Musically Speaking… March 2004

Greg Nelson, holder of a Gospel Music Association Impact Award, has joined LifeWay Christian Resources as one of its exclusive songwriters and will serve a dual position in song and writer development. He will focus on writing music for the church and the church choir.

The Kutless Sea of Faces Tour, featuring Kutless, Thousand Foot Krutch, FM Static and Falling Up comes to Southern California in March with performances in Irvine and San Diego. Ryan Dobson will be the guest speaker. The first show is March 20 at Calvary Chapel Laguna. The next day the tour moves to Brown Chapel at Point Loma Nazarene University.

Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s, artists signed with MCG Records, won five awards, including Group/Duo of the Year, for their CD “Right On Time: Live in Memphis” at the 19th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards held January in Houston.

Jeremy Thiessen and Glenn Lavendar, part of Downhere, stretched more than their vocal talents in early January when they teamed up for the Disney Marathon in Orlando. The idea to run the marathon emerged during a Bible study in Franklin, TN.

Bleach, together for more than eight years, is calling it quits. The group, which produced five albums, is launching a farewell tour this summer that will end Aug. 29. The break-up was attributed to the grind of touring and desires to be with family.

Rebecca St. James, who spent much of last year on a worship tour with the Newsboys, has released her first live worship CD. “Live Worship: Blessed Be Your Name” includes the recent radio release “The Power of Your Love.” The title song “Blessed Be Your Name,” was co-written by Matt Redman.

Collaborators with the “City on the Hill” series will join forces again for Essential Records’ “The Christ: A Trilogy,” a musical depiction of Jesus’ birth, life, and passion. Produced by Steve Hindalong, the album, to release March 9, includes the work of Third Day, Jars of Clay, Jennifer Knapp and Sixpence None the Richer.

Jeremy Camp’s “Carried Me: The Worship Project” emerged as No. 1 on the Top Christian Charts in mid-February, selling nearly 20,000 copies during its debut week. It will get more exposure during “Adoration: The Tour,” which headlines the Newsboys and Rebecca St. James, has already sold out five dates.

Recently signed rock group Building 429 will release its “Glory Defined” EP on April 6. The album has already generated interest with some stations expected to air singles in February and March.

Sparrow’s Jump5 is seeking a new member after vocalist Libby Hodges left the group earlier this year. Libby said she needed time to reflect on where God was leading her. She has returned to high school, while the group holds auditions for her spot.

The David Crowder Band, a favorite among the college crowd, has launched its first-ever headline tour. “The Illuminate Tour,” named for their newest album, started Feb. 16. The 18-city tour will travel to 11 states. Tour dates include Colorado Springs, Colo. on March 18; Boulder, Colo. on March 19; Malibu, Calif. On March 22; Azuza, Calif. March 23 and the March 25 Purpose Driven Conference in Lake Forest, Calif. The band also releases its first live album, “The Lime CD,” March 23.

Reunion Records has released a live DVD, “Live in Concert: A 20-Year Celebration,” by Michael W. Smith. It’s the first of two projects for the veteran musician. A three-album worship box set is due out in early March. The live album features hits from his “The First Decade” and “The Second Decade” projects.

Across the Sky, which joined the Avalon and Mark Schultz tour in late February, filmed its first music video earlier in the month for “Broken World” from its self-titled album. The pop band features Ben Kolarik and Justin Unger.

Christian artists made their mark on the 46th annual Grammy Awards, with Audio Adrenaline, Michael W. Smith and Randy Travis each taking home major awards in various best album gospel categories. Other winners included The Blind Boys of Alabama, Donnie McClurkin and T.D. Jakes. Cross-over artist Evanescence garnered awards for Best New Artist and Best Hard Rock Performance for “Bring Me to Life.”

Pastor Rudolph McKissick, Jr. & The Word and Worship Mass Choir, which debuted its first album two years ago, will release their sophomore album “What a Time” March 9. The project is the first recording to be released on the newly formed record label, Emtro Gospel, founded by GRAMMY-nominated artist/producer Troy Sneed (The Preacher’s Wife soundtrack, Georgia Mass Choir.)

Todd Agnew will launch his first headline tour to promote his freshman release “Grace Like Rain. The 20-plus-city tour, which starts March 6, will also feature Silers Bald and BarlowGirl. On April 24, the day after the tour concludes Agnew will be featured during WayFest, a live concert that kicks of Gospel Music Week.

Industry veterans Mike Blanton, Dan Harrell and Steve Thomas have teamed up to form BHT Entertainment, a new company that will work with Word Distribution. The new label will be operated by General Manager Troy Collins, a former Gotee and ForeFront Records executive. Collins will oversee three divisions under the BHT umbrella, each concentrating on a specific genre: R&B/Urban, CCM/Pop and Mainstream Pop/Rock.

Passion fans have another album to bask in. “Passion: Hymns Ancient And Modern—Live Songs Of Our Faith,” was released Feb. 24 as the project’s first enhanced CD. The album includes lyrics, chord charts, links to Passion and its artist-worshippers, and various other worship resources. It features hymns that are at least 100 years old, but have been updated by the likes of Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, Charlie Hall, Matt Redman and Nathan and Christy Nockels of Watermark.

Published by Keener Communications Group, March 2004

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