Impromptu Josh Wilson!

I'm a little behind on getting to this story, but then again...there might be a chance that you are too!

Earlier this week I received an email talking about Josh Wilson and some attention he's recently received. Apparently...Josh was stuck at the Newark airport the day of the security breach.

While he and thousands of other travelers dealt with the crumby situation of waiting around for authorities to capture the perpetrator, Josh decided to react in opposite way that probably most of us would have reacted.

Instead of being upset, impatient, rude, grumpy, etc. Josh decided to bust out his guitar and lead the surrounding strangers in a round of The Beatles - "Hey Jude". Here's the video:



Now...That's not all. Apparently CNN & Inside Edition have been trying to contact Josh to get his reaction to the event and how he responded, but he's currently in India on a mission trip!

How fun!

Also...One last thing...We just added Josh's latest single, "Before the Morning". So be sure to listen for it on 99.3...JQ99!

~j
I'll give it a listen.
themusictest@gmail.com

Unity: Day Zero

So...Right about now...Big Daddy Troy West from the "Big Show" here at JQ99 is unveiling the Unity: Day Zero line-up.

For those of you now familiar with Unity...or Day Zero. Here's a quick explanation.

Unity is a 3-day music festival that usually takes place the first Thursday, Friday, Saturday in August. A couple years ago, they added "Day Zero" which occurred on the Wednesday before the Thursday of Unity: Day One.

Anyway...There's lots of music, food, fun, and fellowship all on the waterfront of Heritage Landing in Muskegon, Michigan.

Now...There's one more thing I failed to mention about "Day Zero". Unlike Unity (Days 1, 2, and 3)...There's NO charge, cost, or tickets! It's completely FREE! With the exception of merchandise and food of course. So...Being FREE, it's a great day to bring Youth Groups, Small Groups, Friends, etc.

Okay...So now you know what it is...Let's go ahead and give you the line up, so you know who's coming. I will say this...Out of the 3-4 years they've been doing "Day Zero"...This is the very first time I've been excited about the line-up! (No offense.)

Since I've probably killed enough time to allow Troy to make the announcement, I'm free to post about it...So...Here you go!

Unity: Day Zero - Wednesday, August 11th

• FM Static
• VOTA
• Fireflight
• and headlining...Thousand Foot Krutch!
  

SWEET! Can't wait!

~j
I'll give it a listen.
themusictest@gmail.com

Naomi Striemer?

Ever heard of her? I haven't. However...Earlier this week, I was passed a short email steering me towards Naomi's website in order to download and listen to her latest single, "Stay With Me (Tonight)".

Fair enough...Let's do this! Here are my thoughts of the song, in "real" time. "Real" meaning, that I'm typing these thoughts as I listen to the song for the very first time, so "real" time for me...However...since you won't see this until after I'm done, it's not really "real" time for you. Make sense? Clear as mud? Okay...Let's go!

Naomi Striemer - "Stay With Me (Tonight)"

• Nice piano intro.
• Airy voice, along the lines of Celine Dion.
• A little hard to hear the vocals...but from what I can hear...it's pleasant singing.
• As far as the words/lyrics/message...Having difficulty catching it
• Clearly a power ballad.

Okay...To summarize. Nice voice...the music's good too. The mix could use some work to help bring up the vocals and reveal the words/lyrics/message a little better. My gut reaction is that this type of song fits better during the Christmas music season and not our regular airplay here at JQ99. A bit too slow for our tempo.

If you'd like to find out more about Naomi Striemer and her lovely voice. Here are a couple of links for you:

• NaomiStriemer.org
• NaomiStriemerMusic.com
• FREE Download of "Stay With Me (Tonight)" via NaomiStriemer.org
  

Thanks for sharing Naomi!

~j
I'll give it a listen.
themusictest@gmail.com

Music Video Wednesday!

Ha! It's Wednesday! Half-way through the work week. Couple days into the week...Couple days away from the weekend. Let's relax and watch a video together!

Me in Motion just released the Official Music Video for their latest single, "Losers". Check it out!



Love the ending by the way! Couples Skate...Ha!

~j
I'll give it a listen.
themusictest@gmail.com

Awww...A "Thank You!"

I'm not a "Card Sending" kind of guy. Well...I should take that back. I never used to be. However...When I married my wife...a "Card Sending" kind of gal...She's been able to morph me into a more "Card Sending" kind of guy.

So...Because I know how much work it can be to write out a snail mail card and send it out, I have to appreciate them, when I get 'em.

That's what happened recently...Take a look...

Wow! It's actually HAND-WRITTEN! Who does this anymore? People who care...that's who! :)

Thanks Chasen! You...and the rest of the band...ROCK!

Note: Now yes...The card is addressed to Gary. He was the former Music Director here at the station. They just happened to send it during the transition and thus the updated info didn't get there in time. No worries though! :)

~j
I'll give it a listen.
themusictest@gmail.com

Hokey Pete!

("We Have a Winner")

Okay...So...I've got a LOT of stuff to catch up on. You see...Last week was my first FULL week as the official Music Director here at JQ99, and it was nothing short of crazy! In a good way though. I haven't had a week go by that fast, since my last vacation!

First...If you remember, and look back a couple of posts ago, I created a contest. For Christmas I received a $15 iTunes gift card. Only trouble was...I couldn't come up with anything to spend it on. So...I asked for your help in spending it for me. I got some really good suggestions, thanks, by the way.

Now...I get to choose one of those suggestions, spend the iTunes gift card, and reward the person responsible for the TOP suggestion!

Who came up with the TOP suggestion? Matt Carlson from Fremont! Here's what he suggested:

1. Hillsong United - "Desert Song"
2. David Crowder* Band - "How He Loves"
3. Phil Wickham - "Cannons"
4. Chris Tomlin - "I Will Rise"
5. Casting Crowns - "God Is With Us"
6. Bebo Norman - "A Million Raindrops"
7. Jeremy Camp - "This Man"
8. MercyMe - "Bring the Rain"
9. Addison Road - "What Do I Know of Holy"
10. FM Static - "Take Me As I Am"
11. Christy Nockels - "Hosanna"
12. Casting Crowns - "Until The Whole World Hears"
13. and Jeremy Camp - "Let It Fade"

At .99 cents a piece, Matt spent $14.76 of my $15. Nicely done Matt. I don't own any of these songs yet...so some really great choices!

Now...What did Matt win? 4 Cd's of my choosing!

1. NeedtoBreathe - "The Outsiders"
2. Leeland - "Love is On The Move"
3. Pillar - "Confessions"
4. and Red - "Innocence & Instinct"

Enjoy Matt...and Congratulations. Also...Thank you to everyone who sent in suggestions! I'll save 'em for future purchases!

~j
I'll give it a listen.
themusictest@gmail.com

New Releases! (or maybe not)

Quick...Run to you nearest music retailer and pick up:

Oh wait...There aren't any. Well...Then...Let's find something else to talk about!

2009's in the books and there are always lots of countdowns when a year closes out, so why should 2009 be any different? Here some countdown lists:

Top 10 Albums of 2009:

1. WOW Hits 2009
2. Mary Mary - "The Sound"
3. Michael W. Smith - "A New Hallelujah"
4. Chris Tomlin - "Hello Love"
5. Casting Crowns - "Peace on Earth"
6. Third Day - "Revelation"
7. Jeremy Camp - "Speaking Louder Than Before"
8. Skillet - "Awake"
9. Red - "Innocence & Instinct"
10. Tenth Avenue North - "Over and Underneath"

Top 10 Christian Songs of 2009:

1. Matthew West - "The Motions"
2. Tenth Avenue North - "By Your Side"
3. Phillips Craig & Dean - "Revelation Song"
4. Jeremy Camp "There Will Be a Day"
5. Chris Tomlin - "I Will Rise"
6. Jonny Diaz - "More Beautiful You"
7. Chris and Conrad - "Lead Me To The Cross"
8. Brandon Heath - "Wait and See"
9. Third Day - "Born Again"
10. Francesca Battistelli - "Free To Be"

Finally...Top 20 Songs of 2009, put together by JQ99 Listeners:

1. tobyMac - "City on Our Knees"
2. Addison Road - "What Do I Know of Holy"
3. Philips, Craig, & Dean - "Revelation Song"
4. Casting Crowns - "Until the Whole World Hears"
5. 33Miles - "Jesus Calling"
6. Francesca Battistelli - "It's Your Life"
7. Skillet - "Hero"
8. Newsboys - "In the Hands of God"
9. Jonny Diaz - "More Beautiful You"
10. Third Day - "Born Again"
11. Bluetree - "God of this City"
12. John Waller - "While I'm Waiting"
13. Chris Tomlin - "Sing, Sing, Sing"
14. Jeremy Camp -"Speaking Louder Than Before"
15. Newsboys - "Glorious"
16. Downhere - "My Last Amen"
17. Sidewalk Prophets - "The Words I Would Say"
18. Jars of Clay - "Two Hands"
19. NeedtoBreathe - "Lay 'Em Down"
20. Mark Schultz - "He Is"

~j
I'll give it a listen.
themusictest@gmail.com

Switchfoot on "Late, Late Show" tonight!

Want to catch some live Switchfoot performances this week?

Your first opportunity comes up tonight as Switchfoot rings in the new year with a performance on "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson"!

Also...Coming up on Thursday, Switchfoot will be one of two groups playing the ESPN National Championship Tailgate, which will take place at the Rose Bowl Stadium just before the Alabama Crimson Tide face the Texas Longhorns in the Citi BCS National Championship Game!

Pencil these in on your calendar!

~j
I'll give it a listen.
themusictest@gmail.com