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YOUR CHRISTIAN MUSIC MAGAZINE SINCE 1978
JEREMY CAMP
Right Here, Right Now
+
CAEDMONтАЩS CALL
NEWSBOYS
SALVADOR
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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
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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.
jays@salempublishing.com
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 subscriptions@salempublishing.com. 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
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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
feedback@ccmcom.com. 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 truthbetold@ccmcom.com.
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
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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
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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
>>> >>
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>>
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 tellccm@ccmcom.com 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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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On
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7:25 PM
Page 29
ck
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12/1/04
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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CHRIS RICE...................................................................November 2000
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100 GREATEST CHRISTIAN ALBUMS..........................March 2001
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POINT OF GRACE..........................................................September 1998
DC TALK ........................................................................October 1998
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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
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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
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CCM_01.05_Caedmons.v15
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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.
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january 05 ccm 35
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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
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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.
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(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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
admissions@huntington.edu
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
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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.
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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
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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!
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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MUSIC MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT
SEMINAR - FEBRUARY 21 - APRIL 14,
2005. (last week at GMA week Nashville) For musicians who are serious
about God, music and ministry. Focus Songwriting, publishing, digital recording, music
business, band arranging, ministry development,
missions. Info and application:
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ccmmagazine.com
january 05 ccm 73
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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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