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It seems that when there is a tragedy anywhere in the world, American music artists respond in song, and the earthquake that devastated Haiti is no exception. From the Hope for Haiti Now televised benefit concert that raised more than $50 million for charities like The Red Cross and Oxfam to the Haiti Relief Concert featuring Point of Grace and Mark Schultz that raised more than $50,000 to aid the earthquake survivors, artists have been out in full force, writing songs and sharing their emotions through music. In February, dozens of music celebrities gathered together to record “We Are The World—25 for Haiti,” a remake of the 1985 song that has raised more than $63 million for humanitarian projects, primarily in Africa. The 2010 version, which included gospel artists Mary Mary, BeBe Winans and The Fray’s Isaac Slade alongside mainstream stars like Usher, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Josh Grobin and Celine Dion, debuted to mixed reviews at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
And speaking of “We Are the World”-type anthems, a who’s who of Christian artists got together for their own song for Haiti. Led by Michael W. Smith, artists John Schlitt, Chris Sligh, Lee Greenwood, Margaret Becker, Hawk Nelson’s Jason Dunn, Mark Hall and Megan Garrett of Casting Crowns, The Oak Ridge Boys, Point of Grace, pureNRG, Wynonna, Mandisa, Natalie Grant, Nicole C. Mullen, TobyMac, and dozens more—including a children’s choir of more than 250 elementary school students, 14 of which were from Haiti—gathered at Belmont University’s Ocean Way Studios to record the song, “Come Together Now.” The song was penned by Smith, David Mullen and Cindy Morgan, and produced by Bryan Lenox. Proceeds from the song will go to designated charity and relief work through The American Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse. The single can be purchased at most digital music sites, including the iTunes music store.
Nominations for Gospel music's highest awards, the Doves, were announced in February. Nominees include: Jeremy Camp, Jason Crabb, Michael English, Brandon Heath, Donnie McClurkin, Smokie Norful, Bebo Norman and Mark Schulz for Male Vocalist of the Year. Female Vocalist of the Year nominees are Francesca Battistelli, Karen Peck Gooch, Natalie Grant, Heather Headley, Mandisa, Dawn Michele and Laura Story. Producer Wayne Haun, yet to earn a major award, earned the most nominations, with seven, including producer of the year, song of the year, Southern gospel recorded song and bluegrass recorded song. The 41st annual Dove Awards will be held April 21 at the Grand Ole Opry House. For a complete list of nominees, visit www.doveawards.com.
Season nine of American Idol is in full swing, and this year’s crop of contestants once again features some singers with ties to Christian music, including Lacey Brown, who serves as the venue director at Victory Church in Amarillo, Texas, where her parents are co-pastors; Michelle Delamor, soloist with the Unity of the Bay choir in Florida and Jermaine Sellers, who finished third in 2007 on BET’s Gospel competition, “Sunday Best.” In a typical Idol twist, at the last minute favorite Top 24 contestant Chris Golightly was disqualified and replaced with indie Christian artist Tim Urban.
When the Grammys were handed out Jan. 31, Beyonce was the big winner, taking home six awards, the most for any female in one awards show in the history of the Grammys. The award for Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album went to Jason Crabb for his self-titled solo debut. Israel Houghton took home the award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for his The Power of One. Third Day’s Live Revelations won for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album, while Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell (better known as Mary Mary) and Warryn Campbell took home the award for Best Gospel Song for “God tn Me” from Mary Mary’s album, The Sound.
Daywind Records artist Sisters, comprised of siblings Kim Lord, Heather Day, and Valerie Ellenburg, were recently invited by syndicated columnist and Fox News analyst Cal Thomas to sing at a media dinner in Washington D.C. The next day, the trio attended the National Prayer Breakfast, where President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and the Prime Minister of Spain were in attendance. Thomas extended the invitation after seeing a video of Sisters’ performance on Facebook.
Tween pop/dance group pureNRG has decided to call it quits in 2010. The trio—Jordan, Caroline and Carolyne—have racked up quite an impressive resume since they formed in 2007. Their self-titled debut made them the Top Selling Artist at Christian Retail in 2007; their sophomore project, Here We Go Again, landed them at No. 2 on the Christian Soundscan chart and in the Top 10 Christian Albums at iTunes and their last album, The Real Thing, debuted at No. 20 on Billboard’s Top 200. As a farewell and thanks to their fans, the pop trio will release a “Best of” CD/DVD collection in July and will head out for one final tour before the end of the year.
Brandon Heath recently won a Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for his blockbuster hit “Give Me Your Eyes.” The song served as the catalyst for Nashville Rescue Mission’s Hunger to Hope 2009 PSA Campaign, produced by NewsChannel 5’s Jerry L. Walker of CBS affiliate WTVF-TV. Adding to the excitement, the song was also chosen by NASA as the wake-up call for the Endeavour shuttle crew’s first day in orbit, in honor of first-time flyer Pilot Terry Virts, who is a fan of Heath’s music. Heath joined Virts’ family as a special guest at the launch in February from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
At press time, an urgent prayer request had gone out for The Myriad’s drummer Randy Miller. Miller was diagnosed in 2008 with a rare form of bone cancer called chondrosarcoma. After an intense chemo therapy that included treatments every three weeks throughout 2009, the tumor appeared to be shrinking and Miller was feeling well enough to tour last fall with The Myriad for a month in support of the Humane Society of the United States. But last month, doctors discovered that the tumors were growing and there were no more medical treatment options. Prayers for healing are requested for Randy, and also for strength for his wife Krystin and their two children, Conner and Jillian.
Last summer, Newsboys fans were stunned to learn that longtime frontman Peter Furler had stepped down as lead vocalist and that former dcTalk member Michael Tait had stepped up to the microphone. The change, came just as the band was releasing their 14th studio album, In the Hands of God, which featured Furler on vocals. Well, it’s been almost a year since the change and as fans are finally getting used to the new lead vocals, the Newsboys have announced they’ll release their 15th studio album in June. The album is aptly titled Born Again, and features Tait on vocals along with what a press release calls “story-led tunes with melodies coupled with more distinguishable piano and guitar performances.” The album’s first two radio singles, “I’ll Be” and “Born Again,” released to radio in February.
WOW Worship (Purple), the new collection that features 30 of the church’s most popular and recognized worship songs, releases on March 2. The two-disc album includes songs like “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” by Chris Tomlin; “Mighty to Save (Live)” from Hillsong United; MercyMe’s “You Reign,” “Everything Glorious” by David Crowder Band; Casting Crowns’ “All Because of Jesus,” and “Shout Unto God” from Michael W. Smith. The project also features three brand new recordings from Francesca Battistelli (“Lead Me to the Cross”), Matthew West (“The Wonderful Cross”) and Leeland, covering Delirious’ “Majesty (Here I Am).”
Robbie Seay Band releases its third label project, Miracle, March 23. The album is a reflection of Seay’s work and relationships within Ecclesia Church, a Houston-based community of faith that seeks to embrace culture through practical love. Seay leads worship at the church. Robbie Seay Band is comprised of Robbie Seay, Ryan Owens, Matthew Kidd, and Michael Lisenbe. The band has released two critically acclaimed albums, Better Days (2005) and Give Yourself Away (2007) and received high profile placement in promotions for FOX’s “American Idol” and CW programs “One Tree Hill” and “Life Is Wild.”
When it released in February, TobyMac’s fourth studio album, Tonight, raced to No. 2 on iTunes’ overall sales chart. TobyMac will head out with rockers Skillet for the Awake Tonight tour. The tour kicks off March 4 in Aurora, IL. For complete tour dates, visit www.tobymac.com.
For more Christian music news, visit Joanne’s Gospel Soundcheck blog at Beliefnet.com www.blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck
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