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What's in GMan's Player?
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Building 429- must listen to fusion of great rock, great songs, and great worship.
Switchfoot- growing on me more everyday. Can't wait to see a growth in faith from these guys.
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| Music
Review |
Michael W. Smith
A New Hallelujah
Will the real Michael W. Smith please stand up. The 90s saw a big production, high energy
Smitty, followed by a more mellow persona. Recent studio releases were weak on song choice
or lacking the classic Smith production. With his latest release, the real Michael W.
Smith is back. Big production, high energy, and great songs. What new ground could
possibly be covered on a third live worship album? The African Children's Choir, and
worship leaders Coalo Zamorano and Israel Houghton are featured on songs
covering diverse styles
that have been a staple of Smith's career but were missing from his previous worship albums.
Six self-penned songs and a beautiful
arrangement of 'I Surrender All' featuring Zamoranos singing equals more Smitty. Fans of modern worship will
recognize the Hillsongs influence with current favorites like 'Mighty
to Save' and 'Shout Unto God', and the Smith composition 'The River is Rising'. Fans of
the diverse Michael will love the title track and 'When I Think of You', both written by him.
Fans of Michael the songwriter and musician will love the gospel infused 'Help Is
On the Way'. Other highlights include Chris Tomlin's 'Amazing Grace My Chains
Are Gone' and Martin Smith's 'Majesty', both transformed into very singable
songs, and the opening Smith penned cut, 'Prepare Ye the Way'.
Despite not being a new studio release, this is the Michael Album
I have been waiting for, for quite some time. From the opening percussion intro to the
end, this album will blow you away. Worship at it's best. You won't be disappointed.
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Music
and Faith
A
perspective on modern Christian music and the Christian faith.
Musicians who claim to be Christians are sinners just like the rest of
us. They may at times exercise poor judgement in their performance or in
other areas of their life. They may sin. We all do. Not one of us possesses
even an ounce of righteousness. Their faux pas reflect a sinful people
in need of constant renewal, but are not vaild proof that the style
of music performed is evil.
Performing musicians do so because they have been gifted with musical abilities.
Those on a national stage, generally speaking, are talented enough to garner
mass appeal. They may be at various stages in their Christian faith just
like the rest of us. Some may even be at a place where God has been placed
on a shelf and they are not fellowshipping with him as they should. Lyrical
content may be an indication of the spiritual condition of the songwriter,
but it is not valid proof that the musical style is evil.
Churches across the world have choirs that sing hymns. Those choirs are
filled with sinners from all walks of life. That doesn't make the music
bad. Not one verse of scripture exists to prove that a particular style
of music or a particular musical instrument is inherently wrong.
7/5/2008: SCC and MWS to Tour
They are two of Christian music's most successful artists. Michael W. Smith is
coming off several short runs in the U.S. and abroad of his Stand tour, and he
recently recorded a live worship album at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.
Steven Curtis Chapman followed up the release of his 'This Moment' album with a
special Cinderella edition of the album, which may help make it his most successful
release ever. Chapman and family are slowly adjusting to a new normal
following a tragic accident that claimed the life of his youngest daughter.
Steven is returning to the road this month in support of his new album. Smitty filled
in for Steven for a recent scheduled appearance, and now the two are hitting the road together for the 'United' tour.
Both of their websites have the up to date concert schedule for the tour.
7/5/2008: New Music From Dakoda Motor Co.
Dakoda Motor Company stormed onto the Christian music scene in 1991, making a
big splash at summer festivals in 1992. The original band lineup
featured guitarist, and well known surfer, Peter King, Davia Vallesillo on vocals,
Derik Toy on bass, and Chuck Cummings on drums. In 1993 they released
their first national album titled 'Into the Son'. Guitarist Elliot Chenault
joined the band for the much more aggressive second album 'Welcome Race Fans'.
Vallesillo left the band and was replaced by vocalist Mellisa Brewer. Dakoda
officially ended its run in 1997. The band reunited in 2006 with the original
lineup. They have been performing shows primarily on the west coast and
working on songs for a new album. Up to date information including
concerts and samples of their new music can be found at dakodamotorco.com,
or myspace.com/dakodamotorcompany.
7/5/2008: Burlap to Cashmere Performing Again
From myspace.com/burlaptocashmere:
Burlap to Cashmere was founded in Brooklyn, summer of '95, when Manager
Jamison Ernest discovered cousins John Philippidis and Steven DeLopoulos playing in
a coffee house. Later, lifelong friends Mike Ernest (guitar), Theodore Pagano (drums),
Roby Guarnera (bass), and Josh Zandman (keyboards) joined. Lastly, Percussionist Scott
Barksdale answered an ad in the paper to complete the band. Their music is a distinct
sound made up of folk music combined with arrangements full of flamenco guitar,
Afro-Cuban rhythms, and old-world Greek bazouki.
Currently, Steven Delopoulos has released his 2nd solo record entitled "Straight Jacket".
A follow up to his 1st release "Me Died Blue". Johnny has recovered from a major accident,
in full health, and has just finished a 2 month tour of Australia with his band 'Tamarama'.
The tour, titled "Billabong Sessions" was sponsored by Billabong and Hugo Boss. As well as
playing with Tamarama, he recorded a record with Lateral View/Sony artist Danielle Evin, Worked with
legendary Producer Jack Douglas (John Lennon, Aerosmith, Rolling Stones) Michael
Brauer (Coldplay, Paul Mcartney) and Jay Mesina.
His works also touch film and media (VH1, MTV, Guinness etc...) Burlap to Cashmere continue to
tour the states and has yet to release a third record, but new music has been
written and performed. The group plans to release a third if not last Record.
7/5/2008: New Stryper Album for 2009
Originally from southern California, Stryper is one of the most well
known and successful Christian bands. Originally named Roxx Regime,
they became Stryper for their first album with Enigma records in 1984. Their
first run officially ended in 1992 after front man Michael Sweet left to pursue
a solo career.
After several solo albums, and projects from other band
members, Stryper reunited in 2003 for a reunion tour. Soon after,
they signed with BigThree records for their first new release titled 'Reborn'.
A successful tour followed. Since then, the band members
have continued to pursue opportunities outside the band.
Guitarist Oz Fox joined Bloodgood and Bassist Tracie Ferrie has been playing
select dates with Sonic Flood. Sweet released a solo record dedicated
to his wife and titled 'Touched', amidst his wifes battle with cancer. He has
also joined Boston as vocalist on their new tour, after the band lost vocalist Brad Delp.
A new Stryper album, currently titled 'Murder By Pride', has been recorded
and is set for release in early 2009, after the Boston tour wraps up.
7/5/2008: 30 Years of Creation Festival
1979 marked the culmination of a vision shared by Rev. Harry Thomas
and Tim Landis around Thomas' kitchen table. The first Creation Festival
was held at Muddy Run Park in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The festival
quickly outgrew that location and moved in 1983 to beautiful
Shirleysburg, PA and the Agape Farm, nestled in the mountains
of central Pennsylvania. The festival has since grown beyond the farm
and local farmers rent their land to Creation for additional camping space.
On a side note, local business depend on Creation week for a large
portion of their yearly sales.
The 30th anniversary festival was celebrated in June of 2008
and featured artists such as Toby Mac, Switchfoot, David Crowder Band,
Kutless, Skillet, Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, Superchic[k], and Newboys.
The Aussie favorites have performed every year at Creation
for two decades. Special events during the anniversary celebration
included a performance by guitar virtuoso Phil Keaggy, a tribute to
Keith Green, a tribute to recently departed Larry Norman, and a surprise
appearance by Amy Grant. Amy performed a 5 song set and also led the
friday night candlelighting service. She was onstage at Creation 83
when the power went out and an impromptu candlelighting followed,
which birthed the annual tradition.
An estimated 70 to 80,000 people attended the four day
festival, doubling the amount present for the 15th anniversary.
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| Music
News |
| Steven
Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith to join forces for national tour
[more] |
| Dakoda
Motor Company reunites to perform and record new album
[more] |
| Burlap
to Cashmere back together, again
[more] |
| New
Stryper album slated for early 2009 release
[more] |
| Creation
Festival celebrates 30 years of giving tribute to our Creator
[more] |
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So You Want to Be a Rock Star
Some helpful advice for anyone aspiring to make it in the music business.
[more]
Rock Star Advice
The success and popularity of American Idol has spawned numerous television shows with similar goals.
Idol like competitions have sprung up all over the country. There is no shortage
of people who desire to be, or believe they are, the next big thing.
After watching several seasons of American Idol, I have learned one thing.
Gone is the illusion that the people who make the final few episodes on
the show were musical nobodies without experience, plucked from obscurity and
turned into stars.
At the beginning of each season, the show is loaded with people who have
been told, supposedly by everyone they know, how talented they are.
There is a difference between those who are told they are talented, and
those who actually are. The latter group relies not on the testimony of
others, but on their own cultivation of their talent. Those who go
far on the show have put in a lot of time and hard work in the years
prior to making it on the show. Generally speaking, they are not
music newbies. Rocker favorite Bo Bice cut his teeth in his
own band, and was already a master of the stage prior to Idol.
Taylor Hicks and David Cook were also stage regulars and had
independent studio releases to their credit. Melinda Doolittle was
an accomplished studio vocalist in Nashville, and Jordin Sparks had a tour
with Michael W. Smith under her belt. Those are just a few of many examples.
Sure, there are those wide eyed wonders on the show who have never
left the family farm, but they don't go far. The thing I've learned is
that the contestants who survive until the last few episodes of the show
have worked their tail off to develop their musical talent.
Every star in the music business worked hard for years to develop their musical abilities.
That hard work paid off when they were noticed by someone in the
business. The contestants who win American Idol are not cutting
to the front of the line and avoiding the hard work. They put
the time in like every pop star, and American Idol is their opportunity to get noticed.
So you want to be a rock star? It's not as easy as it looks on TV,
but don't let anyone tell you you can't do it. Take advantage of every
opportunity you can to play or sing. Get involved in the music
at your church, join the band at school, or form a band with your friends.
Take all the lessons you can get and practice hard. Study music
till your head hurts. Soak it all in. When opportunities
come your way to showcase your talent, go for it. You will be prepared.
What if it doesn't work out? Not everyone is destined for stardom.
You may find that to be true for you along the way. Maybe for
only a short time, or maybe for life. Rest assured that if you
have the talent and you put in the hard work, even if you are not the
next big thing, you can still have a successful career in music and find
contentment in the process.
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