CCM_01.05_cover.v5ben 12/1/04 8:19 PM Page 1 YOUR CHRISTIAN MUSIC MAGAZINE SINCE 1978 JEREMY CAMP Right Here, Right Now + CAEDMONтАЩS CALL NEWSBOYS SALVADOR CCM_01.05_Contents.v9 12/1/04 7:08 PM Page 3 contents January 2005 Rock This Town SalvadorтАЩs secret weapon has always been its salsa-splashed live shows at a venue near you. Now get to know the bandтАЩs slightly shy frontman Nic Gonzales a little better as he talks about the groupтАЩs тАЬfamilyтАЭ dynamic, why video games are so pass├й and how the church should be comfortable taking in Salvador and Fred Hammond during any given week. B Y C H R I S TA FA R R I S Photograph by Thomas Petillo 46 cover story in review 28 51 Son of a Preacher Man Despite a year filled with loads of unexpected professional and personal accolades, Jeremy Camp remains humbled that he is essentially following in his fatherтАЩs pastoral footsteps and sharing the gospel with the massesтАФalbeit with a rockinтАЩ soundtrack as a backdrop. Now catch up with Jeremy as T H O M G RA N G E R tracks him down. U2тАЩs latest is reviewed and more. 55 Books: 69 Tour: Bebo Norman, Bethany Dillon and Jason Morant invade Chi-town on the тАЬTryтАЭ Tour. features 34 Deep Wells Who knew that simply enjoying the sound of Indian-inspired drums could literally change the course of your career and ministry? CaedmonтАЩs Call certainly didnтАЩt at the time, but this life-changing discovery has provided the band and its fans with some much-needed perspective on a well-kept secret. B Y JAY S W A R T Z E N D RU B E R 42 Newsboys: Worshipful and Not Ashamed When it comes to performing, Newsboys has always been Christian musicтАЩs cream of the crop with catchy ditties and charisma galore. But lately the band has had deeper issues on its mind than whether or not тАЬbreakfast will be served in hell.тАЭ Now L I Z Z A C O N N O R gets to the bottom of why Peter Furler & Co. have a yearning to write songs specifically for the church. Music: CCMтАЩs critics reveal their favorite records of 2004. Plus, Your inside track on this monthтАЩs relationship-oriented reading and artistsтАЩ current reading list departments 04 From the Editor: TheyтАЩll know weтАЩre Christians by our love. 09 The Insider: Exclusives with Kendall Payne, Ruben Studdard and artistsтАЩ New YearтАЩs resolutions. 22 The Reel: Previews of Racing Stripes and Are We There Yet? 24 Ones to Watch: Mat Kearney, Charity Von 70 15 Things You Probably DidnтАЩt Know About: Paul Coleman 74 CCM Hall of Fame: Dallas Holm CCM_01.05_Editorial.v8 12/1/04 8:05 PM Page 4 fromtheeditor by Jay Swartzendruber Love Is the Movement When I think about the broadening influence of faith-based artists over the past year or two, there are two specific trends that bring me great joy. One, of course, is the dramatic increase of Christian market artists who are moving beyond the confines of our community into the world at large. Just this past year alone we saw new hits from MercyMe, Switchfoot, Thousand Foot Krutch, Natalie Grant, Pillar, Skillet and others invade the mainstream airplay charts. But as much as that pleases me, itтАЩs the other trend, I must confess, that is my favorite. Like never before, Christian artists are using their platforms to put love profoundly into action. When it comes to the poor, the orphaned, the sick, the unborn, the imprisoned and the persecuted, artists of faith are speaking louder and louder for those who have no voice. Through their songs, what they say from stage, during interviews and even in the liner notes of their CDs, our favorite artists are educating us and then motivating us to take action. Sure, for many years some artists such as Randy Stonehill, Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith have partnered with relief organizations and demonstrated leadership by calling us to love Jesus by doing so тАЬunto the least of these.тАЭ And letтАЩs not forget the mid-тАЩ80s when dozens of Christian artists briefly came together to record historic songs such as тАЬDo Something NowтАЭ for African famine victims and тАЬFight the Fight,тАЭ a protective cry for unborn children. But, while there were such highlights, itтАЩs safe to say Christian artists werenтАЩt тАЬdefinedтАЭ by championing issues of justice and mercy. CCM MAGAZINE Your Christian Music Magazine Since 1978 volume 27 issue 7 For those whose lives are strengthened through faith-informed music, CCM Magazine goes behind the scenes to celebrate the artistry of Christian music. CCM Magazine is a publication of Salem Publishing, a division of Salem Communications. тАвтАвтАвтАв тАвтАвтАвтАвтАвтАвтАв CCM Magazine Publisher James R. Cumbee Associate Publisher & Editor in Chief Roberta Croteau Editor Jay Swartzendruber Managing Editor Stephanie Ottosen Contributing & Reviews Editor Christa Farris 4 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com That was then. During the last two or three years the tide has shifted dramatically. In fact, so many Christian artists have started proactively influencing social issues that the minority who donтАЩt speak up for the poor, the unborn and the sick may actually risk their credibility. For the past 27 years CCM Magazine has been honored to play a key role in helping artists motivate fans to love generously. And while many CCM staff members personally sponsor children born into poverty or work with Christian relief organizations in other ways, weтАЩve decided to take tangible steps to both focus and reinforce our public commitment as a magazine. First, CCM Magazine has decided to sponsor two children through a couple terrific Christian organizationsтАФWorld Vision and Compassion International. This month we are honored to introduce you to Sadia, who lives in Africa and Ambika whose home is in India (see тАЬGet RealтАЭ on page 14). Periodically, we will update you on how each is doing. Of course, itтАЩs our hope that as you start to get to know each child, youтАЩll be moved to sponsor a girl or boy of your ownтАФwith just $30 a month or less you can literally change a life! Like us, if you sponsor a child, you can choose a boy or girl from the region of the world youтАЩre most interested in helping. You might have noticed we chose Africa and IndiaтАФthereтАЩs a reason for that. Of course, thanks in large part to the long-term efforts of Christian artists, our staff is well aware of the HIV/AIDS and poverty emergency in Africa. And India? Well, IndiaтАЩs got a very dark, destructive secretтАФone we actually didnтАЩt know about until we heard CaedmonтАЩs CallтАЩs new album, Share the Well. To learn more, I recently spent a day on the road with the band. And I invite you to check out the article I wrote in response on page 34. While CCM will continue to highlight important causes your favorite artists are bringing to light, we will place an intentional emphasis during the next year or two on the situations in Africa and India. As always, we look forward to keeping your finger on the pulse of Christian musicтАФinviting you behind the scenes and bringing the heart of the artist to your front door. Speaking of such, have you heard about the efforts of Christian artists endorsing the One Campaign petition to fight global AIDS and poverty? Many of todayтАЩs most influential artists are helping lead the way in getting signatures on the petition before itтАЩs presented to President Bush and Congress. Will you join Michael W. Smith, Third Day, tobyMac, Jars of Clay, Switchfoot, Kirk Whalum, Newsboys, Relient K and others in signing the One Campaign petition? Thanks to the internet, it will only take you about two minutes to do so. Just go to OneCampaign.com and be a part of love in action. [email protected] Art Director Lee Steffen Associate Art Director Ben De Rienzo Production Director Ross E.Cluver Contributing Editors Andy Argyrakis, Michael Card, Michael Ciani, Kent Morris, Chris Well Contributors Sydney Alexander, Phil Baquie, Anthony Barr-Jeffrey, Anthony DeBarros, Thom Granger, David Jenison, Dan MacIntosh, David McCreary, Anneka Morgan, Jessica Robin, Gregory Rumburg Web Editor Christa Farris Editorial Assistant Kelly OтАЩNeil Editorial Intern Caroline Mitchell Circulation Director Buffy Booker Customer Service Representatives Amy Cassell, Leesa Smith Executive Director of Advertising L. Smitty Wheeler 615/312-4235 Senior Director of Advertising DeDe Tarrant 805/987-5072 Account Executive Gregory Byerline Account Executive Laurice Jackson Account Executive Phil Davis Marketing Coordinator Michael TenBrink Advertising Coordinator Carol Jones Sales/Marketing Associate Craig Felker Main Office 104 Woodmont Blvd., Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37205 615/386-3011 (ph) тАв 615/386-3380 (business fax) тАв 615/385-4112 (editorial fax) тАв 615/312-4266 (advertising fax) Subscriptions/Customer Service CCM, 104 Woodmont, Ste 300, Nashville 37205, 800/333-9643 or [email protected]. Annual subscription rates: United States, $19.95/one year, $35.95/ two years, $53.95/three years; Canada, (U.S. funds) $27.95 per year; all other countries, (U.S. funds) $33.95 (surface) or $67 (airmail). For address changes or other inquiries, please include both old and new addresses and mailing label. Allow four to six weeks for new subscriptions to begin. Cover photo by Allen Clark NASDAQ SYMBOL: SALM CCM_01.05_Feedback.final 12/1/04 7:05 PM Page 6 feedback appreciated the article about Chris [тАЬHere to StayтАЭ], but the article lists Not to Us as тАЬTomlinтАЩs first release.тАЭ I have that CD along with his new CD Arriving, but I also own his first real solo release, The Noise We Make. It was on sixsteps records as well and includes the song тАЬForever.тАЭ тАФGreg Loucks, Phoenix, AZ We stand corrected. WAS IT тАЬAPPLEтАЭ OR тАЬPINEAPPLEтАЭ? MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON. Thank you for further introducing me to Michael W. Smith [тАЬReady for His Close-upтАЭ]. I enjoyed the timely angle with addressing his presidential encounters. SomeoneтАЩs reported numbers of awards and No. 1 songs, however, were not quite as timely. The тАЬMichael By the NumbersтАЭ box reported 40 Dove awards, three Grammy awards and 28 No. 1 songs, while two pages later, the Audio-Technica ad reported 34, two and 26, respectively. Cross-check that ads and data are current. тАФAmbria Hammel, Sun City, AZ Actually, Ambria, the ads that come in are designed and approved by the companies sending them. So, unfortunately, we donтАЩt have the opportunity to correct them. THE NOISE HE MADE. I just received NovemberтАЩs issue of CCM. IтАЩm a big Chris Tomlin fan, along with many other artists. I 6 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com Jump5тАЩs Lesley Moore was misquoted in the new CCM Magazine [тАЬInsider,тАЭ November] when talking about her favorite thing to do at Walt Disney World. (тАЬI think we all really enjoy riding all the rides. We also have to get Dole Whips, which has hot apple juice and ice cream together. Very Good!тАЭ) Of course, Dole is synonymous with pineapple and not hot apple juice! Say it quickly with a southern drawl, and pineapple juice mustтАЩve sounded like hot apple juice). тАФAnonymous, via e-mail Well, alllrighty then! WE LOVE SCOTT, TOO! Just wanted to e-mail you and let you all know that I love your magazine. All the coverage you do is awesome, but when is Scott Krippayne going to make a cover of CCM? I mean, I know that while a lot of people donтАЩt recognize his name, they do know his songs that have been recorded by other major artists. Not that you arenтАЩt creative; but, come onтАФtobyMac on the cover again? At least do an interview or something. тАФA devoted fan, via e-mail We love your devotion. Hope youтАЩve picked up Mr. KrippayneтАЩs new CDтАФwe really like it. HeтАЩs not on the cover this month, but be sure to check out his album review in тАЬIn Review Music.тАЭ RandyтАЩs songs are straight from the heart, insightful and wise. I look up to him, and I pray I can attend another concert of his. Thank you so much for adding him to your тАЬHall of Fame.тАЭ He deserves to be there. тАФCara Dennis, Calgary, AB, Canada PROPS TO RANDYтАж I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for featuring Randy Stonehill in тАЬHall of FameтАЭ [November]. Randy is my hero and one of the best Christian artists who has ever lived. I have waited so long for you to feature him, and IтАЩm so incredibly glad you did. We welcome your comments. Address your letter to Feedback, CCM Magazine, 104 Woodmont Blvd., Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37205; fax 615/385-4112, Attn: Feedback; or e-mail [email protected]. Always include your full name, address and phone number. Letter may be edited for length and clarity. TRUTH BE TOLD WhatтАЩs your favorite Christian music legend or supposedly tall tale? What about that nagging question concerning your favorite artist that, apparently, no oneтАЩs been able to answer? ThatтАЩs where we come in. Check here each month as CCM Magazine distinguishes truth from fiction and e-mail your questions to [email protected]. Dear CCM, I have been a fan of Susan AshtonтАЩs for quite a while and canтАЩt find any information about where sheтАЩs at or what sheтАЩs doing. I pray for her whenever I hear a song of hers on the radio. тАФBarb Peterson When we caught up with her, Ashton had just returned from England, where she was at work on a new record with two other former Sparrow artists, Michelle Tumes and Christine Dent├й. She confirmed the rumor that after a few years as a full-fledged country artist, she left her label, Capitol Nashville, early last year. The aforementioned album with Tumes and Dent├й was recorded for Kingsway Records, a U.K. worship label perhaps best known in the States for recent work itтАЩs released featuring Margaret Becker (another former Sparrow artist!). Helmed by British producer John Hartley (Phil & John, Sheila Walsh), the as-yet-untitled project was initially slated to be released only in Europe, but Sparrow has recently come on board as the U.S. distributor for release sometime in the first half of 2005. Ashton has also just begun working with Hartley on a solo album for Kingsway, which Sparrow is also planning to release. She is currently writing for the project and says she hopes to include a few тАЬold hymnsтАЭ on the record as well. She has no plans at this time for touring, but she says she is тАЬpleasantly surprised by the progression of thingsтАЭ because the opportunities with Kingsway have already blossomed into more than she originally envisioned. тАЬThis is what God has put in front of me right now, and IтАЩm excited about it!тАЭ CCM_01.05_Insider.v15 12/1/04 7:10 PM Page 9 C insider MercyMe at the AMAs, catching up with Ruben Studdard and more. by Christa Farris All Grown Up www.photobyskeebo.com After an extended stint of тАЬnormalтАЭ living, Kendall Payne fuses a new appreciation for the тАЬtypicalтАЭ with a renewed sense of why she had to write her latest album. n a line of work where success and perception are often inter-connected, Kendall Payne considers herself more of a тАЬtruth speakerтАЭ than her own P.R. person when it comes to her departure from Capitol Records, the mainstream label that released her debut, JordanтАЩs Sister (also distributed by Sparrow Records). тАЬWhen I say I got тАШlet goтАЩ from Capitol, everyone says, тАШLetтАЩs just say you parted ways,тАЩ and IтАЩm like, тАШWhy?тАЩ Kendall asks as she shrugs her shoulders. тАЬBasically, a new president came in, and he decided that he just didnтАЩt have the same vision that I did.тАЭ Not abandoning her musical ambitions, however, Kendall went back to the studio to record some demos and pursue another record deal. But after nothing came of those efforts, she pursued something she hadnтАЩt in a while: тАЬnormalтАЭ living. тАЬI woke up in the same bed, in the same city, and at first it was frightening,тАЭ Kendall recalls. тАЬYou spend a couple years waking up in a new city every morning; then, all of the sudden, itтАЩs the same people, the same trees, the same car, and youтАЩre like, тАШWhat is this? I donтАЩt know how to function.тАЩтАЭ In the meantime Kendall reconnected with a I >>> church, something she describes as тАЬlong overdueтАЭ and signed up for classes at a local community college in the field of psychology, something she also hopes to pursue further in the future. But, despite being satisfied with this consistent kind of life, she simply couldnтАЩt shake her need to write. тАЬRainer Maria Rilke talks about writing out of necessity in the book Letters to a Young Poet,тАЭ Kendall elaborates. тАЬIt says, тАШAsk yourself in the stillest hour of your night, тАЬMust I write?тАЭ And, if at the end of it all, you arrive at a strong and simple тАЬI must,тАЭ then write and donтАЩt care who affirms it.тАЩтАЭ So thatтАЩs exactly what she did. And it wasnтАЩt long after that before she was given the opportunity to make the album she тАЬknows inside my heart that I needed to make.тАЭ тАЬIn January of this past year, a buddy of mine came to me and said, тАШI want your album. Go and make it because IтАЩm ready to listen to it,тАЩтАЭ Kendall recalls. тАЬSo he gave me some funds and said, тАШHave at it.тАЩ That doesnтАЩt happen very often; heтАЩs an incredible guy.тАЭ Utilizing more of an organic approach, Kendall says the album is тАЬchock-full of songs that came without me trying to make them what they were.тАЭ Currently available at her official Web site, kendallpayne.com, she recently recorded a couple additional, more radio-friendly songs to make the project officially complete for a Spring 2005 rerelease. One of those songs, тАЬStand,тАЭ is a worshiporiented track she wrote with her friend Jason Wade from Lifehouse while leading worship in their youth group more than 10 years ago. As for whether sheтАЩll eventually team up with a label again for her release in the future, Kendall is keeping her options open. тАЬI keep on telling everyone: тАШLife is far too short to waste time on bitterness. IтАЩm grateful for every label experience IтАЩve had,тАЩтАЭ she muses. тАЬI value all the friendships and the life lessons. Most of the time we learn a lot more through the failures and hardships than we do through the successes. So when you take that posture, I think you look back and say, тАШHow can I not be grateful?тАЩ So I look forward to any possible label relationships as lessons to learn. And if itтАЩs not successful, then IтАЩll learn a new dimension of my own heart.тАЭ SurfтАЩs Up: HawaiiтАЩs Own Pop Punk Act Olivia the Band Signs With Essential Records тАв Parental GuidanceтАФ ccmmagazine.com january 05 ccm 9 >>> CCM_01.05_Insider.v15 12/1/04 7:11 PM Page 10 C insider The many faces of Ruben Studdard Ruben will actually be going to the camp himself for the two-week span and hopes to bring people onboard such as the legendary musician Wynford Marsalis to help reinforce that тАЬthe end result of being part of a musical program is positive,тАЭ he says. тАЬWeтАЩre trying to get him to come and speak to the kids because heтАЩs serious about preserving the art form of jazz. And thatтАЩs somethingтАФespecially in the African American communityтАФthat people are starting to lose touch with.тАЭ Speaking of all that jazz, Studdard says heтАЩs also going to get back in the studio тАЬas soon as possibleтАЭ to begin work on his next album. тАЬI really want to do an album of jazz standards. IтАЩm a lover of music, so I never want to pigeonhole myself into one genre. IтАЩm really looking forward to trying to broaden my horizons, my art, my craft. Quotable Quotes from RubenтАЩs World When it comes to interviews, RubenтАЩs really a man of few words, but this softspoken singer gets vocal on a variety of subjects below. On being outspoken about his faith in mainstream music: тАЬNobody made me be a Christian. It was something I chose to be. And if people want to ask me about it, IтАЩm going to talk about it.тАЭ Ruben isnтАЩt content with simply being known as the тАЬVelvet Teddy BearтАЭ or тАЬthat guy who beat Clay Aiken for the second тАШAmerican IdolтАЩ title.тАЭ And with a slew of new professional possibilities on the horizon, heтАЩs bound to keep fans guessing whatтАЩs next. ItтАЩs something that doesnтАЩt happen very often when interviewing an artist. Instead of checking in fashionably late because of an insanely busy schedule, Ruben Studdard actually phones in an hour early to stay ahead of schedule. Turns out heтАЩs in Los Angeles wrapping up a photo shoot this particular afternoon for his recently released hymns project, I Need an Angel, the followup to his multi-platinum debut, Soulful. Growing up in a church where hymns were an integral part of his spiritual journey, the Birmingham, Ala., native was committed not to тАЬdeviate too much from the originalsтАЭ on renditions such as тАЬI Surrender All,тАЭ тАЬThereтАЩs Not a FriendтАЭ and тАЬAmazing Grace.тАЭ тАЬI wanted people to be able to sing along with >>> them,тАЭ Ruben says. тАЬSo we added a little twist at the end to make them тАШRuben,тАЩ but they are basically the same; and IтАЩm pleased with how they turned out.тАЭ But music isnтАЩt all thatтАЩs on his mind lately. тАЬI think the most fulfilling thing that I started this past year was The Ruben Studdard Foundation For the Advancement of Children in the Music Arts,тАЭ he adds. тАЬWe get a chance to give back to kids. I gave two scholarships to kids going to the University of Tennessee for music majors. And IтАЩve got a big music camp coming up in the summer of 2005 that IтАЩm looking forward to. IтАЩve been wanting to do that my whole life, and IтАЩm so thankful that God has blessed me with the financial means to do something IтАЩve always wanted to do for children.тАЭ On whether he keeps in touch with his fellow тАЬAmerican IdolтАЭ peeps: тАЬClay [Aiken] is actually working really hard right now and going back on tour, so I havenтАЩt talked to him in, like, a month. But IтАЩve been keeping in touch with Fantasia; sheтАЩs doing really well. ItтАЩs not like weтАЩre shoveling snow or something hard. WeтАЩre all getting a chance to live out our dreams, and weтАЩre real happy.тАЭ On his favorite Christian artists: тАЬIтАЩm a big fan of Darlene Zschech and Michael W. Smith. Fred Hammond is my all-time favorite artist. I was a little bit starstruck when I worked with him because I grew up wanting to be like him. So now heтАЩs my mentor, and we talk a lot and argue about video games. Now he thinks heтАЩs the king of Madden 2005, so weтАЩll see about that.тАЭ On staying spiritually focused in the busy times: тАЬI pray a lot. I try to keep my personal relationship with God going because I canтАЩt always get to church. The Bible talks about not forsaking the assembly and, for what I do, sometimes, itтАЩs hard not to.тАЭ Sara Groves Pens New Songs About the Trials and Tribulations of Parenthood For an Exclusive Release; 10 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com >>> >> CCM_01.05_Insider.v15 12/1/04 7:15 PM Page 11 >> urban/pop Out With the OldтАж Apparently giving up sugar is so тАЬlast yearтАЭ as there wasnтАЩt one mention of those dreaded carbs when we checked in with a few of your favorite artists on what they hope to accomplish in 2005. Now find out whatтАЩs priority this yearтАж OverflowтАЩs Matthew Hayes: тАЬI resolve to always remember my toothpaste whenever I go out of town. Just kidding (although I would like to make sure I do that). Seriously, my New YearтАЩs resolution is, in traveling more and being gone for longer periods of time, to keep in better contact with old friends and to spend more time with them whenever possible. Sarah Kelly: тАЬOn my touring тАШoff days,тАЩ I want to be getting into colleges in both Christian and public formats and inspiring students to write and find their songs.тАЭ Bonnie Keen: тАЬEmily Dickinson wrote in Live in Possibility that every new year brings a season of possibility. IтАЩd like to embrace that idea more in 2005. IтАЩd like to live in the possibilities of slowing down, laughing more, worrying less, loving more deeply and hopefully keeping more roses alive in my garden.тАЭ George Rowe: тАЬIтАЩll be recording a new record, and I hope to get through the pile of mail that accumulated in 2004 while I was on the road.тАЭ Mat Kearney: тАЬIтАЩm working on all kinds of different projects for my record, like maybe an acoustic version. I donтАЩt know; IтАЩm just excited to be able to dive into music and try to make some cool art this next year and really get in front of some people.тАЭ Charity Von: тАЬFirst and foremost, I just want to keep growing in my walk with God. ThatтАЩs always important. And secondly, probably just really learn how to play an instrument wellтАФ either piano or guitar.тАЭ Matt Redman: тАЬMy family and I are currently involved in the early stages of a Church of England church plant here near Brighton in the south of England. Right now, weтАЩre putting the foundations downтАФexploring vision and values and building a core team. But early next year sometime (at a guess), weтАЩll be taking it тАШpublicтАЩ. So, my dream for the new year is that weтАЩll see the favor of God upon this church plant and find powerful ways of reaching out into the community.тАЭ GRITSтАЩ Bonafide: тАЬI not only want to move into the next level of business as industry executive but also in the Spirit as a man of God (husband, father and brother), an asset to the Kingdom of heaven and earth.тАЭ AvalonтАЩs Melissa Greene: тАЬMy husband and I resolve to be good stewards. Stewardship does not only mean our money, but we need to learn to be good stewards with everything that God has given usтАФour ministry, our jobs, our time, our house, our cars, etc. The bottom line for us is that everything we have comes from God, and we should take good care of it all and use it all wisely.тАЭ > >>> Check Out Saragroves.com For More Information тАв Speaking of MomsтАж >>> CCM_01.05_Insider.v15 12/1/04 9:02 PM Page 12 C >> insider pop America Has Spoken! MercyMe is Christian musicтАЩs big winner at the recent American Music Awards They mingled with Brian McKnight and William Shatner, conducted countless red carpet interviews and handed Sheryl Crow a statue for тАЬFavorite Adult Contemporary Artist.тАЭ So what else did MercyMeтАЩs Bart Millard & Co. need to have a great time at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles? How about its first award for тАЬFavorite Contemporary Inspirational ArtistтАЭ? Done. While facing some pretty steep competition from fellow Christian music compadres Steven Curtis Chapman and Third Day, the band got a little more than it imagined when its name was called. тАЬItтАЩs an honor to be nominated for an AMA with guys like Third Day and Steven Curtis Chapman and even more of an honor to win, knowing itтАЩs the music-buying public voting,тАЭ says MercyMeтАЩs Mike Scheuchzer. тАЬUltimately, what it means is that weтАЩre reaching more people than we ever have with a message of hope.тАЭ (Clockwise L-R): MercyMe with their AMA, chatting with Brian McKnight, posing with William Shatner and the boys of Switchfoot, who were also presenters for the awards Cyberspeak: WhatтАЩs New at CCMmagazine.com this Month! At CCMmagazine.com, we resolve to provide you with the most up-to-date and comprehensive Christian music information youтАЩll find on the Web. We promise weтАЩll give it our all in 2005 and beyondтАж Here are a few treats to look for this month: More New YearтАЩs Resolutions: Since we couldnтАЩt fit тАШem all in the magazine because of that pesky space issue, weтАЩve got more of your favorite artistsтАЩ comments online. Making a Difference: Want to find out more about CaedmonтАЩs CallтАЩs initiative to help the people of India? Find out more on how you can get involved at CCMmagazine.com. Blogs: List-O-Rama columnist Chris Well weighs in with his helpful tips on writing (and some humor, too!). CCMWebEditor waxes philosophical, and look for some guest artists blogs as well! >>> Nichole Nordeman is Busy at Work on Her 4th CD тАв Casting Crowns >>> CCM_01.05_Insider.v15 12/1/04 7:15 PM Page 14 C insider >> worship Passion 05 Preview: A Generation United For His Renown This isnтАЩt going to be your ordinary church service from the sounds of it. And in whatтАЩs sure to be a great way to start the new year for all those in attendance, the Passion movement returns to its roots with its first four-day gathering since 1999. With the continued success of the OneDay events, тАЬThe Passion ExperienceтАЭ tour and numerous CDs, it was these four-day gatherings with more than 18,000 students in attendance that sparked the idea for the events that followed. With a goal of uniting students to make a difference for the cause of Christ, the conference will focus on what it means to тАЬlive your life for the glory of God.тАЭ This yearтАЩs event will be held at Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville Jan. 2-5 and will feature speakers Louis Giglio and Beth Moore along with worship leaders/artists Matt Redman, Shane & Shane, David Crowder Band and Chris Tomlin. Be sure to check out next monthтАЩs issue of CCM for a full report on Passion 05 and exclusive interviews with some of the artists who participated. >>> Goes Platinum With Release of New Live CD/DVD Combo, Live From >>> CCM_01.05_GetReal.v8 12/1/04 7:16 PM Page 16 getreal CCMтАЩs way of тАЬmaking a differenceтАЭ and 5 Questions with Bethany Dillon by Stephanie Ottosen Love the Little Children... WeтАЩve written about the causes, passions and ministries of artists for years; but now CCM is taking a tangible step toward making a personal differenceтАж and weтАЩre so excited about it! CCM Magazine is sponsoring two children: a little girl from India with World Vision and a little girl from Burkina Faso, Africa with Compassion International. Throughout the year, weтАЩll continue to bring you updates on the girls as we get letters and additional photos. Read below to find out more about тАЬour childrenтАЭ and how you, too, can be a part of the spiritual, mental and physical growth of a child. C 5 Questions with BETHANY DILLON SheтАЩs only 16 years old, but youтАЩd never guess, based on her mature songwriting and impressive accolades so far. But one thing thatтАЩs clear is that this young woman definitely has talent and appeal, as evidenced by her debut single, тАЬBeautiful,тАЭ hitting the Top 5 on Christian pop radio and the recent single, тАЬAll I Need,тАЭ topping the chart at No. 1. And if that wasnтАЩt enough, Ms. Dillon currently has the Christian communityтАЩs top-selling female solo debut. Ambika, Age 6 1. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why? I would visit Ireland only because I have wanted to since I can remember! I guess I secretly hope the accent would rub off on me. The Ohio accent just isnтАЩt as cool. 2. WhatтАЩs your most embarrassing moment onstage? One of the most embarrassing moments IтАЩve had onstage was during a tour I did with Shawn McDonald and Monk & Neagle this past summer. I was in the middle of singing тАЬLead Me OnтАЭ and completely forgot how the second verse went! 3. As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? As crazy as it sounds, I have always wanted to be an artist. I remember going to Jennifer Knapp concerts and leaning over to Mom and saying, тАЬI would love to do that someday!тАЭ 4. WhatтАЩs one goal you have as an artist? When all is said and done, I just want to have honored God. 5. WhatтАЩs one question youтАЩd like to ask God when you get to heaven? The question that burns within me: тАЬWhy do You love me?тАЭ >>> Ilboudo Sadia, Age 7 Sadia lives on the plains of Wayalghin in Burkina, Faso with her mother and three siblings. SheтАЩs old enough to have responsibilities; so, to help her mother, she washes clothes, helps in the kitchen and runs errands. But it seems Sadia enjoys being around people, too, as she loves playing with dolls and participating in group games. Sadia attends school at the Baptist Wayalghin Child Development Center, where, for $28 per month, weтАЩre providing the funds for SadiaтАЩs Bible teaching, recreational actitivies, medical exams, heath and hygiene education, social events, literacy training and field trips. The center also offers meetings, Bible teaching and educational workshops for SadiaтАЩs mother as well. Ambika lives in a poor, rural community in India, where typical homes are made with walls of stone or straw and roofs of tin or plastic sheets. She lives with her relatives and one brother and is helpful to her family by running errands. But Ambika is a bright and seemingly mischievous little girl, too, as she likes to play hide and seek. She also does well in grammar at her primary school. Ambika is in good health, and with $30 per month, weтАЩre hoping to keep her that way. Through World Vision, our monthly contribution will be joined with other contributions to provide AmbikaтАЩs community with access to clean water, regular health check-ups, eye and dental exams, education and tutoring for struggling students. But beyond the basic needs, the funds will also be used to provide irrigation training for parents to help provide food and raise the standard of living of entire families. Most importantly, Ambika will learn about GodтАЩs love. To find out more or to sponsor a child, check out compassion.com or wvi.org. Atlanta тАв Jeremy Camp and MercyMe Team Up for 2005тАЩs Leg of тАЬThe Undone TourтАЭ: тАв PillarтАЩs Song тАЭBring 16 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com >>> CCM_01.05_FanFare.v9 12/1/04 7:18 PM Page 18 fanfare Newborns, birthdays and more by Stephanie Ottosen Mercy me, itтАЩs a boyтАж and a girl! One-Way Ticket to Love By SHELTERecords artist Phil Baquie G racie Ryan Millard was welcomed into MercyMe frontman BartтАЩs and ShannonтАЩs arms on Nov. 4 (above). She weighed 5 lbs, 11 oz and joins the family along with her big brother, Sam. And MercyMe guitarist Mike Scheuchzer (top right) recently became a dad. His wife, Abby, gave birth to 8lbs. 2 oz. Benjamin Michael on Oct. 22. A future baseball player? wife Jessica named their firstborn Boston Graham (bottom right). Boston made his appearance Oct. 28. Toby Welcomes No. 4 Amanda, Toby McKeehanтАЩs (a.k.a тАЬtobyMacтАЭ) wife, gave birth on Nov. 2 to Leo Tobias. Leo weighed 5 lbs, 6oz and measured 18.5 inches long. Leo is child number four for the McKeehan family behind siblings Truett and twins Marlee and Moses. Could Jesse Katina of The Katinas be a fan of the World Series champs, the Red Sox? Possibly. He and 01.05 01 03 07 08 Birthdays Justin McRoberts Nicole C. Mullen Charles Billingsley Helen Baylor 12 Dan Haseltine (Jars of Clay) 17 Eddie Carswell (NewSong) 24 George Rowe 25 Matt Odmark (Jars of Clay) 26 Kirk Franklin 27 Nathan Barlowe (Luna Halo) Tell CCM On my way to work, I was praying and asking God to forgive me for some sins in my life. I have struggled with these particular things because I always feel like GodтАЩs not thereтАФuntil after IтАЩve sinned, and then I realize He was watching me the whole time; and I feel awful. I was asking Him why I canтАЩt overcome this and why I donтАЩt feel the joy anymore. I ended my prayer with тАЬI need your help, God. I just feel like YouтАЩre not there.тАЭ Then I put in my new BarlowGirl CD. When тАЬNever AloneтАЭ came on, I really listened this time. I had heard the song on the radio before, but it didnтАЩt affect me then. This time it did! God was speaking to me through these words: тАЬI cry out with no reply and/I canтАЩt feel you by my side so/IтАЩll hold tight to what I know/YouтАЩre here... and IтАЩm never alone. I suddenly realized that whether or not I feel Him, HeтАЩs there. тАФRachael Lanning How have CCM Magazine, the artists and their stories changed your life? We'd love to know! Please e-mail us at [email protected] or write to 104 Woodmont Blvd, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37205. >>> It was 1996 when I first saw her. I was too shy to introduce myself, thinking, тАЬWhy would a pretty girl from America want to talk with this musician/youth ministry guy from Australia?тАЭ She was gone as quickly as she came, leaving me feeling sorry for myself for not grabbing the opportunity for an introduction. In 1998 this mysterious girl from California came back to this Bible school as a student. I was helping with the Bible schoolтАЩs youth ministry program and couldnтАЩt let opportunity slip by again. On the twelfth of March 1998, I asked Roxann out for coffee. She agreed, and one cup turned into many. Not only was she incredibly beautiful, but she was an incredible person, too. I fell madly in love with her, and she somehow found me intriguing. Rox was in Australia for one year; and we spent much of it together. In January 1999 Rox headed back to America. It felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest. That day, I was scheduled to begin recording my second album. I called it Sooner than Later as that was the last thing she said walking though security at SydneyтАЩs Airport. After a few months apart, I couldnтАЩt take it any longer. I called Rox on the twelfth of March 1999 (exactly one year from our first тАЬdateтАЭ) and asked her to marry me. She said, тАЬYesтАЭ! I got my hands on a one-way ticket to the U.S. the following month and found myself in the arms of the love of my life at LAX. So here I was in AmericaтАФno job, no money, just a bag with a few clothes, a guitar and a heart full of love with the girl of my dreams! We had some ups and downs, but after a year we were married onтАФyou guessed itтАФthe twelfth of March 2000 (which, ironically, was the very day my visa expired!). We are approaching five years of marriage, and I thank the Lord for Rox. She is an incredible woman! Now we live in Nashville. IтАЩm a Christian recording artist on SHELTERecords, and Rox is an entertainment attorney and my manager. GodтАЩs plans are so much better than ours. I could not have dreamed of this back in 1996 when I first saw this pretty girl from America! For more information, visit eharmony.com. Me DownтАЭ Will be Featured in the New THQ Video Game MX VS. ATV Unleashed For Playstation, Xbox and More 18 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com >>> CCM_01.05_IndBeat.v6 12/1/04 7:21 PM Page 20 K industrybeat A conversation with Mark Joseph by Jay Swartzendruber could work on her song right there in the theater because she was so moved. She is a preacher. Once I got a straight-shot, 30-minute sermon from her over the phone. She told me that our problem was that we were more interested in the praises of men than the praise of God. I invited Scott Stapp (Creed) out to L.A. to see it. And, of course, P.O.D. and MxPx were excited to be a part of it. IтАЩll never forget Kirk FranklinтАЩs reaction when I told him about our rather limited budget. He said: тАЬIтАЩd do it for a ham sandwich!тАЭ That was the kind of artist we were looking for. If we got a whiff of тАЬattitude,тАЭ we said, тАЬThanks but no thanks.тАЭ We just wanted people who really wanted to be on the record. Getting Steven Curtis Chapman, MercyMe and Third Day on тАЬThe Tonight Show with Jay LenoтАЭ [for that] was a highlight. While a lot of people have made a case for the growing popularity of Christian music as a genre in recent years, books and articles youтАЩve penned seem to state the real story has to do with Christians in the mainstream. Correct? On the Mark with Joseph IтАЩve written extensively about what I think of the practice of reporting sales of records like O Brother Where Art Thou and Mannheim Steamroller as sales of тАЬgospel music.тАЭ I donтАЩt think itтАЩs accurate at all. The problem with those sales numbers is that people make real life decisions based upon them. Gospel music channels, for instance, are funded, and millions of dollars are spent because of those numbers. But IтАЩm hopeful that we will see reform because there is a new regime in place at the GMA [Gospel Music Association], and I canтАЩt imagine them continuing the practice. I think a more accurate way to tabulate sales of тАЬgospel music,тАЭ if they must be tabulated, would be to count all sales by artists signed directly to [Christian market] labels and only the records sold in [Christian retail] stores by artists who are believers but signed to mainstream labels. But why settle for those numbers when there is a much bigger storyтАФthe explosion of people of faith into the mainstream culture in a manner that canтАЩt possibly be counted. This trend of Christians and Christian ideas in rock and pop music is so massive that thereтАЩs no way to categorize it or put a percentage on it. ItтАЩs way too big. God must have a great sense of humor to allow His messages to be delivered sometimes from the lips of people who donтАЩt even believe in Him. What are some of the special projects youтАЩll be working on in 2005? The Scripps Howard News Service once called Mark Joseph тАЬa multimedia free radical.тАЭ A renaissance man of sorts, Joseph is not only a published author but has served extensively as both producer and talent in music, television, film and radio. The son of missionaries, Joseph was born in Tokyo, Japan. Moving to the United States to attend college, he graduated from Southern CaliforniaтАЩs Biola University in 1990. Since then heтАЩs distributed 70-plus albums by Christian artists into the mainstream market in Japan via his MJM label and has hosted and produced television programs for CNN and other networks. Most recently he worked closely with Mel Gibson as producer of The Passion of The Christ: Songs compilation. For the past four years, Joseph has been a consultant for Walden Media (the entertainment company behind family-friendly motion pictures such as Joshua, Holes and Around the World in 80 Days) and was involved in pre-production on the forthcoming Chronicles of Narnia film. As an author heтАЩs penned 1999тАЩs The Rock & Roll Rebellion and 2003тАЩs Faith, God and Rock & Roll. How did you guys decide which artists to invite for The Passion of The Christ: Songs album? We invited hundreds of artists, and many didnтАЩt even want to come in to see the film. Others were into it. I reached out to Lauryn Hill, and she asked for a private screening. I thought she was being a diva, but she wanted to see it alone so she >>> I have several books coming out in тАШ05. IтАЩm finishing up the final book in the trilogy on God and rock, tentatively titled Rock Gets Religion. I have another book on the controversy that surrounded The Passion that should be coming out soon. IтАЩm developing an imprint that will be part of a larger book publishing company to publish books that IтАЩm interested in developingтАФthe first book, by journalist Terry Mattingly, will be called Pop Goes Religion. And weтАЩll have some artist autobiographies that I canтАЩt mention yet as well. My Passion producing partner Tim Cook [longtime manager of P.O.D.] and I hope to develop a small, boutique label as well for a very select group of artists who we really believe in. IтАЩm developing a speakerтАЩs bureau called Speaktank.com that has a great lineup of speakers for conferences or graduations. But my most important projects are my three girlsтАФtwin 4-year olds and a five-month-old. We understand youтАЩre a long-time CCM Magazine reader. How long? I got my first subscription to CCM in 1979 and have been a loyal reader ever since. It definitely shaped my understanding of all of these issues [how Christianity interfaces with the arts and commerce], and for that I will always be grateful to John Styll [former CCM publisherтАФnow president of the GMA], who always encouraged open dialogue about these issues. He published an article I wrote that grew into my first book. IтАЩve never forgotten that or his graciousness and integrity. тАв In Other Gaming News: Jump5тАЩs тАЬWalking on SunshineтАЭ Will Be Featured in Upcoming Danced-Themed Video 20 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com >>> CCM_01.05_TheReel.v7 H 12/1/04 7:22 PM Page 22 reel Two family films and artists talking about their favorite DVDs by Sydney Alexander happy ending wonтАЩt came easy. For Nick, it leads to the commute of a century with a cross-country journey to reunite Suzanne with her kids after sheтАЩs stuck working late over the holidays. But these kids arenтАЩt of the quiet, well-behaved variety, mind you. They donтАЩt like anyone their mom dates, so, naturally, hilarity ensues on whatтАЩs bound to be a bumpy ride. Favorite DVDs From Your Favorite Artists: Kicking off 2005 in fine cinematic fashion, Racing Stripes will definitely fill the void for those of you whoтАЩve already loved the progressive тАЬanimationтАЭ of The Incredibles and already watched Shrek2 and Shark Tale on DVD more times than youтАЩd care to count. While the title might say NASCAR to you, itтАЩs actually the story of an abandoned zebra with a bit of an identity crisis. To cut to the chase, this zebra, named Stripes, thinks heтАЩs a racehorse. And, of course, heтАЩs not; but Stripes maintains that he will race with the other thoroughbreds someday. And with a little help from his barnyard friends, this may just be possible. YouтАЩll have to check out the film, which also features voiceovers from Michael Clarke Duncan (The Green Mile, Daredevil), Whoopi Goldberg (Sister Act, Rat Race) and Dustin Hoffman (I Heart Huckabees, Rainman), to find out the fate of Stripes. тАЬAre We There Yet?тАЭ ItтАЩs the question of the ages posed to parents on those long, tedious roadtrips when the car games of тАЬI SpyтАЭ have grown boring and youтАЩve run out of goldfish crackers and M&MтАЩs for the kids to snack on. And itтАЩs the question that Ice Cube desperately wishes he had an answer for in this monthтАЩs release of the comedy aptly titled, well, Are We There Yet? Now, wait a minute. Is this the same Ice Cube of rapper fame in a familyfriendly flick? Yep, thatтАЩs him. Turns out Mr. Cube is a bit of a family man himself these days, which makes this film a fitting career transition. Also starring Nia Long (Alfie, Big MommaтАЩs House) and Jay Mohr (Jerry Maguire, тАЬLast Comic StandingтАЭ), Are We There Yet? is about the lengths a man will go to impress a woman, namely how Nick wants to impress SuzanneтАФsomeone heтАЩd love to ring in the New Year with. But like any good love story, the potential for a >>> Game, Taylor Sorenson: The Shawshank Redemption is always my first pick. It will always be relevant for the fact alone that salvation will forever be relevant and hope exists. Also four words: Tim Burton is genius. I love The Nightmare Before Christmas, Big Fish and Edward Scissorhands. George Rowe: One of the best films ever made came out in theaters approximately 11 years agoтАФSchindlerтАЩs List. ItтАЩs a difficult movie to watch but, nonetheless, an important one. It tells the story of the atrocities committed in some of the Nazi death camps. I learned about World War II history in high school like everyone else did, but the movie powerfully shows things that canтАЩt be gleaned from a textbook. I usually go to movies solely to be entertained, but when I leave a movie feeling as though IтАЩve learned something and that IтАЩve been emotionally moved (or temporarily emotionally paralyzed)тАФthe movie has been well-done. Such is the case with SchindlerтАЩs List. MC Groovz Dance Crazy, For Nintendo GameCube тАв Russ Lee Launches New Label, Vertical Vibe Records тАв 22 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com CCM_01.05_O2W.v10 12/1/04 7:02 PM Page 24 onestowatch >> B Y K E L LY O тАЩ N E I L * CHARITY Von A little something for everyone Have you ever noticed an artistтАЩs voice that doesnтАЩt тАЬmatchтАЭ the body? Such is the case with Charity Von. Most would never expect such a powerful, soulful voice to come from a bubbly, red-headed 19-year-old. But while her voice clearly showcases the influences of Janis Joplin and Lauryn Hill, as far as her message goes, Charity says Keith Green is her biggest role modelтАФ not only as a great musician but as a great Christian. Now, this traveling preacherтАЩs kid from Kansas City, Kan., is excited to be the first artist on Spring HillтАЩs new rock imprint label, Slanted Records. CCM: How many songs did you write on your disc? CHARITY: I wrote all the songs except for тАЬShineтАЭ [originally performed by Collective Soul] and тАЬIn Your PresenceтАЭтАФitтАЩs a more тАЬworshipyтАЭ tune on the record. My mom actually wrote that. She is an amazing singer/songwriter, awesome pianist, and IтАЩve always looked up to her so much. WeтАЩve been singing that song in our church for a while. * CCM: Do you have any secret remedies for protecting your voice? CHARITY: [Laughs] I wish I did! ThatтАЩs so funny because literally two MAT Kearney Discovering тАЬGracelandтАЭ It was during his college years at CaliforniaтАЩs Chico State University that Mat Kearney placed his faith in God. Around the same time, Kearney, an avid music lover, took his prose and discovered chords on the guitar to complement it. After deciding that music was the career for him, Kearney and his friend, and later producer, Robert Marvin (tobyMac, Stacie Orrico) made the trek across the country to Nashville to pursue their collective dreams. KearneyтАЩs inpop debut, Bullet, was released in October and features the single тАЬUndeniable,тАЭ which broke the record for the most Christian stations (18) to add a debut artist track to rotation the first week out. CCM: Did you grow up listening to Christian music? MAT: Even though we had Amy Grant CDs, as a little kid I thought Paul Simon was a Christian artist. I didnтАЩt know. I grew up with no Christian music market around, so I was forced to make my faith fit within the world of people who didnтАЩt agree with me. ThatтАЩs still a perception I try to hold ontoтАФto really try to express in normal terms the truth and the love and the grace that I found everyday. CCM: Is it hard to reread your handwriting of lyrics after a burst of creative energy? MAT: I write extremely phonetically; so, yes, it is hard. IтАЩll know how to spell a word; but if youтАЩre in the moment of writing a song, IтАЩll write it out phonetically. So тАЬbelieveтАЭ will be тАЬbeleev,тАЭ and youтАЩre like, тАЬWhat the heck?тАЭ And you end up with little hotel scraps of paper everywhereтАФif you can hold on to all of them. Like right now I just opened my pocket, and I had a verse idea on a little piece of paper for a new song IтАЩm writing. IтАЩm like, тАЬWhat is that doing in here? Oh, itтАЩs a hit song!тАЭ [laughs] CCM: Have there been any particularly difficult shows? MAT: One time I opened for Living Sacrifice. They were a hardcore band, and I had just an acoustic guitar; and the fans were mad. They were like, тАЬWhoтАЩs this Dave Matthews guy up here?тАЭ [laughs] 24 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com seconds ago I had a bowl of cereal and milk, and IтАЩm singing this morning. While I was eating the cereal, I thought, тАЬThis is going to hurt my voice while IтАЩm singing; the milk is going to get clogged in my throat, and I know IтАЩm going to regret this.тАЭ But I ate it anyway because it was good, and thatтАЩs pretty much my approach to life with my singing. I really donтАЩt do any тАЬwarm ups.тАЭ I donтАЩt do anything, but IтАЩm working on it. Recently I approached my manager about getting someone to coach me on breathing exercises and things that I could do just to maintain because I want to be able to sing 30 years from now. CCM: What three things would you want if you were stuck on a deserted island? CHARITY: My Bible, my iPod and my stiletto heels! I have every color under the sun. I have orange, pinkтАж And I have everything under the sun in my iPod. Everything from heavy rock to old school rock to R&BтАФjust everything. IтАЩm very eclectic. CCM_01.05_Bible.final 12/1/04 6:51 PM Page 26 livingthemessage by Michael Card Taken Taken aback, aback, Jesus Jesus addressed addressed the the accompanying accompanying crowd: crowd; тАЬIтАЩve тАЬIтАЩve yet yet to to come come across across this this kind kind of of simple simple trust trust anywhere anywhere in in Israel, Israel, the the very very people people who who are are supposed supposed to to know know about about God God and and how how he he works.тАЭ UKE 7:9 7:9 AS AS PARAPHRASED PARAPHRASED IN IN THE THE MESSAGE MESSAGE works.тАЭ LLUKE How to Amaze Jesus The story of the healing of the centurionтАЩs slave occurs at the end of a collection of stories that reveals the paradoxical and unorthodox nature of JesusтАЩ ministry. The series begins in Luke 5:26 with the words, тАЬWe have seen amazing things (paradoxa) today.тАЭ What follows is a staggering series of Jesus doing, what seem to be, paradoxical things: *He calls that most unorthodox disciple Matthew (the tax collector) to follow Him. *His disciples donтАЩt seem to be fasting and praying enough. *He breaks the Sabbath by allowing His disciples to harvest grain. Finally, after an all-night session of prayer, Jesus introduces the world to the full extent of His paradoxical plan for the Kingdom. The poor, He claims, will be blessed, while the rich are cursed. The climax comes in the impossible command to love, do good to, pray for and bless our enemies. Jesus concludes this theme with the most unorthodox of all His statements about His Father тАЬтАжfor He is kind to the unthankful and to those who are wicked.тАЭ Now that He has made the impossible command to love our enemies, He shows them in Luke 7 what this kind of new, unorthodox love looks like. He proceeds to show kindness to a тАЬwickedтАЭ Roman soldier, a member of the group who will shortly nail Jesus to the cross. 2 Now the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death. 3 When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish leaders to ask him to come and heal his slave. 4 So they earnestly begged Jesus to come with them and help the man. тАЬIf anyone deserves your help, it is he,тАЭ they said, 5, 6 So Jesus went with them. But just 26 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, тАЬLord, donтАЩt trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. 7 I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed... 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd, he said, тАЬI tell you, I havenтАЩt seen faith like this in all the land of Israel!тАЭ (NLT) This nameless soldier had, obviously, heard about the healings Jesus had done in his hometown of Capernaum. In chapter four, Luke tells of JesusтАЩ healing PeterтАЩs mother-in-law as well as a multitude of others there. Now one of the centurionтАЩs slaves is gravely ill, and the soldier cares enough to send for Jesus. It is important to see the difference between the appeals of the Jews versus the Romans. According to the Jews, this man loves them and has even donated a synagogue. The basis of their appeal is that the centurion deserves it. What a remarkable Finally, after an all-night session person! He loves the Jews, of prayer, Jesus introduces the which the culture says he world to the full extent of his should hate. He cares for a paradoxical plan for the lowly slave. He is genuinely Kingdom. considerate and humble, though he represents the power of Rome. But these CCM_01.05_Bible.final 12/1/04 6:56 PM Page 27 do not represent what is most remarkable about the centurion! After the Jews were sent on their mission to fetch Jesus, the soldier reconsiders and sends some of his own friends with another message. He has concluded that it was too much to ask that Jesus, the Jew, should come under his Gentile roof. His second message countermands the first: тАЬI donтАЩt deserve the honor of having you come to my house.тАЭ So should Jesus respond because the man deserves it or in spite of the fact that he does not? His second message reveals the mind of a soldier whose simple understanding of authority was shaped by primitive warfare. Knowing that he, himself, possessed authority, the soldier extends to Jesus a remarkable tribute. тАЬJust say the wordтАжтАЭ he says. It is as simple as that. It is not a matter of deserving or not but that a task requiring kindness and authority needs to be done. I refer to Luke as the тАЬGospel of Amazement.тАЭ So far in the story, a number of people have been described as being тАЬamazedтАЭ (ZechariahтАЩs neighbors, those who heard the shepherds, Joseph and Mary, those who heard the 12-yearold Jesus in the Temple, those who heard the grown-up Jesus in both the synogogues at Nazareth and Capernaum, Peter and his fishing partners and finally those who witnessed the healing of the paralytic). But this is the first and only time Jesus is pictured this way. It is a powerful moment. What was it that amazed Jesus? Was it the fact that the Gentile soldier, who wasnтАЩt even one of His followers, had begun to live out JesusтАЩ unorthodox command to love his enemies? Was it that this powerful man recognized in Jesus a greater power and authority? Or was Jesus amazed that the Gentile soldier possessed a faith that did not exist anywhere in Israel? The soldier asked for what he knew he didnтАЩt deserve and faithfully expected to get it! тАЬI shared this Scripture on the night of the Dove Awards from a letter to the Ephesians where it says that He does exceedingly abundantly above what we can ask or even imagine. This is honestly the way I feel about the past couple years. Where I came from in my life, the hardships that IтАЩve been through, to look at the faithfulness of God and see that there is hope at the end of these sufferings... itтАЩs Christ and His love.тАЭ тАФJeremy Camp (from тАЬOn the Road AgainтАЭ; see page 28) What About You? Have you ever amazed Jesus? Have I ever amazed Jesus? Have we really embraced the unorthodox belief that He desires to show us kindness, especially because we do not deserve it? Go ahead, amaze Jesus today! Michael Card is an award-winning author, musician and radio broadcaster who resides in Franklin, Tennessee. His latest effort, A Fragile Stone, deals with the emotional life of the apostle Simon Peter. Visit MichaelCard.com for more information. CCM_01.05_Camp.v13 12/1/04 7:24 PM Page 28 On d oa eR th A 28 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com 7:25 PM Page 29 ck er so n 12/1/04 He an 's su d, bee cc re n es ce do By s. nt w Ph T So ly, n a ot ho os m wh ne p by G w ath e r Al ra e's lov o le ng ea fp n h e e h n ai Cl r ar ea d a n, g k & de rt ri Br d ist ef an no ic do w? n Di CCM_01.05_Camp.v13 d n ai Ag Jeremy Camp has been a busy man. Touring almost constantly for the past couple years, initially to support the phenomenally successful (six No. 1 singles) debut recording Stay, then out last spring with the Newsboys/Rebecca St. James тАЬAdorationтАЭ tour to follow the release of his Carried Me: The Worship Project, Camp somehow found the time to have a personal life. This would be an accomplishment for any artist in the rush of a career blooming as quickly as this one; but for Jeremy Camp, finding new love, marrying and starting a family is downright astonishing, considering the restoration needed to recover from a tragedy that occurred not so very long ago. But weтАЩre getting ahead of ourselves here. The first question is: Is this guy driven or what? Camp laughs at the question, which is further enhanced by the fact that, after flights to meet up couldnтАЩt be arranged, the only way possible to do this interview was by cell phone as he rolled down the road in a car driven by his wife, Adrienne (formerly of The Benjamin Gate), and accompanied by their weeks-old daughter Isabella Rose, toward the next stop on his fall tour. тАЬYou know, I remember back in the Spring of 2003: We had 12 shows in a row, and we were traveling in a van then. I had to go straight into the studio after that, and I thought, тАШIs this all worth it?тАЩ And earlier this year my dad, who has been a great ccmmagazine.com january 05 ccm 29 CCM_01.05_Camp.v13 12/1/04 7:26 PM Page 30 mentor in my life, said, тАШThis is a time in your life when youтАЩre not tied down with a child and when your wife is able and willing to travel with you. If you feel led and are able to dig deep these first couple years, then, by all means, do it.тАЩ тАЬThe fact is, it has felt right and though IтАЩve been crazy busy, IтАЩve been at peace with what seemed to be just getting everything out that was inside me. I look back about two and a half years ago when I went on my first tour (тАЬFestival Con DiosтАЭ) and [think about] what my goals and desires were then, compared to my realities now. I never thought my ministry would be thriving as much as it is, let alone have a wife and child. тАЬMy dad came up for the show last night, and we had breakfast together this morning. He said, тАШGod is really blessing you. Be grateful for what HeтАЩs giving you and enjoy itтАж but donтАЩt ever take it for granted.тАЩ Believe me, I donтАЩt. Yes, IтАЩve worked hard; but, ultimately, itтАЩs God putting His hand of blessing on my life and ministry, and itтАЩs very humbling.тАЭ Blessings, indeed. Besides the six-pack of No. 1 songs from Stay, the album sold remarkably well (almost 325,000 copies); and last yearтАЩs Dove Awards saw Camp walk away with both тАЬNew Artist of the YearтАЭ and тАЬMale Vocalist of the YearтАЭ accolades. Not bad for a guy who thought he was going to be a professional football player a decade or so ago. But time and life have a way of changing plans. And most of CampтАЩs fans know the story by nowтАФof how Jeremy lost his first wife, Melissa, to cancer in early 2001, the test of his faith that followed and the songs that document that struggle, most of which appear on Stay. And one canтАЩt help but think thereтАЩs nothing more Jeremy would like to do right now but stayтАж home, that is, after an all-too brief month off the tour to see his first child born and help Adrienne. But itтАЩs back on the road all too soon, as Camp explains. тАЬI took a full month off of the tour, and it was amazing. But it was really hard to leave my wife and child and go back out again. IтАЩm with them right now for a couple days, and I canтАЩt believe how much sheтАЩs already grown! But IтАЩm very lucky to have a wife who really understands, and when she says, тАШI know that this is what God called you to do,тАЩ I know she means it. Adrienne has lived this lifestyle and even toured with me when she was first pregnant and even though she misses it, she encourages me to do what I feel God calling me to do right now. IтАЩm very grateful for that. тАЬI shared this Scripture on the night of the Dove Awards from the letter to the Ephesians, where it says that He does exceedingly abundantly above what we can ask or even imagine. That is honestly the way I feel about the past couple years. Where I came from in my life, the hardships that IтАЩve been through, to look at the faithfulness of God and see that there is hope at the end of these sufferingsтАж itтАЩs Christ and His love. ThatтАЩs what I can share with other hurting people. The radio success, the album sales, the good reviews, the touringтАФ those are amazing blessings. But what I am most honored by is God giving me this ministry. When I look at all these extra blessings, it just blows me away.тАЭ In discussing how he feels, knowing the platform he has now exceeds not only that of his pastor/father but of what most pastors will reach in their lifetimes, Camp replies thoughtfully, тАЬYeah, I know. My dadтАЩs church started with about 30 people and stayed that way for years, then grew to about 100 and stayed that way for years and is now at almost 200. But youтАЩre right, for the most part, the ministry is very thankless work. Our church is full of ex-cons, druggies trying to stay clean, real street-level folks. This is why I say IтАЩm humbled because I know where I came from. I remember times when we didnтАЩt know where our next meal was coming from, and there would be a bag of groceries on our steps. тАЬThatтАЩs why, for me, itтАЩs so important when I go to minister that I walk in with a mindset of, тАШHow can I serve these people? What can we do for you?тАЩ I ask those questions because itтАЩs important to me, and I have that standard for the guys who work for meтАФthat they have the mindset of a servant.тАЭ As the discussion continues, itтАЩs becoming clear that Jeremy takes his music ministry seriouslyтАФand calls it as such quite purposefully and without apology. тАЬI hear the comments that people in music ministry lack professionalism and leave the art behind, but all I can say is this: I work hard on my recordings to make them as good or better than anything out there on the radio. But I know that, ultimately, itтАЩs secondary to the ministry God has given me because if I just do music and donтАЩt live the message behind it, somebody please slap me around and tell me to stop! If youтАЩre going to represent Christ, you are going to have that platform, and you need to be that example.тАЭ From hits to hooks toтАж hits So how does a guy go from jock to rock? ItтАЩs not exactly your everyday garage band story, thatтАЩs for sure. And where did Camp learn to write songs? As Jeremy explains it, in the beginning, there wasтАж Christian rock. тАЬEver since I was a little kid, I remember being taken to concerts, and there were Christian bands like Whiteheart, Mylon (LeFevre) & Broken Heart, Rez Band, Undercover, Altar Boys. WeтАЩd go to the тАЬIchthus FestivalтАЭ every year, and I loved it. It wasnтАЩt until later, in high school, that I started listening to secular stuff. And then my dad played guitar and wrote songs, so I was around that; and he taught me a few chords on the guitar. He was into sports, too, and sports became a huge part of my life for a long time. But by the time I was 16, I had strayed pretty far from the Lord, and this one day I just sat down and wrote my first song called тАШSet Me Free.тАЩ It wasnтАЩt much, but it came from my heart because 30 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com CCM_01.05_Camp.v13 12/1/04 7:27 PM Page 31 I wanted God to set me free from my own sin that was making me miserable. I played it for my dad (though I said I wrote it for my sister), and he encouraged me to write more. Other than that, all I can say is I knew what I liked and knew what I heard in my head and tried to make it happen on my guitar.тАЭ Just sat down and wrote? UhтАж OK. There must be something the rest of us hacks are missing. But regardless of how naturally songwriting seems to have come to Camp, there is something almost supernatural about the way his first album and the songs on it connected so quickly and powerfully with Christian music enthusiasts. How does he explain it? тАЬYou know, everyone knows that music is a powerful tool that reaches down into the human soul. When I wrote the songs on Stay, I was going through the hardest place in my life, and I wrote about it pretty personally. I just wrote from my heart because it was a way for me to express my feelings. The book of Corinthians speaks ofтАж comforting others the way we have been comforted, and I knew that it would connect in that way because everyone has hardships and struggles. тАЬI know IтАЩm not the best songwriter or the most artful lyricist who has these deep, introspective lyrics or the greatest singer, for that matter. I mean, trust me, to take the stage at the Dove Awards to sing тАШTake My LifeтАЩ after Smokie Norful just slammed it out of the ballpark makes you go, тАШWhy me, Lord?тАЩ But I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that when I do what I do, IтАЩm doing what God has called me to do. Not everyone is going to like my songs or my voice or my hairтАФor whateverтАФbut I believe there is a certain set of people God has led me to minister to, and IтАЩm trying to be faithful to do that. тАЬTo be honest with you, what I think is maybe the coolest thing about the success of Stay and my music, in general, is that to look at the facts on paper, you could say this shouldnтАЩt have happened. IтАЩm not a trained musician, IтАЩm not on a major label, and many of the songs on Stay were тАШharderтАЩ musically than most Christian radio stations play. But what happened, happened, and I believe that it was plainly and simply the hand of God. ItтАЩs ironic, but we seem to forget that in this industry we need to get back to the simplicity of our walk with the Lord, the simplicity of the ministry where God called us, the simplicity of serving Him and, from that, watching what God wants to do.тАЭ OK. So what about the hundreds of other Christian musicians who are equally devoted, humble and servant-like, whose albums tank or those who never get to record at all? тАЬRight. I have friends in another band whoтАЩve done OK, but I donтАЩt know why they havenтАЩt done better. I know their hearts, and they have true hearts. I certainly donтАЩt think IтАЩm more spiritual than them. I know all the stupid mistakes IтАЩve made more than anyoneтАж except God. I guess itтАЩs just something that God has chosen to do for His purposes. ThatтАЩs all I know to say. ThatтАЩs why I say itтАЩs humbling.тАЭ Restored... really? Somehow, amidst everything else, Camp found time to write and record a new album of songs called Restored, which was released in November. Judging by his initial comments, Camp seems pleased with the recording. тАЬWe put a lot of effort into it. I found some amazing players, and we had incredible engineers and mixers work on it, including Chris LordAlge (Madonna, Prince, Tim McGraw), who mixed half the record. I worked with Aaron Sprinkle (Thousand Foot Krutch, Joy Electric, Kutless), whoтАЩs an indie legend in the Northwest and, of course, Adam Watts (Avalon, PAX 217) and Andy Dodd (Avalon, Rick Muchow), who are two of the most talented people IтАЩve ever met. I think weтАЩve made a total step тАШupтАЩ in production quality this time around. The sound is real big, all of the strings are real, and IтАЩm real happy with it.тАЭ ccmmagazine.com january 05 ccm 31 CCM_01.05_Camp.v13 12/1/04 7:27 PM Page 32 The albumтАЩs title song, тАЬRestored,тАЭ seems both a declarative anthem of healing (тАЬYou have restored me/From my feeble and broken soulтАЭ) and an introspective paradox (тАЬAll this time IтАЩve wandered around/Searching for the things IтАЩll never knowтАЭ). For Camp to make the claim of restoration and healing so soon after his MelissaтАЩs death seems unrealistic, especially in light of how busy he has been the last few years with ministry, music, new marriage and family? For the first time in the interview, the up-until-now fast-talking Camp pauses and takes a breath. тАЬThatтАЩs a really cool question, actually,тАЭ he says before answering. тАЬThat song was birthed as a result of me taking time out and letting God deal with my heart, and I can honestly tell you that God has healed my heart. ItтАЩs hard to explain to people who think, тАШItтАЩs going to take three years or five years to heal.тАЩ ItтАЩs between God and me dealing with my heart, and I know what HeтАЩs done and given me beyond what I could have ever imagined. тАЬAnd I have not suppressed my emotionsтАФbelieve me. I have many people in my life, who I love and respect, who keep me accountable. They know my heart because I have shared it with them, and I can confidently say that God has restored my life. тАЬNow, having said that, of course there are going to be times when certain situations will remind me of the pain that I went through during that time; but itтАЩs not an overwhelming thing now where I question God about His love for meтАФwhich I did during the worst of it. But I see the hand of God restoring my life today and bringing me new love and life through my wife and new child, and itтАЩs amazing.тАЭ Restoring? ThatтАЩs not the same as restored. And at the risk of seeming trivial over the usage of the word, one wonders if the same broken-hearted people who resonated with the sentiments of the songs from Stay will relate as well to an album that begins with such a sure statement. Camp takes another breath and explains further. тАЬI can say, тАШYou have restored me from my feeble and broken soulтАЩ because that hopeless feeling is gone, and I have been restored from that. IтАЩm not saying, тАШEverythingтАЩs fine.тАЩ There will always be challenges in my life. тАЬAnd, believe me, I remember when I was down in the depths with my first wife dying and people saying to me, тАШIf you just had faithтАЩ and me telling them to get out of my face. I had plenty of faith to believe God could heal Melissa, and so did plenty of others who were praying for her. For some reason, God chose not to heal her, and thatтАЩs all I can say about that. So, yes, God has brought me up from those depths and restored meтАж but the memory of that pain will always be there.тАЭ The three тАЬEsтАЭ and more When asked both what he thinks his fans are looking for at a Camp concert and what he hopes to bring to them, itтАЩs obvious that this is a subject that Jeremy has given plenty of thought. тАЬI think they are looking for someone to be personal,тАЭ he begins. тАЬSomeone to talk to them, not at them, both onstage and offstage. I love people, and I hope and pray that comes across. тАЬOn my end, I want my band to be 100 percent top notch, that our production is done well and that we give people their moneyтАЩs worth from an entertainment standpoint. That goes without saying, I guess; but I really feel strongly about that. Then I want people to come expecting to be touched spiritually, and my goal is to do that and point them to Christ. I have what I call the тАШthree Es,тАЩ meaning I want to encourage and comfort those who are going through hard times, I want to exhort those who need to be slapped out of their lethargy and selfishness and then, of course, to evangelize, to bring the good news of the gospel. I think IтАЩm called to minister in all those ways, though not necessarily all at the same time.тАЭ Jeremy Camp is a busy young man, to be sure. But heтАЩs also realistic about the nature of both the music business and the business of 32 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com ministry. HeтАЩs been around both long enough to get the reality checks and knows he wonтАЩt be on top of the charts forever. In thinking about long-term goals, his thoughts bring him back to his own rootsтАФnot unlike his recent move back to his hometown in Indiana, where he attends the church his father pastors. тАЬThe future? You know, I love the church; and my wife is the same way. AdrienneтАЩs started doing Bible studies with some of the women in the church and working with the youth. I feel like down the road IтАЩm going to be more involved with a local church, either as a youth pastor or working with my dad in some capacity. We just both have a desire to reach out beyond just touring and recording music. тАЬI want to try and do more for kids than the church typically does. I donтАЩt think IтАЩve got the magic formula to make тАШem love God or something, but I just think the ongoing challenge to the church for adolescents is to tryтАФwith every new generationтАФto find a way to meet them where theyтАЩre at. People always try and change them or tell them where they think they should be, and it never works. How you do that and not compromise the standards Jesus taught will always be a challenge, but I donтАЩt think itтАЩs impossible. I think it starts with just loving them, being there for them and just listening to them and sharing the Word of God with them when theyтАЩre ready. The gospel has stayed relevant for 2000 years and thousands of generations. ItтАЩs our job to share it, and itтАЩs GodтАЩs work from there.тАЭ ccm CCM_01.05_BackIssuesAd.v1 12/1/04 8:47 PM Page 33 CCM Back Issues COVER COVER ISSUE DATE ISSUE DATE COVER JARS OF CLAY...............................................................January 2000 KIRK FRANKLIN ...........................................................December 1998 BURLAP TO CASHMERE ..............................................January 1999 SUPERTONES ...............................................................February 1999 AVALON .........................................................................March 1999 CAEDMONтАЩS CALL........................................................April 1999 ANOINTED.....................................................................May 1999 STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN.........................................July 1999 OUT OF EDEN ...............................................................August 1999 THIRD DAY ....................................................................September 1999 BEBO NORMAN/JILL PHILLIPS ...................................October 1999 AMY GRANT ..................................................................November 1999 MICHAEL W. SMITH .....................................................December 1999 JARS OF CLAY...............................................................January 2000 NEWSBOYS ...................................................................February 2000 JENNIFER KNAPP.........................................................March 2000 JESUS CHRIST, TV STAR ..............................................April 2000 SIXPENCE/STEVE TAYLOR ...........................................May 2000 CRYSTAL LEWIS............................................................June 2000 FRED HAMMOND .........................................................July 2000 JACI VELASQUEZ ..........................................................September 2000 CHRIS RICE...................................................................November 2000 REBECCA ST. JAMES....................................................December 2000 REBECCA ST. JAMES....................................................December 2000 P.O.D. ...........................................................................January 2001 100 GREATEST CHRISTIAN ALBUMS..........................March 2001 DC TALK-KEVIN MAX....................................................May 2001 SUPERTONES ...............................................................July 1997 CLAY CROSSE...............................................................August 1997 AMY GRANT ..................................................................September 1997 JARS OF CLAY...............................................................October 1997 SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER ....................................December 1997 BEBE WINANS ..............................................................January 1998 AUDIO ADRENALINE ....................................................February 1998 MARGARET BECKER....................................................April 1998 MICHAEL W. SMITH .....................................................May 1998 JACI VELASQUEZ ..........................................................June 1998 SPECIAL 20TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE .........................July 1998 NEWSBOYS ...................................................................August 1998 POINT OF GRACE..........................................................September 1998 DC TALK ........................................................................October 1998 REBECCA ST. JAMES....................................................November 1998 KIRK FRANKLIN ...........................................................December 1998 BURLAP TO CASHMERE ..............................................January 1999 SUPERTONES ...............................................................February 1999 AVALON .........................................................................March 1999 CAEDMONтАЩS CALL........................................................April 1999 ANOINTED.....................................................................May 1999 STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN.........................................July 1999 OUT OF EDEN ...............................................................August 1999 THIRD DAY ....................................................................September 1999 BEBO NORMAN/JILL PHILLIPS ...................................October 1999 AMY GRANT ..................................................................November 1999 MICHAEL W. SMITH .....................................................December 1999 Relive the History of Christian MusicтАФOrder your CCM back issues today! Classic issues only $5.00 each. QTY ISSUE DATE/ARTIST COST SHIP TO: SUBTOTAL ISSUE TOTAL $3.00 SHIPPING & HANDLING NAME ISSUE DATE DC TALK-TOBY MCKEEHAN ..................................May 2001 DC TALK-MICHAEL TAIT ........................................May 2001 POINT OF GRACE ..................................................June 2001 CECE WINANS .......................................................July 2001 NICOLE C. MULLEN ..............................................August 2001 MICHAEL W. SMITH ..............................................September 2001 STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN..................................October 2001 THIRD DAY .............................................................November 2001 STACIE ORRICO .....................................................December 2001 JENNIFER KNAPP..................................................January 2002 PLUS ONE..............................................................February 2002 JARS OF CLAY........................................................March 2002 AMY GRANT...........................................................May 2002 KIRK FRANKLIN ....................................................June 2002 SALVADOR .............................................................July 2002 BEBO NORMAN.....................................................August 2002 SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER .............................September 2002 MERCY ME ............................................................October 2002 SUPERCHIC[K].......................................................November 2002 PLUS ONE/READERS AWARDS............................December 2002 THE ELMS..............................................................January 2003 STEVEN & MARYBETH CHAPMAN .......................February 2003 DELIRIOUS.............................................................March 2003 JACI VELASQUEZ...................................................April 2003 THIRD DAY .............................................................May 2003 25TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE .................................July 2003 STACIE ORRICO .....................................................August 2003 SHAUN GROVES ....................................................September 2003 MICHAEL W. 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SMITH ..............................................November 2004 RELIENT K .............................................................December 2004 TN RESIDENTS ADD 9.25% SALES TAX ADDRESS ORDER TOTAL Shipping & Handling $3 тАв TN Residents Add 9.25% Sales Tax тАв Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery тАв Available in the US and Canada тАв Quantities are limited and orders will be filled subject to availability. CITY/STATE/ZIP PHONE FAX your credit card order to: 615/312-4277 or CALL 1-800-527-5226 and CHARGE IT! Mail this form and payment to: CCM Back Issues 104 Woodmont Blvd., Suite 300 Nashville, TN 37205 Visa MC Discover / CARD NUMBER AMEX EXP DATE SIGNATURE ccmmagazine.com january 05 ccm 33 CCM_01.05_Caedmons.v15 12/1/04 7:29 PM Page 34 WILL C THIS WORLD RECORD BREAK YOU? As if creating the most ambitious album of a distinguished 12-year career wasnтАЩt enough, CaedmonтАЩs Call has unveiled Share the WellтАФthe world music CD and subsequent tourтАФas a profound outlet to shed redemptive light on one of the worldтАЩs darkest secrets. BY JAY SWARTZENDRUBER PHOTOS BY DAVID DOBSON 34 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com CCM_01.05_Caedmons.v15 12/1/04 7:30 PM Page 35 I From left: Josh Moore, Danielle Young, Cliff Young, Andrew Osenga, Garett Buell, Todd Bragg, Jeff Miller f you were to take a quick glance at CaedmonтАЩs CallтАЩs impressive track record since the groupтАЩs inception 12 years ago, you might assume this talent-filled band had discovered some formula for success. After all, even before signing its first major label deal in 1997, the popular independent band had sales in excess of 40,000 albums. Then CaedmonтАЩs first label release sold more copies its first week out than any Christian market debut prior. And while going on to log 1.5 million albums in career sales, the bandтАФwhich includes Cliff Young (vocals, guitar), Danielle Young (vocals), Andrew Osenga (vocals, acoustic/electric guitar), Josh Moore (keys, B3, accordian, harmonica), Jeff Miller (bass), Todd Bragg (drums) and Garett Buell (percussion)тАФhas landed 14 top five Christian radio hits (half of which went No. 1) and taken home multiple Dove awards. The groupтАЩs secret? тАЬCaedmonтАЩs is unique in that if there were ever any normal way to do things, CaedmonтАЩs always did it the other way. We did everything backward. That wasnтАЩt necessarily intentional; that was just the way we worked,тАЭ says Bragg. Take the bandтАЩs songwriting history, for instance. Songs that have made the final cut and appeared on CaedmonтАЩs Call albums often started with relationships first and then passed creative muster. Most notably, founding member Aaron Tate quit performing with CaedmonтАЩs years before the group signed its first record deal, yet he remained one of the bandтАЩs principal songwriters over the course of several releases. Even on CaedmonтАЩs new album, Share the Well (Essential), the groupтАЩs 14th release, independent artist Randall Goodgame was welcomed as a writer or co-writer of seven songs, including the title track. ccmmagazine.com january 05 ccm 35 CCM_01.05_Caedmons.v15 12/1/04 9:04 PM Page 36 тАЬWe always put the songs on the albums that we felt were the strongestтАФwhoever wrote them,тАЭ says Bragg. тАЬAnd so there was never a formula or a calculated quota that we had to meet. тАЬRandallтАЩs an incredible writer,тАЭ he continues. тАЬHeтАЩs one of the only writers I know who can really take a song and write it for somebody else. And thatтАЩs really hard to do with CaedmonтАЩs because itтАЩs its own monster. For him to do thatтАФand it to work so well with what we doтАФ has just been an amazing thing to stumble across. And he actually traveled with us to work on this album.тАЭ Traveled? Do we mean this Texan seven-piece band simply packed up and flew to Nashville for two or three months of studio time or set up shop in Los Angeles or New York to record? Well, what do you know about тАЬworld musicтАЭ? World music is one of the only styles of music thatтАЩs actually described literally by its given name. (Think about it: What do тАЬrock,тАЭ тАЬpop,тАЭ тАЬcountryтАЭ and тАЬclassicalтАЭ actually mean?) World music is, indeed, music that spans the globeтАФmusic with rhythms, instruments and vocal stylings that are distinctly native to a specific region of the world. While Christian artists such as Andra├й Crouch and Paul Q-Pek (of One Bad Pig fame) have occasionally tested the waters of world music, CaedmonтАЩs Call is the first Christian artist to take the whole-hearted plunge, recording Share the Well with Christian musicians in India, Ecuador, Brazil and Stateside on the bandтАЩs home turf. The result? In addition to being the Christian communityтАЩs first real world music album, Share the Well, which released in October, may just be the most incredible Christian market release of 2004. Certainly, itтАЩs hands-down the most ambitious. тАЬThe reason we wanted to do a world record originally was because of the music,тАЭ explains Cliff. тАЬWe loved the Indian influenceтАФ the tablas (drums) and all that kind of stuffтАФand the Brazilian music, the percussion; and [we wanted to] incorporate those things into our songs.тАЭ тАЬWeтАЩve had a vision for a world album for years,тАЭ affirms Bragg. тАЬWeтАЩve always just liked different kinds of music, and Garett [Buell] would always have all these random artistsтАФdifferent world musiciansтАФhe would let us hear and turn us onto.тАЭ But creating the culturally vibrant album wouldnтАЩt be the half of it. 36 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com CaedmonтАЩs Call was about to encounter an international dilemmaтАФan ancient curse that, to this day, remains one powerful governmentтАЩs guarded secret. тАЬI think it was Todd, three or four years ago, who suggested that we could incorporate Compassion International and some of the needs of these countries into this record,тАЭ recalls Cliff. тАЬAnd everyone was like, тАШWhy didnтАЩt we think of that?тАЩ That was before we really knew about India.тАЭ Knew about India? тАЬThereтАЩs a progression that happens,тАЭ explains Cliff, peering out from under this weekтАЩs resident ball cap. тАЬFirst, you hear [a cultureтАЩs] music, and you get into the music. You like the way it sounds, and then you see it in concert and are like, тАШOh, wowтАж ThatтАЩs what heтАЩs playingтАФ thatтАЩs interesting.тАЩ And then you kind of start getting into the culture, where it came from, why they play that instrument, who plays it. And then, inevitably, as youтАЩre getting deeper, you start getting into the needs and the issues in those countries. And thatтАЩs how it progressed for us. So, for India, it started because we love the tablas and the way they sound. Then when we started hearing about the needs there, we would talk about India and play tablas in the show. тАЬAfter hearing us do that during a concert in North Carolina, this guy came up to us and was like, тАШMy nameтАЩs Timothy. IтАЩm from India, and IтАЩm a Dalit.тАЩ I was like, тАШWhatтАЩs that?тАЩтАЭ For Cliff and the rest of CaedmonтАЩs Call, class was now in session. Timothy went on to explain that openly discussing the true plight of Dalits with people from other countries is considered extremely taboo in Indian cultureтАФespecially by those in power. To examine the background and current lifestyle of Dalits is to open the door for troubling insight into IndiaтАЩs Hindu religion. IndiaтАЩs social system is set up in four castes with the тАЬuntouchablesтАЭ (Dalits)тАФ25 to 35 percent of IndiaтАЩs populationтАФconsidered as beneath any caste. Says Cliff, тАЬThere are more than 250 million Dalits in IndiaтАФin other words, about as many of them as there are people in the United States. This has been going on for 3,500 years. Dalits are treated like animals. They have no access to temples. And in schools (when they are allowed to attend), Dalit kids sit on the floor in their dirty clothes, while the upper caste kids are sitting in front of them at CCM_01.05_Caedmons.v15 12/1/04 7:33 PM Page 38 desks in coats and ties. Dalits have no access to wellsтАФthey are not allowed to dip their own buckets in and draw water themselves because theyтАЩll тАШpolluteтАЩ the well. They have to wait indefinitely, hoping for someone to come along whoтАЩs willing to draw water for them.тАЭ Even in todayтАЩs тАЬmodernтАЭ and тАЬadvancedтАЭ Indian culture, Dalit men and women are sometimes spontaneously beaten to death for daring to sneak water themselves. (A true story of this occurance is the inspiration behind the albumтАЩs title.) ItтАЩs hard to fathom this taking place in a country thatтАЩs one of the worldтАЩs тАЬnuclear powers.тАЭ Since the word Dalit literally means тАЬoppressed,тАЭ most Indians who are privileged enough to be born into the caste system refuse to call the untouchables тАЬDalits.тАЭ Because of what their Hindu faith teaches, they believe the untouchables are not oppressed. Rather, they are convinced that the staggeringly difficult lives of the Dalits are actually deserved. Remember: A core belief of the Hindu religion is reincarnation. Hindus in India believe if you were born into a Dalit family, then, obviously, in your previous life, you were not a good person and are now getting exactly what you deserve. Sadly, millions upon millions of Dalits who are practicing Hindus also believe this lie about themselves. Says Cliff, тАЬYou hear all this stuff, and youтАЩre going, тАШMan, this is awfulтАФI canтАЩt believe this.тАЩ But then to realize how many people there are, to realize that thereтАЩs finally an opening for [another] religion of any sortтАж ItтАЩs a total social movement. To them itтАЩs like black and whiteтАФthereтАЩs Hindu, thereтАЩs Islam, thereтАЩs Buddhism, thereтАЩs Christianity [to choose from]. They had Muammar al-Gaddafi from Libya fly Dalit leaders over from India to try and convince them that Islam is the way to go. Then you have Buddhist people coming over saying, тАШThis is the way to go.тАЩ In Christianity, you have people saying, тАШThis is the way to go.тАЩ The Dalits literally sit there and go, тАШWe have a choiceтАФitтАЩll be BuddhistтАЩ or whatever. ItтАЩs just totally different from us. тАЬWhen we were in India, we went to a meeting called тАШMeeting with the KingтАЩ outside of Lucknow (city in the north central region of the country), and there were 10,000 Dalits there. They had been literally told, тАШCome meet with the one true God. Come meet with Him. Come and hear.тАЩ ThatтАЩs it, and 10,000 people showed up outside in 110 degree heat. I got to speak to themтАФpreach to them, and we got to play music for them. тАЬThe reason Operation Mobilization and the Dalit Freedom Network are getting involved in these things is because Dalits are deciding to come to Christianity by 2,000 people a day. And these (ministries) are then going to them personally and really sharing the gospel and connecting them with churches.тАЭ тАЬThe bottom line is, the gospel is the only answer. I mean, Jesus and the woman at the wellтАж What Jesus did was give her water to drink, to an тАШunclean person,тАЩ to someone a Jewish person is not supposed to talk toтАФa Samaritan. And then the living water. So, weтАЩre called to meet an immediate need firstтАФlive the gospel firstтАФand then preach the gospelтАФliving water. But, ultimately, the gospel is the only answer. WeтАЩre involved in building a lot of wells now with an organization called Living Water.тАЭ тАЬThe answer to their social problems is the gospel,тАЭ affirms co-lead vocalist Danielle, whose gentle, easy-going tone is a contrast to her husband CliffтАЩs energetic, sometimes rapid speaking. тАЬItтАЩs very popular for Christians not to think that today,тАЭ says Cliff, тАЬbecause Christians have preached the gospel without living the gospel for so long.тАЭ During last yearтАЩs one month trip to India, Ecuador and Brazil, CaedmonтАЩs Call members traveled with portable recording equipment, writing songs as they went. In some cases the musicians they worked with traveled from as far away as a three-day journey by train, standing the duration of the trip, to record with CaedmonтАЩs. A third of the way through the stunning result, CaedmonтАЩs Share the Well album, listeners encounter the stirringly beautiful lament тАЬMother India.тАЭ The song was co-written by Osenga, who became a member of the band two years ago after serving as the frontman of former Forefront rock act The Normals. 38 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com CCM_01.05_Caedmons.v15 12/1/04 7:34 PM Page 40 тАЬWhat a statement that would be to all of India for AmericansтАФChristians, in particularтАФto say, тАШWe care about these people. They are worth our time, money, effort, everything.тАЭ тАФ Danielle Young тАЬFather, forgive me, for I have not believed/Like Mother India, I have groaned and grieved/Father, forgive me, I forgot your grace/Your Spirit falls on India and captured me in your embrace.тАЭ тАЬThat chorus is very much reflective of me going to India and going, тАШOK, this country doesnтАЩt believe in You. And when I look at it and I look at my life, a lot of times, neither do I,тАЩтАЭ reveals Osenga, who had a hand in writing six of the albumтАЩs tracks. тАЬThrough the experience of me seeing what was going on in India, watching God just really move there, reinvigorating the church... because of just seeing it, there was a renewal in my own life.тАЭ The second verse of тАЬMother IndiaтАЭ contains the haunting lyric: тАЬThe serpent spoke and the world believed its venom/Now weтАЩre ten to a room or compared to magazines.тАЭ тАЬBecause [mankind has] believed the lies,тАЭ says Osenga, тАЬwe have 10 people living in a room [in India]. And then on the other side of the world, weтАЩre just comparing ourselves to magazines. [Both cultures] are completely alienated, and they are both miserable. тАЬTo me thatтАЩs kind of one thought because IтАЩve believed those lies. And so has the government of India. And however the lie takes shape, itтАЩs the same lieтАФthat weтАЩre putting our hope in something other than the truth of Christ.тАЭ The power of this lie in India has been slowly undermined over the years. Marcus Chacko, one of three world musicians performing with CaedmonтАЩs on the bandтАЩs current tour, is a Dalit. He explains how he came to be born into a Christian home. тАЬMy grandparents actually used to worship the sun, moon, the nature,тАЭ says Chacko. тАЬThey had their own gods, but my clan belonged to the magician clan. They used to live in the hills and just enjoy the nature, worked there and tilled the ground and made flutes and other things from the forest. That is how they used to live. Anglican missionaries came to India, and they did a lot of charitable social service for the poor people who were working the land as laborers. Our people were obliged to the charity of these missionaries. That is how they were first attracted to the gospel. When these missionaries preached the gospel, my grandparents were attracted to that.тАЭ 40 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com So if this tragedy is happening to so many millions and has been perpetuated for so long, one canтАЩt help but wonder: What about the United States governmentтАФwhatтАЩs its role in all this? Recalls Danielle, тАЬWhen Emmanuel (Singh), our tabla player, was having trouble getting his work visa to come over from India, we ended up having somebody we knew, a congressman, write a letter to their government trying to encourage the process along. One of the responses from one of their government leaders was, тАШWhy would a U.S. Senator care about this guyтАФan untouchable?тАЩ What a statement that would be to all of India for AmericansтАФChristians, in particularтАФto say, тАШWe care about these people. They are worth our time, money, effort, everything.тАЩтАЭ тАЬMost [of our government leaders] donтАЩt know this is happening,тАЭ adds Cliff. тАЬThey donтАЩt believe it. I mean, the second largest foreign lobbyist group in Washington, D.C., as far as the amount of money, are the upper caste Indians. TheyтАЩve got hundreds of millions of dollars coming out. Like when National GeographicтАФabout a year agoтАФdid a cover story all about the Dalits. It was the cover of National Geographic, and it was just pushed aside. They told people in D.C. who confronted them about it, тАШOh no, no, noтАж ItтАЩs not trueтАФitтАЩs not happening.тАЩ And the leaders in India told their own people that National Geographic was a missionary magazineтАФтАЩChristian propaganda.тАЩтАЭ A few hours after this interview, CaedmonтАЩs Call takes the stage before a capacity crowd of 1,200-plus. Strategically located a half hourтАЩs drive from three different colleges, the First Baptist Church of London, Ky., proves to be an ideal setting for a CaedmonтАЩs concert. This stop, part of the groupтАЩs 30-city тАЬShare the WellтАЭ tour, reveals a seasoned band that has not only retained the vitality of its youth but managed to actually increase its sheer intensity of performance along with the skillful artistry nurtured by years of experience. тАЬIn India you have almost 300 million people who have been kicked aside and stepped on; and, yet, itтАЩs the worst-kept secret in the world,тАЭ Cliff says from stage as he starts to bring the audienceтАЩs first night of Dalit awareness to a close. тАЬTheyтАЩre desperate. What are we going to do as the church?тАЭ Reminding the crowd again of the BibleтАЩs commands to care for the poor, he says, тАЬWeтАЩre not just called to preach the gospel; weтАЩre called to live the gospel.тАЭ On their way into the venue, audience members had passed an impressive set-up in the main lobby. In explaining how they could respond, Cliff tells the bandтАЩs fans about each opportunity. First, thereтАЩs the booth for the Dalit Freedom Network (DalitNetwork.org). This Indian Christian organization builds schools for Dalit children, improves medical assistance and economic development for Dalits and champions their human rights. The second booth features internationally made pillows, handbags, quilts and jewelry sold by the Bajalia Trading Company (Bajalia.com) with all proceeds going towards тАЬearthquake rehabilitation and economic development for third world artisans.тАЭ The third table highlights CaedmonтАЩs longtime partners Compassion International (Compassion.com), the Christian relief organization that helps more than 600,000 children in more than 20 countries through individual sponsorships. The final section is, of course, the place were fans can purchase CaedmonтАЩs CallтАЩs merchandise. Cliff gives his audience tangible ways they can respond by connecting with one or more of these organizations. тАЬYou can commit to praying for the Dalits,тАЭ he says. тАЬYou can commit to giving money to help out. You can commit to starting awareness groups in your areaтАФraise awareness about the Dalits. You can even take a missions trip over there.тАЭ And in a move thatтАЩs not as common as it should be for Christian artists in a concert setting, Cliff instructsтАФmore like ordersтАФhis bandтАЩs fans, тАЬBefore you go to the tables with our CDs and T-shirts, go and check the other tables. If youтАЩre not involved in this in one way or another, you need to get involved.тАЭ ccm CCM_01.05_Newboys.v10 12/1/04 7:35 PM Page 42 BY LIZZA CONNOR 12/1/04 7:36 PM Page 43 HOW DOES IT FEEL? TO BE ON YOUR OWN A COMPLETE UNKNOWN WITH NO DIRECTIONтАж тАФBOB DYLAN, тАЬLIKE A ROLLING STONEтАЭ Peter FurlerтАЩs story today unfolds like any Bob Dylan songтАФlong and meandering, colorful and weighty, slightly unbelievable, nevertheless, vulnerable and honest. From the Franklin, Tenn.based psychiatric hospital-turned-recording-studio, the Newsboys frontman relays his own epic of upheaval, downward spiral and, now, ascent. This conflict between man and himself is a universal theme that makes for Pulitzer prize-winning literature and world-renowned art. For Furler, itтАЩs the stuff of inspired melody and lyrics. His bandтАЩs latest album, Devotion, released in November. Furler cites the followup to the Dove-award winning worship CD, Adoration, as a natural outgrowth of recent events in his life. But the new CD release doesnтАЩt compare to the spiritual renewal heтАЩs experiencing, and it is, he says, тАЬfar more exciting than music.тАЭ WELCOME TO STRUGGLEVILLE. About four years ago, the Aussie-born singer/songwriter and his band, the Newsboys, comprised of Furler (lead vocals), Jeff Frankenstein (keyboards), Phil Joel (bass), Duncan Phillips (drums) and Bryan Olesen (guitars), were enjoying success beyond what they could have imaginedтАФgold records, sold-out tours, the adoration of audiences and media alike. But things couldnтАЩt have been more broken under the surface. тАЬEverything in my life was falling apart,тАЭ Furler says. His marriage was strained, and his faith had lapsed. Growing up a pastorтАЩs kid, Furler says, had a strange, lasting effect on him. Instead of attending youth group and Sunday services in his youth, he developed a bit of a rebellious spirit. Over the years, heтАЩd moved away from reading Scripture with regularity. тАЬI couldnтАЩt judge my thoughts and attitudes or other peopleтАЩs opinion because I had nothing to judge them against,тАЭ Furler says. тАЬI didnтАЩt know where the truth was, and I was led all the wrong places.тАЭ And though he had the knowledge of biblical truth planted in him from earlier years, Furler says it wasnтАЩt evident in his life. тАЬI knew Jesus was the way, but I was lost. I knew He was the truth, but there wasnтАЩt much truth in me. I knew He was the life, but my life didnтАЩt look any different than anyone elseтАЩs,тАЭ he says. Furler plunged into a decent he calls a тАЬcrash in slow motion.тАЭ WE ARE A BEGINNING. тАЬSometimes when you get floored, thatтАЩs the place where God likes to find you,тАЭ Furler explains. He took to heart the famous 20thcentury theologian Thomas MertonтАЩs words that тАЬeven the desire to desire God comes from Him.тАЭ And although, Furler, a voracious reader, had acquired great knowledge of Merton, Chesterton and AugustineтАЩs work over the years, he hadnтАЩt returned to the source. Thus, he began petitioning God for a hunger for His Word. Furler began building a new faith-based perspective as he devoured the Scriptures. GodтАЩs voice became apparent in his life as he used the Bible as a gauge for othersтАЩ opinions and circumstances. тАЬI KNEW JESUS WAS THE WAY, BUT I WAS LOST. I KNEW HE WAS THE TRUTH, BUT THERE WASNтАЩT MUCH TRUTH IN ME. I KNEW HE WAS THE LIFE, BUT MY LIFE DIDNтАЩT LOOK ANY DIFFERENT THAN ANYONE ELSEтАЩS...тАЭ тАФPETER FURLER CCM_01.05_Newboys.v10 A new sense of peace settled on him, and his marriage was on the mend; yet something was still lacking. As he searched the Word for the missing link, Furler says what struck him most was the value of community and the lack thereof in his own life. тАЬItтАЩs not good for man to be alone,тАЭ he says, citing Genesis and the creation of man. тАЬI had nothing against church; I just had no spiritual family.тАЭ Furler says his idea of church was riding around in his car on Sunday morning listening to audiotapes of Nashville-based Rev. Ray McCullum. As he gained an understanding of the scriptural principle of community, Furler says God blessed him with friends тАЬworth following,тАЭ including the Rev. Rice Brooks, pastor of FurlerтАЩs current church home. тАЬAccountability,тАЭ once a term heтАЩd associated with gossipy small groups and self-help circles, became a source of comfort once he began developing relationships with other godly men. тАЬYou can explain the word тАШaccountabilityтАЩ to someone, and it just sounds like networking,тАЭ Furler acknowledges. тАЬBut IтАЩve found that it just means living in fellowship with one another. Now when I go to church, I donтАЩt go for the music, the d├йcor, the atmosphere. I go because itтАЩs people walking together in the light.тАЭ PERSONAL REVOLUTION What Furler is finding these days is that тАЬrock & roll is boring in comparison to the true church.тАЭ This artist, who once viewed his purpose as entertaining audiences, is not the same person now, he says. тАЬIn these last few years, IтАЩve lived my life, thinking, тАШIтАЩve got to seek first the Kingdom and love my wife as unto the Lord. ThatтАЩs all I can do right now,тАЭ he says. тАЬI know who I am in Christ, and all the other stuff is going to burn away in a beautiful way.тАЭ тАЬNewsboys was my тАШfoodтАЩ for many years,тАЭ acknowledges Furler, тАЬbut I was starving.тАЭ What sustains him now is GodтАЩs purpose. тАЬI donтАЩt care about what people think or how our record [sells] because thatтАЩs not my food anymore. ItтАЩs about seeking GodтАЩs Kingdom and having someone in my life whoтАЩs gone before me, whoтАЩll stand by my side.тАЭ He recalls an influential, impromptu Bible study several years ago at the studio with Rev. McCullum. The whole band was present and had recognized the crisis brewing, Furler says. McCullum spoke truth that served as a healing salve for the band. McCullum talked about the church, what it meant to live in community and how to use oneтАЩs influence in oneтАЩs respective peer group. After that, something changed in the groupтАЩs dynamic. Each member gradually locked into his respective church. The Newsboys members re-examined their relationships with each other. тАЬBecause of our pastors, [the relationships] are being restored,тАЭ Furler says. Newsboys keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein confirms the change. тАЬWithin the band, weтАЩve always been тАШguyтАЩs guys,тАЩ who didnтАЩt encourage or compliment each other. But we are seeing the Lord do His work.тАЭ Furthermore, Frankenstein says FurlerтАЩs personal testimony has inspired and reshaped the band. тАЬThe leader of any group sets the tone, and Peter isnтАЩt the same guy I met 11 years ago. HeтАЩs opened up, and his personality has changed.тАЭ Frankenstein adds that the Newsboys have also realized what an example they can be to people and also mourns the fact that тАЬweтАЩve neglected that. ccmmagazine.com january 05 ccm 43 CCM_01.05_Newboys.v10 12/1/04 7:40 PM Page 44 (L-R): Jeff Frankenstein, Duncan Phillips, Peter Furler, Bryan Olesen, Phil Joel тАЬWe didnтАЩt realize how much we were missing and how much more there was. I know there are people out there who are like us. I know there are fathers out in the audience struggling to keep their families together, and there are kids who are skeptical of the church. For us, as a band, [our goal now is] encouraging the church and other believers.тАЭ THE GROUND BENEATH YOUR FEET The dramatic change in FurlerтАЩs relationships with his wife, his bandmates and his Creator continues to humble and amaze him, he says. To maintain perspective, he measures his actions against one standard: тАЬThe greatest question I can ask myself now is, тАШAm I worth following?тАЩтАЭ Furler says. But heтАЩs quick to point out he doesnтАЩt need a multitude. тАЬJesus told us to go into all the nations and make disciples. He didnтАЩt tell us to go sell records. The only way I can make disciples is if I am a disciple. ThatтАЩs how we are going to make a difference.тАЭ Furler says the most important thing heтАЩs learned from the experience is the importance of knowing Scripture and the value of memorizing it. тАЬWhen the storms of life blew in, I was always blown over because I lacked that foundation,тАЭ he admits. тАЬWhat you put in front of your eyes and in your ears will shape you,тАЭ says Furler, тАЬand we need to be shaped by GodтАЩs Word. ItтАЩs pure, itтАЩs living and active.тАЭ These days, Furler and his band are pointing audiences toward the devotional they use, The Purple Book, co-written by FurlerтАЩs pastor, Rice Brooks. The Purple Book, slated to be in stores next year, outlines basic biblical doctrines. Furler says heтАЩd like to see the book, now free at Newsboys concerts, in the hands of a million people over the next year. тАЬIf we are going to spend our time out on the road and leave our families, we want to encourage people to be a part of the church Jesus is building,тАЭ he says. тАЬOur music will be forgotten at some point, but the Word wonтАЩt.тАЭ ccm 44 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com WHATтАЩS NEXT FOR THE NEWSBOYS? FURLER SAYS RESTORATION IS A NATURAL STEP FORWARD. The bandтАЩs latest release, Devotion, follows up the extremely popular worship record, Adoration, and some question whether these rock & rollers are going in a new direction. Its 10 songs are upbeat and vertical in nature, and Furler employs some of the worship circleтАЩs best tunesmiths to co-write, including Tim Hughes and Steve Taylor. But, according to Furler, thereтАЩs no grand ideological shift thatтАЩs taken place here. Rather, these songs are just conduits for relaying his recent experience. тАЬSince IтАЩve been so excited about the church recently, there was definitely more of a corporate feel on Devotion. But I just made this record. I didnтАЩt try to make a тАШworship record,тАЩтАЭ he says. He does, however, cite one particular experience a few years back that changed his approach to writing songs. As he was sitting in his living room banging out tunes on his guitar, he felt a stirring in his heart. тАЬGod was saying to me, тАШTomorrow night youтАЩre going to be in an arena filled with people. How will you lead them to worship Me?тАЩтАЭ тАЬAnd I couldnтАЩt do it. I felt so convicted,тАЭ he says. тАЬThatтАЩs when I wrote тАШIt Is You.тАЩтАЭ Furler says from then on he approached his craft with an eternal perspective, and his songwriting hasnтАЩt been the same since. He eschews the question of whether the Newsboys are jumping on some kind of worship bandwagon. тАЬIf youтАЩre writing a worship song for the wrong motives or to sell records, thenтАж people can sniff that out. They know a phony. There are more worship records out there that donтАЩt sell than worship records that do sell.тАЭ As for the NewsboysтАЩ next release? тАЬI donтАЩt know what it will sound like yet,тАЭ says Furler. But he does offer one hint about the content. тАЬI feel like it will be about restoration,тАЭ he explains. тАЬYou adore something, often from a distance. To be devoted to it, you have to come a little bit closer. When you finally touch it, if itтАЩs something good, it will start to restore you. And thatтАЩs what this process has been like for me. IтАЩve started to adore the things of God, now IтАЩve become more devoted to them, and theyтАЩve begun to restore me.тАЭ тАФL . C . CCM_01.05_Salvador.v10 12/1/04 7:41 PM Page 46 KEEPING 2 FAITH BY CHRISTA FARRIS WITHOUT A LOT OF FLASH, DRAMA OR HYPE, THE GUYS OF SALVADOR HAVE MAINTAINED A ROCK-SOLID WORK ETHIC AND QUIETLY BECOME ONE OF CHRISTIAN MUSICтАЩS MOST ENERGETIC, GENRE-BENDING BANDS. SO WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET THESE LOW-KEY TEXANS EVEN REMOTELY FIRED UP? HINT: ITтАЩS NOT THE SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER SALSA. PHOTOS BY THOMAS PETILLO 46 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com CCM_01.05_Salvador.v10 12/1/04 7:42 PM Page 47 Speaking of future plans, Nic still isnтАЩt quite sure how the band will proceed with its tour in support of So Natural just yet. At press time, the 27to rev up crowds night after night from stage and the kind of year-old says that what ends up happening is contingent on the success of magnetic, movie-star smile that probably leads to a few the project. But what he does know for certain is that the past few years on school-girl crushes as a result, SalvadorтАЩs Nic Gonzales doesnтАЩt the road have brought about a lot in the way of maturity, something he seem to have the usual, commanding frontman persona down. When it sounds as if he wasnтАЩt necessarily expecting. comes to his demeanor, heтАЩs definitely no Jack White or Mick Jagger. тАЬI think the thing that has affected me most is actually living out on the Instead, heтАЩs a little more reserved, even a little shy at timesтАФespecially road together, growing up and trying to do my best to be a responsible when talking about his contributions to the bandтАЩs long-standing reputation manтАФnot a responsible boy or a young man. When we started, obviously, as one of Christian musicтАЩs most electrifying live acts. our responsibilities were far less,тАЭ he asserts. тАЬAs we got older they get to тАЬYou know itтАЩs one of those things where you do the best that you know becoming a little more and more. But I donтАЩt think any of us are feeling the how to do and hope that people still keep believing in you,тАЭ Gonzales says. pressures of being old yet. We might be getting there in a couple years; but, тАЬThe guys make it really easy. ItтАЩs one of those true privileges in life to be at the same time, IтАЩm not tired. IтАЩm not exhausted. IтАЩm not worn out. IтАЩd like able to have such a great band. I am still honored to be able to do what I to think thereтАЩs enough rest for the weary.тАЭ do. I am a little more comfortable than I used to be; but at the same time, This more grown-up outlook has even translated to what occupies the IтАЩm still humbled by it all.тАЭ bandтАЩs time on the bus. тАЬWe used to play a lot of video games, but now weтАЩre Now more than two-and-a-half years after SalvadorтАЩs self-titled majormore into reading and watching music DVDs,тАЭ Nic says. label debut, the road warriors, whoтАЩve logged thousands of miles by tour So whatтАЩs his favorite literary find of late? тАЬIтАЩm reading a book called When bus from coast to coast, have released four albums (with combined sales of I Lay My Isaac Down right now,тАЭ he comments. тАЬItтАЩs a pretty interesting book more than 240,000 units), including two studio efforts, a Spanish-language about a lady and her son, who just murdered someone. ItтАЩs the unthinkable album (Con Poder, for which the band won a 2004 Dove Award for тАЬSpanish as a Christian family. And sheтАЩs just talking about how, when you think Language Album of the YearтАЭ) and a live disc. And with this newest release, everything is so perfect and something freakish happens in your family, you So Natural, the bandтАФwhich includes Gonzales, his cousin Josh on bass, are forced to be able to lean on God again. ItтАЩs pretty amazing.тАЭ keyboardist Chris Bevins, trumpeter Pablo Gabaldon, guitarist Joel When talking about his reading, Cavazos, trombonist Jared Solis, NicтАЩs laidback tone picks up a little. percussionist Estaban тАЬChamoтАЭ Lopez But a new, more fiery side of the and drummer Robert AcunaтАФset out frontman is finally revealed toward to do something rather ambitious. the end of the interview when heтАЩs Instead of keeping the music spiffed up asked what heтАЩd especially want with lots of studio polish, the band people to know about his band. In hoped to capture the same frenetic fact, itтАЩs almost like talking to a energy of a Salvador live show on different person, someone with an songs that addressed more everyday outspoken posture like tobyMac. life issues than the more straightтАЬI think, right now, our biggest forward praise & worship leanings of deal is that we donтАЩt necessarily albums past. want to be everybodyтАЩs favorite тАЬWhen I started writing songs for band in the whole world. However, this record, I wanted to actually bring I think that the body of Christ things to mind concerning the needs to see that there are other simplicity of living everyday life and genres of music out there. For how complicated that can be,тАЭ Nic FROM LEFT: JOSH GONZALES, CHRIS instance, how many Latin bands says. тАЬI love praise & worship music, BEVINS, ESTEBAN тАЬCHAMOтАЭ LOPEZ, NIC have there been in Christian music and I hope that everything I do will be since you or IтАЩve been around? GONZALES, PABLO GABALDON, ROBERT viewed as praise & worship. But there Virtually none. Jaci Velasquez was are a couple songs we sing that we felt ACUNA, JOEL CAVAZOS AND JARED SOLIS. close, but she didnтАЩt start singing like were talking to individuals who Latin-style music until after her may be тАШdown and outтАЩ or not feeling first couple records,тАЭ Nic says. тАЬItтАЩs almost disappointing to me to see that loved. I think that we just wanted to talk to the body of Christ a little more the body of Christ is not versatile enough to have more Hispanic bands and this time.тАЭ more gospel bands as part of the Christian music world. As much as I would And not only does the CD have more of that live sound the band like to say itтАЩs all peachy and perfect, there are great musicians out there, intended this time around, but thereтАЩs also more of a distinctive blues and and nobody will ever know because theyтАЩre Latin or gospel or whatever. modern rock feel throughout that adds extra layers of flavor to its тАЬI want to encourage people to open their minds up a little bit and traditional Latin sound. That brand of musical accessibility particularly remember that the body of Christ is versatile. We can all mix and match, shines on SalvadorтАЩs cover of the Top-40 smash тАЬHeavenтАЭ by fellow Texans but the reality is that weтАЩre not mixed and matched. I hope we can somehow Los Lonely Boys. тАЬItтАЩs such a great song, and the guys who wrote it are just build some bridges along with other people. If we come through town kind of everything that we love about music,тАЭ Nic says. тАЬObviously, with and there was, say, a Fred Hammond concert two nights before, I can them being Hispanic, they play some Texas guitar swing and blues. And I almost guarantee you that no one from the Fred Hammond concert would think we were also drawn to cover it because they wrote a song that I come to ours and vice versa. And itтАЩs like, тАШWhat is that?тАЩ How in the world believe touched the nation. We started talking about it, and we said, тАШMan, is that going to work out? I know everyone wishes that their churches were we gotta sing that!тАЩтАЭ multi-racial and things like that, but I think thatтАЩs part of our new thing with Now that the song has a home on So Natural, has Los Lonely Boys had an trying to lift the body up. We want to play all styles because we want opportunity to hear it Salvador-style? тАЬYeah, they have actually,тАЭ Nic people to come that like all styles of music. That would be the thing IтАЩd nonchalantly offers. тАЬThey were actually in Australia when we e-mailed the really love to talk about.тАЭ MP3. Apparently, they got a really big kick out of itтАФthought it was the And it looks like heтАЩs already off to a great startтАжccm ultimate flattery, I guess. TheyтАЩre just cool guys; if youтАЩve ever watched them being interviewed, theyтАЩre super nice people. Hopefully we can do something together in the future.тАЭ W HILE HE CERTAINLY HAS THAT INSATIABLE CHARISMA ccmmagazine.com january 05 ccm 47 CCM_01.05_List.final1 12/1/04 7:31 PM Page 48 4 12 9 8 17 7 10 14 13 18 19 11 16 15 * At Me!: Look 1 235 20 archedтАЭ musings. A compendium of arguably useless and тАЬrese 6 a am -R -O st Li M C C VE ER -S LF SE lтАЩs Chris Wel Buy My Book! 5 proofs of the secret connection between Christian music and novelists ItтАЩs not like there hasnтАЩt been a longstanding connection between тАЬChristian musicтАЭ and тАЬbooks.тАЭ After all, there have been several biographies and autobiographies detailing the lives and testimonies of the likes of Keith Green, Bill Gaither and even Bob Dylan. (You know, during those three weeks when he did тАЬChristian music.тАЭ) And, of course, there are scores of devotional books either written by or including contributions from your favorite Christian music artists. But today we choose to explore that more narrow space, that intersection of Christian music and the world of fiction. 1. REED ARVIN Rich Mullins The longtime record producer for the late Rich Mullins, Reed Arvin first put himself on the literary map in 1994 with The Wind in the Wheat (Nelson), a novel infused with his knowledge of the inner workings of the Christian music biz. Arvin has since gone on to write best-selling mainstream thrillers. His latest is The Last Goodbye (HarperCollins). 4. DENISE HILDRETH Jonathan Pierce Wife of recording artist Jonathan Pierce, Denise Hildreth was a successful songwriter before she wrote her first novel, Savannah from Savannah (Westbow Press), the story of one womanтАЩs attempts to make a place for herself in the charming Georgia town. The next book in the series will be released in 2005. 1. MercyMe never once played with Frank Sinatra. (Seriously!) 2. Of the five songs in the book about the second coming, only Larry NormanтАЩs тАЬI Wish WeтАЩd All Been ReadyтАЭ was also a protest of the policy implications of global economic inequityтАФor something. 3. The Audio Adrenaline classic тАЬBig HouseтАЭ was almost used as the theme for a prison drama until the producers realized it was about something else. 4. Plans for a major tour with Payable on Death (P.O.D.) and Point of Grace (P.O.G.) fell apart when nobody bothered to contact either group. 5. Apparently, this тАЬChristian musicтАЭ thing has been around longer than Jars of Clay. (Who knew?) 2. TED DEKKER Jagged Doctrine The suspense writer with the most buzz in the Christian market right now is easily Ted Dekker, who recently wrapped up his ambitious trilogy, Black, Red and White (Westbow Press). Indie band Jagged Edge was so inspired, they created a soundtrackтАФBlack, Red, White: The Circle Trilogy Soundtrack. 3. SIGMUND BROUWER Cindy Morgan Husband of Cindy Morgan, Sigmund Brouwer is one of the real workhorses in Christian publishing, with science fiction, thrillers and historical fiction, not to mention childrenтАЩs books and apologetics, to his credit. His latest novel, The Last Disciple (Tyndale House), a collaboration with тАЬBible Answer ManтАЭ Hank Haneegraff, is a thriller set during the first-century. 48 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com 5 SURPRISES WE DARE YOU TO FIND IN THE TOP 100 GREATEST SONGS IN CHRISTIAN MUSIC 5. CHRIS WELL P.O.D. I write this page. I wrote a book. You do the math. Forgiving Solomon Long (Harvest House), which hits shelves this month, is a crime thriller populated with thugs who argue about Broadway musicals and тАЩ70s sitcoms, a mob boss who pulls a King Lear, a germophobic hit man and a detective more worried about getting the bad guys than in saving his own marriage. Oh, and one of the characters listens to P.O.D. [Congratulations to Chris on landing a favorable book review in a recent issue of PublisherтАЩs Weekly, the mainstream industryтАЩs leading trade journal. тАФEditor] BENJIтАЩS FIVE FAVORITE SNACKS (HONEST!) 1. Ice Cream 2. Avocados 3. Science Diet Chicken Jerky 4. Wheat Bread 5. Science Diet Liver Jerky Watch for BenjiтАЩs latest movie, Off the Leash, coming soon to DVD. CCM_01.05_Music.final 12/1/04 7:33 PM Page 51 inreview music CCM CriticsтАЩ Picks Our choices for the best Christian market albums of 2004. Christa FarrisтАФ Contributing & Reviews Editor 1. Delirious, World ServiceтАФAnd I thought King of Fools was amazingтАж 2. Relient K, MmhmmтАФ Growing up never sounded so good. 3. MuteMath, Reset EPтАФThe next best thing to a Police reunion. 4. Kendall Payne, GrownтАФ Totally worth the wait. 5. tobyMac, Welcome to Diverse CityтАФ2004тАЩs most adventurous tour-de-genres. 6. Starflyer59, I Am the Portuguese BluesтАФA great diversion into gritty garage rock. 7. Shawn McDonald, Simply NothingтАФHis sincerity makes him stand out. 8. Derek Webb, I See Things Upside DownтАФCompelling and convicting commentary on Christendom. 9. Mat Kearney, BulletтАФ Hip-hop тАФ bling bling + spiritual consciousness = good listening. 10. Jason Morant, AbandonтАФ Poised to be one of worship musicтАЩs next big artists. Chris WellтАФ Contributing Editor Stephanie OttosenтАФ Managing Editor Michael CianiтАФ Contributing Editor Jay SwartzendruberтАФ Editor 1. Tonex & The Peculiar People, Out the BoxтАФThis gospel rave-up is the most ambitiousтАФand brilliantтАФset this year. 2. Mutemath, Reset EPтАФ Exquisite modern pop. 3. Lost Dogs, MuttтАФBold, new acoustic arrangements of classic material. 4. Denison Marrs, Denison MarrsтАФDreamy, punchy, guitar alt-rock. 5. Mountain Heart, Force of NatureтАФBluegrass-infused pop with surprising left turns. 6. Pillar, Where Do We Go From HereтАФBig, melodic rock is back! 7. Scott Krippayne, Gentle RevolutionтАФPiano-based songs infused with wit, sadness and character. 8. tobyMac, Welcome to Diverse CityтАФGrooves and rocks with thrilling and unexpected tangents. 9. Sixpence None the Richer, The Best of Sixpence None the RicherтАФImperfectly titled retrospective brings together many great songs. 10. Seven & Seven Is, Fun With SoundтАФHaunting set from 77s vets Michael Roe and Mark Harmon is at times bittersweet but always beautiful. 1. CaedmonтАЩs Call, Share the WellтАФNo other album made me 1. Rachael Lampa, Rachael LampaтАФThe most unjustly overlooked album of the year. Why havenтАЩt you bought this record yet?! 2. MuteMath, Reset EPтАФI was converted 30 seconds into their first song; they are that good. 3. Sarah Kelly, Take Me AwayтАФConfident, gutsy and out of the box. 4. Smokie Norful, Nothing Without YouтАФWhen Smokie sings тАЬGod Is Able,тАЭ I know that He is. 5. Sandi Patty, Hymns of Faith...Songs of InspirationтАФA class act continues her fine legacy of dignity and grace. 6. Amy Grant, Greatest Hits 1988-2004тАФI appreciate the songs from 1997тАЩs Behind the Eyes more with every year that passes. 7. Bethany Dillon, Bethany DillonтАФI hope IтАЩm this mature when I grow up. 8. Selah, Hiding PlaceтАФHereтАЩs how much I love Selah: ItтАЩs my least favorite of their albums, but it still makes my Top 10 list. 9. Mat Kearney, BulletтАФI relate to тАЬTrainwreckтАЭ all too well! 10. Charity Von, Charity VonтАФThe most promising diamond in the rough since Ashley Cleveland. 1. Sara Groves, The Other Side of SomethingтАФIf youтАЩre cry and cry (in a good way). 2. Various, Christ His Passion: Remembering SacrificeтАФGreat songwriting, interesting collaborations and stellar productionтАФmy worship record of the year. 3. Derek Webb, I See Things Upside DownтАФItтАЩs a new Derek, and itтАЩs good. 4. Sara Groves, The Other Side of SomethingтАФTwo producers and stellar songwritingтАФclassic Sara. 5. Mat Kearney, BulletтАФA debut CD that fuses rap, rock, folkтАФbrilliant. 6. MuteMath, Reset EPтАФ Catchy, electronic pop/rock. 7. GRITS, Dichotomy A & BтАФ Two servings of slick rapping and melodic hip-hop. 8. Shawn McDonald, Simply NothingтАФHis West Coast vibe is simply differentтАФand very welcome. 9. Moya Brennan, Two HorizonsтАФSoothing, Celtic music for the soul. 10. Fernando Ortega, Fernando OrtegaтАФThe consummate songwriter offers lyrical portraits with a folk/pop background. Appearing on 4 of 5 criticsтАЩ lists: MuteMath, Reset EP looking for goodness, truth and beauty, this album is 2004тАЩs holy grail. 2. Caedmon's Call, Share the WellтАФThe boldest, most adventurous recording of 2004. Charlie Peacock, Full Circle: A Celebration of Songs and FriendsтАФCPтАЩs classics performed by your favorite artists. 4. tobyMac, Welcome to Diverse CityтАФAfter the first stunning listen, youтАЩll be thinking, тАЬUm... dc who?тАЭ 5. GRITS, Dichotomy A & BтАФ This brilliant two CD series is a тАЬmust haveтАЭ for any fan of redemptive hip hop. 6. Bethany Dillon, Bethany DillonтАФHer depth of soul and talent reminds me of the first time I heard Sixpence None the Richer. 7. Relient K, MmhmmтАФIs it possible for a band to be this good and still be a raw talent? YepтАФwe ainтАЩt seen nothinтАЩ yet! 8. Nicol Sponberg, ResurrectionтАФHer group Selah only skims the surface of the deep waters behind the soulful, moody voice. 9. Taylor Sorenson, The OverflowтАФThis modern rock gem may be the best kept secret of 2004. 10. Sixpence None the Richer, The Best of Sixpence None the RicherтАФA potent reminder of why they were your favorite band. ccmmagazine.com january 05 ccm 51 CCM_01.05_Music.final 12/1/04 7:53 PM Page 52 U2 File under: Grade: A Rock A must-have for those who... want to experience what most of their favorite Christian artists are listening to. U2 How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb Interscope A musical journey from fear Into faith Can you name a recording artist who has inspired Christian musicтАЩs top acts as much as Bono and his band U2? Good luck. Think about the Irish groupтАЩs faith-infused songsтАФperformed by everyone from Michael W. Smith on his Worship DVD to MercyMe on its latest tour. Guitarist The EdgeтАЩs trademark sound has been consistently present in the music of The Choir, Sixpence None the Richer and newcomers like MuteMath and Starfield. BonoтАЩs distinctive vocal style is one 52 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com that few can invoke as well as dc talkтАЩs Kevin Max or DeliriousтАЩ Martin Smith. And then, perhaps most importantly, thereтАЩs the bandтАЩs overtly biblical response to the poor, sick and persecutedтАФjust ask Jars of Clay, Switchfoot or Third Day which artist has most influenced the way they use their public platform as a call to action. It should come as no surprise then that, in addition to these artists, many a Christian music fan anticipated the late November release of U2тАЩs 13th studio album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. Bono has referred to both himself and his nowdeceased father as the тАЬbomb(s)тАЭ named in the title. In a recent interview with British Rock magazine Q he said, тАЬA bomb went off when my old man died and I had no idea how to deal with it. If IтАЩm honest I [ran] away from it for 2 years... but eventually you have to turn and face yourself.тАЭ Fittingly, Bono has described Atomic Bomb as тАЬa journey from fear into faith.тАЭ Starting with the lyric тАЬI was born a child of Grace,тАЭ тАЬAll Because of YouтАЭ could be a modern version of Psalm 139, talking about GodтАЩs presence in BonoтАЩs life and of wholeness found above. In тАЬYahwehтАЭ he asks God to take his shoes, shirt, hands and mouth to be purified and to тАЬTake this soul, stranded in some skin and bones/Take this soul and make it sing.тАЭ It also asks the ever-present, nowbut-not-yet questions (тАЬWhy the dark before the dawn?тАЭ), while recognizing the hope of the future (тАЬThe sun is coming up on the ocean/ Your love is like a drop in the ocean.тАЭ) Musically, as well as lyrically, this record is тАЬclassicтАЭ U2. While similar in feel to 2000тАЩs All That You CanтАЩt Leave Behind, here there are many more echoes of U2тАЩs roots, from roughedged rock to the use of simplicity and space. And, of course, being U2, there are certainly surprises to spice up the mix. тАЬLove And Peace Or ElseтАЭ has a dirty, driving bass reminiscent of something Moby or The Neptunes might cook up from the ingredients of тАЬBullet the Blue Sky,тАЭ and the final track тАЬFast CarsтАЭ (featured on the UK release and in America on the тАЬbox setтАЭ edition CD) starts like something more from a Mexican-flavored version of the Beastie Boys than four guys from the south side of Dublin. If U2тАЩs career is like a journey of faith, the bandтАЩs early albums contained the enthusiasm and certainty of a new convert; Achtung Baby, Zooropa and Pop were the questioning and rebellious teenage years and with All That You CanтАЩt Leave Behind and (even more so) How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, U2 is showcasing both its musical and spiritual maturity. JUDE ADAM File under: Grade: B+ Hip-hop A must-have for those who... like their hip-hop sunnyside-up. EyesтАЭ downshifts the album into тАЩ70s soul territory with standout strings and muted horns. ItтАЩs ultimately unfair to ask whether B is better than A. Just like the alphabet, itтАЩs simply the next in lineтАФand itтАЩs far removed from those sleepy тАЬzzzzs,тАЭ which is really the bottom line. ANTHONY D E BARROS GRITS Dichotomy B Gotee A tasty second helping of GRITS Double albums have become something of a trendy idea in hip-hop lately, but usually both discs come out at the same time. Not so with GRITSтАЩ Dichotomy B, which follows four months after the June release of its sibling, Dichotomy A. Given the separation of time, fans might expect something very different as GRITS lets the other shoe drop, so to speak. But, no. Although тАЬdichotomyтАЭ tends to mean the division of something into two very different pieces, B is really more an extension of AтАФalbeit one thatтАЩs sunnier and more upbeat. Teron тАЬBonafideтАЭ Carter and Stacy тАЬCoffeeтАЭ Jones maintain the focus on the beats and rapid-fire delivery, which becomes clear as soon as the disc opens with тАЬBe On My Way,тАЭ featuring a gothic choir that seems like it would fit well on a Danny Elfman Batman movie soundtrack. From there the disc serves up a variety of musical backdrops for its rhymes, with some of the more leftfield offerings being the most engaging. тАЬWe DonтАЩt PlayтАЭ starts with a steel drum sample before it launches into tobyMac rap-rock territory. тАЬYou WantтАЭ will have you thinking Joy Electric when you hear synthesized тАЬbleepsтАЭ opening the track. And тАЬWhen I Look In Your File under: Grade: B+ Pop/Adult Contemporary A must-have for those who... can appreciate a change in direction for one of Christian musicтАЩs enduring artists. SCOTT KRIPPAYNE Gentle Revolution Spring Hill The road less traveled is a great place for Krippayne. Scott Krippayne attempts a departure on his sixth album, Gentle Revolution. Using lesser-known producer Phil Johnson works to KrippayneтАЩs advantage as he experiments with different musical styles and effects. тАЬLyinтАЩтАЭ is a potpourri of sounds, beginning innocently enough with a simple piano melody and then joined by urban synth pads and hand claps. The mix between traditional and electronic instruments creates a fun dichotomy of sounds throughout the song. The vibe is remarkably similar to Steven Curtis ChapmanтАЩs тАЬOnly Getting StartedтАЭ off his latest disc, All Things New. The other stylistic standout on Gentle Revolution is тАЬSomething Different,тАЭ and, as the title implies, itтАЩs just that. Krippayne uses vocal effects, CCM_01.05_Music.final 12/1/04 double tracks the leads and draws on more innovative instrumentation than on any other song. His singing is soulful yet tinged with electricity. However, in his attempts to sing the lyrics as they whiz by in the bridge, he drops words or over enunciates every syllable to make the rhyme, which detracts from the overall flow, despite the infectious backbeat. On the flip side, there are also stripped-down acoustic songs like the breathy тАЬLast Will and TestamentтАЭ (cowritten with Brown Bannister) and тАЬRenee.тАЭ The latter features KrippayneтАЩs clear voice and a piano as he sings a sweet ballad about a chance encounter with actress Rene├й Zellweger at a Starbucks in Los Angeles. All things considered, thereтАЩs a little bit of everything on this disc thatтАЩll keep old fans onboard and potentially attract new fans alike. From what heтАЩs served up here, Krippayne seems on the right track as he mixes his formula up and ventures into new musical territory. KELLY OтАЩNEIL File under: Grade: AHip-hop/Folk A must-have for those who... like a little melody to mix up your hip-hop. MAT KEARNEY Bullet Inpop This debutтАЩs right on target. Talk about locked and loaded! Mat KearneyтАЩs debut album, Bullet, blasts a hole right through the conventions and novelties of todayтАЩs mainstream music. Sure, the 7:43 PM Page 53 Beaver State native uses hiphop as a musical backdrop; and while thatтАЩs common practice these days, thereтАЩs nothing common about the way Kearney layers his influences. His rookie release mixes a variety of sounds that includes acoustic guitars, pianos, pop choruses, spoken word, singing, rapping and vintage folk, yet each part is placed with an accuracy and subtlety that leaves the blend seamless. The upbeat тАЬTrain WreckтАЭ leads the disc with the most rock-influenced energy and popular appeal, but the album truly finds its groove when Kearney steps outside the norm. For example, тАЬMiddleтАЭ intertwines spoken word raps and huge vocals over live drums, pianos and strings, while the Johnny Cash tribute тАЬWonтАЩt Back DownтАЭ features emotional lyrics belted out over a pronounced piano track. While many of the songs feature rap-like verses, the rhymes are predominately delivered in a laidback, speakeasy style that effortlessly flows into lush vocal hooks and harmonies. KearneyтАЩs kickback style also makes the cutting lyrics that much sharper. Offering social commentary on his life and others, the singer tackles tragedy (тАЬRenaissanceтАЭ), personal change (тАЬUndeniableтАЭ) and sacrifice (тАЬBulletтАЭ) with an overall theme of hitting rock bottom and bouncing back, something Kearney experienced as a college student in northern California. In fact, it was his own change that inspired him to pursue music in the first place. Originally selfrecording this album with hometown buddy/producer Robert Marvin (tobyMac, Zoe Girl), Kearney breaks through with a clear reflection of his life and vision. DAVID JENISON File under: Grade: APop/rock A must-have for those who... enjoy uncomplicated, catchy pop hooks. BDA Better Days Ahead Creative Trust Workshop A promising debut signals even better career days ahead. Fresh out of college, BDA is made up of five guys who are really good at playing pop/rock with a distinctly Christian bent. While the band is in no way reinventing the musical wheel, its label debut contains 12 tracks with few lulls whatsoever. The first single, тАЬMaybe You,тАЭ opens the record as a preview of what is to come. The vocals are gorgeous, the production is tight, and the musicianship sounds professional. Lead vocalist Matt Jones has just the type of voice needed to take this band placesтАФpretty but rough enough to pull off the rock vibe. The clarity with which he sings is a pleasant surprise, making the lyrics printed inside the packaging unnecessary. Additionally, the driving guitars and rhythmic drums are arranged perfectly to shape the song without drowning out the message. The fact that most of the tracks are upbeat may make them difficult to differentiate at first listen, but the end result is that the listener is left feeling refreshed and enlivened. BDAтАЩs principle songwriter David Ray crafts honest, straightforward lyrics that come out of the reality of day-to-day life. тАЬMystery of YouтАЭ features verses that sound like journal entries with the chorus of a worship songтАФa mix most Christians can easily relate to. тАЬYou Love Me WhenтАЭ is an updated take on the lesson of the prodigal son: тАЬI tried my best to run away, but you say that none of it matters to you/You loved me when I lost my way, and you say that none of it matters to you.тАЭ The bandтАЩs ode to romantic love takes shape with тАЬSomething WonderfulтАЭ; and while all of their songs are somewhat worshipful, тАЬInto Our MidstтАЭ is the track that most lends itself toward corporate worship. However, itтАЩs the final track of the album, тАЬAll to Thee,тАЭ thatтАЩs the true gem. A medley of original lyrics and the hymns тАЬTake My Life,тАЭ тАЬI Surrender AllтАЭ and тАЬтАШTis So SweetтАЭ will give you chills. MAT KEARNEY Better Days Ahead is a strong debut for music fans who enjoy radio-friendly rock. JESSICA ROBIN File under: Grade: A-Worship A must-have for those who... want an education in the upper echelon of worship music. VARIOUS Exodus (Extended Version/Special Re-issue) Rocketown Even better the second time around In 1998, Rocketown Records (at the time still a fledgling label founded by Michael W. Smith), released Exodus, a record that, in part, signaled the full-on arrival of the modern worship movement. The collection of mostly original songs was produced by Smith and featured many of Christian musicтАЩs leading artists, and it was a shining example of what contemporary worship music could be when done well. Nearly seven years later, as the project is nearing gold certification, Rocketown is rereleasing Exodus for the benefit of those who may have missed it the first time aroundтАФwith three bonus tracks to boot. Amazingly, the album sounds every bit as good as it did back then. Of course, any project with an artist lineup that includes dc talk, Jars of Clay, Third Day, Crystal Lewis and many of Christian musicтАЩs finest would be hard pressed to disappoint; but Exodus still remains head and shoulders above many of the worship projects being churned out these days. ccmmagazine.com january 05 ccm 53 CCM_01.05_Music.final2 12/1/04 7:57 PM Page 54 MUTEMATH Several tracks still sound particularly good, notably Cindy MorganтАЩs soaring anthem тАЬMake Us One,тАЭ SixpenceтАЩs тАЬOpen My HeartтАЭ and Third DayтАЩs rocking rendition of SmithтАЩs тАЬAgnus Dei.тАЭ Dc talkтАЩs reminder that тАЬweтАЩve got to be children of peaceтАЭ takes on a new poignancy in a post-Sept. 11 world, and Chris RiceтАЩs simple masterpiece тАЬNothinтАЭ still manages to sum up salvation in a three-minute song without trivializing the greatest gift ever offered to humanity. The three new tracks are included at the end of the record, and, thankfully, they are more than just filler. The first two, in particular, seem to fit seamlessly into the original concept and feel of Exodus. Nirva, a gifted vocalist known for her work with tobyMac, offers a soulful and satisfying тАЬJesusтАЩ Blood.тАЭ Rocketown rocker Taylor Sorensen joins with Delirious vocalist Martin Smith for тАЬSing (or the Rocks Will Get To),тАЭ an uplifting number with an ethnic flair in the background vocals. And finally, Robbie Seay Band brings the record to a rousing finale with тАЬHallelujah God Is Near.тАЭ In the end, if you arenтАЩt already a fan of Exodus, pick up this re-release, and you soon will be. MICHAEL CIANI 54 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com File under: Grade: B+ Rock/electronic A must-have for those who... favor an out-of-the-box approach to musicianship. songs is MeanyтАЩs Fender Rhodes piano, which gets enough electronic tweaking to have multiple personalities and KingтАЩs tasty yet powerful drumming. Just when things seem to be falling on the conventional side, the band uncorks the instrumental тАЬReset,тАЭ which has overtones of Radiohead meeting Calico Sunset with a live drummer on the way to a Joy Electric concert. The EP features two more fairly conventional pop-rock songs before a brief instrumental ushers it to a close. ThereтАЩs plenty here to enjoy, particularly MeanyтАЩs melodies and strong voice. And with more strong songs apparently waiting in the wings (check out the video for тАЬChaosтАЭ on the bandтАЩs Web site.), a full-length album as good or better than this EP shouldnтАЩt be far behind. almost completely on the live show, Live Wire is clearly an ode to the bandтАЩs most dedicated fans, тАЬthe Gomers.тАЭ Fancy camera work never masks this bandтАЩs everyman, blue-collar style. In an ironic twist, the self-depricating lyrics to the intro тАЬRock StarтАЭ do not seem far off the mark. This isnтАЩt a тАЬMonsters of RockтАЭ show; rather, the band seems a bit subdued and тАЬby the numbersтАЭ in its performance approach for nearly three quarters of the show. The stage production values are minimal, and the requisite backstage clips provide no insight into the band. But, then again, maybe that is the point. This is a band that apparently wants the music to speak for the band members and to stand on its own proverbial two feet. This is not to say that the DVD doesnтАЩt have its moments. Live Wire really peaks with a heart-tugging version of тАЬItтАЩs a ShameтАЭ and the fired-up, down-home stomp on тАЬBlackbird.тАЭ Extras include personal band testimonies of the guysтАЩ travels to Africa and a plea to support World VisionтАЩs work with the AIDS Crisis. A shockingly moving montage is juxtaposed against the worship song тАЬOfferings,тАЭ which, in two minutes, redeemed this curiously understated DVD. ANTHONY BARR-JEFFREY ANTHONY D E BARROS MUTEMATH Reset EP Teleprompt Bring on the main course, please! MuteMath is the brainchild of ex-Earthsuit members Paul Meany (vocals, bass, piano) and Darren King (drums, programming). As the story goes, a demo of their post-Earthsuit songwriting landed in the hands of producer Tedd T., who just happened to be starting a new label imprint under Warner Bros. Despite some misgivings about returning to a major-label deal, the group signed; and the Reset EP is the result. With the addition of Greg Hill on guitar, MuteMathтАЩs EP is nothing if not eclectic. In the space of half an hour, weтАЩre treated to the U2-ish rock of тАЬControl,тАЭ the lively reggae burst of тАЬPeculiar PeopleтАЭ and the dreamy Duran Duran-like ballad тАЬOK.тАЭ Driving most of the File under: Grade: B+ Rock A must-have for those who... want the Third Day live show experience in the comfort of your living room.. THIRD DAY Live Wire DVD Provident Label Group No frills but still plenty of fun Hot on the heels of its latest release, Wire, Third Day invites the world to a special night in Louisville, Kentucky. On a sparse stage in front of a large black and white cityscape backdrop, in front of a cheering standing-room crowd, singer Mac Powell and his bandmates leap into a live set of notable hits and worship songs. Focused newreleases JAN. 18 Exit East Hillsong and Delirious Olivia The Band Travis Cottrell Various Various Various (Fervent) Exit East (Hillsong/Integrity) Unified Praise Olivia the Band (Essential) Alive Forever (Hosanna!) Stellar Awards Hits 2005 (Integrity Gospel) Integrity's iWORSHIP @ Home 5 (Integrity) Integrity's iWORSHIP Resource System (Integrity) JAN. 25 Andy Griffith Brian Free & Assurance The Clancys Darrell Evans George Bloomer Nicholas Jonas Scott Krippayne Steve Grace Various Various Various Various Various Various Bound for the Promised Land (Sparrow) Live In New York City (CD & DVD) (Word/New Day) Arise: Jump to the Beat (Whitaker) (Whitaker) Uncharted Waters (Whitaker) It's a Beautiful Day (Remix) (INO) Nicholas Jonas (Spring Hill) Gentle Revolution (Whitaker) New Day Coming (Liquid 8) A Gospel Celebration (CD and DVD) (Whitaker) Girlfriendship (Worship Together) Here I Am to Worship, Vol. 2 Here I Am to Worship--Kids, Vol. 2 (Worship Together) (EMI Gospel) Look Up Sing Out (CD and DVD) (Steelroots) Steelroots Surf Tour, Vol. 1 (DVD JAN. 31 Various Ron Winans Family & Friends 5 (Five Stones) CCM_01.05_Books.final2 12/1/04 7:51 PM Page 55 inreview books FROM THE REL ATIONSHIP SECTION 1 2 What: His Rules: GodтАЩs Practical Roadmap for Becoming and Attracting Mr. or Mrs. Right 3 What: Extreme Marriage: Mastering the Ever-Changing Lifelong Adventure (Waterbrook) (Waterbrook) Who: By Christopher L. Burge and Who: By Gayle Haggard Who: By Terry Owens Pamela Toussaint Why: If you think the most extreme Why: Single and ready for love? thing you can do is sky diving or mountain climbing, think again. ItтАЩs marriage actually, according to author Terry Owens. With Extreme Marriage, Owens seeks to prepare marriage-minded couples and newlyweds (with a penchant for adventure, thus the extreme sports analogies throughout the book) for the challenges couples face in marriage and the ways to build a strong and vibrant relationship to withstand the difficulties. Then, check out these 15 тАЬrulesтАЭ to help Christian singles along the path to marriage. His Rules breaks down in three тАЬphasesтАЭ that charge the reader to first, seek biblical counsel; second, be realistic about oneтАЩs past mistakes and correct them; and finally, learn what makes a godly relationship work. The book offers guidance in preparing for a future mate and being able to tell the тАЬrealтАЭ thing when you see it. ArtistsтАЩ Picks: What: A Life Embraced: A Hopeful Guide for the PastorтАЩs Wife (Waterbrook) Why: As the wife of Teg Haggard, pastor of the 11,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., Gayle Haggard definitely has a few things to say to pastorsтАЩ wives. Like many pastorsтАЩ wives across the country, she has, by her admission, experienced times of fear about her abilities and the expectations of others in the church. But it all comes down to two things: тАЬgrowing up in God and helping others do the same,тАЭ she says. And in her book, she offers practical advice to help these special women find happiness and freedom in their role. What are JanuaryтАЩs featured artists reading these days? Cliff and Danielle Young Nic Gonzales (Salvador): (CaedmonтАЩs Call): When I Lay My Isaac Down Pierced by the Word by Carol Kent (Check out our review of the book in the May 2004 issue.) by John Piper EditorтАЩs Pick: The Man Called Cash: The Life, Love, and Faith of an American Legend (W Publishing Group) By Steve Turner In what was to be CashтАЩs third autobiography, Steve Turner (Imagine: A Vision for Christians in the Arts) writes what became, instead, a retrospective look at the Man in BlackтАЩs life and career. (Cash passed away only two weeks before he and Turner were to begin collaborating.) While readers may miss hearing directly from Cash in his raw, direct way, as Turner points out, тАЬIf he had spoon-fed me the information, I might have been tempted to pass it on without subjecting it to the normal rigorous tests.тАЭ And, indeed, Turner does submit his material to tests, as he had the help and support of the Cash clan in writing and researching the book. The opening chapter offers an insiderтАЩs look at the details from the last days of JuneтАЩs life and the funeral that followed. The following chapters often compare and contrast earlier book accounts of events in CashтАЩs life, shedding light on the most probable true account. There may be a number of books written about this legendary singer, songwriter, husband, father and man of faith, but can there ever really be too many? For those who loved the man and his music? Never. ccmmagazine.com january 05 ccm 55 CCM_01.05_Gear.final 12/1/04 7:39 PM Page 56 inreview by Kent Morris gear I C A N H E A R C L E A R LY N O W : SOLUTIONS TO SONIC ISSUES Even Nicole C. MullinтАЩs relatively straightforward technical requirements emphasize her need for a clear monitor mix. When she performs without her band, Nicole must rely fully on the tracked music she hears in her in-ear monitor. If the monitor mix is out of balance, she is left to struggle through the set; but if the mix is correct, she can focus on delivering her pristine vocals to the audience. Monitors, mics and processors can тАЬmakeтАЭ or тАЬbreakтАЭ a concert. With the right tools, musicians can тАЬdial inтАЭ their preferred settings and repeat them night after night. Here are some of the latest tools designed to improve the performance and increase both the performer and audienceтАЩs satisfaction. AUDIX i5 SOUNDCRAFT GIGRAC Building the proverbial better mousetrap is more difficult than it first appears. Usually, the current version is popular because it is effective. To find a better sonic solution to the issue of micing instruments, the engineers at Audix came up with the i5, a precise dynamic microphone with the detailed response of a studio condenser but robust enough for the grueling tour schedule of Israel and New Breed. The i5тАЩs natural frequency response and low self-noise combine to deliver the sound the musician wants and the tech needs. When placed in front of a classic Fender Blackface Twin guitar amp, the tone generated by the i5 and replicated through the PA was exactly what the amp sounded like onstage. If you are seeking an alternative to the old standards, look no further than the i5. $150 audix.com ItтАЩs just a simple box mixer, isnтАЩt it? Not if itтАЩs the Gigrac, SoundcraftтАЩs entry into the powered mixer market. Aside from its innovative set-up, the Gigrac offers some serious audio performance as well. For instance, its 600-watt power amplifier is built to deliver the long term, high output signal todayтАЩs speakers demand without resorting to heavy transformers and sharp-edged heatsinks. The tone is pure Soundcraft: sweet and round with EQ sections that actually make a sonic difference when adjusted. Gigging musicians rejoice: Your backpack PA has arrived. $695 soundcraft.com PRESONUS EUREKA Out of the bayous of Louisiana, some of the finest audio processors emerge with the Presonus label emblazoned across their front panels. Among the silver and blue-faced products Presonus makes, the Eureka is their premier single channel mic preamp. With its bold oval VU meter at centerpoint, the Eureka certainly looks the part of a high quality audio piece, and its sound doesnтАЩt disappoint. тАЬClean, clear and preciseтАЭ describe the EurekaтАЩs tone. The compressor section doesnтАЩt intrude on the vocal, the equalizer corrects tone without imparting its own, and the output drives enough level for any application. For its asking price, Presonus offers an American-made, handcrafted bargain capable of challenging similar products at twice the cost. $595 presonus.com 56 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com SENNHEISER ew300IEM II Wireless in-ear monitor systems continue to improve with each new generation, and the ew300IEM II represents the best of the new breed. With guaranteed freedom of movement, wireless in-ears allow vocalists to roam around the stage while maintaining the same monitor mix. Getting all the mix information into what is, in essence, a small radio transmitter is a difficult task. Sennheiser has solved many common wireless problems through a combination of proven construction and innovative techniques. For example, the Pilot Tone system creates a unique tone recognized by the receiver as the desired signal. Other transmissions can then be ignored, making delivery of intact sound more probable. Sennheiser reduced the size of the bodypack by half and improved the information panel on the receiver. With the G2, as it is called, vocalists now have a valid reason to go wireless. $795 sennheiser.com CCM_01.05_College.final4 12/1/04 8:13 PM Page 59 OK, the tree is down, and youтАЩve finally got your Christmas presents all put away. YouтАЩve likely made your New YearтАЩs resolutions (or even broken them already), but have you gotten a jump start on thinking about what colleges youтАЩre wanting to apply to yet? Sure, January may feel a little too early to get started; but really, with such a grueling process and so many options to consider, itтАЩs never too early. Really. And to make the steps a little easier, we want to help. With Web addresses and spotlights for several great colleges and universities that may strike your academic fancy, we provide you with a few of the tools youтАЩll need to be successful in your college search. Also helping you college-minded folks gain some perspective on how to be successful in university life and faith as well, college grad and as most of you know him Christian recording artist Bebo Norman also provides some personal insight into your next, big life journey. CCM_01.05_College.final4 12/1/04 8:13 PM Page 60 ALASKA BIBLE COLLEGE HUNTINGTON COLLEGE Alaska Bible College is a place where there is room for you to grow. During your studies at Alaska Bible College, you can increase your knowledge and understanding of the Bible, improve your Bible study skills, strengthen your faith, deepen your relationship with God, sharpen your thinking skills, mature spiritually and socially as well as develop your ministry gifts and skills. ABCтАЩs remote location also removes students from many of lifeтАЩs distractions. Surrounded by the beauty of mountains, rivers and lakes, the Alaska Bible College campus enables students to quietly reflect on God and their personal spiritual journey. With distractions minimized, students can concentrate on the study of GodтАЩs Word and its application to their lives. God instructs us through Peter to тАЬgrow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus ChristтАЭ (2 Peter 3:18, NIV). Alaska Bible College is an excellent place to experience such growth. The ABC leadership team desires to serve you by being used of God as a catalyst to stimulate this growth in your life. Now we encourage you to come and grow with us. For more information on Alaska Bible College, visit akbible.edu. Huntington College has been honoring Christ in scholarship and service for more than 100 years. Huntington offers more than 70 areas of study, including new programs in digital media arts, economics and finance, political studies, recreation and sports ministry, social work and worship leadership. Huntington features nationally recognized programs in youth ministry and theatre arts. HuntingtonтАЩs teacher education program is nationally accredited through NCATE, a distinction earned by less than one-third of the colleges in the United States. Founded in 1897, HuntingtonтАЩs mission is focused on the principles of preparing students to have an impact on our world for Christ through scholarship and service. The quality of scholarship is evidenced by HuntingtonтАЩs strong ranking as a top 20 тАЬMidwest Comprehensive CollegeтАЭ by U.S. News & World Report. To see the campus and hear about Huntington through the testimonies of our faculty, students, and alumni, we would like to offer you a free copy of our new DVD. It is chock-full of all kinds of neat stuff, including our complete academic catalog and application form. We also encourage you to come and visit us to experience Huntington for yourself. We will gladly work around your schedule. You can contact us via the web at huntington.edu, by e-mail at [email protected] or phone at 800/642-6493. GREENVILLE COLLEGE Greenville College certainly doesnтАЩt hurt for notoriety when one of Christian musicтАЩs biggest bands (Jars of Clay) got its start at this Illinoisbased college. But aside from having some great pop bands (including the recent Creative Trust Workshop signing, BDA) on its тАЬfamous studentsтАЭ resum├й, Greenville College has plenty to offer when it comes to educational opportunities. Serving as a Christian community committed to challenging and nurturing students, Greenville College is dedicated to excellence in higher education thatтАЩs grounded in both the liberal arts tradition and a rich Wesleyan heritage. The college provides an education characterized by open inquiry into all creation and guided by the authority of Scripture, tradition, reason and experience. Faith commitments and an understanding about the nature of God and creation profoundly shape GreenvilleтАЩs academic program. Greenville College is committed to high academic standards, welcoming and open -spirited in attitude yet principled and passionate in commitment to Jesus Christ. Over the next three to five years Greenville hopes to focus on residential face-to-face education while expanding access to students at multiple regional sites. They aspire to be a тАЬgrowing, diverse, inclusive, respectful and warm community of scholars that contributes to the regional and national culture as well as to the Kingdom of God by producing graduates who have been deeply transformed for lives of character and service.тАЭ For more information about what Greenville S P E C I A L A DV E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N has to offer or to apply online, please visit greenville.edu. Jars of Clay at Greenville College CCM_01.05_College.final4 12/1/04 8:14 PM Page 62 MALONE COLLEGE Malone College has more than 2,200 students in more than 80 academic programs, including five at the graduate level: education, counseling, Christian ministries, nursing and business administration. Some of the collegeтАЩs exciting, newer undergraduate programs include forensic chemistry, commercial music technology, music ministry, youth/sports ministry and zoo biology. Though the college is affiliated with the Evangelical Friends ChurchтАФEastern Region, students from all walks of life are welcome. Malone College boasts a student-tofaculty ratio of 14:1 and a graduate school acceptance rate of nearly 100 percent. The collegeтАЩs most widely recognized building is the Randall Campus Center. Known as тАЬThe Barn,тАЭ the remodeled lodge-style facility features lounges, a game room, an upscale caf├й, a prayer chapel and studentgovernment and college admissions offices. The three-story Everett L. Cattell library houses 140,000 volumes, 1,300 different periodicals, an instructional communications center and the campus radio station. Patrons have access to electronic indexes, databases, the Internet and OCLC, a national interlibrary loan program. Osborne Hall, home court of the Pioneers, features the Stan and Dee Ewing Varsity Center. Adjoined is the campusтАЩ newest addition, the 10,200 square foot Wellness Center, which provides space for an aerobic exercise and weight room, equipment and laboratories. The Pioneer football team plays at the famed Fawcett Stadium, adjacent to the Football Hall of Fame in Canton. The Walter O. and Mildred V. Brehme Centennial Center features the college bookstore, food court, dining commons and a formal dining room, Mitchell Hall, houses the Fred F. Silk auditorium, equipped with state-ofthe-art technology requirements for Internet connections and teaching enhancements. Malone College offers rich student life experiences with numerous opportunities for missions and service learning trips both locally and abroad. The College participates in offcampus educational opportunities, including the Los Angeles Film Studies program, REGENT UNIVERSITY Things were a lot different at VirginiaтАЩs Regent University only a quarter century ago. Back in 1978, Dr. M.G. тАЬPatтАЭ Robertson saw a vision materialize as 77 students entered leased classroom space to study for graduate degrees in communication. From those humble beginnings, Regent University has grown into the pre-eminent educational institution of its kind in America. The University has grown considerably from its founding disciplineтАФthe School of Communication and the ArtsтАФto include more areas of influence for Christian leadership. Regent now has nine separate programs of study with classes on two physical campuses and an online worldwide campus, which will continue to grow as Internet-based education eventually reaches hundreds of thousands of students. With a mission тАЬto provide exemplary education, from a biblical perspective, leading to bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees for aspiring servant-leaders in pivotal 62 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com professions, and to be a leading center of Christian thought and action,тАЭ Regent University aspires тАЬto provide Christian leadership in transforming society by affirming and teaching principles of truth, justice and love as described in the Holy Scriptures, embodied in the person of Jesus Christ, and enabled through the power of the Holy Spirit.тАЭ To get more on the inside track on what Regent University is all about, check out regent.edu. S P E C I A L A DV E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N American Studies program and overseas student teaching and nursing cross-cultural experiences. Student athletes may choose from any of our 18 menтАЩs and womenтАЩs sports competing intercollegiately in the NAIA and NCCAA. A Christian college for the arts, sciences and professions in the liberal arts tradition, Malone College is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and is recognized by the prestigious Templeton Foundation as a leader in character development. CCM_01.05_College.final4 12/1/04 8:15 PM Page 64 WHEATON COLLEGE Wheaton College has long held to its mission of building the church and improving society worldwide through programs of Christian higher education. Since its inception in 1860, the steadfast commitment to intellectual growth and Christian faith has shaped the lives of many young men and women. The graduate school, founded in 1937, further intended to provide theological training and ministry skills needed to advance the cause of Christ and His Kingdom. Today students come from all over the world in order to be part of an academic community that prepares them to participate in proclaiming the good news of the gospel. Wheaton College is located 25 miles west of Chicago and offers a doctor of philosophy in biblical and theological studies, a doctor of clinical psychology (Psy.D.) and the master of arts (M.A.) degree in: biblical archaeology, biblical exegesis, biblical studies, general history of CCM_01.05_College.final4 12/1/04 8:15 PM Page 65 Christianity, religion in American life, general theology, historical and systematic theology, clinical psychology, Christian formation and ministry, evangelism, missions, intercultural studies, TESOL, primary and secondary education (M.A.T) and interdisciplinary studies. In addition, non-degree certificates are available in teaching English as a second language (TESOL) and leadership and outdoor ministry. More than $500,000 in grant money is available to full-time, degree-seeking graduate students. Nearly two-thirds of that amount is directed toward international applicants and American applicants involved in some type of missions work. Financial aid is awarded on the basis of need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Wheaton College Institutional Form. The Federal Stafford Student Loan Program is available to full and part-time graduate students. Program information and application forms can be obtained at wheatongrad.com. Become the Youth Pastor You Were Called to Be! SkilledтАжKnowledgeableтАжSpiritually DeepтАжand Vitally Alive! Master of Arts in Youth Ministry Ideal location! тАв Chicago metropolitan area Choose your ministry setting! Urban тАв Suburban тАв Rural Scholarships available! Northern Seminary 800-YES-NBTS ext. 2180 (outside Chicago) 630-620-2180 тАв www.seminary.edu S P E C I A L A DV E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N Training LeadersтАжTransforming Lives! CCM_01.05_College.final4 12/1/04 8:16 PM Page 66 1 First Person: Bebo Norman With as many concerts as he plays at colleges during any given tour, itтАЩs safe to say that college campuses are almost like a second home to singer/songwriter Bebo Norman. In addition to being able to fit in well with college kids because of his laidback musical vibe and easy-going khakis and T-shirt attire, he also knows what itтАЩs like to be a student as he earned a four-year degree in biology before pursuing his music full-time. Now exclusively for Collegebound, Bebo weighs in with some helpful advice for prospective and current college students. I think that the college years are some of the most difficult and the most crucial years for setting the foundation for real spiritual maturity. My advice is twofold: 1. Ask questions. This may seem obviousтАФтАЭAsk questions.тАЭ After all, isnтАЩt that what learning is all about? And isnтАЩt college about learning? But I think that many Christians are afraid to truly ask questionsтАФnot necessarily intellectual questions but spiritual ones. Or maybe it would be better put to say that many Christians are afraid to question God. WeтАЩre afraid that maybe itтАЩs a sacrilege or a sin. But I beg to differ. Actually, Scripture begs to differ. Just take a look at the Psalms or read up on John the Baptist. While in prison, shortly before his death, John sent word to Jesus questioning whether or not He was truly the Messiah. Keep in mind that this is all after John had already baptized Jesus, watched the sky open up while a dove descended on the man and heard a voice from heaven say, тАЬThis is my son.тАЭ But he still doubted. He still had questions. He still was afraid. And do you think Jesus was angry when He got word that John doubted him? No. He simply told John about all the miracles, and then He made note that this same doubtful man was one of the greatest men who had ever lived. I can promise you that there will be times in college when you will be afraid and you will doubt (whether youтАЩre willing to admit it or not). My point is this: God is not intimidated by our questions. HeтАЩs not afraid of them. HeтАЩs not afraid of us. Be honest with God, and look for answers. DonтАЩt question just for the sake of questioningтАФ that is the way of fools. 2. Explore God. Everything about college is built around exploration. We explore our intellects. We explore careers. We explore new friendships. We explore the first inklings of responsibility, the first moments of adulthood. Some of us probably find ourselves lost in the exploration of things that we wish we hadnтАЩt explored. But above all we explore life. Jesus said that He is life, so live it. Live Him. He came to make life wide and deep and rich and full. So look for Him in intellect, in friendships, in careers, in responsibility, in тАЬmess-ups,тАЭ in that awkward and scary transition into adulthood. Look for Him in life. Lighten up and enjoy the blessing that life is. S P E C I A L A DV E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N CCM_01.05_College.final3 12/1/04 7:22 PM Page 68 NORTHERN SEMINARY Did you know that Chicago, the тАЬWindy City,тАЭ has more theological seminaries and theological students than any city in the world except Rome? Northern Seminary is located just 20 minutes west of ChicagoтАФa world-class city that offers a multitude of cultural and recreational attractions. Northern is ideally situated on a 28-acre campus with easy access to rural, suburban and urban ministry opportunities. The Seminary offers a variety of degrees to fit a variety of ministry callings: master of divinity, master of arts, MA in youth ministry, MA in worship and spirituality, MA in Christian ministries, doctor of ministry and certificate programs. At Northern, we know that churches are looking for pastors that go deep with God. This is why spiritual formation is an integral part of the education process. Each studentтАЩs study of GodтАЩs Word, involvement in small groups, participation in chapels and times of reflection and prayer deepen their connection to God while expanding their knowledge. Go to seminary.edu to learn more about what Northern Seminary has to offer. S P E C I A L A DV E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N CCM_01.05_tour.v8 12/1/04 8:11 PM Page 69 t standingroomonly your guide to concerts by Andy Argyrakis All photos by Andy Argyrakis SCHOOL AND STAGE Bethany Dillon may be a full-time artist, but sheтАЩs also a student working through high school. However, while the performerтАЩs peers are in a classroom, she may be completing studies in a hotel room, tour bus or dressing room. HereтАЩs more straight from the teenagerтАЩs mouth about the balance between singing and schooling. тАЬTRYтАЭ TOUR FEATURING BEBO NORMAN, BETHANY DILLON AND JASON MORANT WHEATON COLLEGE | WHEATON, ILтАФOCT. 30, 2004 When Bebo Norman first visited the historic Wheaton College, he was merely a side attraction for a memorable bill that included CaedmonтАЩs Call, Sixpence None the Richer and Andrew Peterson before he signed with Essential Records. But when the troubadour revisited the venue, this time as headliner on the тАЬTryтАЭ tour, he displayed an incredible gain in visibility and the confidence of having released four albums on a major label. Despite the time and distance between the two events, NormanтАЩs most recent set was filled with just as much wonder, inspiration and charm as was first relayed in those more obscure beginnings. And, thankfully, even with successful sales, the soft-spoken Georgia boy is still humble and overflowing with a huggable sense of humor. After launching into a trio of his peppier pop tunes, such as тАЬI Am,тАЭ тАЬStandтАЭ and тАЬOur MysteryтАЭ (all of which were supported by a full band), Norman took time out for his first тАЬcomedy routineтАЭ of the night, cracking jokes about traveling and his recent foray into married life. The topic of that new relationship also spilled over to many cuts from the current album, which were blended in with his major hits, including the praise-focused тАЬGreat Light of the WorldтАЭ and the peaceful тАЬCover Me.тАЭ But beyond the тАЬplugged inтАЭ portion of the show, fans were most receptive during an acoustic set that featured the sparse and subtle тАЬHow You Love Me,тАЭ the accordion-tipped тАЬThe Hammer HoldsтАЭ and the folkflavored тАЬNothing Without You.тАЭ In all those cases, Norman was able to boldly project his warm voice and detailed strums, recalling past days of playing up-closeand-personal coffeehouses. Though newcomer Bethany DillonтАЩs inviting playing and songwriting style couldтАЩve also worked in cozy quarters, she sure wasnтАЩt shy in front of the masses gathered. At a mere 16 years old, the performer is remarkably comfortable and conversational onstage, backed by an artillery of incredibly introspective material from her self-titled debut. The rising star performed cuts from her album, evoking a more thoughtful version of Jewel or Sheryl Crow on тАЬExodus (Faithful),тАЭ тАЬGreat Big MysteryтАЭ and her No. 1 hit тАЬAll I Need.тАЭ She even took time to vulnerably address personal issues of self-image with тАЬBeautifulтАЭ and previewed a poetic piece about grace entitled тАЬImaginationтАЭ (likely to be featured on her next project). Besides playing in BeboтАЩs band, guitarist Jason Morant revealed a disposition toward worship in an opening slot that revolved around his Abandon album. Throughout tunes тАЬI Am YoursтАЭ and тАЬFashion,тАЭ he mirrored top-ranking Brit-rockers such as Travis and Coldplay but with a decidedly spiritual take. тАЬInside of MeтАЭ served as his most reflective song, exposing vividly spelled out emotions of insecurity that stem from the ongoing threat of terrorism. Yet even in the midst of that realistic paranoia, he reminded all of GodтАЩs continuous control and believersтАЩ need to trust Him, not only in this situation but through each period of peril that comes across oneтАЩs path. Home-school situation: тАЬI went to public school for four years but was home-schooled most of my life because [public school] didnтАЩt seem to fit for me. Basically, it was hard to be completely invested there and in my music. I have so much respect for people my age living for Jesus and going to high school.тАЭ TeacherтАЩs family ties: тАЬWhen I was home, my mom would be involved in passing out my materials and staying on me to complete my school tasks. But now that IтАЩm on the road, my [older] sister Kate takes care of it and keeps tabs on what I need to do.тАЭ College consideration: тАЬRight now IтАЩm probably not going into college straight out of high school because music is the season my life is in right now. But I could see myself going to Bible school down the road or getting involved in missions.тАЭ HERE AND THERE: Are you within a dayтАЩs drive? Here are a couple concert dates you wonтАЩt want to miss! 1/15 тАЬWinter JamтАЭ with NewSong, TAIT tobyMac, Tait, Rachael Lampa, Matthew West, Building 429 and Chaos on Wheels at the Delta Plex in Grand Rapids, MI 1/28 Sanctus Real with Hawk Nelson at Hazelwood Christian Church in Clayton, IN For the latest concert listings, check out CCMmagazine.comтАЩs searchable tour database to find out when your favorite artists will play in a city near you. Top-Bottom, L-R: Bebo Norman, Jason Morant, Bethany Dillon ccmmagazine.com january 05 ccm 69 CCM_01.05_20things.v5 12/1/04 8:10 PM Page 70 15 THINGS YOU PROBABLY DIDNтАЩT KNOW ABOUT: PAUL COLMAN BY GREGORY RUMBURG 11. BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR GIFTSтАж Some artists find musical inspiration by exploring other art forms. Colman isnтАЩt necessarily one of them. тАЬIf you play Pictionary with me, youтАЩll most likely want to kill me half-way through the game. IтАЩll draw what I think is a dove, and to others it looks like a tree. I canтАЩt draw. I canтАЩt paint. Probably putting words together verbally is an art I like. I like to talk. I like listening to people who are skilled orators.тАЭ 10. тАжAND ABOUT YOUR TASTE тАЬI like films,тАЭ Colman says, continuing to contemplate his artistic habits. тАЬBut I am not a film buff. I donтАЩt seem to have very good taste in films. I walk out of a movie and go, тАШThat was great!тАЩ And people who know something about films go, тАШThat was awful.тАЩ But IтАЩm kind of glad IтАЩm that way because I can enjoy a lot more films.тАЭ 9. LIKE A GAS STATION BARISTA Come to think of it, itтАЩs like that with coffee, too. тАЬI think Starbucks coffee tastes great; but then again, I had coffee in the south of New Zealand, in organic Hobbit country. And I loved that, too. If someone burns my toast, I love it. I pretty much have pedestrian taste buds.тАЭ 8. AN APPLE FOR... THE WEDDING SINGER? Before being an artist, Colman was a high school teacher, covering history, English and religion at an elite school in Australia. тАЬAnd on the weekends I was a wedding singer. I was a good wedding singer, too.тАЭ 7. NUPTIALS 101 Now, take good notes. With some 750 weddings under his tuxedo, Colman gives sage advice on being a wedding singer. тАЬYouтАЩve got to understand that itтАЩs not about you. ItтАЩs about the bride and groom. You learn to use music as a tool to make someone else have a great night. Grandma always ends up close to the band, so it teaches you to rock out at a very small volume. You also have to play everything from Neil Diamond to James Taylor to Elvis to the Rolling Stones to Michael Jackson. Weddings bring out the worst in people. IтАЩve seen it all!тАЭ 6. CALL TONY SOPRANOтАЩS SHRINK. Colman also played in a тАЩ70s cover band called the Polyester Patrol, and one night before a gig he asked a bandmate advice about marrying ColmanтАЩs thengirlfriend Rebecca. His friend urged him to pushed past his insecurities and marry her. ColmanтАЩs gracious reply? тАЬAlright, IтАЩm doing it; but if youтАЩre wrong, IтАЩm going to kill you.тАЭ 5. THANKFULLY, SHE SAID, тАЬYES.тАЭ ItтАЩs back to the future for Paul Colman. He fronted Australian import Paul Colman Trio (alongside bandmates Grant Norsworthy and Phil Gaudion) for five years, gathering four studio albums (two with Essential Records), a pair of live projects, one Grammy nomination, a Dove Award for тАЬNew Artist of the YearтАЭ and more. But Colman originally debuted as a solo artist, and next month he will unveil his first solo record since 1997, tentatively titled Let It Go (inpop). 15. WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Colman heaps accolades on his former Paul Colman Trio bandmates and reports theyтАЩre doing well. тАЬGrantтАЩs in Nashville as a session player. PhilтАЩs in Melbourne, Australia, producing and engineering records.тАЭ 14. LOVE YOUR WORK. Colman practically assembled his dream band for the new record. тАЬIf I could pick any group of players, IтАЩd have Kenny Aronoff on drums, Adam Lester [who played with PC3] on one guitar, Nick Seymour from Crowded House on bass, Daniel Lanois on the other guitar and Eric Darken on percussion.тАЭ In fact, Aronoff, a player who caught ColmanтАЩs attention with John MellencampтАЩs American Fool, Lester and Darken are credited on the new project. Later, Colman again found just the right words. On one knee and having received the affirmative answer he hoped for, he replied to RebeccaтАЩs pledge, saying, тАЬThen you are, indeed, the bravest of all women.тАЭ They married two years and one week from the day they met and celebrated 10 years of marriage last month. 4. FATHER-DAUGHTER TRADITIONS At home, Paul credits his family for helping to keep him grounded. He and his wife enjoy the company of two daughters, Katherine and Elizabeth. тАЬWe feed the ducks, go for walks, play roly-poly on the carpet, snuggle on the couch and watch DVDs,тАЭ Colman says of his daughters. тАЬWe have shoulder rides, go to Starbucks together and read a book. We go to story time at the library.тАЭ 3. THE LAND OF OZ Though he lives outside of Nashville, Colman travels home to Melbourne whenever he can. Thinking of a spring break trip? He says visitors must see тАЬa game of Australian rules football at the MCG [Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Yankee Stadium of the region]. You must also see some of the streets where there is just a phenomenal, multicultural, socio-economic demographic of people. Melbourne has a wonderful, cosmopolitan, multicultural feel like that. And take a drive down the Great Ocean Road, which winds down the south coast and has the most magnificent scenery.тАЭ 2. STROKE OF GENIUS Just where would the dream team play its first gig? тАЬWherever there are people assembled,тАЭ Colman says. The crowd, not the room, is what matters to him. Driven and ambitious, golf offers Colman, an 11 handicap, satisfying relaxation. тАЬI love the challengeтАФthat there are so many different ways to get to the green. I love the fact that it teaches me about timing and patience versus aggression and muscle. I love that you can spend four hours playing with a guy you donтАЩt know, and you can talk about the game or about the deepest, darkest secret of your life or anything in between.тАЭ 12. WE NEVER TALK ANYMORE. 1. NEW YEARтАЩS RESOLUTIONS On tour, the bus is home, often complete with decked-out entertainment systems like satellite TV, video games and the like. But Colman takes a more old-fashioned approach to domestic road life. тАЬIтАЩm more likely to talk to people than anything else. Ask [former tourmate] Michael Tait. Every time he tried to go to sleep, IтАЩd want to pick his brain about something. I might highjack the TV and tell everyone that weтАЩre talking to each other tonight.тАЭ Always thinking, often puzzling whatтАЩs on his mind out loud, Colman resolves that in 2005, тАЬIтАЩm going to leave more space for people in my social interaction. ThatтАЩs going to be a big challenge.тАЭ And donтАЩt forget that golf game. Colman says he will тАЬplay a 4-iron off the tee a lot more rather than my driver. IтАЩm going to lay-up a lot more and not go for the green as often. IтАЩll settle for par instead of managing a triple bogey.тАЭ 13. THE WORLD AS A STAGE 70 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com CCM_01.05_lastglance.v9 12/1/04 8:15 PM Page 72 apersonalperspective Love in Action This month, as CCM introduced our World Vision and Compassion children, we thought it fitting to have a member of CaedmonтАЩs Call, a band involved with Compassion, write our closing letter. Getting involved with Compassion International, for me, was originally just a good decision rather than a passion. But looking back, I see that it was the beginning of my heart being broken for the gospel of Jesus Christ being spread worldwide. What had an impact on me most over the years traveling with Compassion was the simple faith of the believers I met. Whether they were children, young adults or older parents, they had a joy and a peace that I somehow had missed out on growing up as a Christian involved in church and doing all of the тАЬright things.тАЭ Instead of coming home from the Compassion trips feeling like I had given something to the people I met, I quickly realized that I wanted what they hadтАФ simply a pure understanding of who Christ is and who I am in Christ, the joy of knowing my Creator, the gospel. We, in CaedmonтАЩs Call, have been involved with Compassion for about six years now and got involved mainly because of how highly Rich Mullins spoke of the organization and the enormous impact it made on his life. After meeting the leaders of Compassion, we were very impressed with their vision. We learned that 72 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com they have been around for more than 50 years, which says a lot. I am sure there are many organizations with a great vision and even a great history; but, for us, the integrity and character of the leaders we met spoke loudly to our hearts. Out of hundreds of child sponsorship organizations, Compassion is consistently noted for its superior financial integrity by numerous publications and financial accountability groups. by todd bragg We are a fairly cynical group, which can be a fault at times; but in this case, particularly, it was important for us to believe in Compassion and what they were doing if we were going to play a part in it. CaedmonтАЩs involvement with Compassion had to be an honest expression of who we were and what we were called to do in order to hold true to our vision and calling. Little did we know just how much this focus on missions would shape who we are and what we are called to do. To date, our travels with Compassion have taken us to Haiti, Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil and India. Each trip has had its own set of memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life. But more than memories, there are relationships that are being built and cultivated through Compassion. Families are brought together so many times just because of a simple relationship that one of their children has with a Compassion sponsor in another part of the world. Young men and women are earning degrees through the Leadership Development Program (LDP) that will further their respective communities and improve the current living conditions for their families. Character is being instilled in these children because they are seeing the gospel of Jesus Christ lived out through Compassion by having their immediate needs met. So many times meeting immediate physical needs is the first step to meeting spiritual needs. Understanding the gospel is understanding who Christ is and who we are in Christ. Living the gospel is putting тАЬhands and feetтАЭ to this understanding. Todd Bragg is a founding member of CaedmonтАЩs Call and the bandтАЩs drummer. See page 34 for CCMтАЩs feature story on CaedmonтАЩs this month. (L-R): Todd visiting Compassion school in Bolivia; Todd with wife Christie and sponsor child Venia Sterlin in Haiti Above: Todd and some boys he skated with from the Compassion school CCM_01.05_Classifieds.final 12/1/04 8:23 PM Page 73 CLASSIFIEDS RECORDS/TAPES/CDs RUGGED CROSS MUSIC P.O. Box 42146, Charleston, SC 29423-2146, www.RuggedCrossMusic.com, [email protected], CDs, LPs, Cassettes, Videos and more MUSIC VIDEO EXPERTS! 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For address changes or other inquiries, please include both old and new addresses and mailing label. Allow four to six weeks for new subscriptions to begin. CCM [ISSN 1524тАУ7848] is published monthly by Salem Publishing. Copyright: CCM ┬й 2005 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, selfтАУaddressed envelope. WritersтАЩ 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. 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E-mail: [email protected] ccmmagazine.com january 05 ccm 73 CCM_01.05_halloffame.v8 12/1/04 8:26 PM Page 74 halloffame ESSENTIAL DALLAS HOLM Dallas Holm & PraiseтАж Live (Greentree, 1977) Change the World (Dayspring, 1985) Beyond the Curtain (Dayspring, 1988) Before Your Throne (Ministry, 1999) SOME OF DALLAS HOLMтАЩS MOST WELL-KNOWN SONGS тАЬAgainst the WindтАЭ тАЬCompletely Taken InтАЭ тАЬFace to FaceтАЭ тАЬHe Means All to MeтАЭ тАЬHere We AreтАЭ тАЬI Saw the LordтАЭ тАЬLosing GameтАЭ тАЬHey, IтАЩm a BelieverтАЭ тАЬPrayer WarriorsтАЭ тАЬRise AgainтАЭ* тАЬSaved, Saved, SavedтАЭ тАЬTo The GloryтАЭ тАЬWhen We Worship HimтАЭ *No. 52 in CCMтАЩs The Top 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music (2004) AWARDS, ACCOLADES & ACCOMPLISHMENTS Dallas Holm allas Holm has spent most of his 35-plus years in Christian music as a bridge between traditional and contemporary styles. Influenced as a young man by the тАЬnewтАЭ rock & roll sounds of such artists as Elvis Presley, Holm began trying to incorporate his teenage faith with his love for music. Seeking to use his music to reach those around him, Holm fittingly titled one of his first albums For Teens Only. However, despite the early rock influences, Holm settled into a decidedly inspirational, middle-of-the-road sound early in his career that more or less became his legacy. Holm and his backup group, Praise, toured in the 1970s with the crusades of evangelist David Wilkerson (author of The Cross and The Switchblade), which was ironic, considering Wilkerson, at one point, was a vehement anti-rock music critic. In 1977, Dallas Holm and PraiseтАжLive was released, featuring the smash hit тАЬRise Again,тАЭ which tells a dramatic tale of ChristтАЩs perspective on His death. The song led to a Dove Award for тАЬSong of the YearтАЭ for Holm. Interestingly enough, Holm was the only person other than Bill Gaither to win a Dove for тАЬSongwriter of the YearтАЭ for D 74 ccm january 05 ccmmagazine.com the entire decade! The album eventually became one of the first Christian albums to be certified gold for sales of more than half a million copies. тАЬRise AgainтАЭ has also been covered by more artists than Holm can count. His personal favorite? тАЬNo questionтАФthe best cut anybody ever did of that song was Bob Dylan,тАЭ Holm says. тАЬSomebody gave me a bootleg copy of a 1980 Dylan concert in Seattle when he was doing his Slow Train Coming material. He even called it the тАШRise Again Tour.тАЩ It was just killer; I mean, canтАЩt you just hear that voice singing, тАШGo aheadтАжdrive the nailsтАЩ? Dylan really got it.тАЭ (excerpt from The Top 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music, 2004). Though in the 1980s Holm recorded for Dayspring Records, updating his sound with a more contemporary feel and garnering some success, he never matched the extraordinary heights of Dallas Holm & PraiseтАж Live. Today, Holm, 56, runs Praise Ministries in Texas. Proficient on guitar, piano and trombone, he continues to perform in churches each month. He and his wife of more than 30 years, Linda, released a hymns album called Foundations in 2002. They are the parents of two grown children as well as proud grandparents. A longtime biker and member of the Christian Motorcyclist Association, Holm also continues to ride his beloved Harley Davidson. M I C H A E L C I A N I For more information, visit DallasHolm.com. тАв тАв тАв тАв Seven Dove Awards One Grammy nomination One gold album SESAC Outstanding Achievement Award (1991) тАв This is My Story autobiography (1980) тАв More than 30 albums released тАв More than 3,000 concerts performed CCM COVERS January 1979 November 1981 (Holm, Sheppard & Johnson) For a complete list of past Hall of Fame inductees, visit CCMmagazine.com.
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