s the hit song, the album’s title and the new, pervasive theme found on the Floridabased hard rock band’s sophomore effort. More importantly, it’s the proper response to the quintet’s debut, The Healing of Harms (Flicker). “Really, the theme of the record is triumph,” says vocalist Dawn Richardson. “Our first record was really full of emotion and was about trying to fight your way 34 [ccmmagazine.com] through circumstances. Now, the focus is not only facing your difficult circumstances, but being victorious over them. It’s about living your life in victory over the things that used to control you. So the sound has not only matured, but also the theme. The last album was about struggle and finding hope in God. Now, it’s about finding power in your life.” Of course, the band doesn’t just pretend to know what it’s talking about. Instead, the members come by this new perspective honestly—weathering pressures of the dreaded “sophomore slump,” their front woman losing her voice and the absolutely exhausting schedule of a new band trying to establish its identity. “On this second record, we were…afraid of the ‘sophomore slump,’” laughs Richardson. “We had five years to write the first record and six months to write this one. We were very, very nervous.” “It was probably the most stressful year of our lives,” agrees guitarist Justin Cox. “And within that, we played 100 to 150 shows. We also had traveling days in between. Plus, it’s hard to write music on guitars when you’re in a 15-passenger van with pretty bad suspension.” Not only was the band exhausted from an unrelenting tour schedule—alongside acts like Disciple and Pillar—and pressed to immediately write the next album, but the physical effects took a toll on Richardson. She mentioned that “something didn’t feel right,” which led her to a vocal coach. She began to learn new vocal techniques, but was still recommended to a doctor right before entering the studio for Unbreakable (Flicker). “I was supposed to start on Monday, and I went in on a Friday,” recalls Richardson. “He stuck a special camera down my throat and told me that I had blisters on my vocal cords. Basically, singers get 2/13/08 4:11 PM Page 35 things called nodules on their vocal cords that become calluses. These are the first steps to getting those. And once you have a nodule, you can’t get rid of it without surgery. So this was very alarming. They told me I was not allowed to talk at all.” Over the next few months, Richardson could only sing her parts in the studio or perform onstage. In between she was literally not allowed to speak. “The whole situation has been one of the most challenging times of my life. It’s hard to not be able to talk at all and be away from home at the same time. We had tornadoes just down the street from my house, and I couldn’t call my family. I had to have [bassist] Wendy [Drennen] call my family for me. It was a very difficult time.” Still, the band pulled through admirably despite all the obstacles, relying on the one thing they all agree has gotten them to where they are: the power of God. “It actually worked to our advantage to have zero time to record; that really forced us to rely completely on God,” explains Richardson. “We give God complete credit for this album being worth anything, because we had no time to put our two cents in. We’re very glad for that.” “It really forced us to let go of our own desires to control the situation and wholly rely on God,” adds Cox. “Honestly, I don’t think anyone here believes this is any of our doing. We could not physically and mentally have done it without God.” Fireflight has found the hope to persevere both in the recording studio and also in the strength of one another. “I just think it’s awesome what Dawn has been going through with this record and with her voice,” says drummer Phee Shorb. “It’s just taken an extraordinary amount of guts for her to sing in this new range…and to know right before she does that, she has serious problems with her voice. It’s almost been allegoric. It’s about overcoming and finding you can win against adversity with the power of God.” It’s with this new level of confidence in God’s plan that Fireflight is now emerging on a national level. NBC ordered the title track from Unbreakable for heavy promotion for its “Bionic Woman” series before the first single was even released to radio, lending Fireflight a visibility the band’s never experienced. “For me, it was something really cool just to give me confirmation that we were on the right track,” notes Wendy Drennen. “It was humbling, because we knew we were not worthy to be so exposed, but we felt so honored at the same time.” For all the buzz and happenings, the band members still seem well-grounded. “Honestly, I’ve never seen the [“Bionic Woman”] spot since we don’t have a TV in our house,” explains guitarist Glenn Drennen, husband to Wendy. “We also don’t have a rock radio station where we live. And with no TV, I’ve never personally seen or heard anything we’ve done on my own. It’s great to hear about it from other people, though.” Perhaps more than anything else, it’s the humility found within all five members of Fireflight that makes them unbreakable. Matt Conner is a freelance writer living in the Indianapolis area in all areas of pop culture and spirituality. [ccmmagazine.com] 35 2/13/08 4:13 PM Page 36 THE INDIE-ROCK OF EDISON GLASS EMERGES ONCE AGAIN, AS THE BAND CONTINUES ON ITS EVER-INNOVATIVE JOURNEY—FREE OF ´ CLICHES—WITH TIME IS FICTION. BY BRIAN QUINCY NEWCOMB When listening to the new disc from Edison Glass, music fans might be excused if they think of Counting Crows when they get to the line in “Let Go” about performing “Einstein on the Beach.” After all, Adam Duritz & Co. do have a song by that name. But that would be incorrect. “I think they stole it from Philip Glass,” says Edison Glass guitarist James Usher. Of course, Philip—one of the most influential composers of the late 20th century—is also the source of the ‘glass’ in the last part of this band’s nom de rock. Which, Usher admits may sound like a stretch to some. “If you sat down and listened to Philip Glass and our music, you might be hard pressed to see the connection. We’ve been inspired by how he was a visionary in his field and broke some boundaries. I’m a big fan of GlassWorks and Einstein on the Beach.” Time Is Fiction is the follow-up to the band’s 2006 debut on Credential Recordings, A Burn or a Shiver. In the record-when-you-can world of indie-rock, it’s not a great surprise that half the new one was recorded before the debut was even released. The results turned out to be so strong that the band waited to complete a second full-length effort around the earlier sessions. The result is that Time Is Fiction is “a better record,” Usher says. “It’s a more focused effort, and overall it has better songwriting.” “I feel we’ve taken down some of the boundaries,” agrees lead singer Josh Silverberg. “We’ve enabled ourselves to be a little more creative. In the past, we would need to write an up-beat rock song or a real moody song. Now we’re more inclined to write music that’s what we’re feeling and not be so worried about genre. Instead of trying toward a certain style, we’re writing whatever happens and letting that be the style.” 36 [ccmmagazine.com] “I think it’s becoming a more natural process,” adds Usher. “It’s more about getting the music inside of you out, and not so focused on trying to write what we think folks want to listen to.” That goes for the lyrics, too. Edison Glass attempts to write songs that speak of life’s raw and significant feelings, yet avoid the clichés that often dominate our polarized culture. “We definitely do everything we can to create imagery that avoids popular catch phrases and whatnot,” states Silverberg. “For us, it’s about digging deep to find ways to say what you are feeling without sounding like it’s already been said a thousand times before.” “To keep it personal,” says Usher, “where we’re expressing what we’re feeling, it’s important we not succumb to language that may not mean the same thing we’re trying to say to everyone who might hear it.” But you can speak of spiritual concepts like love, forgiveness and grace. “I think it’s really genuine in telling the story of Jean Val Jean,” concludes Silverberg, “where I ask myself, What would I be feeling if I were facing that same charge?” [Read Les Miserables.] “When people go through experiences in life, it’s just so much more genuine to get in there and feel it, instead of us telling the audience, ‘This is what you are feeling,’ and then tack on a ‘Jesus loves you.’” Which, we agree, clichés to the contrary. Of course, Jesus does. Brian Quincy Newcomb is the Rev. Dr. Brian Q. Newcomb, pastor of Christ Church UCC of Maplewood, Mo., just left of St. Louis…and just left of about everybody, for that matter. 1:07 PM Page 38 ( QQQQQ QQQQ QQQ QQ Q INSTANT CLASSIC EXCELLENT GOOD FAIR ENOUGH SAID 39 42 43 FIREFLIGHT FIGHTS BACK WITH UNBREAKABLE. JACI VELASQUEZ URGES US TO LOVE OUT LOUD. “INDESCRIBABLE” WRITER LAURA STORY WOWS WITH DEBUT. < SWITCHING SEASONS Honest acoustics reveal Foreman’s best side. JON FOREMAN Fall & Winter (Credential) File Under: Acoustic QQQQ It takes about three full spins to rinse the Switchfoot expectations from your mind. After all, Jon Foreman isn’t a solo artist, but the well-known figure of a prominent band—so no excuses are necessary if you take the requisite moments I did. But after the mental shift, you’ll be glad you stuck around; Foreman’s solo turns are absolutely brilliant. > 2/15/08 2/13/08 4:16 PM Page 39 The first two of four planned seasonally-titled EPs, Fall and Winter, spin largely acoustic yarns of bedroom solitude. Yet, seasonal depression never sounded this good. Foreman now has permission to dive deep into the dark places that a radio rock band (and a Christian one at that!) won’t allow, and he takes full advantage, exploring the melancholy side of his own life (“Lord, Save Me From Myself,” “Learning How To Die”) or those he sees (“Somebody’s Baby”). Musically, Foreman stretches his unplugged wings as wide as he can, from the guzheng—a Chinese zither of sorts—on “In Love” to the slow gospel march on “I Am Still Running.” The straight-from-Scripture approach of “White As Snow” melds harmonics with popular Psalms. The haunting “My Love Goes Free” seems to utilize a piano that hasn’t been kept properly. All in all, Foreman keeps a potentially sleepy EP from being just that. But the primary beauty of these seasons is in the lyrical confessions found in a vulnerable front man allowing you into his heart. Foreman’s delicate falsetto, especially on “My Love Goes Free,” expresses pain in ways most artists don’t even attempt to strive toward. Foreman is indeed the humble genius we believed he was, with Fall and Winter serving as some of the strongest evidence to date. MATT CONNER FLAME FIREFLIGHT Unbreakable (Flicker) File Under: Alt-Rock Our World: Redeemed QQQQ (Cross Movement) File Under: Hip-Hop COHESIVE ALBUM RINGS OF PROMISE “Unbreakable” is not only the title track—aptly chosen by the producers of “Bionic Woman” to air on NBC—it is the ideal word to describe the latest effort from Fireflight. The album delivers a seamless mix of hard-hitting, rock rhythms, riffs and hooks, balanced with the pure vocals of front woman Dawn Richardson. The result is a driving collection of songs that unquestionably rings true to Fireflight’s alt-rock style, but doesn’t sacrifice powerful lyrics, strong messages and memorable delivery. Picking up where the title track ends, “You Gave Me a Promise” immediately hooks listeners’ attention with a catchy percussion scheme, which leads directly into lyrics that will most likely resonate with any audience. Moving on, the album is full of musical surprises—check out the string intro on track three—and poignant lyrics. The one thing this album lacks is enough variation to make each track stand out on its own. The same heavy production and intense orchestration song after song tends to meld the tracks together into an almost indistinguishable whole. While this is great for a cohesive album, it might cause the listener to either lose interest or zone out along the way. This band is clearly blessed with incredible vocals, strong musicianship and intense production. It might do well to rely a little less on the latter to make the former shine. CAROLINE LUSK QQQ SEQUEL PROVES HOPEFUL Less than a year after shedding light on the world’s fall from grace with the apocalyptic Our World: Fallen, St. Louis rapper FLAME continues to spew fire with Our World: Redeemed, his fourth album on the Cross Movement label. But don’t expect the two discs to be cut from the same mold. As if doing a 180-degree turn, FLAME’s Our World: Redeemed is almost the polar opposite to its predecessor, favoring slicker, more in-your-face sound beds over the generally brooding atmosphere of the prequel. This change is needed. FLAME is no longer rapping about humanity’s lost cause, but inspiring it to rise above its abject condition, to choose life in Christ above death in its own trespasses. For the emcee, bereavement is a cause for rejoicing (“Funeral to Birthday”), pain a precursor to abundance (“Hold On”), bloodshed the preamble to eternity (“On That Cross”). On occasion, FLAME tends to place style in front of substance (“Go Buck”), and the beats aren’t always conducive to the hope-filled nature of the album’s thesis. This gives the proceedings an air of self-seriousness that could curtail the celebratory character of the disc. In all, though, Our World: Redeemed ascribes all honor and glory to Jesus, so that, by album’s end, there’s no confusion as to whose name is the only one by which men and women can be saved. ANDREE FARIAS JADON LAVIK Roots Run Deep (A Collection of Hymns) (BEC) File Under: Acoustic/Pop/Worship QQQQ “UNPLUGGED” WORSHIP Jadon Lavik After releasing two critically-acclaimed albums—Moving on Faith and Life on the Inside—and touring alongside Rebecca St. James and BarlowGirl, Jadon Lavik decided to dig into some of his favorite hymns on Roots Run Deep. His love and appreciation for the standards of the faith shine through on the self-produced album. Roots Run Deep features familiar classics such as “Come Thou Fount,” “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” “I Need Thee Every Hour” and “Take My Life,” all supported by his sturdy yet seemingly effortless vocals. What sets this album apart from the pack of recent hymns albums are the original arrangements and melodies, as he creates his own interpretation of each hymn using simple instrumentation for an intimate sound. Lavik is joined by industry veteran Fernando Ortega on “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus,” a highlight. “What a Wondrous Love is This” is a fresh take of this hymn which showcases Lavik’s guitar style, while “Amazing Grace” takes on an acoustic, jazzy feel. The album’s melodic sounds draw listeners into a quiet place, especially on “My Father’s World” and “I Surrender All.” With an acoustic vibe comparable to Brandon Heath and Warren Barfield, Roots Run Deep is an organic “unplugged” worship experience. RACHEL HARROLD JOHN MARK MCMILLAN The Song Inside The Sounds of Breaking Down (independent) File Under: American Rock & Roll QQQQQ THE SOUND OF BREAKING DOWN Sometimes, when we are going through a difficult and painful season, we can’t put to words how we feel, but we are able to find a song, poem or Psalm that conveys it exactly. Charlotte-native John Mark McMillan has created the most honest and emotionally bonding album since Gasoline Heart’s debut, You Know Who You Are. It was written and recorded just months after his first independent album was released, following the tragic death of one of his close friends in a car accident. As John states, “This album deals with what happens when you fall apart.” [ccmmagazine.com] 39 IN REVIEW music < 2/15/08 1:08 PM Page 40 IN REVIEW music track. It is one of the most emotionally moving parts ever heard on a song or album. To sum up, this is what music, poetry and being a Christian should sound like. Yes, the Christian life brings joy, but there is also pain, and this is the sound of breaking down. BRAD MOIST INHABITED Love (7 Spin) File Under: Modern/Alternative Rock QQQ MOVING TOWARD THE MORE ORIGINAL Inhabited The pain heard in his Pete Yornsounding vocals in songs like “Breaking Down” and “Kiss Your Feet” are clearly modern psalms for the youth of America who are broken, searching and in need. The last song on the album, “How He Loves,” was written the day after his friend died. It was not written to be a worship song, but churches around the nation have started to include this song in their worship sets. His performance at The Call in Nashville this summer (check it out on YouTube), where a stadium of people were singing it in unison, solidified that a profound spiritual revival happens when this song is played. (This is the kind of passionate impact that record labels, managers and booking agents attempt to create in marketing plans.) Near the end of the song, you hear John crying as he recorded the vocal On Inhabited’s 2005 debut, The R e v o l u t i o n (Fervent), the group provided a pleasant, though in many cases, noticeably derivative amalgam of Evanescence, BarlowGirl and Plumb. Though splashes of those similarities resurface to a certain extent (plus bits of Paramore), Love showcases the group expanding its sonic palette, while also providing eternityminded messages. The title cut is a stirring acoustic ballad where front woman Sara Acker speaks about love’s many angles, particularly the intertwining of the Lord’s unconditional acceptance with His grace-drenched opportunities for redemption. The sweetly sung “Song To the Fatherless” expands on that issue, reminding listeners of Christ’s ultimate protection, despite the fractured parental relationships found in this world. “We Will Live” and “Are You With Me” return to edgier contexts via chunky guitars and thumping drums, showcasing growth in the vocal and instrumentation departments, wrapped around glistening production from Monroe Jones (Third Day, Jackson Browne). Yet, the band still leans a little too heavily on outside influences during the Gwen Stefani “Hollaback Girl”-cloned “Hush” and the Superchick-styled pep rally cheer “Are You With Me.” Thankfully, it’s not to the same degree of regularity as the first time out, suggesting that if Inhabited continues in this otherwise more original direction, its third disc could be a ANDY ARGYRAKIS complete charm. IN REVIEW music 2/13/08 4:16 PM Page 42 SHAWN MCDONALD Roots (Sparrow) File Under: Pop QQQ ROOTS FINDS MCDONALD BRANCHING OUT You’ll feel misled, trust me. I understand that, lyrically speaking, Roots is a reference to the spiritual theme dominant on Shawn McDonald’s latest—an exploration of the soul’s grounding in God. Still, you purchase a CD for the music, and Roots is hardly an apt description. Instead, McDonald branches out with an expansive musical vision and brilliance unlike anything he’s previously released. “Clarity” bursts forth with Jason Mraz-like enthusiasm, albeit slightly overproduced. Still, the track expands McDonald’s repertoire slightly into electric territory. “Captivated” follows with an orchestral opening as McDonald waxes on the surrounding world that inspires and moves him before settling into familiar acoustic ground. “You are what I long to find to melt this cold heart of mine/ ‘Cause when you are around, I’m found,” McDonald admits, on the seasonally sparse “Winter.” It’s a poetic musical turn that McDonald has proven himself so good at, time and again. “Waltz in 3” moves in a whimsical, fairy-tale sort of musical motion and showcases McDonald at the height of his sonic stretches. Of course, such exploration leads to mistakes as well. The largely forgettable “Slow Down” makes one wonder what exactly McDonald is going for. However, Roots reaches new heights for an already impressive MATT CONNER singer/songwriter. NEWWORLDSON Salvation Station (Inpop) File Under: Gospel/Funk/Blues QQQQQ WORTHY OF A STANDING OVATION Hailing from Niagara Falls, Newworldson bring a fresh taste of gospel/funk/blues to listeners’ speakers. Put on your dancin’ shoes and shake a leg while these 42 [ccmmagazine.com] Canadians bebop and scat your socks off. The album pairs catchy melodies with a potent combination of straightforward rhythmic changes and fun but relevant lyrics. Unlike many albums, Salvation Station seeps talent from all angles, creating a truly unique and honest work. Currently on tour with the newsboys, NWS is honing its live performance, which the band is already known for. (Word has it they received a standing ovation during the GMA Week showcases last year, thoroughly impressing the hardest to impress.) It truly is difficult to pick one standout track, or even two for that matter. Five cuts in though, “Sweet Holy Spirit” sings “If Pride is my Prison/Then Grace be my King/Sweet Holy Spirit, come rescue me,” displaying the deep lyrical content NWS inhabits. Moreover, the use of an upright bass creates a colossal subtle difference that must simply be heard to know. Salvation Station is indeed a musthave for 2008. You will find yourself hitting “repeat” again and again. JONATHAN ISAAC HARMS JACI VELASQUEZ Love Out Loud (A’postrophe) File Under: Pop Addison Road is a bit too daring, with a chorus that says, “I think it’s time to tango/Oh, oh/Sometimes you need to tango.” Even with its fiery Latin sound and Jaci’s sultry vocal, the song is oddly out of place on an otherwise strong disc. Still, fans will most likely be delighted with the fresh songs from Love Out Loud. QQQ GRACE CARTWRIGHT OUR LOVE IS LOUD Her first studio album since 2005, Love Out Loud has been hailed as Jaci Velasquez’s “comeback album.” Indeed, the beloved Latin singer side-stepped the spotlight in 2005, leaving many fans wondering when she would sing again. With Love Out Loud, Jaci makes a strong return to the music circuit, offering several promising singles. “Nothing But Sky” resounds with her signature vocal and an utterly singable chorus. Other notable tracks are “Jesus (The Way),” where delicate vocals carry the worship ballad, and “A Likely Story,” a sweet narrative of Velasquez’s courtship with husband Nic Gonzales from Salvador. Jaci’s husband also joins her on “Por Escrito,” which offers listeners a breathtaking Spanish duet between the two. As the strongest and most daring cut, it showcases their strong vocals, backed solely by a simple Latin-inspired guitar. Unfortunately, the zesty “Tango” ADDISON ROAD Addison Road (INO) File Under: Rock QQQ ON THE RIGHT ROAD With two indie albums and an EP to its credit, Addison Road entered the studio with Chris Stevens (tobyMac, Sanctus Real, Mandisa) for its latest offering. The female-fronted band conjures a defining, driving sound from the very first downbeat. Most of the 10 tracks are upbeat anthems of exhortation and encouragement. Lyrics are simple and direct, which is fine for concert sing-alongs, but those looking to dig into more heady territory might be bored. Too often Addison Road falls back on well-traveled metaphors and overused Christianese like “You are my shelter from the storm” and “Your love has set me free,” which fumble otherwise likable tracks. The infectious “Sticking With You” features a whimsical background chorus of “Ohs” that gives the raw rock tune a West Coast, Beach Boys/Shins gloss. The raucous “It Just Takes One” is a call to action, one of many on this disc, which urges listeners to live out their faith to impact the world. It’s not until a little further down the track list that the listener gets a break from the aggressive, staccato rhythms the band is so fond of. Sonically speaking, the electric guitar and drums often sound as if they are battling for the spotlight, rather than harmoniously sharing the stage. The result resembles a shouting match of instruments. But songs like “Hope Now,” “Start Over Again” and “Run” redeem Addison Road. These tunes begin languidly and build into sweet, sweeping finishes. Here, the production is deftly wrapped around lead singer Jenny Simmons’ voice, allowing her beautiful, plaintive falsetto to shimmer and her low end to resonate. If the other tracks had followed suit, Addison Road may have hit its stride. LIZZA CONNOR BOWEN IAN MCINTOSH Awakened (independent) File Under: Worship QQQQQ OUT OF THE BOX “You’ve never experienced worship like this,” states Ian McIntosh. Some 2/13/08 4:17 PM Page 43 BRAD MOIST RE:ZOUND Abandoned To You (Vertical Shift) File Under: Rock QQQQ DEBUT RESOUNDS WITH POTENTIAL In 2001, RE:ZOUND was awarded the prestigious title of MTV’s “No. 1 Undiscovered Band.” Since then, the Arizona-based band has been garnering a fan base among both U.S. and international locales due to its unprecedented schedule of touring, writing and recording. During that same time, they also obtained three R&R Top 20 singles. With its first Vertical Shift Records release (distributed through EMI CMG), the band is ready to take the next step toward becoming a household name. If Abandoned To You is any indication, it will not be difficult for the band to accomplish. This is a well-crafted album, both musically and lyrically. Although reminiscent of bands like Collective Soul and Creed, RE:ZOUND proves it also has a distinct sound, with songs that range from guitar-driven rock to modern worship. As the title of the record indicates, complete abandonment to God is the underlying theme. Along with excellent instrumentation, the band offers some of the most poignant and thoughtprovoking worship songs recorded within the last few years. With songs like “Beautiful” and “35 Weeks,” this band is destined to make an impact on listeners everywhere. PAUL DURHAM LAURA STORY Great God Who Saves (INO) File Under: Pop/Worship QQQQ A REMARKABLE STORY INDEED Atlanta-based singer/songwriter and worship leader Laura Story’s compelling label debut deserves an extended hearing by traditional and modern worship music listeners alike. Expounding the intricacies of faith with poise and charm, the artist draws significant inspiration from a recent personal crisis. Only one year after marrying her childhood sweetheart, Story’s husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Somehow, Story manages to trust God through the deep waters, and through the pain she reveals a decidedly intimate musical offering. From the country-inflected title track to the redemptive piano-driven ballad “Grace,” the whole project resonates with organic warmth evocative of a young Nichole Nordeman. At times, Story’s arrangements are strikingly minimalist, as evidenced on delicate song “Perfect Peace.” Elsewhere, though, buoyant cuts like “Bless the Lord” and current radio single “Mighty to Save” radiate with reverential timbre. Story also unveils a goose-bumpinducing version of mega anthem “Indescribable,” a hymn she penned that initially gained popularity when Chris Tomlin released it in 2004. Of course, DREAMERS WANTED. 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- / © 2007 Full Sail Inc. All rights reserved. [ccmmagazine.com] 43 IN REVIEW music worship is meant for the crowds. And some worship is meant for just ourselves. But it all glorifies God. Ian’s songs may not be the type of songs you will hear thousands singing in unison, but these are the songs that make you want to grab your headphones, lay in bed and just listen. These are the songs that help isolate us from the worries of today and help us focus on the heart of what matters most. There is intensity in emotion, but also a calming spirit throughout the album, heard in tracks like “Made to Love.” Multiple programming-based interludes set a supernatural mood for when you need to be still. Despite strong similarities to Coldplay and Sigur Rós, Ian still creates a worship album that symbolizes the heart of where youth are today. There is an anointing on this album, and it in no way falls in line with what you may think a typical worship album sounds like. Awakened is for those who want their worship to sound outside the Nashville box. 2/13/08 4:17 PM Page 44 IN REVIEW music NEW RELEASES MARCH 2008 MARCH 4 Jared Anderson .............................. Where Faith Comes From (Integrity) Bethany Live .................................. Deluge (Integrity) Fireflight ............................................ Unbreakable (Flicker) FLAME ................................................ Our World: Redeemed (Cross Movement) John Tesh .......................................... Alive (Word) Various................................................ The Invitation Series (Word) Daniel Doss Band today the song is a modern worship fixture in churches around the world. As soothing as a cup of herbal tea after a hectic day, Story’s debut should serve as a cathartic achievement for the artist and a rewarding gift to listeners. JARED ANDERSON Bethany Dillon ................................ In Christ Alone: Modern Hymns of Faith and and Matt Hammitt Redemption (Sparrow) Ever Stays Red ................................ On The Brink of It All (Vertical Shift) Where Faith Comes From (Integrity) LaRue Howard .................................. How Great Is our God File Under: Modern Worship Greater Than Us All (Sparrow) File Under: Worship/Pop QQQQ GREATER WITH EVERY SPIN New artist Daniel Doss and his band burst onto the scene with Greater Than Us All. Vocally, think a mixture between Bart Millard (MercyMe) and Chris Tomlin sung in the style of Steven Curtis Chapman. The similarities are especially evident on the third track, “Hold On,” which describes the freedom with which God generously gives His love. Doss sings, “Hold on/Lay your weary head upon my shoulder.” Front and center is the pure and honest worship conveyed through music and song. Greater Than Us All finds a comfortable combination of fast, medium and slow tunes pairing pertinent music with insightful and worshipful lyrics. The disc has the ability to continue to get better and better with every play. Each listen reveals a new snippet of music that perhaps the listener didn’t catch previously. Doss’ music does indeed have the ability to cross over into different parts of your day lending itself to be the soundtrack of your Christian walk. JONATHAN ISAAC HARMS 44 [ccmmagazine.com] (EMI Gospel) QQQ CLICHÉD AND UNDERWHELMING DAVID McCREARY DANIEL DOSS BAND MARCH 11 If Jared Anderson wanted his audience to figure out where his faith comes from by listening to his project of that very title, he might have fallen short. While the album is filled with solid, positive songs of worship, it suffers from a lack of depth, creativity and originality. Cliché lyrics are rife throughout each track. And where the lyrics do become somewhat less familiar, they become somewhat stranger: “I’ve slayed the dragons like immortal Frodo Baggins…” That’s not to say there are no strong points to the album. It delivers several statements of faith, obedience and a desire to be in God’s presence. But the lack of contrast—from the real, tangible struggles of life to the more intangible desires of the heart—makes it somewhat unconvincing. Musically, the album doesn’t break any new ground. The chord patterns are predictable and the production solid, yet underwhelming. On more than one track, listeners find themselves trying to place where they’ve heard that particular lick, rhythm or melody before. The faithful heart of Jared Anderson comes through on this album, but the musical quality indelibly suffers from a lack of serious soul-searching and risktaking. Anderson may know where his faith comes from but fails to relate it CAROLINE LUSK clearly on this project. Rebecca St. James .......................... Ultimate Collection (ForeFront) Shawn McDonald ............................ Roots (Sparrow) MxPx .................................................... Ultimate Collection (Tooth & Nail) The O.C. Supertones ...................... Ultimate Collection (BEC) Re:Zound............................................ Abandoned To You (Vertical Shift) This collection features two discs’ worth of Rebecca St. James hits, including “God,” “Wait for Me,” “Alive” and more. Various .............................................. Everlasting God: 25 Modern Worship Favorites (Sparrow) Various................................................ Tooth & Nail Records: Ultimate Collection (Tooth & Nail) MARCH 18 Addison Road .................................. Addison Road (INO) Andy Hunter .................................... Colour (Nettwerk) Sandi Patty ...................................... Songs For the Journey (Warner Bros.) Laura Story ...................................... Great God Who Saves (INO) Justin Unger .................................... Disengage (Heights Music/KOCH) MARCH 25 Eric Bibb ............................................ Get on Board (Telarc/Universal) Destroy the Runner ........................ I, Lucifer (Solid State) Cynthia Jones.................................... Soulology (Kingdom/Universal) P.O.D. .................................................. When Angels and Serpents Dance (INO) Search The City ................................ A Fire So Big The Heavens Can See It (Tooth & Nail) Starfield.............................................. I Will Go (Sparrow) Various................................................Immerse (Integrity) Various ..............................................Worship Together (EMI Gospel) Includes songs from Christy Nockels, Sara Groves, Brooke Fraser and Laura Story, among others. 2/13/08 4:17 PM Page 45 FRANCIS CHAN WITH DANAE YANKOSKI [CCM READERS SOUND OFF ON THEIR FAVORITE NEW ALBUMS.] JON FOREMAN Fall & Winter (Credential) These 12 songs (six on each EP) have wonderfully poignant lyrics with great messages. Many are taken directly from Scripture, whereas others make you look at your own heart and how God is using it, or more likely, how you are hindering God from using it. Also, in songs such as “Somebody’s Baby,” we see a small glimpse into the struggles and hardships of the people whom we commonly ignore—the homeless, the heartbroken and the lost. Abigail Carr, Apex, NC JENNIFER SHAW Finding Beauty (independent) I love it! The lyrics draw me in to thinking about the Lord—how He is good and constant—and draw me to thanking Him for His love and grace. Combined with Jennifer’s strong vocals and beautiful music, this CD just simply makes my heart smile! Chris Jorgenson, Leeds, ND THRICE The Alchemy Index, Vol. 1 & 2 (Vagrant) I've been listening to Thrice's new album, The Alchemy Index, Vol. 1 & 2. This rock band is a true example of faith in the mainstream. Their faith shines through in almost every song. Their blend of hard rock mixed with soft synth melodies is amazing. Gabe, Cedar Rapids, IA “To read the Bible, attend church and avoid the ‘big sins’— is this passionate, wholehearted love for God?” This is just one of many provocative questions of faith posed in the inspiring pages of Crazy Love. Exploring a stalwart faith worth aspiring to, Chan and Yankoski offer encouraging, practical insight that addresses the struggles of living an authentic faith. TRISH RYAN KIRK FRANKLIN The Fight of My Life He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not: A Memoir of Finding Faith, Hope and Happily Ever After (Faith Words) (Fo Yo Soul/Gospo Centric/Zomba) The Fight of My Life is an amazing new album from Kirk Franklin with passionate songs that encourage you when you listen to them. This has to be the best Kirk Franklin I have heard. My favorite songs would be “I Am God” with tobyMac and “I Like Me” with Da’ T.R.U.T.H. But I love all of the songs, as it is a very good album. Check it out if you love Kirk Franklin and his music. Josh DeJong, Calvary, Alberta, Canada DAVID CROWDER BAND Remedy (sixsteps) David Crowder Band’s Remedy is a good, to-the-point album from Crowder and his band. Ted Nugent plays a killer solo on the record, and Crowder and band always bring a fresh sound to songs of worship. Phillip Wall, Greenville, NC Kirk Franklin Crazy Love: Overwhelmed By a Relentless God (Chan) With a candid, earthy approach reminiscent of Anne Lamont and Eat, Pray, Love’s Elizabeth Gilbert, Trish Ryan vividly explores the trials of love and heartache in He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not. Much like a lead in a romantic comedy, Ryan’s been through it all with guys. Some of her accounts of love gone wrong are humorous; others hit a little too close to home. That refreshing honesty makes He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not a journey worth taking whether or not you’ve already found Mr. or Ms. Right. BRENT & DEANNA HIGGINS I Would Die For You (Revell) B.J. Higgins was your typical 15-year-old with an unbridled passion for his faith in Christ. Like many teens, Higgins embarked on a summer mission trip, hoping to serve God in a meaningful way. Little did Higgins know, however, that his trip to Peru would have a life-changing effect on his life. Back in the States, Higgins entered the hospital with what seemed to be a routine case of pneumonia. Later, his family learned Higgins had actually contracted a rare, infectious disease in Peru. Eventually losing his battle with what was thought to be the bubonic plague, Higgins’ life story continues on in I Would Die For You. Warning: You might want a box of Kleenex nearby. This one’s a tearjerker. MEL LAWRENZ I Want to Believe: Finding Your Way in an Age of Many Faiths (Regal) In a desire to be relevant in our ever-changing world, there’s often an “I’m okay, you’re okay” mentality adopted when it comes to personal faith and beliefs. After all, it’s much easier to agree than offend. While that’s all well and good, sometimes an opportunity to share a little more about Christianity can get passed up because believers don’t feel comfortable discussing certain aspects of the faith. Now with I Want to Believe, a primer on the practical realities of Christianity, there’s a user-friendly guide that provides answers to tricky questions like “Can there be only one way to God?” in a way that’s Scriptually sound and easy to understand. MICHELLE BUCKMAN My Beautiful Disaster (Th1nk) C’mon, admit it: You wanted to be popular, too. In the well-written adventure in teendom My Beautiful Disaster, Dixie also longs to hang with the “in” crowd. And ever since she’s palled around with Heather and Tammy, life’s been full of shopping, late-night gabbing and pizza parties. But when the three sneak out to see a hot new band, Dixie’s life takes a turn for the worse when she becomes obsessed with the cute lead singer. So is popularity all it’s cracked up to be? Well, you already know the answer, but this cautionary tale is entertaining nonetheless. Christa A. Banister is a freelance writer, author and blogger in St. Paul, Minn. Her first novel, Around the World in 80 Dates: Confessions of a Christian Serial Dater (NavPress), is in stores now. [ccmmagazine.com] 45 IN REVIEW books EDITOR’S PICK 4:24 PM 6 2/13/08 Page 46 TOP GEAR [PLUGGING IN TO INSTRUMENTS, ACCESSORIES & GADGETS] By Keith Troup The Hook-Up Energize your iPod... Plus, uploading video just got easier. BE A ROCKSTAR WITH YOUR FRIENDS If you’ve always wanted to be a rockstar, now’s your chance. Belkin has a way to share and mix your favorite music with your friends, family or fans. The Rockstar is a hub that connects a combination of MP3 players and headphones. Attach your headphones, and listen to your friend’s playlist, or add another iPod or MP3 player to mix and listen together. belkin.com VIDEO TRANSFER MADE EASY Wish you could take the hot new video you just recorded of your band’s next hit, youth group outing or latest excursion and transfer it easily to another digital device? Now you can: Pinnacle’s VIDEO TRANSFER ($129.99) can take an analog video input and record to any USB 2.0 storage device (even an iPod), and it doesn’t require a PC to use it. It’s a pocket-size device you can carry anywhere. Supported devices include various iPod models as well as the PSP, USB Flash drives and USB hard drives. It even has a feature to charge your iPod built right in. pinnaclesys.com/PVT [AS MUSICIANS BLOG ABOUT THEIR FAVORITE GEAR, WE’RE PLEASED TO SPREAD THE CHEER…] Although I’m a freelance drummer, percussionist and educator with a home studio, my passion is in the performance aspects of making music, not engineering. All that to say, I’d much rather invest in another drum or percussion instrument as opposed to a piece of electronic gear. (And all the drummers/percussionists say “AMEN!”). When I do purchase gear for the studio, I need it to be as versatile as possible, like the pair of AKG C414 B-ULS microphones that I use on a regular basis. I’ve come to depend on the 414 condenser mics, along with an old TL Audio dual valve preamp/compressor, almost every time I push the record button. The sounds I get are warm, natural and open. I’m also using a Pro Tools LE system on an HP laptop, plus a Command8 control surface and multiple Glyph GT series FireWire hard drives. Playing and engineering at the same time couldn’t be easier, allowing me to focus on what I’m really interested in. Bart Elliott AIN’T IT GRAND With rich tradition and experience, Yamaha unveils the latest CP300 digital piano, providing live musicians and studio players all the sound and expressiveness of a grand piano with the portability of a modern digital instrument. Tone and touch mean it sounds and feels the way a piano is suppose to. The CP300 offers Graded Hammer Effect action, stereo sampled grand piano voices with string resonance, and stereo sustain for real felt dampers and string acoustics. The on-board 30watt stereo speakers provide built-in monitors. They create vibrations you can feel in the cabinet, emulating piano strings buzzing under your fingers. XLR outputs provide clear noisefree signal onstage or in the studio. yamaha.com LEARN TO PLAY GUITAR WITH A VIDEO GAME From the creators of Piano Wizard comes Guitar Wizard, both a PC and Mac-based software gaming package that can teach aspiring “rock stars” or average joe’s how to play real music on a real guitar. The software allows you to use virtually any guitar to convert the sounds digitally for live, interactive video game play for kids and adults of all ages. Where Guitar Hero is just a game for pure entertainment, this software package is an educational teaching tool that is both fun and practical. Expect this amazing product to hit store shelves in the fall of 2008. Visit musicwizard.com to learn more about their full suite of music wizard products. 5 Keith Troup has been a technology consultant, music producer, songwriter, arranger, musician and gadget geek of digital proportions for over 20 years. He is the CEO of IDM STUDIOS, a digital media consulting business located in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit idmstudios.com. 46 [ccmmagazine.com] 2/13/08 4:25 PM Page 47 By Andy Argyrakis [TAKING YOU CLOSER TO CONCERTS THAN EVER BEFORE] TOUR SCRAPBOOK : SKILLET GOES DELUXE: After performing a scorching set taken from its latest A MOMENT WITH MERCYME: Aside from rounding out the evening with rock-oriented reflections from All That Is Within Me (INO) and softerspoken hits like “Word of God Speak” and “I Can Only Imagine,” group member Jim Bryson (keyboards) took time to share with CCM his take on the tour as a whole: “It’s a lot like a festival with a really good mix of bands—from Skillet and BarlowGirl for the younger generation, to groups like Newsong, who have been around for awhile,” he relates. “It literally brings an audience between 7-70, and at only $10 a ticket, it’s practically cheaper than going to a movie!” MERCYME & “Winter Jam 2008SKILLET TOUR CD, Comatose (Ardent/S-R-E/Lava/Atlantic), front man John Cooper sat down with CCM to talk about that very disc’s brand-new deluxe edition. “We didn’t just want to re-release the record with one song and rip off our fans. So, we turned in four acoustic songs and a brand-new rock song, which is like half a CD right there! There’s also bonus DVD content, with behind-the-scenes footage in the studio and videos. Plus, you can only buy it in Christian stores.” After Winter Jam wraps, the band embarks on a mainstream club tour with Thousand Foot Krutch. REDBIRD ARENA— ” NORMAL, IL Thu rsday, January 24 , 2008 FANFARE Ariel Blackwell Morris, IL (14) “I came here with my youth group and loved it all so much. I just love Skillet and had them sign my jeans since I didn’t have anything else with me!” MANDISA PREFERS STAGE OVER SCREEN: Whether you’re a fan of “American Idol” or not, no one can deny Mandisa’s towering vocal ability, especially on her explosive version of Mary Mary’s “Shackles (Praise You).” Though “AI” was her first major launching pad for fame, she told CCM she’d rather take to the live concert stage any day. “Being on the show was much more difficult because you can’t feed off anyone except the three judges,” the singer shared. “I’ll always prefer the live stage, because you can see people’s faces instead of just imagining them watching through the TV set.” Joe Kunsch Ashkum, IL (17) “The show has excellent diversity to appeal to kids who are Christians and those who aren’t. It’s wonderful that you can see so many examples of artists living out what they believe onstage.” Nathan Holt Hopedale, IL (19) “I’m a youth minister who brought my kids here for a good time, and they’re all loving it! Skillet and MercyMe were awesome, but all the bands were amazing.” Rod Simpson East Peoria, IL (55) “I’ve been to Winter Jam before, but this is the most excellent one yet—especially because of Newsong, MercyMe and Skillet. I lived through the ’70s and ’80s, and now the new millennium, so I’ve adapted to all the styles!” 47 [ccmmagazine.com] OTHER TOUR TIDBITS: BarlowGirl turned in a spirited set of tracks from its current album, How Can We Be Silent (Fervent), encouraging attendees to make a radical stand for Christ in their schools, workplaces and day-to-day environments. Newsong offered several periods of soulful praise, while showcasing its newest lead singer, Nate Sallie (also known for his piano pop solo career on Curb). Connersvine was a last-minute addition to the bill (after front man Hunter Smith’s football season ended), performing the acoustic rocker “Hero” just prior to MercyMe. The marathon lineup also included speaker Tony Nolan, plus a pre-show party featuring soulful/hip-hop troupe Group 1 Crew and high-octane poppers pureNRG. All photos by Andy Argyrakis Andy Argyrakis is a Chicago-based writer/photographer. He regularly contributes to the Chicago Tribune, runs a celebrity column in the Daily Journal and writes daily for Concert Livewire, amongst many other outlets. [ccmmagazine.com] 47 2/13/08 4:22 PM ! Page 48 ROOTS [ARTISTS IN COMMUNITY] By Johnston Moore WISE ENCOUNTERS Building 429’s Jason Roy and his wife are serious about pouring into the lives of college students. ” “ Jason. “We want to make sure these kids have somebody a little bit older who’s been there, done that, not too long ago—and hopefully relate to them and understand their needs, and to lead them to Christ.” “I lead a small group of girls in [our] home,” says Cortni. “We’re doing a Bible study together. Some of the girls come over every week or so just to check in and talk about what’s going on in their lives.” Jason has been able to use his connections in nearby Nashville to bring —RON EDMONDSON bands to Clarksville. “[We] rent out a GRACE CO-PASTOR local bar or club and bring in bands and have them play for free [for] the college students. It’s just been a great time. It doesn’t make any sense for us not to use the connections I have and bring those bands in and have them minister to our college students.” In addition, Cortni says, “Once a month, we have a large gathering we call ‘Encounter’ where we have worship and speakers.” Grace’s senior pastors support the college ministry by speaking at ‘Encounter.’ “Jason and Cortni’s heart for students was obvious from the beginning,” says Grace co-pastor Ron Edmondson. “They willingly opened their lives to the students of our church. We are in a college town (Austin Peay State University), but because of our commitments starting the church, we had neglected the college ministry. Their involvement made it possible for us to launch our college ministry far sooner than we might have been able to otherwise.” While the Roys pour into the lives of students, they also recognize the need for accountability and discipleship from others in their own lives. “Ron Edmondson is a huge influence on me. We go have coffee every once in a while, just to catch up,” says Jason. In addition, he has others who play important roles in shaping who he is and in holding him accountable when he’s on the road. Cortni leans on her family (who is part of Grace Community), as well as other moms (she and Jason are parents of a 4-year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter) in the church for support and accountability. Though the church is protective of Jason as a musician, he does ask to help lead worship on occasion. “These guys are unbelievable musicians and worship leaders,” says Jason. “When I play, it’s more because I want to than because they need somebody to play.” JASON AND CORTNI’S INVOLVEMENT MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO LAUNCH OUR COLLEGE MINISTRY FAR SOONER THAN WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OTHERWISE.” As Christians, we know that to get wisdom, we must ask God for it, for He is the source of wisdom. True Godly wisdom gives us the ability to live life well and as God designed it. It helps guard us against the temptations of our culture. In addition, it helps us to align our priorities with God’s, paying close attention to those things important to Him, and to live our lives accordingly. Jason Roy, the front man for Building 429, and his wife Cortni, have been blessed with wisdom beyond their years. The wisdom God has given them has enabled them to see life through new lenses and to act on what they see. They recognize and understand the importance of living in community with other believers, passing on their blessings and wisdom to those who follow in their footsteps. To that end, Jason and Cortni have immersed themselves in the life of Grace Community Church (Clarksville, Tenn.)—of which they have been a part for two years—and in particular with the next generation there. “We’re worshippers in the church. We’re always there as much as we can be,” says Jason. “We’re part of the group that started the college ministry there about a year ago. Cortni is still part of the group heading it up. When I’m in town, I help out however I can.” Jason and Cortni had very different experiences in their own college careers, yet both recognize how difficult college and being away from home can be for young people. “We just want to make sure they know they are loved, and there’s a place where they can come and hang out when they’re having a hard time,” says Cortni Roy, Pastor Ron Edmondson, Jason Roy Johnston Moore is a screenwriter living in Long Beach, California. He and wife Terri are the parents of several adopted children. 48 [ccmmagazine.com] 2/15/08 1:12 PM Page 49 CLASSIFIEDS CONTEST CHRISTIAN SONGWRITING CONTEST: Win studio time, performance opportunities, cash and more in the God-song contest. Each entry receives a written evaluation. Upload your entry, or download rules and forms at god-song.com or 850-276-6503. Deadline 3/31/08 SERVICES HeirChex DIGITAL SERVICING: Artists need airplay! DJs need music service! WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN! [email protected] www.HeirChex.com HAVE YOUR MUSIC HONESTLY EVALUATED: by an extremely successful 40-year rock and Christian radio pro at thechristianmusicevaluator.com VINYL, CDs NEW CDs $7, used CDs $4. Buy, sell, trade. 100% guaranteed. RD’s CDs: www.rds-cds.com, toll-free: 1-866-794-0378 Looking for news about your favorite Adult Contemporary, Pop or Classic Christian artists? Check out ChristianMusicPlanet.com! Occasionally, CCM Magazine allows other Christian organizations to mail offers of their products or services to people on our subscriber list. If you do not want to receive mail from these organizations, please contact our customer service department at 800/527-5226. ; CCM [ISSN 1524–7848] is published monthly by Salem Publishing. Copyright: CCM © 2008 by Salem Publishing, 104 Woodmont Blvd., Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37205. Contents may not be reproduced in any manner, either whole or in part, without prior written permission of the publisher. Editorial: The editor cannot assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and will return only those accompanied by a stamped, self–addressed envelope. Writers’ guidelines available upon request. Advertising: Neither the advertisers nor the contents of advertisements appearing in this publication are necessarily endorsed by Salem Publishing. We cannot accept liability for any products, services, etc., offered in advertisements; but please contact us if you experience any difficulties with advertisers. Periodicals postage paid at Nashville, TN, and additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: CCM Magazine, 104 Woodmont Blvd., Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37205. DOWNLOAD AN ORDER FORM AT WWW.CCMMAGAZINE.COM/ BACK ISSUE S [ccmmagazine.com] 49 2/15/08 1:13 PM Page 50 THE FINAL WORD [with Louie Giglio] THE FAT IS GONE I'm not sure if you've heard, but the print magazine you're holding in your hands is going away. From what I've been told (I'm just the guy who writes the last page) only one more issue remains, leaving me to assume the dreaded downturn in the music industry has taken another bite out of something we've come to enjoy and appreciate. Sooner or later you'd think we would become alarmed, but the evaporation in music sales over the past four years (a freefall most thought would have hit bottom by now) has evoked little more than a collective yawn from those not directly associated with the making and distributing of music. There's certainly been no love lost on the industry (as a disclaimer, I am happily leading a small label family), a tribe most consumers consider fat and greedy. And most don't really see a downside for the fans, with the possible exception of those of you who will miss these pages. But the bigger story is really not about the labels, artists or fans. It's about Christ's Church. In the end, the story will not be Too Bad For The Industry, or even Too Bad For The Fans. The real story, as it relates to the erosion of Christian music, is Too Bad for The Church. While I'm certain many music lovers wouldn't even think of taking a shortcut to obtaining the songs they value, day after day music is being “permanently borrowed” by a growing majority with increasing ease. Yet, it's more than the music that's being stolen. It's the moment. Once again, the Church is squandering an opportunity to shimmer in the midst of a dimming world. You have to admit, it would have been a pretty cool story, and a really easy platform on which to showcase the Savior, if Christian music sales had defied the global trend, which, while influenced by multiple factors, has been mostly fueled by technologically aided theft. Labels have tried various campaigns to raise the banner of “truth in listening,” but for the most part, their pleas have failed, appearing to some as nothing more than shrouded self-preservation. Moreover, the “powers that be” have tried to scare us righteous, hauling unsuspecting end users into court on charges of music piracy. But even such threats haven't deterred an emboldened generation. And artists? They, by in large, have 50 [ccmmagazine.com] been reluctant to speak, concerned they might come off looking no better than the labels, risking a backlash from their fans. And few Christian leaders have stepped into the fray; and even if they did many would only see them as holier than thou crusaders out of touch with what is commonly accepted among this generation. Rationalizations from music listeners abound, mostly about how everyone is getting rich enough off Christian music, so why not grab a little for free? After all, if the labels trimmed down to size there wouldn't be a problem anyway. Well, defending the size of the industry is not my calling, but if corporate obesity is your stumbling block, trust me, the fat is gone. We're now down to losing eyes, ears and limbs, and the whole ship is listing badly. I'm sure some will say, “Hurray,” while others will implore with glee, “I stole it, who cares, let them all go under.” Yet, something greater is at stake here than individual choice. We, my friends, are a collective (think Body), and could easily have seized the moment to shine a beacon on the One we love. If such spiritual talk makes you queasy, it's important for you to know I'm writing this sitting down, not on a pedestal that makes me higher than anyone else. I should be writing it on my knees, because what I'm saying convicts me of so many ways I am not unlike the cultural norm. That's sad, given I have something miraculous flowing through my veins. And as a Believer, you do, too. Surely, the world will not end if the music industry grinds to a halt (though I will be sad because many within it are my friends and have such honorable intentions), but an opportunity will be lost. Ideally, the Christian music industry would have trimmed the fat long ago, reflecting that we (and the music we believe so strongly in) are part of a transcendent Kingdom that compels us to think differently about everything we do. And, ideally, music lovers would have done a more honorable thing. Then, the headline would have read: OVERALL MUSIC SALES SINK WHILE ONE SEGMENT SHINES. And, as a result of simply doing what is right and good, many perplexed questioners would have been introduced to Jesus, which, as I understand it, is the point of Christian music in the first place. A passionate communicator and author, Louie Giglio is the founder of Passion Conferences, a collegiate movement calling people around the world to lives that spread God’s fame. Giglio also heads sixsteps records, a label partner with EMI CMG, and home to artist-worshipers Chris Tomlin, David Crowder*Band, Matt Redman and Charlie Hall. 268generation.com