Almost forgot! Details shot into my inbox this morning about:
Winter Jam 2010!
Here's some of that info!
Remember last March's Christian music Winter Jam tour featuring tobyMac that filled the VanAndel Arena with 11,000 fans? The no-ticket, $10 at-the-door-admission event has been a HUGE draw across the county.
Well the 2010 version of Winter Jam is already set for Thursday, March 25th at the VanAndel Arena. The headliner was just announced, the Grammy-winning pop-rock band, Third Day, who last performed in the Grand Rapids area in Fall of 2008!
The rest of the line-up? Pretty impressive:
Newsboys
Fireflight
Tenth Avenue North
NewSong
Tony Nolan (Speaker)
Robert Pierre (Pre-Jam)
Sidewalk Prophets (Pre-Jam)
Revive (Pre-Jam)
For more information about this rockin' event...Head to JamTour.com!
Several artists, including Third Day, tobyMac, and David Crowder* Band, have debuted new DVD-CD releases on the big screen with a one-time showing in movie theaters.
Coming up Wednesday, November 4th, get ready for Hillsong United, the popular Australia-based worship group. The live-on-tape performance will be followed by their cause-based documentary "The I Heart Revolution: We're All in this Together" telling the stories of justice, compassion, and mercy around the globe.
For more information visit CelebrationCinema.com. If you're a JQ Family Rewards member, head HERE to enter to win a Family 4 Pack of tickets! (Contest closes out Sunday night at Midnight)
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Live Chat with SCC
Tuesday, November 3rd, Steven Curtis Chapman releases "Beauty Will Rise". To help celebrate the release of this amazing album, Steven will be broadcasting live through his Facebook page to talk about the new album. You can catch this live chat November 3rd at 10p (EST)/9p (CST).
Top 5...wait...no..6 Selling Albums (Week ending October 25th)
WOW Hits 2010
Kutless - "It Is Well"
Skillet - "Awake"
David Crowder* Band - "Church Music"
Chris Tomlin - "Glory in the Highest"
Relient K - "Forget and Not Slow Down"
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Tuesday New Releases
Steven Curtis Chapman - "Beauty Will Rise"
Shane & Shane - "Everything is Different"
Plumb - "Beautiful History: A Hits Collection"
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Big in Canada
Remember a few weeks back I talked about Downhere having all these nominations for the 2009 Covenant Awards in Canada. Well...the 31st show was last Friday and Downhere ranked as the highest award winner this year being nominated 11 times and walking home with 9 awards! Here's the awards list:
Artist of the Year
Album of the Year (Ending is Beginning)
Song of the Year (Here I Am)
Recorded Song of the Year (Here I Am)
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (Ending is Beginning)
Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year (Here I Am)
Rock Song of the Year (My Last Amen)
Seasonal Song of the Year (How Many Kings)
Inspirational Song of the Year (The Beggar Who Gave Alms)
Way to go Downhere! You guys really rock...in CANADA! Now come on down and spend a little time with the U.S.! :) Just kidding fellas!
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Late Night TV Fans
Switchfoot will be on Jimmy Kimmel Live on either November 12th/13th, which happens to be the street week for the new album "Hello Hurricane". This appearance also effectively kicks off the "Hello Hurricane Tour".
(Dates and information subject to change.)
11/8 San Diego, CA E.C Performing Arts Center – N/A 11/11 Los Angeles, CA The Roxy Theatre – L.A Regional FB 11/13 Scottsdale, AZ Martini Ranch – St Mary’s FB Alliance 11/14 Tucson, AZ The Rock – Community FB of Tucson 11/16 Oklahoma City, OK Diamond Ballroom – Regional FB of Oklahoma 11/17 Dallas, TX House of Blues – North Texas Food Bank 11/18 Austin, TX The Parish – Capital Area Food Bank 11/20 Houston, TX Warehouse Live – TBA 11/21 New Orleans, LA The Parish – Second Harvest FB 11/22 Nashville, TX Exit In – Second Harvest FB 11/24 Atlanta, GA The Loft – Atlanta Community FB 11/27 Anaheim, CA House of Blues – Second Harvest FB 11/28 Ventura, CA The Majestic – Food Share 12/3 Charlotte, NC Amos’ Southend – TBA 12/5 Richmond, VA The National – WDYL Snowball – N/A 12/7 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live – TBA 12/8 New York, NY The Fillmore @ Irving Plaza – Bowery Mission 12/9 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club – TBA
Need something new in your iTunes, CD Player, iPod, etc? How about the latest Kutless album? This new worship album, is awesome. Don't believe me? You can preview the entire album the rest of this week at NewReleaseTuesday.com
Go check it out and then go grab the album so you can add it to your iTunes, CD Player, iPod, etc.!
Oh, also for the next 12 days, leading up to November 10th, you can preview the upcoming Switchfoot album, "Hello Hurricane"! I personally can't wait for this album! The "12 Day's of Switchfoot" is happening right now at Switchfoot.com First song went up yesterday, "Needle and Haystack Life"!
Hey there! How would you like a FREE Jars of Clay song? Here are the details:
"As you fall back this week, help spread the word about Jars of Clay's new album, 'The Long Fall Back to Earth'. Tell your friends they can currently go to JarsofClay.com and get a FREE download of the Jars of Clay song, 'Heaven'."
Jars of Clay via Facebook
I'll do you one better...Just click the image below to go directly there!
"The tour with Superchic[k] and BarlowGirl has been ballistatic and stablatic (P-90X reference)! I think my favorite thing about this tour is having a bus with 15 people on it (us and Superchic[k]) and all the craziness that occurs because of it. Nothing generates community and brotherly love like packing oneself in a steel tube with wheels, going town to town like traveling minstrels, and doing life together.
"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" is a favorite Proverb from the Bible. Sparks can tend to fly, but the end result is a sharpening that can't be achieved on one's own. It's the brilliant design of God. All of us on the tour were able to listen to, pray for, and comfort Trish and Melissa of Superchic[k] when their mother had a heart attack while on the tour (she's doing very well now), and we all got the text about Mark's (Superchic[k]'s road manager) father being tested for cancer this coming week. "Together" let's carry each other's burdens, laugh, get silly, get ridiculous, get loud, and live life. I'm thankful for it."
-Case (VOTA)
Side note. VOTA currently has a song in my list of songs to consider, "Honestly". Man is it a good one. I hope to share it with you soon!
Q&A with Sara Groves: Q: Earlier this summer, your family had the privilege of visiting your sponsor child Iranzi in Rwanda. Share about that experience.
Sara:
"When we got to the house, Iranzi was away playing with some friends, and we had some time to talk to his mom and meet one of his older brothers and his youngest brother. Iranzi has eight siblings, ages two to twenty-one! His father was at the market with his two older sisters, so we did not get to meet them. The mother was very kind, and we talked about our kids through an interpreter. It was customary for them to ask us what they could be praying for, for us, and in turn we would ask the same of them.
After a while, Iranzi and a group of boys came down the hill. I could tell right away that sweet Iranzi was not used to being the center of attention. He is very serious and quiet. He seemed overwhelmed with the attention, so we decided to go inside the house to give them some small gifts. We had brought a bag of school supplies for each of the siblings, and a couple of other special things for Iranzi. We brought a hand powered flashlight for his father, and some lotions and other useful things for his mother. I had brought all of the gifts in a market bag, and also gave that to the mother... I think that was her favorite thing.
We prayed together in the house, and I couldn't help but notice that her prayers were all about heaven. Maybe because I have so many conveniences here on earth, I don't think about heaven like she does, but her greatest prayer was that we would all get to heaven, and her greatest thanksgiving was that when we got there, we would be together. What a hope, what joy, what a promise!"
Skillet - "Monster" Official Music Video.
Whoooo...This is dang cool. Love the video, love the song. We'll have to see where it goes. Without more delay...Watch the video below:
That's enough for today. Enjoy your day, and recommend a song if you get a chance, I'd love to hear what you're listening to.
I took Me In Motion - "Losers" for another couple spins over the last couple of days, and during that time I couldn't help but think there's a similar song floating out there. Now, let me preface this by saying, I'm not drawing any conclusions from this, just saying that there are some influential similarities between the following songs.
Since there isn't a music video for Me In Motion - "Losers" yet...You need to head to their MySpace to hear it. Once you have that reference...Come back here so we can finish. Here's the LINK!
...
Okay...Got it in your head? Now...Take a listen through The Bravery - "Believe".
Hmm...All I'm saying is that I felt I could sing "Believe" inside parts of "Losers",and vise versa. Am I claiming shenanigans? No...Clearly the chorus is different, I'm just drawing similarities in sound and style. So...If you like The Bravery, chances are you'll dig Me In Motion.
After the extra spins this week, "Losers" is still in my stack of need to listen to.
Delirious will be releasing "History Makers: Greatest Hits" November 17th. It's a final goodbye over a 16-year career for a band that gave Christian Music, "Do You Hear the Mountains Tremble?", "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever", and More! The band's last performance in the U.S. is this weekend in Dallas, Texas.
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Rolling Stone Appearance
If you can...Quick run out and grab an October 29th edition of Rolling Stone magazine. Inside you can read an interview with Switchfoot! The interview includes details about their upcoming album, "Hello Hurricane" and their efforts with Hurricane Katrina Relief and Habitat for Humanity.
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That's it! Go...Listen to music and enjoy your day.
Okay...Today's first post is about the eerily similar sounds in songs.
What brought this up, was a discussion in the studio this morning about Brandon Heath's current radio hit, "Wait and See". The discussion was that Heath's song has some very similar vocal structures as Lita Ford's "Kiss Me Deadly". Take a listen below, I put together the similar parts in one cut that goes back and forth between Brandon Heath's song and then Lita Ford's song.
Now...After this discussion was over, I couldn't help but think of another situation where this happened. The one I ran across years ago was Kutless - "Treason" and Live - "Lakini's Juice". Take a listen with the player below and see what you think. This similarity really only pertains to the intros to both songs, but I think they're similar enough.
I'll have to spend a little more time today tracking down some of the others I have run across. If you have one...Pass it on and let me know! I think it's fun!
Alright...Here's the latest breakdown of the most recent Music Test from JQ Family Rewards. First, I'll give you the Un-Filtered Results followed by the Filtered Results...We'll compare, and I tell you conclusions and what you can expect to hear going forward!
Un-Filtered Results:
Fireflight - "Unbreakable"
FM Static - "Take Me As I Am"
Skillet - "Hero"
The Afters - "Ocean Wide"
Decyfer Down - "Fading"
Filtered Results:
Fireflight - "Unbreakable"
FM Static - "Take Me As I Am"
NeedtoBreathe - "Lay 'Em Down"
The Afters - "Ocean Wide"
Skillet - "Hero"
So...Not too different. No matter how you cut it, Fireflight and FM Static are rockin' it all over the place. Fireflight also is pulling of over 90% familiarity, which means that over 90% of those that took the most recent Music Test a familiar with "Unbreakable". That's good.
Here's what I'm going to do. Fireflight - "Unbreakable" will be moving into regular rotation outside of Total Axxess evenings on JQ99. Filling that slot...Kutless - "What Faith Can Do"! I've spent a lot of time with this song, and I'm very excited to share it with you. Great tune! Oh...and they just released the album it's on this week...FYI.
Looking to the future...I'm watching you FM Static. You're getting to be about as popular as Fireflight. I'd bet in the next couple of weeks, we'll be moving you around too!
I'd like to add some new songs to my listening list, unfortunately I'm still working to get access to them! Err. Just so you know...Here are the ones I'm after and will hopefully be spending some time with soon!
Relient K - "Forget and Not Slow Down"
Seventh Day Slumber - "From the Inside Out"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "Forward Motion"
Run Kid Run - "My Sweet Escape"
Hawk Nelson - "Meaning of Life"
I still have 8 songs I'm listening through right now, so to add 5 more would be a lot, but I still want to!
Maybe a little late on this one, but still worth passing on. This past Monday, the Creation Festival: The Tour made a stop locally at Calvin College. I wasn't able make it, which I was really bummed about, but I did hear it was a great time.
If you weren't able to make it, or if you'd like to just relive some of the music you hear, good news...I'm going to hook you up with a link for 10 FREE songs by the Creation Festival Artists!
Here's the song list:
Jars of Clay - "Two Hands"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "The Flame in All of Us"
This Beautiful Republic - "Beautifully Broken"
B.Reith - "Go On"
Bluetree - "Life's Noise"
VOTA - "I'll Go"
Jonny Diaz - "Stand For You"
Kathryn Scott - "I Belong"
Don Poythress - "Fill Me Up"
and Brian Doerksen - "Broken & Beautiful"
Okay...Ready for the link...Click the image below and enjoy! Note: You need to enter your email address in order to download and iTunes is required, but it's still a very simple process.
Well...Here we go, another Tuesday...another group of CD's to go and pick up! Here's the checklist for today:
[] Kutless - "It Is Well" [] Jadon Lavik - "The Road" [] Matthew West - "Something to Say: Christmas Edition"
Note: I added little check boxes this week so you could print this off and check them off as you purchase them! Have fun collecting them all!
Here's a short Q&A with Steve Fee of...well...Fee.
Question: You're out on tour now with MercyMe and Jonny Diaz, and already folks seem to have story after story about how "Glory to God Forever" has affected their lives. How does this song bring hope to those going through these tough economic times?
Steve: "Regardless of the economic climate, the truth about our existence remains. We are created by God. We are created for god. And we are created for worship. This song is twofold: Part declaration and part prayer. It boils down to asking God to let our lives, in the good times and bad, through seasons of peace or storms, reflect the goodness and grandness of our Father."
Nice Steve...very nice.
Sharing time! Yes, time to share something new about myself, and here it is: More times than not I enjoy live music more than recorded. Why? Because there's so much more emotion in a live performance and it can also let you in and see the raw talent the artist(s) possess.
That said, here's an exclusive performance of Building 429's "Overcome".
Awesome guys! Thanks!
Oh! Almost forgot, 2 weeks from today, "Hello Hurricane", the upcoming release from Switchfoot hits stores. I'm very excited to hear the rest of this album, and even more excited at the iTunes Deluxe version. Wait, what? iTunes Deluxe version? Oh yeah! Here's what that entails according to Switchfoot's Facebook page:
Oh yeah...You know I'll be doing that! Thanks Switchfoot!
One last thing before I close for the day today. Two words...Todd Agnew. If you ever meet this guy, you'll be blown away. The dude's awesome in too many ways to list, and the voice when he sings live...WOOT! Anyway...Todd recently released "Need" a couple of weeks ago and it debuted Top 20!
Well...ToddAgnew.com is doing a series of videos that give you a "Story Behind the Song" for each song on the album. They're releasing them a week at a time. This week you can catch the video for "Written on the Wall", head HERE!
Whew! Full post today I think. Test scores tomorrow...as long as the report works correctly. We'll see!
Here...the sun is shining and works a buzzing, but where's the fun? Some could argue that the sun is fun, or that work is fun, but what I'm talking about is, really down and dirty fun.
You know who seems to be having it lately...Artists! Don't believe me...here's some proof.
Jason Gray and Jenny of Addison Road blowing up balloons with their noses.
B.Reith and some Grand Rapids bowling. (B.Reith is in town for the Creation Festival: The Tour featuring Jars of Clay, Thousand Foot Krutch, and more!)
Fee...ahem...I mean Fii, playing Wii with some Listener Winners.
That's right...Being a music artist doesn't have to be boring! Way to spice life up guys!
Well, I think that's about it for right now. I'll be spending part of my day running through Jason Gray's, "Everything Sad is Coming Untrue" today. I'll let you know what I think either later today, or tomorrow.
Have a good one...and make it a fun day. Music artists do...so why can't you!?
Don't forget...You have until the end of the day Monday to fill out the Kutless Giveaway Survey on JQ Family Rewards in a chance to win a copy of their new worship album, "It Is Well", by telling us what worship means to you! Here's the link!
If you aren't a member...Sign up...then fill out the survey. Silly.
Newsboys Chuck Taylor'sNewsboys have inked a new deal with American Athletics, a licensed Converse distributor, to launch their own line of Converse Chuck Taylor All Star shoes. It'll be the first time the shoes have been branded with a Christian Music Artist's logo.
Chuck Taylors have become a cultural icon, donning the names of legendary mainstream bands. A partnership with Newsboys manager Wes Campbell and American Athletics owner, Gary Church, made this opportunity a first for the Christian Music Industry.
"American Athletics has placed shoes on the feet of Mel Gibson, Whitney Houston, and the likes of Bob Dylan," said Church. "But I personally have never been involved with a group as excited to wear Chucks as Newsboys. Great group...Great shoe. Both are All Stars."
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Top 5 Selling CD's (week ending 10-11)
Relient K - "Forget and Not Slow Down"
WOW Hits 2010
Skillet - "Awake"
David Crowder* Band - "Church Music"
Chris Tomlin - "Glory in the Highest"
### Rapid-Fire Headlines:
Michael Tait, lead singer of the Newsboys, says he has a girlfriend, and it sounds serious. "I think she's the one," he said in a recent interview.
After severing ties with Word Records last year, Stellar Kart is no affiliated with INO Records, home to artists such as Sara Groves, MercyMe, and 33 Miles. They have a new album, "Everything is Different Now" set to release March 9, 2010.
American Music Awards are set for November 22nd on ABC. Nominated in the Inspirational Music Category: Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath, and Mary Mary.
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New Music (Tuesday, October 20th)
Kutless - "It Is Well"
Jadon Lavik - "The Road"
Matthew West - "Something to Say: Christmas Edition"
Okay...So you know how yesterday I told you I wasn't feeling well. Well...I didn't think it could happen, but I'm even worse today, most likely leaving work for the day.
That said, I thought I would post early, while I'm here, so that you have something to nibble on today.
Yesterday, I gave my initial thoughts on Me In Motion - "Losers". Well...I received an email after that short little blurb, from Dustin Burnett. He said he worked with Me In Motion on their song "Losers", and that he currently is working with a Portland, Maine group, The Wrecking. I've actually heard of them, but unfortunately...I haven't been able to place when and where. Sorry guys.
Anyway...Dustin suggested I take a listen through their latest EP, "Sound of the Resistance". So without further ado...Here are my initial thoughts on "Sound of the Resistance".
The Wrecking - "Sound of the Resistance"
Initial thoughts: Solid song. The chorus is really good, it's strong and singable, which is always fun. The lyrics are very clever and descriptive.
Now...A little background on how my mind works. When I hear a song...any song...my brain develops a Music Video for it, as long as I haven't seen the official Music Video for that song.
With that in mind, here's the funniest part of listening to this song? I listened to it in the player on The Wrecking's MySpace page. During my initial listen, my brain developed a Music Video for this song. Here's a short description of that video: I pictured a world in disarray with a growing resistance group going against some anonymous force.
Well you know what...I wasn't that far off. Here's the official Music Video that I later found on their MySpace page, after my Initial Thoughts.
The only other thing my brain added to my music video was that the band was leading the resistance, and had rocket launchers that shot love towards that anonymous force. Can't have everything right? :)
Anyway...Good song. I look forward to spending more time with it. Who knows...I could grace the Total Axxess part of JQ99.
Thanks Dustin for your song suggest. If you have a song suggestion for me...Shoot me an email!
Yeah...I didn't post yesterday. Why you ask? Because I wasn't feel good at ALL! Not even a little bit. Today, I'm feeling better with the exception of a stuffy ear. Makes listening to music a little hard today.
Moving on...Let's talk Music Shall we?
Here are the New Releases this week, that hit stores yesterday. Wait...What's that? Nothing? Oh...well then in that case...uh, let's talk about what some artists are talking about today:
Todd Agnew said, "Does anyone else ever get that old movie theater concession song, "Let's all go to the lobby", stuck in their head?"
My response is, "I didn't...but now I do! Thanks! :)"
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Matt from Superchic[k] said, "Any Superchick songs you want us to remix? Let me know we'll get it on the record."
My response is, "Umm...tough one...I'd have to say 'Pure'."
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David Crowder Band said, "Hulu is a lifesaver on tour."
My response is, "I've never been on tour...But it is a lifesaver when I miss the Office on Thursday nights!"
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Kirk Franklin said, "The most tweeted cereal: FROSTED FLAKES! May the Lord continue 2 bless your spoons & may your bowls overflow with goodness & berries. Bye!"
My response is, "Thanks for the tip Kirk! I'm not a Frosted Flakes fan, but I can appreciate that they are a part of a balance breakfast!"
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Oh yeah...So last week, I told you how Penny Brown from Centricity had contacted "The Music Test" to share some music with me. I never came back to tell you about any of it, so...Here are some thoughts about one of the songs she shared with me!
Me In Motion - "Losers"
Love it right of the bat. Within the first few seconds of the song I could tell I was going to like it. Great sound. Great concept of a song. Losers...ha...I was one in High School, or at least I could identify with their description of one.
In any case, it's a great song, and here's the exciting part. They're touring with the Newsboys, whom by the way are stopping at Sunshine Community Church on November 14th. I'd check out the concert if I were you!
Oh...And you can listen through "Losers" on their MySpace page. FYI.
Okay...So you ever have a song that seems to just come up, smack you upside the head with conviction and pats your back with love all at the same time.
For the last two days, it's been Sanctus Real - "Forgiven". My ears aren't the greatest at picking up words, I usually need to read liner notes or look up the lyrics. The song really amplified within me after I read the lyrics for this song.
I couldn't NOT share them with you. Here they are:
Forgiven by Sanctus Real
Well, the past is playing with my head And failure knocks me down again I'm reminded of the wrong That I have said and done And that devil just won’t let me forget
In this life I know what I’ve been But here in Your arms I know what I am
I’m forgiven I’m forgiven I don’t have to carry The weight of who I’ve been ’Cause I’m forgiven
My mistakes are running through my mind And I relive my days In the middle of the night And I struggle with my pain Wrestle with my pride Sometimes I feel alone and I cry
In this life I know what I’ve been But here in Your arms I know what I am
I’m forgiven I’m forgiven I don’t have to carry The weight of who I’ve been ’Cause I’m forgiven
When I don’t fit in And I don’t feel like I belong anywhere When I don’t measure up to much in this life Oh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ
'Cause I’m forgiven I’m forgiven I don’t have to carry The weight of who I’ve been ’Cause I’m forgiven
Oh...and here's a YouTube video with the song...Listen along!
Yep...That's what I call anyone who visits this lovely community I'm trying to build.
Hey...Really quick, while you get set for your day. I just activated a contest on JQ Family Rewards. (If you aren't familiar with what JQ Family Rewards is...Head HERE)
This contest is pretty easy...Kutless has a new album set to release on October 20th at your favorite music retailer. To celebrate and have a little fun, they'd like to give away a copy of the upcoming album, "It Is Well", as well as a brand new Espresso Maker! (See below)
To enter all you hav...huh...what's that? You'd like to know how Kutless and an Espresso Maker go together? Well it's simple, you see...the guys of Kutless are from good ole' Portland, Oregon and love their coffee, so they'd like to share some of their coffee love.
Interested now? Okay...Since the new album, "It Is Well" is a worship album, all we'd/they'd like to know is, "What does worship mean to you?". Just answer this question in the survey on JQ Family Rewards, and you'll be in the running!
Eh...so...with the whole NASA crashing a piece of space equipment into the moon wasn't that exciting. Which stinks...because then I could have said that I had a really good time watching the NASA channel. Ah well.
Consider that your "Headline Maker" story for the day today, since there wasn't a whole lot of other things going on this week. Or at least, things that I had time to dig up. FYI...A cold will rock your world the wrong direction.
Okay...Now...Music!
I had an exciting thing happen yesterday. (Thursday) Penny Brown from Centricity, a Christian Music Label, contacted me from this very blog that you're reading! What's exciting about that? Well...because it means that there are people actually viewing everything I'm spewing. (I should coin that phrase...although the mental picture isn't pretty).
Anyway...Let's just say that after a little email dialogue, Penny hooked this aspiring Music Director up! She scored me copies of Jason Gray's - "Everything Sad is Coming Untrue" and Matt Papa's - "My Kingdom Come" CD's, plus the first single from Me In Motion's upcoming release, "Losers".
Now...you might be reading and say...Dude, Jeremy, Blog Guy...How does this benefit me? Well...Here's what I'll do for you. I'll be listening to all of that music and giving some feedback so that you'll know if it's a purchase for you...or not.
Also...Just so you don't feel too left out, in regards to free music...Here's some for you!
I didn't put together a Music Test within the last week, so today, I'm going to talk about the songs I'm listening to, and I wrap today up with a fun contest announcement!
First...Here's what I'm listening to:
(Screenshot from my iTunes. Click to enlarge.)
What's that? Can't quite see it? Well here, let me break it down and explain some of that stuff.
First...Here's the list in order of my personal preference:
Kutless - "What Faith Can Do" (85% - 15)
Phil Stacey - "You're Not Shaken" (75% - 14)
Chasen - "On and On" (75% - 15)
Switchfoot - "Mess of Me" (70% - 6)
VOTA - "Honestly" (70% - 17)
Remedy Drive - "Heartbeat" (70% - 12)
Building 429 - "Overcome"(60% - 14)
Robbie Seay Band - "Miracle" (55% - 11)
Mikeschair - "Let the Waters Rise" (55% - 11)
First off...The order is based on their percent, and the percent is based on after several listens, the chance I believe that song has of making its way to the Total Axxess part of JQ99's day.
Second...The number to the right of the percent...That's the play count. That's how many times I've listened through the song all the way through. iTunes doesn't count listening to a song halfway through as a play count.
Anyway...So that's the data I have to work with currently. No changes coming this week though, I'd like to let the songs currently in rotation soak a little.
Alright...Now...Time for a fun contest announcement. This is insider info, since it hasn't quite been released to anyone out side of the staff here at the station but...
Kutless has a new worship album releasing on October 20th. It's called, "It Is Well". My current #1 song that I've been listening to is from that album. Anyway...as they gear up for the release they would like to have some fun with our listeners!
Here's the idea. It may be tweaked, so keep that in mind. They would like to give away some copies of the new release with a grand prize of an Espresso Maker. If you didn't already know...Kutless if from Portland, and they love their coffee, so they thought that they'd share a little coffee love with a grand prize winner!
The contest will go down like this...Listeners...you...will be requested to simply write and submit what "Worship" means to you. We'll read over all the submissions and pull some winners. Pretty easy huh?
Anyway...Stay tuned for more details about that in the coming week or so!
Okay...So apparently, I've started a bad habit of not posting something every day, and I was doing so well with it. Ah well...Here we are...Tuesday. Let's play a little catch up!
First...Since it is Tuesday...That means NEW RELEASES! Here's what you can expect in stores today:
WOW Hits 2010 CD/DVD
Relient K - "Forget and Not Slow Down"
Todd Agnew - "Need"
Fee - "Hope Rising"
Chris Tomlin - "Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship"
Big Daddy Weave - "How Many Kings: Songs for Christmas"
There you go...Whether you just need some new music or Christmas music, today's New Releases will deliver!
Moving on...
Since posting on Friday, I've pick up a nice case of a soar throat. It's no fun, and I wish those that shared it with me would have kept it to themselves, but alas...Here I am.
However...my tiny soar throat is minuscule compare to what Brian Littrell was just diagnosed with. The Backstreet Boy/Christian solo artist was just diagnosed with Swine Flu (H1N1 for those of us who like to be technical).
Anyway...Looks like the "Boys" were forced to cancel their New York City Promotional tour. Good new though? The rest of them aren't showing any signs. Sorry Brian...That's no fun, we pray you have a speedy recovery. Here's a link to more on that story.
What else has happened in the last couple of days...Oh...here's something nice and lighthearted! Not sure if you've ever run across these before, but MercyMe does these things called, "Cover Tune Grab Bag".
Basically...Acoustically, they cover a song, NOT necessarily a Christian song. Well...their latest one is from the Disney Movie "Jungle Book"..."Wanna Be Like You", oh and they're performing in in DisneyWorld!
One more thing before I close for today. Come on...had to make up for NOT posting yesterday. Here's a short Q&A with VOTA. (Formerly Casting Pearls)
"What up?!? What's the latest in VOTA World"
Hey ya'll, we just go back from Hawaii and we're now in Texas prepping for the BarlowGirl/Superchick Fall Tour so I thought I would throw a "ya'll" for good measure. It's been good to get to know everyone on the tour and we are all stoked to get this thing underway. We'd love to see you at a show!
So I went running with Code (new guitar player) last night and was completely humbled by my inability to keep up with a marathon runner. Holy smokes! I felt old and fat. Time to hit P90-X a bit more and get frisky on the treadmill this fall. I may even have to cut back on the cereal intake as well (which is no small feat). Be sure to ask me about getting in shape - I need some good acocuntability!
Peace and Love and look for "Honestly" on the airwaves after October 9th!
Oops...So yeah...Yesterday I got a little busy with things 'round here and didn't realize I hadn't posted until I had gotten home. By then...I was so wiped, I just couldn't get you something yesterday. But...
That's okay...You get something today! Here's what's making headlines this week!
New Releases (Tuesday, October 6th)
WOW Hits 2010 CD/DVD
Relient K - "Forget and Not Slow Down"
Todd Agnew - "Need"
Fee - "Hope Rising"
And since we're now less than 3 months away from Christmas...
Chris Tomlin - "Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship"
Downhere - "How Many Kings: Songs for Christmas"
### Top 5 Selling Albums (as of Sept. 27th)
David Crowder* Band - "Church Music"
Skillet - "Awake"
Hawk Nelson - "Live Life Loud"
Pillar - "Confessions"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "Welcome to the Masquerade"
"Church Music" sold 35,000 copies its first week to soar to #11 on the Billboard Top 200! It also held #1 on the iTunes Christian & Gospel Album Charts and #3 on the overall iTunes Album Chart. Nice job guys!
###
Family Force 5 in West Michigan
Family Force 5 has chosen West Michigan to be the starting point for their upcoming Christmas Tour. Their tour, featuring their new Christmas CD, kicks off at Resurrection Life Church in Wyoming on Saturday, November 28th. The "Family Force 5 Christmas Pageant" will highlight their new holiday CD.
Winter Jam 2010!
