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INSIDEccm
october 2001 content
ALL ACCESS
11 Rhythm Is Gonna Get You
Latin music is dancing onto the Christian
music scene, looking for listeners—no
Spanish required.
14 10 Questions
With Toby McKeehan
18 Spin Control
19 Music That Matters
20 Page Turners
22 Story Behind the Song
Celebrating 20 years in Christian music,
Twila Paris reflects on the lessons that
led her to pen “The Warrior Is a Child.”
24 Opening Acts
Get to know Joy Williams and
Shaun Groves.
28
42
COVER STORY
28 Two years speechless before God brought Steven Curtis
Chapman to an unfamiliar place, settling where life’s messes
and mysteries cannot be explained away. by Lindy Warren
FEATURES
40 With a bold call to action, Skillet unleashes its latest rage
against the machine. by Dave Urbanski
42 Andrew Peterson spent his early years struggling to
figure out where he fit in. Now, with Clear to Venus, he takes
listeners on a scenic ride through the struggles and joys of
this world and the mysteries of the next, while encouraging
everyone to find their unique place in the universe.
by Wendy Lee Nentwig
www.ccmmagazine.com
40
DEPARTMENTS
6 Foreword Thinking
From the editors
8 Feedback
Your letters
44 Shop Talk
Gear for aspiring
musicians
49 In Review
A buying guide for
albums, videos and
books
59 On Tour
Concert reviews
and dates
65 By the Numbers
66 Consider This
Our last word from
author/artist
John Fischer
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FEEDBACK
your letters
PRAISE FOR
UNITY’S VOICE
Thank you so much for
the article on Nicole C.
Mullen in the August
2001 issue. She has an
amazing voice, and her
song, “Redeemer,” has
made me truly realize
just exactly who God is.
My favorite part of the
article was when she
said, “I get up on stage
and I say, ‘Guess what?
Heaven is not segregated!’” Amen to
that, Nicole. I think that as Christians,
we should be willing to stretch our
comfort zones to welcome others of
different races and rejoice in our
diversity. I am a member of a 95 percent
white church, but more often lately
we’ve started reaching out to those of
different races, with different incomes,
etc. Thanks to those artists who have
tried to open doors for all of us.
Katie Hahn
Abilene, TX
I have been so blessed by your article in the
May 2001 issue, “Music Without Walls.”
As a matter of fact, before I had received
that issue, coincidentally, I had written my
local Christian radio station and asked
them to please turn up the volume on
gospel and R&B. Unfortunately, they
didn’t. I was very discouraged. But now
after I read that inspiring article on Nicole
C. Mullen, I have mustered up some
strength. I have written another letter to a
different radio station! CCM, you gave me
new energy! I want to start breaking down
walls, too. The body of Christ should be
one, and I will do everything in Christ’s
name to help us come together. Thank you
for your magazine!
Gifty Akofio-Sowah
Richfield, MN
POP ROCKS!
I was so happy to see you had an article
on Switchfoot. They are my favorite
band, and I really enjoy their music. It
would be nice if you would do more
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coverage on them more
often. Rock on Jon, Tim
and Chad. God has
really used you in a
special way.
Ashley Sopkie
Old Forge, PA
BEHIND THE TREE
Thank you so much for
including By the Tree in
your new music lists and
tour dates. I love the
group, and they’re very
down to earth guys. Maybe you could
interview them or something. I think
that everyone should get to know these
great guys who have a lot to share about
how God has changed their lives.
Sarah Aguilar
Arlington, TX
The gentlemen from Ft. Worth, Texas, are
scheduled to be featured next month in our
Opening Acts section!
THERE’S SOMETHING
ABOUT THAT
FISCHER…
I’m writing in response to
“Jesus! There’s Just
Something About That
Name” [August 2001].
While there are some valid
points stated, I disagree
about the effects of being
offended by sin. As
Christians, we should never
become so immersed in
this culture that we are not
offended by/become
immune to the sin around
us (2 Corinthians 6:17). No, I do not
want swearing in movies, and yes, I am
offended by it in life (though this does
not mean I love non-Christians any less).
However, I believe being offended has a
positive effect on non-Christians. Many
of them cease offensive acts when I am
around, not upon my request, but out of
respect for me. Many of these nonChristians have told me how my
influence has made them aware of their
sins and caused them to begin to change
their behavior. I believe this positive
impact is of far greater importance than
adapting to sin.
Robin Crabtree
Durham, NC
I want to thank you for the blessing of
John Fischer’s monthly column. It is
always insightful and thought provoking.
Here, I share a few thoughts provoked
by his piece in the August 2001 issue of
CCM (“Jesus! There’s Just Something
About That Name”). When we are
tempted to be offended by the behavior
of the unsaved, let us remember the
words of Jesus as He hung on the
cross—“Father forgive them, they don’t
know what they’re doing.”
Tyler Sherman
Bay Head, NJ
JUST BY CHANCE
I got my CCM MAGAZINE the other day,
and I noticed a little piece called “The
Boys of Summer” about Phat Chance. I
just wanted to tell you how awesome it
was to finally see
them getting noticed.
I know that they just
got signed, but I’ve
been a PC fan for a
year now, so I’m really
happy for them. The
magazine’s awesome,
and you guys are
doing a good job
getting the Word out
there!
Mellanie Corboy
Hume, VA
We welcome your comments. Address letters to
Feedback, CCM MAGAZINE, 104 Woodmont Blvd.,
Third Floor, Nashville, TN 37205; fax 615/385-4112,
attn: Feedback. Or e-mail [email protected].
Always include your full name, address and phone
number. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.
Subscription Questions:
call 800/333-9643
or visit our customer service link at
www.ccmmagazine.com.
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LATIN MUSIC POISED FOR GROWTH
PACE QUICKENS FOR TWO RECORD LABELS SERVING HISPANIC CHRISTIANS
L
ast year, amidst the
flurry of attention
surrounding the
surging popularity of
artists like Christina
Aguilera, Ricky
Martin and Jennifer
Lopez, a journalist
commented to
Lopez that it seemed like a good
time to be Latin. “It’s always a
good time to be Latin,”
Lopez replied.
During the past couple of
years it has been very, very good
to be Latin as somewhat of a
Latin music invasion has
occurred, notably illustrated in
last year’s formation of the Latin
Grammys (the second of which
was held last month). Then
there’s the recently released
federal census information on
the growth of the Latino
population in the United
States. The numbers suggest the
group could soon surpass
African-Americans as the largest
minority group.
Enter two Christian labels that
see an under-developed Hispanic
market—an opportunity to serve
Latin-flavored pop music to
consumers the Christian music
industry is not consistently
reaching. One Voice Records and
Atlantic Records are moving to
be more intentional in the next
few months, and in doing so will
further diversify Christian
music’s sound.
Historically, the bulk of
Christian music targeting
Hispanics has come from acts rerecording their English music in
Spanish. Crystal Lewis, Fernando
Ortega, Steve Green, Margaret
Becker and The Katinas are
among those who have made such
contributions. Recently acts like
Jaci Velasquez and Salvador have
taken that initiative a bit further,
recording some original music for
the Latin market.
Leading the effort in reaching
the Latin audience is Miami-based
One Voice Records (www.onevoice.com) with an artist roster
that includes Freddie Colloca,
Ileana Garces and Alvaro Lopez,
all of whom have already released
albums in Spanish and English.
“We’ve been trying for years,
and it’s not until now that
anyone’s paid attention,” said One
Voice’s Jose Garces Jr. “I think it’s
a move of the Lord combined
with markets and the census—it’s
God’s timing. We weren’t being
paid attention to [before], and we
weren’t ready.”
But they are now. One Voice’s
artists bring a style and flavor to
their music that is uniquely Latin.
And while many of the label’s
artists will be unfamiliar to an
English-speaking audience,
they’re already making a name
for themselves in the Latin
music scene.
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The charismatic Freddie Colloca is an
established artist in Latin countries, “drawing
thousands of people when he performs
outside the states,” according to manager
Scott McReynolds of Vertical Entertainment.
“I [first] saw him at a Gospel Music
Association showcase, and there was a real
magnetism about what he did on
stage that really captivated the
audience.” This year Colloca was
nominated for a Dove Award for
his album, Mas que un Sentimento.
A well-regarded musician in
Mexico, Alvaro Lopez began as a
teen drummer for Menudo,
eventually landing a gig with Luis
Miguel, a veteran artist in Latin
America. His upcoming release
blends dance, R&B and jazz
sounds.
Dance/pop with a Latin
flair is the forte of Ileana
Garces’ music. “She has a
passion to minister to people
within the church walls, to
help kids understand where to
find that first love with God
even if they’ve [grown up] a
Christian,” Garces Jr. said.
One Voice has also signed
teen singer Julissa, who’s had
three indie releases and sold a
total of 150,000 of the albums south of the
border. The label’s four releases for 2002—
new records in English from Ileana Garces,
Colloca, Alvarez and Julissa’s English debut—
will be recorded and written with Nashvillebased players and writers to solidify their pop
sound, while maintaining their Latin
authenticity, according to Garces Jr. and
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at the helm, will be marketed to Christian,
general market pop and Latin audiences and
will get a big push from Atlantic. “We fully
expect this to be completely dominant. We
expect this to be the new artist of next year,”
said Tabb. “We feel like [Latin music] is the
next wave or gap that needs to be filled in
Christian music.”
To raise consumer awareness of the
availability of Christian Latin music,
distributor Provident and One Voice
have put together a campaign for
Christian bookstores called “Si!
Tenemos Música en Español!” (“Yes!
We Have Music in Spanish!”). One
Voice and Provident hope
specifically the campaign will
help inform the Spanishspeaking community of this
music. “According to the
RIAA, the average Latin music
consumer purchases almost
one new CD a week, but if
you don’t have music in
Spanish or your customers
don’t know you have it, you
won’t sell it,” Jose Garces,
president of One Voice, said in a
The Katinas, Salvador and Velasquez (clockwise from top)
press statement.
If history repeats itself, as with urban
Hispanic girl group to
music, the Latin genre may become as
release alongside the
popular amongst the general population as
next Plus One record in
within the Latin community. “The U.S. for
February. The group was put together by
years has been such a blessing for Latin
Atlantic’s Barry Landis, who auditioned
America. Now it’s God’s timing for that
singers in Puerto Rico, Los Angeles and
passion for the Lord that’s been cultivated in
Miami in what label spokesman Ronn Tabb
Latin America, for us to be able to bring that
calls “a long process of finding truly bilingual
and give back,” Garces Jr. said. “We feel like
singers.” Their album, still in the works with
God has placed us in the right place at the
Rudy Perez (Velasquez, Aguilera) and Brian
right time.”
Rawlings (Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole)
—Beau Black
McReynolds. American audiences will likely
get an opportunity to see Colloca in the near
future, but tour plans were still in the works
at press time.
Meanwhile, the Christian arm of Atlantic
Records is also joining the Latin music fray.
Atlantic is readying a still-to-be-named
SURFTHIS WEB SITES TO EXPLORE
www.babelfish.com
www.time.com/time/time100/index.html
www.snapbubbles.com
As the popularity of Latin music rises, it’s a
good idea to brush up on your Spanish skills so
you can understand albums like Jaci Velasquez’
Mi Corazón or The Katinas’ Destino. Practice
with Babel Fish—it can translate virtually any
Web site from
English to
Spanish (or
even French,
German,
Chinese
and more).
If we’re going to impact our world, we need to
learn about others who have succeeded in doing
so. Check out the Time 100, a list of the
magazine’s picks for the 100 most important
people of the 20th century. The list is split into five
categories, including artists and entertainers. Billy
Graham made the
list. Mother Teresa
did too. Bob Dylan
made the cut. To
find out who else
did, explore the
Time 100.
So you just got some new CDs in the mail.
Sure, you’re excited about the music, but first
you have to pop the great bubble wrap the
CDs are protected in. But now you don’t have
to wait until the next time you get a package to
pop bubble wrap. Just go to Snapbubbles.com
and pop the virtual,
ever-regenerating
bubble wrap. It’s
almost as fun as
the original!
—Adam Woodroof
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TENQUESTIONS
WITH TOBY McKEEHAN
1. If you could ask God one question right now, what
would it be?
Tell me about Creation.
2. What makes you laugh?
[My son] Truett. Because he laughs and it makes me laugh. His laugh
is infectious, man!
3. What are you afraid of?
Failure.
4. What movie has impacted you the most and why?
The Matrix because it hit me on so many different levels. Some deep
people wrote that.
5. What was your first job, and what did you learn
from it?
Cleaning office buildings at night so I could go have fun all day. I
learned not to procrastinate. There were many days I’d choose to go
out with my friends to Georgetown to hang out, and then I’d have to
go work. I think I learned to plan better.
6. If you’re ever a
grandparent, what do
you want your
grandchildren to
call you?
Pops.
7. What’s your
favorite old hymn?
“It Is Well With My Soul.”
8. What are your
nicknames?
Turtle! They call me Turtle,
because I’m kinda slow moving
(as you can tell asking these
questions). Also, T-Mac;
Tizzoby—it’s slang… you just
put these izzs in the middle of
words; Slowby, because I’m
slow.
9. If you were president
for a day, what would you
do first?
I’d flip the economy and try to equalize
where the flow of money goes, try to
share some of the love. If I was God, I’d abolish
racism.
10. What’s the most relied upon spiritual
truth in your life?
McKeehan
Oswald Chambers: “Give up your right to yourself.”
—Gregory Rumburg
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Worth a Listen
Pastor Alistair Begg shares what he
believes makes people take note of a
Christian’s music
The Rev. Alistair Begg was born in Scotland and spent the first 30
years of his life in the United Kingdom. In 1983, he became senior
pastor at Parkside Church in suburban Cleveland. Begg has become a
well-known speaker, author and talk-radio personality. This summer
he led devotional sessions for attendees at the Gospel Music Association’s
Seminar in the Rockies, an annual gathering of the Christian music
industry and Christian artist
hopefuls, in Estes Park,
Colorado. Recently Begg
shared with CCM MAGAZINE
some of his thoughts on
Christian music.
CCM MAGAZINE: Why
were you asked to
take part in Seminar in
the Rockies? What’s
your connection to
Christian music?
Alistair Begg: I spoke there
in 1995 and have been
asked back each year since,
but this was the first year
I’ve been able to go back.
I’m not connected in any
peculiar way—I think they
Begg
wanted the Bible
[presented], but also wanted somebody who wasn’t completely out
of touch with the music world. I have friends in the music
business; probably my closest friend is Fernando Ortega.
What music do you listen to?
I have a very eclectic interest in music. I can go from the
Cleveland Symphony Orchestra to Pink Floyd and all points in
between. I grew up in the ’60s with The Beatles. I listen to music
with good melodies and good words. I’m still stuck with guys like
James Taylor, Paul Simon and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. In
the Christian realm, I enjoy Jars of Clay, some of the stuff that dc
talk has done, Fernando… I like listening to all kinds of things.
When you spoke at Seminar in the Rockies, you said
Christians need to be the thinkers of today to combat
mindlessness and meaninglessness. What did you mean?
The 20th century spawned the ugly twins of mindlessness and
meaninglessness. The sense of emptiness and futility that pervades
a lot of contemporary music is a product of a worldview that starts
with time, plus matter, plus chance [evolution]. So it’s no surprise
then that people would have such a nihilistic outlook on life,
(continued on page16)
ILLUSTRATION: RICK BALDWIN
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The Choir Releases Collection Spanning Two Decades
After paving the
Hindalong, Michaels, Daugherty (l-r)
way for Christian
alternative bands in
the 1980s and ’90s,
The Choir is setting
precedents once
again, this time with
the release of
arguably the most
comprehensive box
set in Christian
music history.
Never Say Never:
The First 20 Years
(Galaxy 21 Music)
features nine of the
band’s studio albums,
a disc of rare and unreleased tracks, four new songs
and a 170-page book chronicling The Choir’s
history. “We always strive to be first, better or
different in one way or another,” said The Choir’s
Dan Michaels, now president of Galaxy 21 Music
and executive producer of the project. Saxophonist
Michaels and the rest of his Choir companions—guitarist Derri
Daugherty, drummer Steve Hindalong and bassist Tim
Chandler—may have accomplished all three with Never Say Never.
For longtime fans of The Choir’s groundbreaking alternative
rock sound, the set is an opportunity to complete their musical
collections. Never Say Never includes every Choir song to date
(excluding those found on 2000’s Flap Your Wings, which is still
(continued from page14)
because they are just chance beings—accidents! The Christian
musician has a phenomenal opportunity to write out of a worldview
that is uniquely Christian.
Can you do that—effectively present the Christian
worldview—in a three-minute pop song?
Let’s say that a bunch of Christian kids came up with a song
equivalent to The Beatles’ “Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da.” It’s a really good song
like it is—just go out and sing it. But don’t trivialize Christ and the
gospel by trying to put it in that song. You can’t sing songs that are so
light and frothy and at the same time get across the intensity of the
message. [The gospel] doesn’t fit with every genre of music. I think
that’s why so many producers and others are saying, “We have to
lighten this up,” [and are] just making wholesome songs with no
apparent Christian content to them.
But if “Christian” music has no Christian content, how will
anybody know the difference?
I’m intrigued by the fact that only Christian music is defined by
lyrical content. I’ve got a real dilemma with a lot of this stuff because
I’d be far happier for Christian people to be in the mainstream end of
the industry and writing from a Christian worldview and simply
writing a good song, whatever it’s commenting on, overt or not. Then
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available at retail) and then some. “It’s so complete,” Hindalong
said. “It’s a chance for someone who has been a real loyal fan to
get everything we’ve done. Plus we’ve never released outtakes
[until now]—b-sides, things that are kind of embarrassing, early
stuff, bizarre things—I think the fans will really appreciate it.”
The set also includes four new songs recorded specifically
for the project: “Follow Me” and “Noon ’Til Whenever,”
recorded as the band, plus solo cuts from Daugherty
and Hindalong.
Often Christian music retrospectives are chock full of
music but lacking in chronicling the history of their
subjects. But with the band’s complete history, lyrics to
every song, a detailed timeline of Choir events, tributes
from fans as well as insiders, and more, the box set’s
170-page book is a definitive resource.
The collection is scheduled to hit the shelves of
Christian bookstores this month with a limited run of
2,000 copies, but has been available online at
www.thechoir.net since June. Michaels said response
has been fantastic. “For an artist that is pretty much
semi-retired to still have that connection with an
audience has been kind of mind blowing for us,” he
said. “Once they get the box set in their hands, they’re
pretty much speechless.”
The Choir will appear on the spring 2002 follow-up to City on
a Hill and plans to hit festivals next summer, but no fall tour
plans or new studio albums are currently in the works. So does the
box set signify the final chapter of The Choir?
“Never say never,” Michaels said.
—Adam Woodroof
when asked, “What makes you tick?” they can talk about what they
stand for. You don’t identify a Christian plumber because he ties John
3:16 around his pipes. He just does a real good job, and when people
ask why he’s different, he’ll say, “Well, I’m a Christian.”
What Christian artists have you seen making that kind
of statement?
I think in the last 24 months of anything that I’ve seen that came
close was when Sixpence was on David Letterman, and he called
Leigh [Nash] over and she went straight to talking about C.S. Lewis.
That’s the kind of thing I’m talking about right there.
So how can artists prepare so they’ll be ready to make this
kind of statement to the world?
I think it is the involvement in a local church that gives the potential
for maturity in my own Christian walk. It’s not any different if you’re
a musician or a doctor or carpenter. I think that while there are
unique challenges in the world of the arts, these individuals in bands,
if they want to be serious about things, need to be strong enough to
tell record companies and management where they’re coming from in
terms of the primacy of their own involvement in worship. So that
they are worshipers lost in a crowd—congregants sitting under
instruction—not celebrities.
—Natalie Nichols Gillespie
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SUPERGROUP PICKS UP PIECES Christian
alternative roots rock band Lost Dogs
released its fifth album on Sept. 25. Real
Men Cry (BEC) is the band’s first recording
since the passing of founding member
Gene Eugene in 2000. Multiinstrumentalist Phil Madeira makes
several appearances on the project, along
with long-time Dogs Terry Scott Taylor
(Daniel Amos), Michael Roe (The 77s)
and Derri Daugherty (The Choir.) A
supporting tour in possible conjunction
with a fall version of the “Legends Tour”
(DA, 77s, Randy Stonehill and Lost Dogs)
is currently in discussion.
GVB Today: Taff, Guy Penrod, Gaither and David Phelps
LUCKY STARS FOR THE GVB Imagine, if you will, you’re
playing a game of basketball and out of the blue walks
Michael Jordan who approaches you and says, “I think
I’ll play for you now, if that’s OK.” That’s not too far
from what happened when the Gaither Vocal Band
snagged Christian music veteran Russ Taff to fill the
slot left open by the exit of funny guy Mark Lowry,
who departs by year’s end. A five-time Grammy winner,
Taff got his start singing with his brothers in a gospel
quartet and went on to record eight solo albums,
including Right Here Right Now in 1999. He’s been
called the “single most electrifying voice in Christian
music” by Billboard. Now that he’s hanging out with
Bill Gaither and company, perhaps more of the world
will hear why.
SOUL MUSIC The project with what has to be the longest
title given to a recording so far this year, Beats, Bass,
Breaks and Other Things That Go Thump in the Night,
from the N•Soul Records duo DJ Darryl and DJ
C3PO, is now on the shelves. Included is the song
“What Wouldn’t Jesus Do,” which features popular
Gotee Records hip-hop artist Knowdaverbs, a remix
of a song from reggae band Christafari and a track
featuring Michaelangelo of Michaelangelo and the
Difference. In addition to all of that excitement, DJ
Darryl performed tracks from the project on the main
stage at the Greenbelt Festival.
BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE Though the
band has been considered one of the utmost
treasures of the alternative Christian music
scene since its debut in 1989, recordings by
The Violet Burning
(www.thevioletburning.com) have been
unavailable in the Christian market for
nearly eight years. After releasing one
general market project, 1996’s self-titled
album, and an independent project
available only through various Web sites
and in Europe, The Violets have returned
with three incredible projects on two
different labels. The Violet Burning
Demonstrates Plastic and Elastic (originally
released independently in 1998) has been
re-released by Northern Records into
Christian bookstores, while the all-new
worship project, Prayers and Devotions of a
Satellite Heart, and the live-in-studio
collection of old and new favorites, I Am a
Stranger in This Place, are being distributed
by Sovereign. Appearances at various
festivals, including Cornerstone 2000 and
2001, assured that this band will be even
more influential in its second decade of
existence than in its first.
KNAPP GETS HER WAY People
get ready! The buzz is deafening
for Jennifer Knapp’s
upcoming album, The Way I
Am, set to release Nov. 20.
Recently, Knapp gave a sneakpeek performance to a standing
room only crowd at New York’s
Mercury Lounge. We’re hearing
that this one could be her best
yet. And considering the players
she’s enlisted, it’s no wonder.
Get a load of the pedigree:
Jeremy Lubbock (Michael
Jackson, Madonna, Barbra
Streisand) on string
arrangements with the London
Symphony Orchestra,
Vinnie Cauliuta (Sting, Frank
Zappa) on drums, Tony Levin
(Tracy Chapman, Peter Gabriel,
Paul Simon) on bass, and that’s
only the beginning. The Way I
Am is a no-brainer for the
Christmas list.
VEGGIE PASSION A hearty pat on
the “back” for our favorite boys
of salad, Bob the Tomato and
Larry the Cucumber, who are
using their video-superstardom
to teach children what it means
to be compassionate. In 2002,
Big Idea—in partnership with
Compassion International—
will release “Jonah: An
Overboard Adventure! Learning
to Walk in God’s Way,” a
Vacation Bible School product
that focuses on helping children
who live in poverty. Who
knew vegetables could mean
so much?
GOTH MAKES GOOD Brian Healy’s Dead Artist Syndrome
(www.deadartistsyndrome.com) is back on the scene after a more than five-year
absence. Healy, considered by some to be the “Godfather of Christian Goth,”
earned a considerable following from the late ’80s through the ’90s with his all-star
cast of players and his broodingly dark, but strangely humorous, music. Members of
The Choir, Undercover, The 77s and LSU have all done time in DAS over the
years. The Southern Cal collective recently released an Internet only collection of
five new songs (featuring Jeff Elbel and Ping as the band du jour), and nine
previously unreleased and live tracks called Jesus Wants You to Buy This Record. Healy
is prepping a new full-length DAS project called Grace and Impertinence, as well as
the solo acoustic project The Baffled Amusement of Grace for release in early 2002.
BY MELISSA RIDDLE (POP), TIM A. SMITH (URBAN) AND JOHN J. THOMPSON (ROCK)
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WHERE THERE’S RAIN, THERE’S STORM It’s been said that
JOY WILLIAMS IN DONUT CAPER
when Christian Celtic band Ceili Rain rocks the
house, the whole place is shakin’. So you can imagine
the crowd’s surprise when, at a recent showcase in
Nashville, a storm rolled in and knocked the power out.
No lights, no sound, nothing but Bob Halligan, his
merry band and some ingenuity. After all, the show
must go on, even if unplugged and by flashlight. Now
that is improvisation. A Ceili Rain performance was
also recently taped at a Nashville mall for a promotional
video, undoubtedly coming to a Mills mall location
near you in 2002.
If you’ve seen or heard Reunion
artist Joy Williams, you know
that she’s a girl with a powerhouse
voice and a really large mouth. At a
recent radio interview in Houston,
Joy went tooth-to-tooth with a
local Houston police officer in a
doughnut-eating contest. When
Williams
the minute was up, Joy had bested
the civil servant by consuming four Krispy Kreme doughnuts. An amazing feat,
Joy told CCM MAGAZINE, “considering I was laughing half way through.” Joy
also admitted that in addition to working out twice that day, she paid a high
price for that victory. “My body was saying, ‘What were you doing?’” For the
record, that’s 840 calories and 48 grams of fat at one pop. Look for Joy on tour
with ZOEgirl and Avalon through mid-November.
JULIANA THEORY GOES FOR GENERAL ACCEPTANCE Tooth & Nail has launched
Ceili Rain
NEW PLAY HITS THE ROAD The city of New Orleans was
the launching pad for the debut of Donald
Lawrence’s theatrical musical production, Bible Stories.
Produced by Touchdown Concepts, the stage version of
the popular Tri-city Singers’ album of the same
name, which features music from the album as well as
the singing aggregation’s TriCity4.com release, will be
touring the country this fall through August 2002.
Also, former Tri-city vocalist LeJuene Thompson will
be one of the featured actors and singers in a new stage
production written and directed by Palmer Williams.
The play, I Don’t Want Delilah, I Want You, kicks off
Oct. 2 in Chicago. This comes right on the heels of the
release of LeJuene’s solo debut, Soul Inspiration
(EMI Gospel).
another band into the big leagues. Post-emo new rockers The Juliana Theory
(www.thejulianatheory.com) has inked a deal with Epic/Sony for the release of
its third full-length album some time next year. In the meantime, the band is
releasing an EP of new songs later this year and a live album that will include
tracks from its debut, Understand This Is a Dream, and last year’s acclaimed
Emotion Is Dead.
GMWA FOLLOW UP Superstar singer and actress Brandy and her recording artist
brother Ray J joined their dad, Willie Norwood, at a listening party
celebrating the release of his debut gospel project. The party took place at the
Hyatt Regency Hotel’s Mirage Room in Minneapolis, Minn., during the recent
Gospel Music Workshop of America convention. The project, No Limit
(Atlantic), is due to hit the streets on Oct. 23 and features guest appearances by
Brandy and Ray J, plus the legendary keyboardist Billy Preston, the Williams
Brothers and Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum. And
speaking of Preston, he has returned to the recording front after a long hiatus
with a new gospel record, Music From My Heart (MCG).
MUSICTHATMATTERS
I wanted to write about P.O.D.’s incredible
impact in the secular world—mainstream radio,
MTV, Howard Stern, Rolling Stone. I was
impressed with the group’s ability to be salt and
light, and yet be “cool.”
I listened to The Fundamental
Elements of Southtown. I liked
the lyrics and the passion from
the start, and after a few spins, I
started digging the sound too.
Next I saw them in concert.
The guy on my left was smoking pot; the guy on
my right was cursing up a storm—the very people
P.O.D. wants to reach. And the show was
unbelievable. I’ve never seen such passion
on stage.
Then came a moving interview
with frontman Sonny. This is a
man—and a band—on a mission
to reach kids for Christ. Sonny
described P.O.D. as being rooted
in the kingdom, reaching over a
“That evening blew me away.
And it made me realize
something: My world was
too small.”
Moring is the managing editor of
Campus Life magazine
fence to a hurting world.
That evening blew me away.
And it made me realize
something: My world was too
small. My safe, evangelical
haven was too small of a box. So I made some
changes. I’ve started reaching over the fence—at
homeless shelters and outreach centers and just
about every volunteer opportunity I can find. I want
to touch the other side.
—Mark Moring
What’s your story? How has Christian music changed your world? E-mail us at [email protected] with a letter (300 words or less) that tells how a song, an album
or an artist has impacted your life. Submissions must include your full name, address and phone number to be considered for publication.
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PAGETURNERS
WHAT YOUR FAVORITE ARTISTS ARE READING
THE PRAYING KIND Anointed,
now a duo made up of the
brother/sister team Steve and
Da’Dra Crawford, have been
quite busy. The two recently
traveled to Chicago to perform
at a Lemstone retail conference
where they unveiled two songs
from If We Pray (Word), the
new record scheduled to be
released some time this month.
Also, keep your eyes open for a
fall tour featuring the duo
coming to your town real soon!
DIVAS BOW If gospel music from
the female side of the coin is
your cup of tea, then make sure
to check out The Gospel Divas
from Tommy Boy Gospel. It
features previously released
performances from such artists
as Karen Clark-Sheard, Kim
Burrell, Angie & Debbie
Winans, Dottie Peoples,
DeLeon, Beverly Crawford,
Nancey Jackson, Damita,
Lexi, Ms. Tonéx and Shelley
Gaines. For an added treat,
there are two tracks from
Vanessa Bell Armstrong
and Vickie Winans.
LEGENDARY VOICES HAVE SPIRIT
The legendary gospel quartet
Blind Boys of Alabama is
still going strong. The group—
consisting of Clarence
Fountain, George Scott,
Jimmy Carter (no, not the
former president), Ricky
McKinnie and Caleb
Butler—recently made an
appearance on “The Late Show
With David Letterman.” Be on
the lookout for its new project,
Spirit of the Century.
It features such songs
as “Amazing Grace”
and “Soldier.”
The Rock ’n’ Roll Worship Circus
CIRCUS BACK ON TRACK Members of the explosive
new rock worship band The Rock ’n’ Roll
Worship Circus (www.worshipcircus.com) were
forced to cut their summer tour short when guitarist
Solo went waterfall diving during some down time at
TomFest in Oregon and landed on a partially
submerged tree trunk. While he was being rushed to
a hospital, headliner P.O.D. stopped its show midstream to have the crowd pray. When Solo arrived in
Portland he was diagnosed with back and pelvis
injuries. Now, the band is heading on a nationwide
tour Oct. 1 through Nov. 20 in support of its
amazing debut release, Big Star Logistics
(Sovereign/Grassroots).
IN THE MIX The month of October seems to be a busy
month for new music. Another project slated to hit the
streets this month is the debut one from Word Records’
new urban duo ReMixx, titled Dear Lord. The duo
consists of two brothers with California roots, T-Jay
and Drew.
AZUSA MAKES OFFERING Every year, thousands upon
thousands flock to Tulsa, Okla., to witness the popular
Azusa convention headed by Bishop Carlton
Pearson. Through the years, a recording featuring
Pearson and further augmented by a talented choral
aggregation has always highlighted the convention.
Well, Pearson continues this legacy with the release of
Live at Azusa 4. The project features Bishop Pearson
along with the Azusa Mass Choir and special guest
appearances by Shirley Caesar, Tramaine
Hawkins, LaShun Pace, The McClurkins and a
host of others.
I have to admit I’m not a huge reader. I
am notorious for reading half a book and
then moving on to the next before
finishing the first. But this year I’ve read a
book called Traveling Mercies: Some
Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
(Anchor Books).
If you are easily
offended, you
might want to
steer clear of
this one.
Lamott dares
to be real
and in her
“realness”
then dares to
stand before
God and
say, “You
did say
‘Come as
you are’...
didn’t You?” Her
conversion story is as gut honest as
you’re ever going to get. The chapters on
hunger and thirst will leave your jaw on
the floor. And my personal favorite is the
chapter titled “The Aunties.” If you are a
woman who has ever dreaded bathing suit
season, you will die laughing for years to
come thinking about this one.
The next book is perhaps more well
known in the
Christian
community—The
Ragamuffin
Gospel by
Brennan Manning
(Multnomah).
Grace, grace
and more
grace. Saved
by grace, living
by grace, get
up and
shower, brush
my teeth,
breathe in
and out... all
by grace. If you’ve never fallen
from it, you won’t understand it. But if you
have, you know why it’s called the Good
News. This book is in the foundation of
my faith.
—Kendall Payne
Payne is scheduled to release
her sophomore album, the
follow-up to 1999’s Jordan’s
Sister, next year.
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STORYBEHINDTHESONG
Lots o’ choice stuff bubbles up to
the surface from time to time. Epic
Hero’s full-length debut, A Brighter
Mess, is one such emergence. The
Minneapolis-based outfit provides
INDEPENDENT MUSIC tight quality pop rock packed with
BY JERRY CHAMBERLAIN snappy vocal and guitar hooks and
honest, well-crafted lyrics. Meet the band: Justin
Milbradt (vocals, guitars), Marc Quigg (lead guitars),
Matt Trombley (bass) and Dan Deurloo (drums).
(Michael King, who played keyboards and sang on the
record, has since left the group.)
THE BEST OF
INDIES
TWILA PARIS: “THE WARRIOR IS A CHILD”
Last month Twila Paris released Greatest Hits, celebrating 20 years
in Christian music. But early in her career, Paris, like many
Christian artists, felt the mounting pressure of being elevated in
the public eye. Beyond her likable, confident stage presence and
the wealth of spiritual wisdom conveyed in her songs’ lyrics was a
23-year-old woman who didn’t exactly have everything figured out.
“When you don’t know someone personally, you only know
them through their music,” Paris recounts. “And so I’d write these
songs about things I felt the Lord was challenging me to live up to,
but that didn’t mean I was always perfect.”
A sermon Paris heard at her church brought some needed
perspective. The pastor compared Christians to members of God’s
army and emphasized that whether someone’s a general or a
soldier, when we’re hurting we are all children in God’s eyes. And
with that in mind, Paris began to pen her classic anthem, “The
Warrior Is a Child.”
“Lately I’ve been winning battles left and right/But even winners
can get wounded in the fight/People say that I’m amazing/Strong
beyond my years/But they don’t see inside of me/I’m hiding all
the tears.”
With the song
coming together, Paris
was about to make
another discovery—a
principle that has
guided her musical
tenure. “A lot of what I
was hearing on
Christian radio in ’82
and ’83, with the
exception of Keith
Green and a few
notable others, was
happy music… so I
thought ‘People are
Paris
going to misunderstand
this song and think it’s depressing.’” But after almost deciding
against recording the song, her producer wisely convinced her
otherwise, and what resulted is one of Paris’ most popular songs. “I
learned one thing from that,” she says, “I’ve always tried to
remember not to underestimate the Christian music audience
because if they’re listening to bubble gum, it’s because it’s what
we’re giving them, and that’s not necessarily what they want.”
Now, as Paris reflects back to her life experiences when she
wrote the song, she confesses it was “probably a little beyond me.”
“I really believe the ability to write songs is a gift from the
Lord,” Paris says. “And the evidence of that is when you write
something, and you think you understand it, but 10 years later,
you look back and say ‘This is clearly something that was just a
gift because I didn’t understand enough to really write that song.’”
The song continues to speak to audiences, and Paris continues to
lean on its message: “I drop my sword and look up for His
smile/’Cause deep inside this armor/The warrior is a child.”
—Christa Farris
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Epic Hero
Crunchy guitars and vintage keys envelop Milbradt’s
solid vocals that soar with aplomb and know-how. The
boys have been stirring things up in the Midwest with
exciting live performances and substantial radio airplay. For
more info, go to www.epichero.com, or write: 8005 36th
Ave. North #101, New Hope, MN 55427. E-mail the
band at [email protected].
Coming to a galaxy near you, The Silvermen blast off
with Pioneers of the Intergalactic Frontier. Former Dig Hay
Zoose boyhood pals David “Zoop” Coonce (vocals,
guitars) and William Brown (vocals, bass) have teamed up
with drummer Paul Pace Jr. to launch a wild ride into
parts unknown. Fusing vintage rock ’n’ roll with ’80s and
’90s quirkiness and wrapping the whole thing in a nifty
’50s futuristic sci-fi package, the Kansas City, Mo., trio
aims to boldly sound like no one has sounded before. Cool
graphics and cosmic sound effects enhance the experience.
Zoom on over to www.thesilvermen.com to catch these
space cowboys or write them: c/o Zoop Coonce, 21 South
Miriam, Apt. 1, Kansas City, MO 64119.
Strong, infectious melodies and Brit-pop-influenced
vocals abound on The Michael Parenti Project’s
Servant of the Great King. Scripture figures solidly in
Parenti’s
lyrics, who has attended The Reformed Episcopal
Caption:
Seminary in Blue Bell, Pa., and works as a minister of
music in his home state, New York. He admits to musical
influences from The Beatles to The Waiting, but one can
detect a Genesis, Peter Gabriel or Brian Eno vibe in some
songs as well. Parenti is a one-man band, playing and
singing everything on all 16 tracks. Hear the heavenly
results at www.mp3.com/mparenti or send $10 plus $2
shipping to: Season Records, P.O. Box 1054, Amityville,
NY 11701.
Jerry Chamberlain is a freelance writer/musician/poet, co-founder of Daniel Amos
and Boy-O-Boy, and a member of Swirling Eddies.
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OPENINGACTS
Get to know Joy Williams
d.o.b. Nov. 14, 1982 hometown Mt. Hermon, California current digs Nashville first spins Joy’s first Christian album (a joint purchase with her sister)
was Amy Grant’s Lead Me On. new album Joy Williams (Reunion) released in July. favorite cut “If I had to pick one, it would probably be ‘Do
They See Jesus in Me?’ because that’s the focus of why I sing—so that God can be glorified.” influences Though she keeps up with current
trends in the pop music world, Joy cites artists from Nat King Cole to Billie Holiday to Celine Dion as influences on her self-described
“diverse” style. “We’ve definitely got a lot of pop influences on the album, and yet, we’ve tried to be very musical and really utilize a lot of
harmonies,” she says. The final product is a mix of upbeat, driving pop and silky ballads tied together by Joy’s impressive vocal range.
previous experience A recent high school graduate, Joy is trading one very busy life for another. In addition to touring and recording on
weekends, she managed to cram her senior year full of schoolwork and sports, also serving as student body president. backstory At 14 Joy
dreamed of pursuing a career in journalism or family therapy, never considering music. News of a standout Christmas performance at her
church caught current manager Dan Mann’s attention. After hearing Joy for himself, Mann suggested she consider a professional singing
career. At the time Joy was not ready to make such a decision and opted to wait and pray. “It’s a funny thing how God intrinsically weaves
different desires in your heart, how they grow or wither over time. In trying to follow what God had for me, those desires [for music] began to
grow.” on the road Joy is on tour with Avalon and ZOEgirl through mid-November. goal “I would love for God to use me to impact culture in a way
that would direct people towards the Lord,” Joy says. “I would love for people, once they left the building after hearing me sing, to go ‘Wow, God
is so awesome!’”
—Kerry Maffeo
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OPENINGACTS
Get to know Shaun Groves
d.o.b. Dec. 27, 1973 hometown Tyler, Texas current digs
Shaun, his wife, Becky, and their infant daughter
Gabriella live in Franklin, Tenn., “in a subdivision with a
lot of other young families—small houses, small
families, small ponds.” first spins “I was 19 when I
bought my first Christian album: Michael W. Smith’s
The Live Set. I hadn’t heard of Michael W. Smith until I
met my wife.” new album Invitation to Eavesdrop
(Rocketown) released in July. influences Shaun writes
music that’s on the rock side of pop, but his first
musical interests were jazz (he was a saxophone player
at age 12) and classical music. In college, his collection
expanded to include Gregorian chant, hymnody and
atonal music, “an acquired taste.” what’s different? His
poetry and the depth of his lyrics mark Shaun’s work.
backstory Originally Shaun’s dream was to write for other
musicians. While working for a music publishing
company, he studied the works of successful Christian
artists. “I listened to the early demos, songs that were
never recorded. If I could understand why a song didn’t
make it, it would help me understand what works.” But
after a meeting with Rocketown folks, Shaun’s interest
in being in front of the mic began to grow. “I thought, ‘I
could do this [artist thing].’ Up to that point, it didn’t
really hit me as a thing I wanted to do. But with them,
we talked about who I was and what I believed before
we ever heard the music.” on the road Through
November Shaun is touring with Bebo Norman and
Katy Hudson. lessons learned How does Shaun guard
against believing he’s all that? “I can give you the
‘right’ answer for that,” he says. “I have an
accountability group and an advisory board.” That’s
true, but equally important, “God gave me a wife who
makes me take out the trash. It’s really hard to get
wrapped up in being a rock star when you’re doing
household chores.” goals “I have a message for the
church: ‘Start living what you already know. Move on
to maturity. Have worship as a lifestyle. It’s about
knowing God and making Him known,” Shaun says. “I
want people to get out there and do something in the
name of God. I want them to be open to what God
wants to do with their lives.”
—Lis Trouten
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Two years speechless before God brought
Steven Curtis Chapman to an unfamiliar place,
settling where life’s messes and mysteries cannot
be explained away.
SUFFERING
OUT
LOUD
B Y
L I N D Y
WA R R E N
PHOTOGRAPHY: BOB FRAME; FAMILY PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARY BETH CHAPMAN
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Question: When everything you’ve counted on to
make sense of life is stripped away, what do you do?
If you’re Steven Curtis Chapman, the answer is:
“I don’t know.”
T
hat’s a hard confession, especially
if you’re expected to know the
answers and talk about them on
stages before thousands of adoring fans.
Even harder when, at one time not too
terribly long ago, you did have the answers.
Or so you thought.
While the unfortunate tendency for
many Christians is to wrap up all of life’s
messes and mysteries into a contrived,
“God-is-great” package, Chapman resolutely
says, “I just don’t know. Those are the
scariest words I’ve ever said because I’m a
guy who wants answers. I want to know
why, and I want it to make sense.”
But the last two years have not made a
lot of sense for Christian music’s golden
boy. Since releasing his ninth studio album,
Speechless, in 1999, “why” has been a staple
in Steven’s vocabulary as he and his family,
wife Mary Beth, daughters Emily and
Shaohannah and sons Caleb and Will
Franklin, have walked through painful
places with close friends as well as in their
own family.
In May 2000, the Chapmans stood by
friends as they grieved the loss of their
cancer-stricken 10-year-old. Two months
later, Steven and Mary Beth wiped away
more tears as another family was jolted with
the news that its mother had died in a freak
horseback riding accident, leaving behind
four young children. Still more questions
came when the Chapmans watched two
families—adoptive parents of bi-racial
children—cope with their kids’ Reactive
Attachment Disorder, a serious psychiatric
illness that plagues adopted children,
especially those abused early in life. Out of
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desperation, the parents placed their
children in treatment centers thousands of
miles from home.
“The kids are looking at them and
saying, ‘I’ve never loved you, and I wish you
were dead,’” Steven explains. “And the
parents are telling me, ‘Even if I lost a child,
it would be easier than this because I’d be
able to put closure to it and know that I’d
see them again.”
In February 2000, the “why’s” got even
more personal as Steven learned his mother,
Judy Chapman, had been diagnosed with
cancer, stage three. In June, Chapman
himself was in and out of doctors’ offices.
Until tests would conclude in July a virus
had attacked a nerve in his vocal chords,
Christian music’s most decorated artist,
including 44 Dove Awards and four
Grammys, wondered if he would sing again.
For the first time in Chapman’s 38 years,
he couldn’t wipe away life’s messes with
Scripture, even prayer. His faith was shaken.
“Even two years ago, when I was dealing
with the school shootings in Paducah, Ky.,
and Columbine, I could still see God,”
Steven recalls. “There were the Cassie
Bernall stories, and the parents saying, ‘We
see God.’ But this time, I couldn’t get any
sense of moving on. It’s like we grieve and
grieve, then wake up tomorrow and things
are worse instead of better. My faith has
been so rocked by all of this.”
Question: Where do you go when
the usual places you meet God
turn up empty?
You’ve been there—that place where
reading Scripture feels like you might as
well be reading the phonebook, where
prayer is a matter of going through the
motions.
Over the last two years, that place has
been familiar territory for Chapman.
“In this season I’ve been passing through,
I run to His Word for comfort and answers,
and I feel more alienated by it than drawn
to Him,” Chapman says. “I open up my
Bible and think, ‘I’ve never seen that before.
That doesn’t sound like You. I thought I
knew You.’”
In his book Reaching for an Invisible God,
renowned author Philip Yancey writes:
“There are days and seasons of life where
my faith consists of acting as if this whole
thing is true.” Yancey’s admission is
comforting to Chapman who read the
author’s latest title and his 1997 work,
Disappointment With God, over the last
two years.
“When Philip Yancey can be that
honest,” Steven says, “for me that’s
encouragement in the midst of this
time of unknowing and darkness I’m
walking through.”
Yet sometimes life’s darkest roads reveal
truths that otherwise would never come to
light. “If you want to find Jesus, go to the
places He said you’d find Him,” Chapman
says like a man who knows. “Jesus said
we’ll find Him in the suffering, in those
who are hungry, the little orphans. ‘If you
want to experience Me, you’ll find Me in
these places.’”
Steven recalls the New Testament passage
in hindsight, almost two years since the
family flew to China to welcome 7-monthold Shaohannah into its fold. Abandoned at
(continued on page 32)
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THE CHAPMAN FAMILY
(continued from page 30)
birth, Shaohannah, 2, has been a constant
reminder of God’s silent presence,
Chapman says.
“We were dirty and needy and belonged
to no one, and God loved us
unconditionally and took us into His
family, never thinking for a minute about
doing anything less,” he says. “Every time I
look in the face of Shaohannah, I am
reminded of how far Christ stretched to
love me.”
The name Shaohannah, says Chapman’s
wife, Mary Beth, tells the story of how their
little girl from a Changsha orphanage in
China’s Hunan province, came to rest at the
Chapman’s home in picturesque Franklin,
Tennessee. “Shaohan,” Steven discovered,
means “laughter” in Chinese, while
“Hannah” means “gift of God’s grace.” One
look at the beautiful, doll-like toddler, and
one would assume Shaohannah was named
for her own laughing eyes, but the story is
more complex, unfolding four years ago.
It was on a Compassion International trip
to Haiti that Emily Chapman, then 11,
opened her eyes to a world void of
Christian music and Southern cooking.
“During that trip, we went to some
schools and played with the children,” says
Emily. “From then on, I’ve had a passion
for missions. When I got home, some
friends of ours had adopted a little AfricanAmerican boy, and that kind of started me
thinking about adoption. I’ve always wanted
a little sister, so I started praying for one,
and I let Mom and Dad know that.”
“When Emily first started talking about
adoption, I thought, ‘Yeah, right’ and
laughed,” says Mary Beth, “probably like
Sarah did when God told her she would
bear Isaac. Back then, I just couldn’t see it.”
Two years later, still praying for a baby
sister, Emily went with her dad to a
Bethany Christian Services fundraising
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banquet. There she and
Steven were told of
China’s great need.
Though exact stats
are sketchy, it’s
estimated that up to
100,000 babies are
abandoned each year in
China due to the
country’s one child
policy among married
couples (two children
for rural families where
80 percent of the population lives). Because
males can work and carry on the family
name, 70 percent of abandoned babies are
girls. Sixty percent are disabled.
The world’s most populous country with
1.3 billion people, China instituted the
stringent one child policy in 1979,
responding to the rapid increase in the birth
rate under former leader Mao Tse-tung, and
a fear that the exploding population
couldn’t be fed. Chinese couples who violate
the policy, either by exceeding their child
limit or having babies outside of marriage,
can face heavy taxes and other penalties.
While the Chinese government says the
policy has prevented an extra 300 million
births, the rules have created other serious
issues: abandonment, overcrowding of the
country’s 1,200 orphanages and an
imbalance in the population, which often
fuels underground slave trade of young
Chinese women. Only 200 of China’s
orphanages handle international adoptions,
says Sue Merton, Bethany Christian
Services’ Asian program director.
In recent years, China has fallen under
tremendous scrutiny by human rights
organizations worldwide as various press
have reported on the crisis. However, the
Chapmans are more apt to point fingers
at sensationalistic articles than at the
Chinese government.
“When you talk to these people,” Steven
says, “you realize they love their children
just like we do. I’m not condoning how
China has responded to the problem, but
we need to understand that we here in
America have no concept of how huge this
problem is. It goes so deep.”
Still, even though orphanages in China
were overflowing, a law prevented couples
outside of China with more than one child
from adopting an orphaned Chinese
baby—until three years ago, about the time
the Chapmans started thinking seriously
about adoption.
“Some friends with adopted children
were over one night,” Steven recalls, “and
they asked me and Mary Beth, ‘Do you feel
like there’s an empty place at your table?’
The more we thought about it, we came to
realize that missing person was our daughter
who was born in China by a mom who
couldn’t take care of her.
“I don’t have the answers to the horrible
situation in China,” Chapman says, “but we
didn’t really need the answers. We just
needed to do something. I knew we weren’t
doing the comfortable thing, the sensible
thing. Our parents and friends, even our
own emotions, told us that. But somewhere
in my heart, I knew we were doing the right
thing for the right reasons.”
Question: What do you do when
God feels non-existent?
When in doubt, wrote author Mark
Twain, tell the truth. Twain’s belief could
very easily have been Chapman’s mantra
over the last two years of questioning and
searching for a God whose enigmatic ways
continued to perpetuate doubt.
That honesty is heard loudly on his new
guitar-loaded album, Declaration, which, he
says, contains some of the most personal
lyrics he’s ever sung—a significant statement
considering Chapman has written or cowritten the preponderance of songs on all
his albums.
“When it came time to talk about
[writing] the new album, I didn’t have
closure on anything that had happened. I
still don’t,” Steven says. “And this was
before I lost my voice. I asked myself and
God, ‘What do I have to say about all this?’
I either just talk about happy things and
pretend nothing’s happening, or I just flat
out don’t write songs and go find another
thing I’m supposed to do. Or I just suffer
out loud and let these songs be whatever
they’re supposed to be.”
The nine-time Dove Songwriter of the
Year chose the latter option. And based on
the album’s 13 songs, Chapman, like the
Psalmist David, has learned the art of
questioning God in one breath and praising
Him with the next.
Responding to friends dealing with the
hurts of their children, Chapman wrote the
soaring ballad “Carry You to Jesus.” “I just
said there is no way that I can begin to
know the pain you feel,” Chapman says,
(continued on page 36)
CCM 10.01 SCC
9/5/01
10:41 AM
Page 36
(continued from page 32)
remembering the songwriting process. “I
wake up in the middle of the night just
crying for you.”
Perhaps the album’s most candid
statement is reflected in its appropriate
title—the declaration of a man who, as My
Utmost for His Highest author Oswald
Chambers wrote, is “just trusting God and
doing the next thing.”
“I found myself saying, ‘OK, I don’t have
the answers, and none of this makes sense.
But I’m just going to walk in this direction.’
I don’t feel a cotton-pickin’ thing, but I’m
going to say, ‘Jesus is who He says He is,’
and that’s true not because I feel it or can
grasp it. If I can say words, I’m going to say
that Jesus is Lord and God is good, and
ultimately good will conquer evil because
He’s on the throne.”
Paramount to the album is the song
“God Is God,” a cinematic swirl of honest
confession (“And the pain falls like a curtain
on the things I once called certain/And I have
to say the words I fear the most/I just don’t
know” ), and Job-like epiphanies (“Can I
form a sea or mountain… Can I even take a
breath without God giving it to me” ).
“Like Job, I’m sitting here never more
confused and never more wondering, ‘God,
how do You show up as Redeemer in all of
this?’” Chapman says. “Then I turn in the
midst of that pain, and it’s like Jesus
Himself shows up and says, ‘Do you have
any idea who I am? Let Me walk you
through the next five minutes of this.
I won’t give you answers, but I’ll give
you Myself.’”
Chapman says some of the songs on
Declaration, including “When Love Takes You
In,” a lush piano and strings ballad written
(continued on page 38)
AND A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM
Little did 2-year-old Shaohannah Chapman know that
before she was born someone in Franklin, Tenn., was
praying for her.
Motivated by a trip to Haiti in
EMILY AND SHAOHANNAH
1997 and a family friend’s
adoption of an African American
baby, Emily Chapman, Steven
Curtis Chapman’s daughter, began
praying for the little sister she’d
always wanted. The confident
Chapman, 11 years old at the
time, made no secret of her
prayers, telling her parents she
was asking God to change their
hearts….
Ironically, God changed her
heart, Emily says.
“I had read John 14:13-14 and I
wanted to talk to our pastor about
it, so my Mom went with me,”
recalls the young Chapman, now
15. “I told him that I felt like our
family was called to adopt and
that I’d been praying for a little
sister. He told me that God’s will
may not be for me to have a baby
sister, that it might be missions in China or somewhere
else.” Whatever God’s will was, the pastor assured her,
He would accomplish it.
From then on, Emily says, she prayed differently. “I
quit trying to beg my parents to do what I wanted.
Instead, I prayed for them silently and let the Holy Spirit
work.”
Meanwhile, she used some Christmas money to buy a
book, International Adoptions, and began to educate
herself and the family.
“Any time we went anywhere,” Steven remembers,
“Emily was reading to all of us from the book. She
determined in her mind that we were supposed to
do this.”
36
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10.01
The true turning point came, Emily says, at a banquet
for adoption agency Bethany Christian Services. That
night from stage, Steven told the
crowd his daughter wanted her
family to adopt internationally.
Afterward, the two learned of
China’s great need and wound up
taking home scads of literature.
“Before we left, Mom had told me
she would read anything I brought
home,” Emily says. “I didn’t push
China, but when she started
thinking about adoption, Mom said
that a little girl from China looked
right in our family.”
On Emily’s insistence, Steven
called Bethany Christian Services
the next day “just to confirm that
we couldn’t adopt a baby from
China,” Steven says. But instead, he
learned laws had changed, allowing
a family with more than one child to
adopt from China.
“I think that was confirmation to
my parents that we were supposed
to do this,” Emily says. In March
2000, the Chapman family flew to China’s Hunan
province to bring back Shaohannah.
The story doesn’t end there. The faithfulness and
prayers of a young girl have birthed a legacy of sorts.
This July, veteran artist Geoff Moore and his wife, Jan,
along with Mary Beth’s brother and his wife, traveled to
China, to bring back two more baby girls, abandoned
and placed in orphanages. Once again, lives were
transformed.
”When I handed Anna Grace to Emily,” Moore
says, “I told her that Anna was more of the fruit of
the vision God placed in her heart more than four
years ago.”
—L.W.
CCM 10.01 SCC
9/5/01
10:41 AM
Page 38
(continued from page 36)
for Shaohannah, are among his favorites. “I
cried when I wrote them, and I cried when I
sang them.”
That’s partly why the idea of not singing
these songs on stage and in concert was
especially disturbing,
he says, adding that all
indications are that his
voice is recovering and
should be back by the
time he heads out on
a spring 2002 tour.
The last few
months of silence have
been the scariest place
he’s ever been, he says,
rivaling his parents’
divorce.
“I’ve never seen him
shaken like that,” says
Mary Beth, who will
celebrate 17 years of
marriage with Steven
this month. “I was the
strong wife who said,
‘If you could never
sing again, you are an
awesome producer and songwriter. You have
so much to offer.’ He agreed, but reminded
me that this was all he’d ever done.”
As with any trial that knocks us to our
knees, the thought of losing his voice,
Chapman says, has challenged him to look
into his life to understand what he’s supposed
to learn.
“The other day I was reading about fasting
and how it’s about taking a God-given gift
and setting it aside to get a clearer
understanding of something,” he explains.
“In a sense, I really do feel like this is a
fasting from this gift that I so often use to
block out the pain and confusion. It keeps
enough noise going that I don’t really get
quiet. If I’m learning anything in this process,
it’s that I really need Jesus, nothing more,
nothing less.”
Question: How do you put
questioning faith into action?
Quoting the father who beseeched Christ
to heal his dying son, Chapman says his
prayer over the last couple of years has been
“Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.”
For him, faith has never been more
difficult nor as tangible as in these last
two years.
“Adopting Shaohannah is the most
38
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10.01
profound experience of our faith and of
think that’s what part of our future will
the grace of God coming alive in our
look like. We’re connected now with
hearts that we’ve ever experienced,” he
enough people that we could go back and
explains. “We’ve seen what happens when
serve in the orphanages there. They need
we step out of our comfort zone. This is
people to do everything from painting walls
how we respond to the gospel, by putting it
to holding babies.”
into action.”
In the meantime, the Chapmans have
Mary Beth adds, “For
set up a foundation, Shaohannah’s
the first time in my life, I
Hope, designed to offer financial aid for
feel like I’ve seen the
Chinese adoptions.
miracles that happen when
“Our prayer for Shaohannah, as it is with
you step out in faith—no
all our kids, is that we would raise her to
matter how much you’re
want to do something that impacts the
trembling—and allow
world in a godly way,” Mary Beth says. “For
God to work,” she says,
Shaohannah, the ultimate would be for her
thinking about her
to grow up and want to be a missionary to
newest addition.
her people.”
“When I go to a place
like China, I just realize
The answers still aren’t there for Steven
there is so much need,”
Curtis Chapman, even with the adoption of
Mary Beth continues. “As
Shaohannah, the making of a new record
Christians, we are called to
and all the sleepless nights of the last two
serve others whether that’s
years. The all-important closure Chapman
on the mission field in
has sought throughout life still eludes him.
China, adopting a child,
“I’m coming closer to being OK with
or serving in your own
that,” Chapman says. “I think what I’ve
community and church.
learned is that God’s more mysterious, more
We need to not be sitting
uncontrollable and unexplainable than I
on our bottoms not doing anything.”
have ever known Him to be. As strange as
In July, Steven and Mary Beth returned
these seasons are, I really think they’re God’s
to China with Shaohannah—a trip they
hand embracing us to say, ‘You’re going to
plan on making every year. For both of
feel distanced. You won’t understand. But as
them, the country has become part of their
you trust Me, I will take you into deeper
present and future. While they were there,
relationship—a realization of your need of
government leaders who work in China’s
Me. You can trust Me and let Me be God.’
orphanage system invited Steven to come
“These are all things I want to understand
back and sing at the next fundraising event
some day.” ccm
for the orphanages.
“That would be the
ultimate,” Steven says,
“getting to stand up in the
middle of communist China
2001 Declaration
and sing about my faith,
1999 Speechless
and raise money for orphans
1997 Greatest Hits
at the same time. ”
1997 The Walk (video)
Both Steven and Mary
1996 Signs of Life
Beth have dreams of one
1995 The Music of Christmas
day living in China and
1994 Heaven in the Real World
running their own
1994 The Early Years
orphanage or partnering
1993 The Live Adventure (CD and video)
with a ministry in China to
1992 The Great Adventure (CD and video)
enable U.S. visitors to serve
1990 Front Row (video)
the needy there.
1990 For the Sake of the Call
“Instead of ‘Let’s go cruise
1989 More to This Life
the Bahamas with Steven
1988 Real Life Conversations
Curtis Chapman,’ I want to
1987 First Hand
do, ‘Let’s go serve in
All releases on Sparrow.
China,’” Steven says. “We
Discography
CCM 10.01 Skillet
9/5/01
10:26 AM
Page 40
PETERS, JOHN COOPER, KOREY COOPER, KASICA (l-r)
Close
With a bold call to action,
Skillet unleashes its latest
rage against the machine.
by Dave Urbanski
40
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CCM 10.01 Skillet
9/5/01
10:26 AM
Page 41
Encounters
ust when you think John Cooper, the
man behind (and in front of ) Skillet’s
ever-expanding musical and
theological curtain, is done careening us
through more wild rides down the yellow
brick road… Alien Youth pops on the scene.
But seriously, what else remained for
Cooper to try? He already wielded a heavy
sword, cutting and slashing hard-rock
convention from his once-Memphis-based
outfit and patching up the wounds with
decidedly industrial/techno sounds as it
relocated to Kenosha, Wis., adding Lori
Peters (drums) and 17-year-old Ben Kasica
(guitars) to the lineup.
And he already gave the band a visual
facelift, dispensing with its lovable shortsand-T-shirt collegiate wardrobe and
donning the gang with getups a few
mascara swooshes shy of Kiss (read:
leather, spandex, platform shoes and
Goth makeup).
What else remained? (Seriously?)
A concept album.
No, we’re not talking a Tommy knock off
or related remnants popularized in the ’60s
and ’70s. In fact, to hear Skillet’s bassistvocalist-primary songwriter describe it, the
catalyst behind the creation of Alien
Youth—and what these 12 songs are
becoming—has been for Cooper a kind of
prophetic calling: a gradually growing
feeling that the church is weak and that
it’s up to this generation of Christians, of
every age and background, to get it back
into shape.
“It’s been around from the beginning,”
Cooper says earnestly concerning the Alien
Youth idea.
“The church isn’t supposed to be weak,”
the 26-year-old says emphatically. “But the
truth is that we don’t think we can make
that much of a difference. A lot of us are
just waiting for Jesus to come back so He
can take us from this ‘dreaded world.’ So it
was time for me to sing what I’m
theologically passionate about—that the
church needs to start living more like
J
PHOTO: ALLEN CLARK, THUNDER IMAGE GROUP
victorious people of God.”
Cooper’s wife, Korey, 29—who plays
keyboards and sings background vocals—is
equally committed to Alien Youth ideals.
“We played a [church-based] evangelism
conference last night, and three deacons got
saved!” To Korey, that’s a clear sign that
Christianity has become commercialized,
and that Christians “don’t recognize the
radicalness of the gospel. They’re missing
the whole point of everything. We’re the
religious people of the day—and we’re
in danger of missing it while it’s right in
our face.”
So after a time of tossing around title
ideas, most with the word “generation”
attached, Cooper stumbled upon the idea
of aliens, and started getting excited.
“It has a sci-fi feel to it, and there’s a
[new] twist…,” he reveals. “Normally
Christians say we’re aliens and strangers and
that we don’t belong here. But the truth is
that we do belong here!” Skillet, he says, is
out to encourage this generation to be bold
while on earth and take it back for God.
And speaking of generations, don’t let the
“youth” part of the album title prejudice
you too much. According to Cooper, “this
generation of faith isn’t just young people
or white people—it’s all kinds of people.
There are no special nationalities. No
certain age group. No distinctions.”
The band’s fourth studio record is easily
Skillet’s brightest-shining moment, full of
powerful, insightful lyrics and a smart mix
of super-hard rock, electronica and
plaintive praise & worship that should
satisfy every fan it’s attracted since 1996.
And despite the many critics—yours
truly included—who compare Skillet’s
current sound to Nine Inch Nails or
Marilyn Manson, Cooper insists he’s far
from a fan, nor does he feel musically
influenced by either outfit. (He did,
however, scout a recent Manson concert
and got a song out of the experience for
Alien Youth—“You’re Rippin’ Me Off ”—in
response to Manson’s anti-God rants.)
“I can say that listening to those records
has influenced me more in terms of
production aspects,” Cooper notes. “The
guitars are so big—they sound like thunder
in the city! But I’m more of a pop fan. I like
Seal, INXS, Madonna. And ’80s new
wave—Howard Jones and Depeche
Mode—is even a bigger influence.”
In line with the hard-hitting themes on
Alien Youth, Skillet plans to bring quite a bit
more to the table than simply live music
and a stage show as the road beckons this
fall. “I always wanted Skillet to be a lot
more than a band,” Cooper says. “Right
now we’re working on a six-week [youth
ministry] curriculum—the five essentials of
an alien youth. And the idea is that if you
don’t do them, you’re not part of the alien
youth.” (At press time, information about
the curriculum was planned to be available
at www.alienyouth.com.)
Skillet is also planning to open a youth
center through its church in Kenosha,
where the group will hold “massively
evangelistic,” once-a-week worship meetings
and work toward revival in the city. Skillet
will also begin promoting Alien Youth
Groups by next January. “They won’t be in
place of youth groups,” Cooper says, “just
smaller groups with student leaders within
existing youth groups.”
When most Christian bands eschew
major sonic changes and cling tightly to the
comfy environs of Nashville, Skillet—with
its ever-evolving sound and its
uncompromising message—seems like
minstrels marching to the beat of a different
drummer.
“If [the Christian message] gets more
watered down because [Christianity has
become] more acceptable,” Cooper says,
“then that’s not acceptable! The lines of
what it means to be a Christian are really
unclear these days. I want to see religiosity
die. The church in America is more
interested in making church members
happy than doing what the Bible
talks about.” ccm
10.01
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CCM 10.01 Peterson
9/5/01
10:31 AM
Page 42
BREAKING AWAY
Andrew Peterson
spent his early years struggling to figure
out where he fit in. Now, with Clear to Venus, he takes listeners on a
scenic ride through the struggles and joys of this world and the
mysteries of the next, while encouraging everyone to find their
unique place in the universe.
By Wendy Lee Nentwig
42
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CCM 10.01 Peterson
9/5/01
I
10:31 AM
Page 43
n tan cargo pants, Teva sandals and a
Hawaiian-print shirt (a souvenir from a
recent vacation), 27-year-old Andrew
Peterson blends in easily with concert-goers
after a recent performance in Marietta,
Georgia. Despite his down-to-earth attitude,
he doesn’t balk at autograph seekers. Instead,
Peterson hangs out after the show and signs
whatever people hand him: CD inserts,
scraps of paper, even tour T-shirts.
Most of the time he simply writes, “Thank
you, Andy,” but pre-teen boys are treated to
such sage advice as “Don’t eat glass,” and a
group of giggling little girls requests that he
sign the decals they’ve swiped off the church’s
information table to “my bestest, bestest
friend” which he does with a smile.
Andrew Peterson: Man of the People.
That wasn’t always the case. Stuck in a
slow-moving town that could barely contain
him, a younger Andrew might not have
faired so well measured against the image of
the All-American boy.
From the time his family relocated to the
small Florida farming community of Lake
Butler during Peterson’s early teen years, the
starry-eyed pastor’s kid dreamed of getting
out. Until he could make his escape, though,
he passed the time “borrowing” cars to go
joyriding and pulling more harmless pranks
like swiping teachers’ hall passes or sneaking
into yearbook photos of clubs he never
bothered to join.
“It was a little town and so there weren’t
many adventures,” Peterson explains of his
prankster nature. “Mostly it came from a
desire to not live a boring life.”
Upon high school graduation, Peterson
found a more constructive way to conquer
his boredom—and the confines of Lake
Butler. He hit the road to play guitar, joining
a company that sent out bands to perform
Top 40 songs in schools and deliver an antidrug message. But the tour program went
bust after only eight months, and after seeing
the world—or at least Minnesota—Peterson
found himself back home. In a bid for more
freedom, he moved in with a music-minded
friend in nearby Jacksonville, and when his
newfound collaborator left for Bible college, a
floundering Peterson followed.
On the surface, Florida Christian College,
just outside of Orlando, didn’t offer the
promise of much excitement with its 150200 students, chapel requirements and Old
Testament survey courses, but Peterson “just
clicked there,” he remembers. “I loved being
challenged in ways that I hadn’t been before.”
PHOTOS: DAVID DOBSON
It’s also where he met his wife, Jamie, a
people to determine what they’re passionate
keyboard player who Peterson persuaded to
about, then do it. “Sometimes the passion
join his fledgling band. Dr. Penguin broke up
and the drive are the gifts that God gives us.”
after its second gig, but Andrew and Jamie
Most of Peterson’s impact these days is
were married nine months later.
through his songs, and his latest CD, Clear to
During college, Peterson incorporated the
Venus, finds him increasingly using stories to
Bible knowledge he was gleaning into the
get his point across. In addition to his own
songs he wrote, weaving unique tales of faith,
compositions, the disc includes a previously
family and the Old Testament heroes who
unreleased tune by the late Rich Mullins, a
had become like
personal friends to
him. Armed with this
arsenal of tunes, he
hit the road once
again, but this time it
was less about what
the experience could
offer him and more
about what he could
give to those who
came to hear his
music. Thrilled to be
able to make a living
doing what he loved,
the guy who was
once convinced he
was so different from
everyone around him
now seemed intent
on showing those
he met on the road
how much they had
in common.
Jamie provided
background vocals
and Gabe Scott, 26,
whom Peterson met
at a concert, brought
his versatile skills to
the act, mastering the
dobro, dulcimer,
mandolin, accordion
and guitar thanks to
SCOTT, JAMIE PETERSON AND ANDREW PETERSON (l-r)
the influence of his
piano-player father.
musical hero of Peterson’s. “Mary Picked the
With the line-up solidified, Peterson began
Roses” was given to Peterson by friends of
gaining a following and a clearer
Mullins who handpicked him to cover the
understanding of why he writes and sings.
song. But whether the story originates from
After spending several years trying
him, Mullins or the Bible, Peterson sees the
to figure out where he fit, Peterson gets
potential power.
excited about helping others find their
“There is beauty in telling a simple story,”
purpose in life.
Peterson says. “Jesus did it all the time with
“A lot of times the difference between
the parables. The power of telling a story
people who are successful at something and
about David is that he was a real guy and
people who aren’t isn’t that they’re necessarily
we have a real record of the things this
better at it, it’s just that they went out and
guy did. People then weren’t so different
did the work. God just wants us to do
deep down than we are now. I get excited
something,” Peterson insists, encouraging
about that.” ccm
10.01
ccm | 43
CCM 10.01 pg.44,46 Shop Talk
9/5/01
3:32 PM
Page 44
SHOPtalk
gear for aspiring musicians
Wise Buys for the Holiday Season
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YAMAHA ERG121GP
Buying an electric guitar usually means buying lots of accessories, but not with
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ALVAREZ AD60S
Dreadnought guitars were so-named in honor of the battleships of the day. Like
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(continued on page 46)
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| ccm
10.01
CCM 10.01 pg.44,46 Shop Talk
9/5/01
3:33 PM
Page 46
SHOPtalk (continued from page 44)
f
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Take a good guitar, throw in a gig bag, extra strings, and some
picks, and you have an acoustic guitar kit. Add a strap and a CDROM with video lessons, a virtual tuner and a digital recorder, and
you have a Launchpad. The guitar is solid, standard issue material,
with a spruce top and mahogany back and sides. One higher line
feature is the set-in neck that ties the
body and neck together better than
the common bolt-on design.
Peavey has combined the proper
elements in an attractive package
that delivers a perfect first-stage
boost to an aspiring guitarist’s
career.
$319.99
www.peavey.com
The Papoose is little, but loud. Designed to fill the gap
between mini-guitars and full-size instruments, its 19.1"
scale feels small, but usable. Equipped with a short,
slim neck, it plays easy and light. The western-cedar
top creates a bigger tone than the diminutive
dimensions would suggest, while the scratch-proof,
clear Lexan pickguard promises to keep it
looking new. Adding to the unique approach is
the positioning of the soundhole, high on the
bout near the neck. The P1 makes a perfect
travel or transitional guitar for those
who like things a little different
than the crowd.
$339
www.tacomaguitars.com
How to Buy the Right Guitar
t sounds like a simple process—go to the local
music store, pick out a guitar, and start your
lifelong aural pleasure trip. Then, reality sets in as you
stand before the Great Wall o’ Guitars at Mega Music
and view the hundreds of shining axes, each
demanding your review. Which one should you buy?
Here’s how to choose:
I
1) Get an acoustic guitar first. Yes, it’s tempting
to select an electric guitar with an amp that can be
sent into mondo distortion sounds quickly, but doing
so will send your learning curve into the ditch. Take
the time to truly learn by making music on a plain
old acoustic first. There is a time to shred, but it’s not
until you can play more than three chords.
down the neck easily, keep looking. Rub your palm
along the edge of the fingerboard. The frets should be
smooth and even. Try forming a chord with close
positioning to make certain your fingers fit between
the strings without causing a buzz.
3) Go for the good stuff. The details that make
the difference between a purchase and an investment
include a solid top (typically spruce) for better tone,
sealed tuners for holding pitch and known woods for
the back and sides (usually mahogany or rosewood
laminate). Also, make sure the guitar fits you
physically since they come as small as a Baby (15/16
size) and as big as a Jumbo (think XXL).
4) Get a teacher. While instruction books may do
2) Go for playability, not the look. The keys to
playability are action, fret work and string spacing.
The higher the strings are off the neck, the higher the
action, meaning you will get good tone, but you will
have to use tremendous finger pressure to form each
chord. For tender-fingered beginners, that’s not a
pleasant prospect. If you can’t finger chords up and
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the trick for some, most of us need human interaction
to excel. Ask the store if they will throw in a lesson
with purchase, then take the opportunity to interview
the teacher as to styles of playing and experience. If
funds are tight, buy an instructional video after
reviewing the selections in the store.
—K.M.
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your buying guide for albums, videos & books
One to Watch
Declaration
Steven Curtis Chapman
(Sparrow)
Steven Curtis Chapman knows stuff.
Like, that there’s no studio muscle quite as
strapping as a band that cuts tunes direct to tape,
and that the best way to duplicate the in-concert
experience while in the studio is corralling your own
touring musicians, not hired guns.
Stuff like that.
So on his latest release, Declaration, Chapman does
what he knows: He creates tunes that, while containing
Brown Bannister’s familiar production shimmer, hit hard
with live presence and passion. He delivers fist-in-the-air
exultation (“Declaration of Dependence”) right
alongside studied thankfulness (“This Day”); unleashes
armies of electric guitars (the foot-stompin’ opener,
“Live Out Loud”) with air support from regal orchestras
(“Savior”); it’s indeed a declaration of what he knows
(the gorgeous “No Greater Love”) and even what he
doesn’t (“God Is God”).
Chapman can make songs with the simplest lyrics
sound full of depth just because of how hook-filled
they are. “Jesus Is Life” and “Bring It On,” with their
undeniably catchy choruses (and kinda ho-hum
words), are prime examples. But more often than not,
Chapman nails both sides of the songwriting
equation. “See the Glory,” a narrative tune that takes
unlikely twists and turns on the edge of the Grand
Canyon (with Game Boy in hand), is a wondrous rock
guitar fest.
On the final tune, “Savior,” Chapman pens naked
poetry: “Well, who is this angry man I see/In the
mirror looking back at me?/It’s a man who’s tired, a
man who’s weak/And it’s a man who needs a
Savior….” He leaves the second verse up for
interpretive grabs, invoking a “fearful little child,”
but is this an imaginary person or Chapman himself?
Nice touch.
Declaration is a more than solid effort, exposing a
greater expanse of musical breadth—and
vulnerability—than Chapman’s attempted in quite
some time.
—Dave Urbanski
ILLUSTRATION: KURT LIGHTNER
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from Peterson’s wife, Jamie. And Jamie’s and
multi-instrumentalist Gabe Scott’s vocals blend
nicely with Andrew’s in a cover of Mary Chapin
Carpenter’s “Why Walk When You Can Fly.” In
fact, Scott, who tours with the Petersons,
makes a marked contribution—he co-wrote two
songs, including the music set to previously
unpublished lyrics by the late Rich Mullins
(“Mary Picked the Roses”), and his guitar lines
are clear and precise.
With the Marshall Crenshaw-like “Hold Up
My Arms” and bouncy James Taylor-esque
“Isn’t It Love,” Peterson shows more of his
poppy side, but in a way that evokes the
dignified approach of those classic songwriters.
That kind of down-to-earth restraint makes Clear
to Venus something of a Lone Ranger in the
new millennium’s cookie-cutter pop climate, but
one that’s welcome indeed.
—Anthony DeBarros
Clear to Venus
Andrew Peterson
(Watershed)
Just minutes into
his new album,
Andrew Peterson
offers a pointed
query: “Have you
wondered how He
loves you/If He
really knows how
dark you are
inside?” It’s a
weighty question, of course, but that real-world
tone is what helps set Clear to Venus, his
second major label album, on a plane above the
everyday.
Indeed, Peterson’s music treads the path of a
long line of earthy folk singer/songwriters. As
on Carried Along, his critically acclaimed debut,
this new collection revolves around sparkling
acoustic guitars, hammered dulcimer and spare,
workmanlike arrangements. Yet, Venus is both a
descendent and an evolution, with Peterson
sounding more confident and, dare we say, even
more tuneful.
“No More Faith,” which holds the
aforementioned pointed lyric, boasts flavorful
chord changes and a sing-along chorus as it
tells of wrestling with faith until the day believers
see God face to face. “Loose Change,” a
brilliant story about a penny languishing in a
fountain, features gospel-style backing vocals
In the Company of Angels:
A Call to
Worship
Caedmon’s Call
(Essential)
While Long Line of
Leavers marked a
musical breakthrough
for Caedmon’s Call, it
also left long-time
EDITOR’S PICK
Satellite
P.O.D.
(Atlantic)
EDITOR’S PICK
Piercing through
the high-octane
opener “Set It
Off,” P.O.D. lead
vocalist Sonny
spells out the
intentions of his
metal-mouthed,
hip-hop crew with
unflinching,
streetwise conviction: “Our time has come,
watch me set it off/It’s been a while but we
back… We lay and wait, don’t hesitate/When
opportunity knocks/Break the locks and rush
the gates….”
Strong words, but justifiably so. P.O.D.’s
excellent Atlantic Records debut, The
Fundamental Elements of Southtown, made a
head-turning, platinum-level splash in 1999
after heavy MTV exposure and a successful
stint on the “Ozzfest” tour. Now with its
follow-up, Satellite, P.O.D. is poised to become
a gigantic band… with a capital G. All P.O.D.
has to do is top itself.
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Well, folks… they did it (their way).
First off, Satellite is rife with diverse, wellcrafted music—undeniably funky grooves,
dark hued and at once blistering and ethereal
guitar tones and a generous mix of styles and
genres where strings and harmonies mingle
with nuclear-bomb power chords, acoustic
guitars and reggae vocals.
But underneath the raging, musical magic is
a God-centered message. A case in point is
the spiritually tinged “Alive”: “A new song for
me to sing/Tell the world how I feel inside/
Even though it might cost me everything…
I can never turn my back away….” The album
ends with a track (“Portrait”) that more than
reflects P.O.D.’s convictions, as it repeatedly
lifts up Christ by name. And there’s quite a
bit more where that came from throughout
the record.
Clearly P.O.D. isn’t flinching when spiritual
push comes to shove. That, combined with
the likelihood that this album will make a huge
musical impact on youth culture and the music
community in general, is reason enough to
rally the troops behind this fearsome
foursome from San Diego.
—Dave Urbanski
fans scratching their heads. The dissonant
accents, quirky lyrics, odd percussive slants
and alternative-leaning guitars made for
compelling art—arguably the best Caedmon’s
has ever produced. But just as Bob Dylan
going electric offended the folk faithful, the
Caedmon’s crowd, as loyal a fan base as you’ll
see in Christian music, reacted harshly. One
fan-run Caedmon’s Web site gave Leavers a
“D.” Many, including that offended fan, came
around, but the question remained how
Caedmon’s would follow its most adventurous
album to date.
On In the Company of Angels the group
chooses wisely (and successfully) to look
forward while looking back—that is, to honor its
worship band roots without losing sight of its
hard-won musical maturity. In that sense, Angels
recalls the Delirious disc Glo, another worship
album that saluted both original and newfound
fans. Several tracks also reflect the band’s
admiration for the late Rich Mullins; “Thy
Mercy” and “The Danse” both employ Celtic
accents such as accordion and tin whistle.
In an obvious bow to the old fans—perhaps
too obvious—“God of Wonders” showcases
the classic acoustic Caedmon’s sound (the live
track also features an obligatory audience singalong). Yet the lyrical content on Angels is lucid
and direct, aimed at fostering a loving
connection between the listener and God. “I
Boast No More,” with its sad Texan twang, is
an alluring exploration of humility (“My former
pride I call my shame/And nail my glory to His
cross”). The track is a shining example of
how Angels thoughtfully balances passion and
reverence in creating a laudable framework
for heartfelt worship.
—Lou Carlozo
Worship
Michael W. Smith
(Reunion)
When it comes
to reviewing
worship music,
one puts pen to
paper (or in this
case, finger to
keyboard) with a
bit of fear and
trembling. After
all, sincere
worship—however it is packaged—is the
core of our existence, the highest calling of
all who believe in God. Adding to that fear
the knowledge that a particular album is
“live” worship makes passing judgment
particularly uncomfortable.
But you, dear reader, deserve to
know what you’ll be paying for, so critique
we must.
Recorded live at the Carpenter’s Home
Church in Lakeland, Fla., Michael W. Smith’s
Worship is a musical coup of sorts. After all,
who but Smith could assimilate and lead a
choir of accomplished artists such as Amy
Grant, Phillips, Craig & Dean, Out of Eden
CCM 10.01 In Review (ed pick)
9/5/01
and Chris Rice, among others. The appeal of
this live recording, however, doesn’t lie in the
celebrities associated with it, but rather in the
power of the songs and the experience of
worship captured here.
As for the recorded result, you definitely
hear what you get, even if you’ve heard some
of it before. Of the older songs on Worship,
Matt Redman’s prayerful confession, “The
Heart of Worship,” never fails to move the
listener closer to God. Smith’s own “Agnus
Dei” does the same, as does Paul Baloche’s
“Open the Eyes of My Heart.” And one
shouldn’t expect all new songs when it’s a live
worship album. After all, the people need
songs they can sing.
Of the newer songs here, Kelly Carpenter’s
“Draw Me Close,” Baloche’s and Lenny
LeBlanc’s “Above All” and Marie Barnett’s
“Breathe” show real potential as future praise &
worship favorites. Each one is beautifully written,
wonderfully singable and ultimately personal.
Beyond the expected repetition integral to a
live worship recording, there are a couple of
awkward moments, specifically when Smith
asks the audience questions like, “Are you
hungry for God?” and “Who wants the
floodgates to open up?” Such prompting of an
audience may intensify what is taking place,
but it is oddly distracting on the recording. That
aside, Smith leads without overpowering the
collective effort.
But leave it to the reading of Scripture to
provide the most powerful moment on the
album, as Australian youth pastor Darren
Whitehead thunderously proclaims
Psalm 97:1-6 during “Let It Rain.” It would be
near impossible for anyone with a heart beating
in his chest to remain seated after that.
Overall, Worship is as seamless and as
moving as a live praise & worship experience
should be, complete with the spirited
predictability such a recording affords.
—Melissa Riddle
11:10 AM
Page 51
upbeat chorus. “Love Shines Through” breaks
things up with some nice guitar textures, but it’s
one of too many songs employing light imagery
in its lyrics. Many of the other tracks are just
flatly generic, like “King of My Heart” and
“Everywhere.”
Considering the wealth of talent she’s
demonstrated on her previous solo albums
and the Streams project, this disc can’t help
but be a disappointment. Hopefully, time will
reveal this as a brief digression along an
otherwise stellar body of work.
—Beau Black
Porch and Altar
Charlie Hall
(Sixsteps)
In a day when heavy
hitters like Michael
W. Smith and
Caedmon’s Call are
hopping aboard the
modern praise &
worship
bandwagon, it’s
challenging for
lesser-known artists
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Michelle Tumes
(Sparrow)
The first track on
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sounds worthier of
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than singer/
songwriter Michelle
Tumes. Its sound is
so far from her mature and classy Center of My
Universe, it may have you checking your CD
player. The problem isn’t your stereo.
Though her third project isn’t wholly drenched
in teen pop trends, the overall direction—toward
less substance, more fluff—is an odd fit for
Tumes. There are moments that reflect her past
successes, mingling the frothiness of “Dream”
with a more grounded sound. “One and Only”
sees Tumes twisting her airy voice through the
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10.01
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f
to make a distinctive mark. But singer/songwriter
Charlie Hall doesn’t seem concerned about
finding his place in this ever-expanding genre.
Rather, the erstwhile Passion conference worship
leader concentrates on what he knows best:
wholeheartedly exalting God.
On Porch and Altar, his solo national debut,
Hall offers a wellspring of brawny yet pensive
arrangements that run the thematic gamut from
fervent prayer to gratitude for redemption.
Delivering passionate, full-bodied vocals that
suggest early Rich Mullins, Hall is particularly
effective on rousing tracks like “Salvation” and
“King of Glory.” And while some song titles may
be unimaginative, Hall’s music is certainly
inventive. For instance, the jaunty cut “Once for
All” employs a bevy of instruments (from piano
to horns) amidst a syncopated back beat and a
punchy chorus. Equally appealing are the
evocative intonations of “Hope,” beautifully
supported by acoustic guitar and violin, on which
Hall declares “Though You slay me I will
hope/Hope inspires my endurance/Your hope is
my anchor....”
Some listeners may need several spins
before Porch and Altar brings fulfillment, but
this rich, contemplative disc does ultimately hit
the mark.
—David McCreary
Jump5
Jump5
(Sparrow)
If youth is supposed
to be our future,
Jump5 may be the
future of Christian
pop. Or, at least, this
co-ed quintet is the
future of frothy,
danceable, godly pop
aimed squarely at kids
and guilty pleasureloving adults who are already tuned in to Aaron
Carter, A*Teens and other acts on the Radio Disney
playlist. Or maybe Jump5 is the present.
Pre-packaged, choreographed groups such as
Jump5 live and die by production values and hooks.
Jump5 has an abundance of both, with an emphasis
on the kind of refurbished hi-NRG Eurodisco and
lite R&B textures standard for pre-teen pop
nowadays. What cinches the group’s position as a
notch above the genre’s norm is a combination of
winning vocal personalities that bode well for the
group’s effort to fight the aging process.
Lyrics to tunes such as “Spinnin’ Around,”
“Start Jumpin’” and “The Meaning of Life”
generally work well to convey evangelistic and
devotional concerns within the members’
youthfulness and generate a happenin’ party vibe.
Simply put, Jump5 and its producers make good,
clean fun.
But just as a puff of cotton candy may leave you
hankering for a full meal soon afterwards, so Jump5
might instill a craving for something more
substantial. Still, the group makes some tasty
musical confections.
—Jamie Lee Rake
The Journey
Sierra
(Pamplin)
There’s a tendency
among Christian
female groups to
lean heavily on slick
production until the
sound is so polished
that the substance
gets lost in the mix.
That is not the case
for the trio Sierra.
The group’s fifth release, The Journey, finds
Sierra opting for less spit and polish, leaning
instead towards more grit and brass tacks. Sierra
presents a disc that is rich in soaring harmonies
while managing to weave several musical
textures throughout.
Bolstered by acoustic guitar, cuts like “I Will
Exalt the One” and “That’s What I Know” are
perfect vehicles for the Wilson Phillips-type
harmonies offered here. Just as enduring are the
group’s softer moments via “I See” and “Your
Love.” Here the piano-based melodies support
the simplistic, reverent lyrics that are emotionally
convincing, “Deeper than the deepest sea, Your
living water runs in me/My every heartbeat, is
found in Your love.”
What aids in bringing diversity to The Journey
are the detours that Sierra takes. Songs like
“Carry Me” with its piccolos and Irish flare, or
the title track with a Rebecca St. James influence
are welcomed excursions, making The Journey a
fulfilling sonic trip.
—Steven Douglas Losey
Resonate
Sonicflood
(INO)
Sporting revised band
personnel and a new
record label,
Sonicflood releases
its latest modern
rhythmic worship
album. Resonate
continues the same
spirited vein of powerpraise that the name
Sonicflood has generated for the last few years.
Reverent lyrics, guitar-driven choruses and
irrepressible melodies abound, and it should come
as no surprise that stylistically the music is all over
the map (think Radiohead meets Delirious). For
instance, opening track “Lord of the Dance” is
driven by a syncopated back beat with enough
techno grooves to make Human League take
notice. Elsewhere, PFR-esque cuts like “Your
Love” and “In Your Hands” play like something
from Goldie’s Last Day.
While the album lacks an overall cohesive feel,
several bright spots make for a mostly enjoyable
listening experience. Buoyant cut “I Lift My Eyes
Up” showcases the impressive vocals of Lisa
Bevill; “Holy and Anointed One,” the disc’s
heaviest tune, simply demands an air-guitar
accompaniment; and the title track’s quiet intensity
adds a soothing change of pace.
If there’s any other criticism to be leveled here,
it’s that Sonicflood stops short of delivering the
next sure-fire modern worship anthem. That said,
Resonate is a worthwhile disc that should produce
several radio hits and satisfy those with a
penchant for this genre.
—David McCreary
Falling Down
Steve
(ForeFront)
Out of Bristol,
England, comes a
guitar-oriented
foursome known as
Steve. There are
some dangerously
catchy choruses on
the group’s first
offering, and its
sharp-edged pop
puts Steve’s sound somewhere between a
British Third Day and a scaled-down, lesslayered Delirious. Unfortunately, someone in
the studio attempted to cover Steve’s edge
with a barrage of electronic nonsense. The
band “blends elements of technology with their
(continued on page 54)
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(continued from page 52)
pop/rock/worship sound,” according to
Steve’s press material. Maybe, but it’s hardly a
smooth blend, compared to that demonstrated
by labelmate, The Benjamin Gate.
Steve’s “blend” is a mocha-salami. The bells
and whistles detract from the simplicity of the
band’s catchy guitar riffs. The hard-edged
“Hunger,” for example, starts off strong, with
its eminently singable chorus, then
degenerates into a morass of electronic pops
and synthesized horns.
These days a lot of bands interpret worship
songs to mean overly simplistic lyrics. On one
track Steve proclaims Jesus is “fine, fine, fine,
fine, fine.” But there are a few gems, including
the piano and strings on “I’m Here.” “Zealous
Core,” “My Ever My All” and “Divine Design”
are upbeat enough to get you jumping around
or at least nodding your head to the music as
you drive.
—Erik Tryggestad
Soul Music
Woody Rock
(Gospo Centric)
Soul Music is the
solo debut from
Woody Rock of
mainstream R&B act
Dru Hill. Here Rock
returns to his
gospel music roots.
And, even when the
music is rockin’
modern R&B laced
with hip-hop flavor and the occasional rap from
guests Gospel Gangstaz and B.B. Jay, akin to
Kirk Franklin’s proven formula, Rock stays deep
in a gospel message, one that repeatedly affirms
the importance of God in his life.
The sparse, open arrangements breathe with
crisp rhythms that leave lots of room for the
strong voices of Rock and his guests (including
Men of Standard, Mary Mary, Natalie Wilson,
Case and his partners in Dru Hill) to do what
they do best. Churchy on the second coming
affirmation “The Question Is,” more street on
“My Homey” and drawing on Franklin’s and
Stevie Wonder’s influences throughout the disc,
Woody Rock has made a strong, traditional
gospel album with hip, current connections.
Best on “Believer” (with B.B. Jay), on the
opening track “Testimony” and worship send up
“Clap Your Hands” (with DJ Tony Boston),
Rock’s songs affirm that God is present and
faithful, that God walks with us like the closest
of friends. Conviction, compassion and soul drip
through the tracks, and the passionate singing
leaves little doubt that there’s sincerity in
the delivery.
—Brian Quincy Newcomb
Summershine
Vigilantes of Love
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(Compass)
Athens, Ga.-based
Vigilantes of Love
continues its prolific
journey with a
baker’s dozen of
new tunes. The
disc, while adorned
with familiar stuff
(i.e. frontman/
vocalist Bill
Mallonee’s baritone twang and the band’s
habitual, midtempo pace), offers a newly
flavored rootsyness that borrows R.E.M.’s
jangle, The Byrds’ harmonies and The Beatles’
pop structures.
It’s a welcome break. Vigilantes is an
exceptional band with one of the best lyricists
around, but the guys have tended toward aural
homogeneity of late. Summershine, full of Britpop sensibilities that Mallonee soaked up
during his recent jaunts along the U.K. pub
circuit, is just the pit stop the fellas needed.
The opener, “You Know That,” smartly
encapsulates the band’s left turn. Full of
CCM 10.01 In Review (ed pick)
9/5/01
chiming, multi-layered guitars that would have
fit like a glove on R.E.M.’s Murmur or
Reckoning, as well as three-part harmonies
that’d make Roger McGuinn, David Crosby
and Chris Hillman grin, Vigilantes of Love
sounds like a rejuvenated outfit.
Despite the fact that “Stand Beside Me”
sounds a bit like VOL revamping The Beatles’
“Good Day Sunshine” (right down to the
Ringo-styled snare drum fill), Mallonee
conjures up more clouds here than Paul would
have liked: “Slight of hand, angry words/And
the arguments that don’t get heard/I’m so
smitten and attached/With my paper dreams
you strike the match.”
Indeed, the bright-hued album title only tells
part of the story. Mallonee manages a skillful
dichotomy, fashioning music that’s decidedly
amiable with lyrics that weave doubt along the
same seam as assurance. A good example is
found on the joyfully raucous “Puttin’ Out
Fires”: “It’s a Disney World trailer park from
here to kingdom come/When every moment is
a red light; a red light you just run.”
While Summershine isn’t exactly a turning
point (the band’s been doing just fine), the
record shows there are more influences up
Vigilantes’ sleeve than Bob Dylan.
—Dave Urbanski
Infectious
Go Fish
(Inpop)
3:24 PM
Page 55
Almost There
Mercy Me
(INO)
In a praise &
worship market
saturated to almost
overflowing, Mercy
Me’s national debut,
Almost There,
offers a breath of
fresh air—and a
sincerity sure to
hold other artists
wishing to dive into the genre accountable.
With a voice that’s honest and passionate,
vocalist Bart Millard delivers a set of original
songs with a single-minded focus—to worship
God. Almost There contains brand new material,
plus fresh recordings of previously released indie
tracks “Cannot Say Enough,” “Call to Worship,”
“I Can Only Imagine” and “In You,” proof of why
Mercy Me sold a ton of independent albums
before signing with INO.
The heavenly ballad “I Can Only Imagine” is
the highlight of the album: “Surrounded by Your
glory what will my heart feel?/Will I dance for
You Jesus or in awe of You be still?/Will I stand
in Your presence or to my knees will I fall?/Will I
sing hallelujah will I be able to speak at all?/I can
only imagine.” (After hearing the song, singer
Amy Grant sought the band’s permission to
record her own version of the track on her
upcoming album.)
Musically, Mercy Me doesn’t break any new
ground with its familiar style of crisp vocal
melodies over a cleanly produced acoustic
pop/rock sound. But where innovative
instrumentation may falter, heartfelt lyrics
beckon forgiveness.
With a complexity that makes the album
enjoyable to listen to and a simplicity that makes
it appropriate for a contemporary worship
setting, Mercy Me takes Almost There just
beyond the reach of commercialism and straight
to the heart of the worshiper.
—Adam Woodroof
COMING IN
NOVEMBER’S
Discover Third Day’s newest
offering Come Together, and
find out why Caedmon’s Call
wants you in church!
Also, our annual Christmas
album reviews and the latest
Left Behind book.
The three
members of Go
Fish (Jamie
Statema, Andy
Selness and Jason
Folkmann) have
been kicking
around Minnesota
singing a cappella
pop music for the
last five years, with three indie recordings
under their belts. But the sound is more
BBMak than Take 6. With producer Todd
Collins (dc talk) at the helm, the vocal group
has added acoustic guitars and the odd
percussion loop to the mix for a more uptempo modern pop groove on its label debut.
Light-sounding, sweet, airy pop is Go Fish’s
natural setting, and the closer the group stays
rooted in reality, the better the songs feel.
“You’re My Little Girl” is a case in point, and
arguably the best song here. In a world hellbent on bashing the self-esteem of young
women, Go Fish speaks common sense out of
the parental love of God, which addresses the
pain and difficulties that all too many girls
know in this world.
Elsewhere, the guys sing crisp harmonic
music, although on “Cloverleaf Park” the lead
vocal is weak. On “Infectious” they’re too
close to an ’N Sync melody, but on “Watch
Me Go,” “I See You,” “That’s What Amazes
Me” and “What Mary Didn’t Know,” they find
more of their own voice.
—Brian Quincy Newcomb
10.01
ccm | 55
CCM 10.01 In Review (ed pick)
9/5/01
3:26 PM
Page 57
INreview
f
Barefoot on Barbed Wire:
A Journey Out of Fear
Into Freedom
Cindy Morgan
(Harvest House)
Splashed amidst
childhood memories and
adult challenges, singer/
songwriter Cindy Morgan
bares her heart with
vulnerability in Barefoot
on Barbed Wire. Reading
one account after another
of Morgan’s secret fears
evokes a genuine sense
of empathy for this
popular performer.
Morgan spends much time retelling her past,
focusing especially on events shared with
intimate family and friends during her growing
up years in Tennessee and the subsequent
thread of fear that wound its way through her
family members’ lives. While sincere, the
succinct single chapter topics often jump
around, distracting the reader from her overarching message to face one’s fears through
the strength and enabling power of God.
—Michele Howe
Stryper: Loud ’n’ Clear
Dale Erickson and Jesse Sturdevant
(Endgame)
Before P.O.D. and
Sixpence None the
Richer had general
market success,
Stryper helped pave
the way. Now, 10
years after the
release of Stryper’s
final album, comes
the band’s authorized
biography. Here the
rise and fall of the
California group is chronicled through the
words of all four band members, as well
as managers, record executives,
journalists, friends and family. In fact, the
book is almost completely composed of
quotes, leaving the reader room for some
interpretation of events.
After a few background chapters on the
band members’ childhoods, the story
reads like an extensive version of VH1’s
“Behind the Music,“ but unfortunately not
as well written as the popular TV show.
There’s even a “but offstage, things were
falling apart” section, where the band
members openly and honestly address the
accusations and controversies that
surrounded Stryper late in its career.
Most will tire of reading about every
technical detail of each album’s recording.
Some will want for deeper information
about the band members’ personal lives.
Still, for die-hard fans, a lot of information is
packed into this quick 160-page read.
—Chris McNeece
Secrets of a Faith Well
Lived: Intimate
Conversations With
Modern-day Disciples
Christopher Coppernoll
(Howard Publishing)
Given Christopher
Coppernoll’s insider’s
position as host of the
“Soul2Soul” radio program,
this collection of “secrets”
is chock-full of some
favorite evangelical authors’
and speakers’ very personal
comments on genuine faithfilled living. Included are
Max Lucado, Henry
Blackaby, Steve Brown,
Tony Campolo, Patsy Clairmont, Larry Crabb,
Barbara Johnson and Frank Peretti. Coppernoll
poses 12 questions and each author interjects a
personal reply to topics like prayer, purpose,
staying on track, God’s calling, overcoming
adversity and healthy churches. This resource is
more than a page turner to an oft despondent
church. Each response begs a further look and a
proactive step to richer intimacy with Christ.
—Michele Howe
The Singer: A Classic
Retelling of Cosmic
Conflict Calvin Miller (InterVarsity)
The truest review of a
reissued classic book, it
would seem, is to see if
the quarter-century-old
text still holds up and
rings true today.
With that prerequisite
in place, we can confirm
you won’t be able to tell
that The Singer was
published in 1975. Miller’s
use of words and phrases
makes the text not only
evergreen, but also distinctively wise. This
allegory of the Gospel of Matthew is
set in an indefinable place and is more or
less “timeless.”
One priceless addition is Miller’s new
introduction, in which he tells a brief-but-rich
story of how he came to create The Singer.
It’s full of telling details illustrating his thendepressed state, one that drove him to the
grace of Jesus each day—and subsequently
to his study on many nights for hours and
hours, composing a poem that would
eventually become an epic tale in the tradition
of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein.
—Dave Urbanski
EDITOR’S PICK
Let Your Life Speak:
Listening for the Voice
of Vocation
Parker Palmer
(Jossey-Bass)
Who Moved My
Cheese is the trendy
book about dealing with
change. If one can get
past the parable’s trifling
motif—and therein lies
the mouse trap—then
you discover change is
inevitable; in fact you’d
do well to anticipate it.
It’s best to accept this
axiom, adapt—or die.
I wonder what else the authors learned
in kindergarten….
Parker Palmer offers an approach to change
more aged than the popular Cheese, urging
readers to slice through layer after layer of
peer, cultural and self-imposed direction. Only
by engaging what Palmer calls “inner work,”
skills like journaling, reflective reading of
spiritual and biblical writings, prayer and
meditation among the disciplines, are we
going to discover what values we represent,
he says. This, then, directs our outward
activity. Palmer’s pastoral voice and general
blueprint complements a variety of Christian
denominational traditions.
Further, Palmer takes seriously the notion
of leading people into a transformational
dynamic, that is, living out a biblical notion of
community for the well-being of humanity.
Each Christian is capable of contributing
such leadership. The gift—not task—is to
discern how.
The noted speaker on education and church
work reveals personal anecdotes that helped
him discover the approach, including details
about his two-time struggle with clinical
depression. It’s tempting, even possible, to
skip these parts. But to do so misses an
important point: To discover the will of God in
one’s vocational life, one must do some
thinking and feeling about what is of core
value. Turning to one’s inner life need not be
narcissistic—friends, family and church
traditions can help keep that in check. But to
discover the unique voice given to you by God
requires listening to what’s inside.
—Gregory Rumburg
10.01
ccm | 57
CCM 10.01 On Tour(w/full Sonic)
9/5/01
3:08 PM
Page 59
ONtour
concert reviews & tours
Mark Schultz
Faith Temple Assembly
of God
Plant City, Florida
Schultz
by Natalie Nichols Gillespie
Picture a medium-sized church in rural Florida. Guitar stands
flank the sides of a platform, a drum kit sits at the back and an
electronic keyboard on a slightly wobbly stand reigns proudly
front and center, just a couple of feet from audience members
lining the first pew. The performer takes the stage by walking
casually down the side aisle past the filled seats.
It’s a humble but fitting atmosphere for Mark Schultz, the
singer/songwriter/youth pastor who took Christian music by
storm last year with his self-titled debut album of sensitive and
fun piano-backed songs. The simple set-up, lack of lighting and
absence of overblown production provided the perfect backdrop
for Schultz’ songwriting creations to take the spotlight.
Schultz opened with the energetic “Let’s Go,” standing over
the keyboard and pounding the ivories, segueing into a quick
chorus of The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”
to get the crowd going. In Schultz’ short professional recording
career, he has mastered the art of enthusiasm, urging the crowd
to participate in, not just observe, the show. He endears himself
with self-deprecating humor. And while Schultz plays the songs
almost exactly as he does on his album (with relatively little
improv for the live set), he pairs the stories behind them with
the live performance, evoking a satisfying emotional experience
for the audience.
The artist eagerly made his way through radio favorite “I Am
the Way,” then slowed the pace with “When You Come Home,”
telling the story of the day he left for Nashville and his mom’s
pain at letting him go. “The only thing better than walking in
the front door and seeing your mom waiting for you is getting
to heaven and Jesus is standing there saying, ‘I was waiting for
you to get home,’” Schultz said.
The performer roused the crowd with “When You Give” and
a singalong version of “Take Me to the River,” made popular
by Al Green and others. Schultz followed with the story behind
the smash single “He’s My Son,” bringing tears to fans’ eyes as
he spoke about one of his church youth who battled leukemia
set list:
(and eventually recovered) and
“Let’s Go”
the pain the boy’s father
“Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts
experienced over not being able
Club Band”
“I Am the Way”
to fix the situation.
“When You Come Home”
“John would wake up at 4
“When You Give”
o’clock in the morning to watch
“Take Me to the River”
“He’s My Son”
his son sleep and try to imagine
“Jesus, Lamb of God”
life without him,” Schultz said.
“Lord, Prepare Me to Be a
“I tried for about three months to
Sanctuary”
“Legend of McBride”
write a song about it... Then one
“Back in His Arms”
night, I sat down at church and
“Time of My Life”
this piano chorus came out.”
“Remember Me”
When Schultz sang the hearttugging ballad, ending it by
tapping out “Twinkle, Twinkle
Little Star” on the keyboard, the room went silent before the
audience erupted with applause and a standing ovation.
A short praise segment and “Legend of McBride,” from his
debut, proceeded the second highlight of the evening: two new
tunes from his upcoming sophomore project, Song Cinema,
releasing this month. “Back in His Arms” is a tender tale of
redemption, in the upbeat, pop style of “I Am the Way,” and ballad
“Time of My Life” is a love song that recalls a couple’s relationship
from their teen years through decades of commitment.
The singer closed with “Remember Me,” his duet with Ginny
Owens. In Owens’ absence, Schultz asked the crowd to fill in her
part, and the evening ended with an impromptu, almost angelic
chorus of young girls in the audience singing sweetly, “Age to age
and heart to heart/Child of wonder, child of God….”
With only one album under his belt, the show seemed on the
short side, but the audience didn’t appear to mind, lining up for
over an hour to talk to Schultz. CCM
Joy Hirdes
Lakeland, FL
Rachel Connors
Plant City, FL
Chad Myers
Lakeland, FL
“I like that he isn’t afraid
to share his heart. He is
very personable. I love
Mark Schultz; I think he
rates right up there with
Steven Curtis Chapman.”
“Mark Schultz is great
with the audience. He
really encourages
participation. I liked the
song he wrote for his
mom, because you can tell
he loves her so much.”
“Mark is very candid
with the audience, and
he’s a good storyteller.
My favorite song that he
does is ‘I Am the Way.’
The first time I heard it, it
really ministered to me.”
PHOTO: NATALIE NICHOLS GILLESPIE
10.01
ccm | 59
CCM 10.01 On Tour(w/full Sonic)
9/5/01
3:08 PM
Page 60
ONtour
October/November 2001 Tour Dates
Surf tour dates by city or state at www.ccmmagazine.com
4HIM
Oct 1–Tulsa, OK
6–Santa Clara, CA
13–Cedarville, OH
14–Raleigh, NC
19–Richmond, VA
20–Aiken, SC
26–Gaylord, MI
28–McKinney, TX
Nov 1–Jacksonville, FL
2–Miami, FL
3–St. Louis, MO
10–Conrad, IA
18–Williamsville, NY
615/963-3000
Nov 25–Orlando, FL
615/790-5540
AVALON
ACE
TROUBLESHOOTER
Oct 1–Englewood, CO
2–Albuquerque, NM
4–Modesto, CA
5–Chico, CA
6–Bakersfield, CA
7–Irvine, CA
8–Castro Valley, CA
9–Nampa, ID
11–Pasco, WA
12–Tacoma, WA
13–Salem, OR
14–Spokane, WA
17–Grand Forks, ND
18–Rockford, IL
19–Joliet, IL
20–Sioux City, IA
23–Lansing, MI
25–Waterloo, IA
26–St. Louis, MO
27–Minneapolis, MN
28–Duluth, MN
Nov 1–Springfield, IL
2–Springfield, MO
3–Bethany, OK
5–Farmington, NM
6–Amarillo, TX
8–Abilene, TX
9–Rockwall, TX
10–Mobile, AL
12–Birmingham, AL
13–Huntsville, AL
15–Monroe, LA
16–Lake Charles, LA
17–New Orleans, LA
615/963-3000
(see Five Iron Frenzy)
651/488-9133
HELEN BAYLOR
THE 77S
Oct 13–Dayton, OH
219/269-3413
ACAPPELLA
Oct 5–Bradford, OH
8–Minerva, OH
11–Lancaster, PA
12–Urbana, MD
13–Newark, DE
14–Dover, DE
20–Princeton, NJ
21–Uniondale, NY
28–Nashua, NH
Nov 2–Houlton, ME
10–Rochester, NY
16–Cleveland Heights, OH
17–Marietta, OH
901/641-6810
YOLANDA ADAMS
(see Shirley Caesar)
212/824-1795
ALL TOGETHER
SEPARATE
Oct 13–Whittier, CA
31–Roseville, CA
909/684-FISH
AMONG THORNS
Oct 27–Jamesville, NC
800/370-9932
ANOINTED
Nov 16–Lancaster, OH
18–Rockford, IL
615/963-3000
AUDIO
ADRENALINE
Oct 6–Santa Clara, CA
13–Cincinnati, OH
28–Grantham, PA
Nov 3–Green Bay, WI/
Springfield, IL
10–Tupelo, MS
16–Springfield, IL
24–San Diego, CA
30–Evansville, IN
615/963-3000
AURORA
Oct 6–Morganton, NC
19–Chicago, IL
60
| ccm
10.01
Oct 1–Houston, TX
4–Orange, NJ
13–Washington, D.C.
Nov 10–Concord, CA
30–New York, NY
909/789-8690
BEANBAG
Oct 6–Villa Rica, GA
15–Kingsville, TX
16–San Antonio, TX
17–Montgomery, TX
18–Abilene, TX
19–Dallas, TX
20–Oklahoma City, OK
21–Amarillo, TX
25–Sparks, NV
26–Orangevale, CA
28–Grass Valley, CA
30–Hillsboro, OR
Nov 2–Alexandria, MN
3–Des Moines, IA
4–Council Bluffs, IA
9–Clarkston, MI
10–Defiance, OH
11–Grand Rapids, MI
615/297-2021
THE BENJAMIN
GATE
Oct 6–Villa Rica, GA
20–Poplar Bluff, MO
www.jeffroberts.com
BLEACH
Oct 6–Seward, NE
615/297-2021
RAY BOLTZ
Oct 4–Marietta, GA
5–Cordova, TN
6–Cape Girardeau, MO
18–Bedford, IN
19–Winston-Salem, NC
20–Fayetteville, NC
25–Union City, TN
26–Greenville, SC
27–Upper Marlboro, MD
615/460-0066
29–South Hadley, MA
30–Williamsport, MD
219/269-3413
17–Kettering, OH
30–Hutchinson, KS
615/859-7040
CARMAN
FFH
Nov 17–Jacksonville, FL
615/383-8787
(see Point of Grace)
615/790-5540
ASHLEY CLEVELAND
JOHN FISCHER
Oct 21–Grand Island, NY
219/269-3413
Oct 26–Silver Spring, MD
30–Grantham, PA
661/325-6967
BROTHER’S KEEPER
CLAY CROSSE
Oct 20–Kingston, TN
26–Birmingham, AL
205/755-9077
Oct 14–Bartlett, TN
18–Fort Smith, AR
19–Olathe, KS
27–Sulphur, LA
Nov 3–Paducah, KY
615/777-2227
MATT BROUWER
Nov 16–Lancaster, OH
909/684-FISH
THE DARINS
BUCK ENTERPRISES
Oct 6–Villa Rica, GA
734/434-4359
BY THE TREE
Oct 6–Morganton, NC
18–Minneapolis, MN
Nov 18–Bourbonnais, IL
615/790-5540
CADET
Oct 6–Monroe, WA
13–Rochester Hills, MI
26–Discovery Bay, CA
615/297-2021
CAEDMON’S CALL
(also see “Songs 4
Worship”)
Oct 4–Austin, TX
6–Azusa, CA
615/297-2021
SHIRLEY CAESAR
Nov 2-3–Chicago, IL
4–Cleveland, OH
5–Richmond, VA
6–Charlotte, NC
8–Minneapolis, MN
9–Wichita, KS
11–Dallas, TX/
New Orleans, LA
13–Houston, TX
14–Austin, TX
17–Hampton, VA
18–Columbus, OH
19–Washington, D.C.
20–Cincinnati, OH
23–San Diego, CA/
Los Angeles, CA
25–Oakland, CA
26–Seattle, WA
27–Sacramento, CA
www.shirleycaesar.com
MICHAEL CARD
Oct 4–Menasha, WI
6–Green Lake, WI
7–Elmbrook, WI
25–Anderson, SC
27–York, PA
28–Raleigh, NC
Nov 2–Newtown Square, PA
4–Peoria, IL
11–Greeley, CO
18–Phoenix, AZ
Oct 6–Topeka, KS
27–Radcliff, KY
Nov 4–Virginia Beach, VA
11–North Wilkesboro, NC
17–Poteau, OK
615/790-5540
DC TALK
Oct 15–Seattle, WA
16–Portland, OR
27–Grand Rapids, MI
Nov 3–Philadelphia, PA
615/383-8787
AL DENSON
Oct 19–Madison, MS
20–Baton Rouge, LA
30–Los Angeles, CA
Nov 10–Overland Park, KS
717/627-1911
BRYAN DUNCAN
Oct 13–Cleveland, TN
24–San Diego, CA
26–Orlando, FL
27–Sarasota, FL
Nov 16–Lake Havasu, AZ
18–Millsboro, DE
23–Dallas, TX
219/269-3413
EARTHSUIT
Oct 3–Shreveport, LA
6–Villa Rica, GA
615/383-8787
ELI
Oct 5–Fort Pierce, FL
20–Lindsborg, KS
28–Greenwood, IN
Nov 4–Wautoma, WI
615/673-1398
THE ELMS
Oct 3–Springfield, MO
4–Tulsa, OK
6–Villa Rica, GA
12–Huntsville, AL
13–Murfreesboro, NC
20–Poplar Bluff, MO
27–Crawfordsville, IN
31–Roseville, CA
Nov 1–Sacramento, CA
11–Riverside, CA
15–Dallas, TX
16–Lexington, KY
FIVE IRON FRENZY
Oct 2–Memphis, TN
3–Tulsa, OK
4–Kansas City, MO
5–Des Moines, IA
6–Minneapolis, MN
7–Naperville, IL
9–Kendallville, IN
10–Pittsburgh, PA
11–Lancaster, PA
12–Canton, OH
13–Cincinnati, OH
14–Grand Rapids, MI
16–Port Huron, MI
17–Indianapolis, IN
18–Nashville, TN
19–Knoxville, TN
20–Conyers, GA
22–Houston, TX
23–Dallas, TX
24–Oklahoma City, OK
26–Albuquerque, NM
27–Phoenix, AZ
28–Orange County, CA
29–Bakersfield, CA
30–Fresno, CA
31–Castro Valley, CA
Nov 2–Portland, OR
3–Seattle, WA
4–Richland, WA
6–Spokane, WA
7–Boise, ID
8–Provo, UT
9–Grand Junction, CO
10–Denver, CO
925/827-4688
FLIGHT 180
Oct 27–Santa Maria, CA
615/297-2021
FORTY DAYS
Oct 6–Wichita Falls, TX
19–Bluefield, VA
21–Del City, OK
27–Pueblo, CO
Nov 2–Dallas, TX
9–Charleston, WV
14–Shelbyville, KY
15–Madison, IN
16–Blountsville, AL
17–Leitchfield, KY
30–Glen Rose, TX
615/777-2227
11–Indianapolis, IN
22–Boise, ID
23–Sacramento, CA
24–San Jose, CA
25–Fresno, CA
26–Phoenix, AZ
27–Long Beach, CA
Nov 2–Atlanta, GA
3–Memphis, TN
8–Jacksonville, FL
9–Fort Lauderdale, FL
10–Fort Myers, FL
864/801-9266
GLAD
Oct 7–Winchester, VA
13–Columbus, OH
Nov 8–St. Paul, MN
17–Bethlehem, PA
540/338-2017
BEN GLOVER
Oct 27–Alpharetta, GA
615/790-5540
NATALIE GRANT
Oct 20–Oceanside, CA
Nov 9–Gray, TN
16–Lancaster, OH
18–Greensboro, NC
615/248-0800
STEVE GREEN
Oct 5–Bryn Mawr, PA
7–Tallahassee, FL
12–Ocala, FL
16–Cincinnati, OH
20–Loma Linda, CA
21–Castro Valley, CA
25–Grand Rapids, MI
Nov 24–Syracuse, NY
30–Indianapolis, IN
615/662-0335
SARA GROVES
(see Michael Card)
615/383-8787
SHAUN GROVES
(see Bebo Norman)
www.shaungroves.com
HANGNAIL
(see Beanbag)
615/297-2021
KIM HILL
Oct 2–Memphis, TN
14–Pontotoc, MS
Nov 8–Irmo, SC
17–Arlington, TX
615/777-2227
KATY HUDSON
(see Bebo Norman)
www.katyhudson.com
KIRK FRANKLIN
JARS OF CLAY
Oct 11–Phoenix, AZ
14–Ontario, CA
20–Moline, IL
615/963-3000
Oct 6–Santa Clara, CA
13–Cincinnati, OH
615/383-8787
JUSTIFIDE
GAITHER VOCAL
BAND
Oct 6–Grand Rapids, MI
(see Skillet)
480/899-8846
CCM 10.01 On Tour(w/full Sonic)
9/5/01
THE KATINAS
MARK LOWRY
Oct 11–Indianapolis, IN
27–Hershey, PA
Nov 9–Oklahoma City, OK
30–Greenville, SC
615/963-3000
(see Gaither Vocal Band)
615/826-6119
CHERI KEAGGY
Oct 13–Pearland, TX
27–Amarillo, TX
Nov 3–Woodbridge, VA
www.jeffroberts.com
PHIL KEAGGY
Oct 6–Hickory, NJ
20–Tacoma, WA
21–Plattsmouth, NE
25–Eau Claire, WI
26–Philadelphia, PA
27–Wichita Falls, TX
Nov 10–Topeka, KS
11-12–Dayton, OH
16–Vienna, VA
18–Elburn, IL
26–Orlando, FL
30–Coeur d’ Alene, ID
219/269-3413
WES KING
Oct 12–Fort Myers, FL
26–Allen, TX
27–Canyon, TX
Nov 3–Pepper Pike, OH
219/269-3413
JENNIFER KNAPP
Oct 2–Bakersfield, CA
13–Zarephath, NJ
Nov 4–Lincoln, NE
615/383-8787
KNOWDAVERBS
Oct 6–Villa Ricca, GA
615/254-7700
LUNA HALO
Nov 9–Bensenville, IL
615/297-2021
MARY MARY
(see Shirley Caesar)
www.mary-mary.com
DONNIE MCCLURKIN
Oct 3–Salisbury, NC
5–Houston, TX
11–Mobile, AL
19–College Park, GA
27–Washington, D.C.
Nov 1–Nashville, TN
10–Los Angeles, CA
615/822-5308
Oct 11–Flint, MI
26–Milford, OH
28–Carmel, IN
Nov 3–Portland, OR
11–Valparaiso, IN
615/777-2227
MITCH MCVICKER
Oct 3–Fargo, ND
4–Sioux Falls, SD
6–Washburn, IA
7–Elk Run Heights, IA
14–Mt. Pleasant, SC
21–Overland Park, KS
24–Alexandria, MN
25–Paynesville, MN
26–Litchfield, MN
28–New Hope, MN
785/232-4189
Oct 12–Dalton, GA
31–Denton, TX
615/297-2021
HEATHER MILLER
Nov 10–Greenville, SC
615/777-2227
(see Sonicflood)
615/790-5540
LARUE
GEOFF MOORE
Oct 13–Columbia, TN
20–North Manchester, IN
26–Portsmouth, NH
Nov 3–Lansing, MI
10–Ocean City, MD
16–Willoughby Hill, OH
800/578-7984
Oct 3–Lynchburg, VA
7–St. Paul, MN
14–Haddonfield, NJ
15–Glorietta, NM
17–Independence, IA
19–Chicago, IL
20–Marshall, MO
27–Sunnyvale, CA
Nov 2–Northville, MI
615/790-5540
Oct 16–Miami, FL
615/383-8787
NICOLE C. MULLEN
(also see “Songs 4
Worship”)
Oct 6–Jonesboro, GA
615/595-1972
MXPX
GREG LONG
Oct 13–Fergus Falls, MN
615/963-3000
Oct 14–Pasadena, TX
20–Mansfield, OH
Nov 16–Lancaster, OH
17–Dayton, OH
18–Rockford, IL
www.jeffroberts.com
Oct 13–Arcadia, CA
615/963-3000
NEWSBOYS
Oct 6–Santa Clara, CA
Nov 9–Marion, IN
615/963-3000
OUT OF THE GREY
(see Twila Paris)
www.jeffroberts.com
Oct 6–Aliso Viejo, CA
19–Bluefield, VA
Nov 3–Crystal Lake, IL
4–Chicago, IL
28–Covington, GA
615/777-2227
TWILA PARIS
Oct 27–Alpharetta, GA
615/790-5540
PETE ORTA
Oct 5–Irmo, SC
615/963-3000
FERNANDO
ORTEGA
Oct 13–Laguna Hills, CA
25–Marco Island, FL
Nov 1–Orlando, FL
9–Phoenix, AZ
219/269-3413
OUT OF EDEN
Oct 5–Niagara Falls, NY
6–Myrtle Beach, SC
19–Miami, FL
26–Ladson, SC
27–San Antonio, TX
– Russell Breimeier / christianitytoday.com
Oct 2–Winston-Salem, NC
6–Myrtle Beach, SC
Nov 3–Shawnee, OK
615/963-3000
PAIGE
ERIN O’DONNELL
“Avalon’s most
irresistible
album to date.”
GINNY OWENS
NICHOLE
NORDEMAN
Oct 2–Woodland, CA
3–Malibu, CA
4–Wickenburg, AZ
6–Deerfield, IL
7–Westbrook, IL
9–Upland, IN
11–Toledo, OH
12–Dubuque, IA
13–Wilmore, KY
14–Nashville, TN
18–Bloomington, IN
19–Dubuque, IA
20–Grand Rapids, MI
21–Milwaukee, WI
22–New Brighton, MN
23–Sioux Falls, SD
25–Colorado Springs, CO
26–Boulder, CO
27–Denver, CO
28–Buena Vista, CO
30–Abilene, TX
31–Hattiesburg, MS
Nov 1–Gainesville, FL
2–Tallahassee, FL
4–Orlando, FL
7–Fort Myers, FL
9–West Palm Beach, FL
11–Clemson, SC
12–Montgomery, AL
13–Auburn, AL
14–Greenville, SC
15–Atlanta, GA
16–Columbia, SC
17–Elon, NC
18–Harrisonburg, VA
615/297-2021
(see Rebecca St. James)
615/383-8787
CRYSTAL LEWIS
NEWSONG
BEBO NORMAN
KELLY MINTER
Oct 20–Strawberry Plains,
TN
31–Charleston, SC
www.jeffroberts.com
20–Anderson, SC
21–Jacksonville, FL
Nov 17–Indian Wells, CA
770/736-5363
Oct 6–Lancaster, PA
7–Hershey, PA
10–Grove City, PA
16–Tacoma, WA
20–Mill Valley, CA
Nov 9–West Palm Beach, FL
615/297-2021
RACHAEL LAMPA
RUSS LEE
Page 61
JUSTIN MCROBERTS
MERCYME
SCOTT KRIPPAYNE
3:08 PM
Nov 3–Vienna, VA
615/963-3000
Oct 4–Elkhart, IN
5–Westerville, OH
6–Grand Rapids, MI
7–Findlay, OH
11–Overland Park, KS
12–Springfield, MO
14–Salina, KS
18–Phoenix, AZ
19–Tucson, AZ
26–Tacoma, WA
27–Bellingham, WA
Nov 2–Wayne, NE
5–Merrillville, IN
8–Williamsport, PA
9–Lancaster, PA
10–Upper Marlboro, MD
11–Sewell, NJ
13–Arden, NC
15–Marietta, GA
16–Knoxville, TN
18–Ellisville, MO
615/963-3000
JANET PASCHAL
Oct 6–Grand Rapids, MI
9–Tampa, FL
11–Indianapolis, IN
19–Columbus, OH
20–Smithfield, NC
22–Boise, ID
23–Sacramento, CA
24–San Jose, CA
25–Fresno, CA
26–Phoenix, AZ
27–Long Beach, CA
615/851-4500
SANDI PATTY
AVALONOXYGEN
“Avalon intertwines their stellar voices in
creative arrangements that breathe
life into the songs on this solid set.”
– Billboard
“…Outstanding vocals and sincere lyrics.”
– Simon Gonzales / Fort Worth Star-Telegram
“These songs show the group at its
best, with that clear pure sound that
expresses the true joy of faith.”
– The Wichita Eagle
FEATURES HIT SINGLES “WONDER WHY,”
“MAKE IT LAST FOREVER,”
AND “THE GLORY”
Oct 20–Muncie, IN
25–Bartlesville, OK
615/963-3000
PAX217
AVALON
CHARLIE PEACOCK
SEE
ON
“THE OXYGEN TOUR” THIS FALL
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
Oct 26–Castro Valley, CA
219/269-3413
ZOEGIRL
Oct 27–Hillsboro, OR
31–Boise, ID
615/297-2021
AND
ANDREW
PETERSON
JOY WILLIAMS
Oct 8–Morris, MN
13–Westerville, OH
25–Due West, SC
26–Columbia, SC
27–Central, SC
615/297-2021
PETRA
Oct 28–Jacksonville, FL
770/736-5363
10.01
ccm | 61
VISIT
AVA L O N L I V E . C O M
FOR TOUR DATES AND
UP-TO-THE-MINUTE INFO
©2001Sparrow Records
CCM 10.01 On Tour(w/full Sonic)
9/5/01
3:08 PM
Page 62
ONtour
PFR
MATT REDMAN
SKILLET
Oct 11–Valparaiso, IL
22–Marion, IL
www.pfrhq.com
Oct 18–Franklin, TN
www.worshiptogether.com
Oct 1–Costa Mesa, CA
4–Bellevue, WA
5–Everett, WA
6–Salem, OR
7–Richland, WA
9–Billings, MT
10–Salt Lake City, UT
11–Montrose, CO
12–Albuquerque, NM
13–Andrews, TX
14–Dallas, TX
19–Kenosha, WI
20–Winona Lake, IN
21–Niles, MI
24–Cameron, MO
26–New Paltz, NY
30–Dayton, OH
31–Greentown, IN
Nov 1–Defiance, OH
2–Columbus, OH
3–Elgin, IL
4–Grand Rapids, MI
6–Albemarle, NC
7–Cookeville, TN
9–Greenville, SC
10–Columbia, SC
11–Monroe, NC
12–Grovetown, GA
15–Naples, FL
16–Lake City, FL
17–Alpharetta, GA
18–Memphis, TN
615/297-2021
JILL PHILLIPS
Nov 2–Charleston, WV
3–Cedarville, OH
4–Charlotte, NC
5–Youngsville, NC
9–St. Louis, MO
10–Leawood, KS
14–Amarillo, TX
18–Plano, TX
615/777-2227
RELIENT K
(see Five Iron Frenzy)
615/254-7700
JOHN REUBEN
(see Five Iron Frenzy)
615/254-7700
SALVADOR
Oct 7–Springfield, MO
11–Flint, MI
12–Columbus, GA
25–Louisville, KY
Nov 8–Grand Rapids, MI
9–Fort Wayne, IN
11–Anderson, IN
16–Nashville, TN
30–Jacksonville, FL
615/777-2227
Oct 2–Tulsa, OK
5–Houston, TX
8–North Platte, NE
12–Tacoma, WA
14–Fresno, CA
19–Moline, IL
20–Rancho Santa Fe, CA
26–Nampa, ID
31–Montebello, CA
Nov 2–Cottonwood, AZ
22–Dallas, TX
23–Sacramento, CA
24–Ontario, CA
25–San Diego, CA
www.jeffroberts.com
CHONDA PIERCE
SATELLITE SOUL
Oct 5–Lawton, OK
6–Ardmore, OK
8–Abilene, TX
16–San Diego, CA
18–Santa Ana, CA
19–Modesto, CA
20–Sacramento, CA
24–Seattle, WA
26–Spokane, WA
615/963-3000
Oct 14–Mt. Pleasant, SC
21–Overland Park, KS
27–Bensenville, IL
Nov 2–Pella, IA
9–Harrisonburg, VA
16–Woodlands, TX
17–Green Bay, WI
18–Neshkoro, WI
219/269-3413
PHILLIPS, CRAIG &
DEAN
JONATHAN PIERCE
Oct 7–Lake Worth, FL
26–Jonesboro, GA
615/777-2227
PILLAR
(see Skillet)
877/7-PILLAR
Oct 13–Columbia, SC
Nov 3–Valdosta, GA
5–Dothan, AL
10–Peoria, IL
615/963-3000
POINT OF GRACE
Oct 1–Salem, VA
2–Fort Wayne, IN
4–Pittsburgh, PA
5–Ames, IA
6–Villa Park, IL
7–Minneapolis, MN
9–Altoona, PA
11–Binghamton, NY
12–Portland, ME
13–Sewell, NJ
14–Hershey, PA
15–Grand Rapids, MI
16–Peoria, IL
18–Tulsa, OK
19–Austin, TX
20–San Antonio, TX
21–Baker, LA
23–Raytown, MO
25–Fort Worth, TX
26–Rockwall, TX
27–Enid, OK
Nov 2–Oklahoma City,
OK/Houston, TX
615/963-3000
| ccm
Oct 5–Chicago, IL
6–Crystal Lake, IL
13–DePere, WI
18–Hazen, ND
27–Shreveport, LA
941/761-1894
MARK SCHULTZ
PLUS ONE
62
SCARECROW &
TINMEN
10.01
Oct 7–Zeeland, MI
17–Kidron, OH
18–Hudsonville, MI
19–Lansing, IL
20–St. Paul, MN
21–Osh Kosh, WI
25–Springfield, IL
26–Kokomo, IN
27–Alpharetta, GA
30–Winona, MN
Nov 2–Chattanooga, TN
3–Birmingham, AL
5–Olive Branch, MS
9–Rockford, IL
10–Mt. Vernon, OH
14–Altus, OK
15–Midland, TX
17–Fort Worth, TX
615/790-5540
SELAH
Oct 6-7–Silver Spring, MD
11–Indianapolis, IN
28–Largo, FL
615/777-2227
SIERRA
Oct 6–Saco, ME
12–Morgantown, WV
13–Petal, MS
19–Houston, TX
26–Indianapolis, IN
www.jeffroberts.com
SMALLTOWN
POETS
Oct 14–Cedar Rapids, IA
615/297-2021
MICHAEL W. SMITH
(see “Songs 4 Worship”)
615/383-8787
SOLOMON’S WISH
Oct 10–Oxford, AL
12–Waymart, PA
19–Virginia Beach, VA
27–Williamston, SC
Nov 2–Cedarville, OH
9–Avon Park, FL
16–Scottsdale, AZ
www.jeffroberts.com
“SONGS 4
WORSHIP” TOUR
Oct 11–Worchester, MA
12–Philadelphia, PA
13–Fairfax, VA
14–Pittsburgh, PA
15–Cleveland, OH
16–East Lansing, MI
17–Columbus, OH
18–St. Louis, MO
19–Champaign, IL
20–St. Paul, MN
21–Chicago, IL
609/654-8440
SONICFLOOD
Oct 5–Tallahassee, FL
6–Wimauma, FL
10–McComb, MS
11–Madison, MS
13–New Bern, NC
14–Dacula, GA
20–Columbia, SC
26–Baltimore, MD
27–Jupiter, FL
31–Orrville, OH
Nov 1–Kalamazoo, MI
2–Brooklyn Park, MN
3–Green Bay, WI
4–Grand Rapids, MI
9–San Antonio, TX
16–Pigeon Forge, TN
19–Alexandria, LA
30–Gatlinburg, TN
615/777-2211
SPINAROUND
Oct 13–Cleveland, TN
26–Orlando, FL
27–Sarasota, FL
219/269-3413
REBECCA
ST. JAMES
Oct 1–Vernon, TX
2–Sherman, TX
4–Corpus Christi, TX
5–Tyler, TX
6–Fort Worth, TX
7–Bentonville, AR
10–Kalamazoo, MI
11–Grandville, MI
12–Indianapolis, IN
13–Euclid, OH
14–Imlay, MI
16–Middleton, OH
19–Marietta, GA
20–Anderson, IN
21–Franklin, TN
27–Salem, VA
28–Winterville, NC
31–Chattanooga, TN
Nov 1–Knoxville, TN
2–Munster, IN
3–Green Bay, WI
4–Rock Island, IL
8–Bellevue, NE
9–Lakeville, MN
11–Willmar, MN
12–Sioux Falls, SD
14–McCook, NE
16–Maryland Heights, MO
17–Farmington, NM
18–Dodge City, KS
615/771-2900
RANDY STONEHILL
Oct 13–Pleasanton, CA
19–Philadelphia, PA
21–Elk Grove, CA
Nov 18–Valencia, CA
219/269-3413
SUPERCHICK
Oct 13–Zarephath, NJ
770/736-5363
RUSS TAFF
(See Gaither Vocal Band)
www.russtaff.com
TEN SHEKEL SHIRT
Oct 5–Mechanicsburg, PA
6–Monroe, WA
14–Riverside, CA
15–Costa Mesa, CA
20–San Jose, CA
21–Hesperia, CA
25–Newberg, OR
27–Portland, OR
28–Tacoma, WA
615/297-2021
THOUSAND FOOT
CRUTCH
(See Beanbag)
615/297-2021
PAM THUM
Oct 18–Shelby Township, MI
26–Cave Creek, AZ
(continued on page 64)
CCM 10.01 On Tour(w/full Sonic)
9/5/01
3:09 PM
Page 64
ONtour
&
(continued from page 62)
Nov 3–Red Wing, MN
615/370-4700
14–Amarillo, TX
18–Plano, TX
615/777-2227
CLASSIFIEDS
TREE63
(see Rebecca St. James)
www.jeffroberts.com
TAMMY TRENT
Oct 20–Avon, IN
615/370-4700
KATHY TROCCOLI
Oct 4–Chesterfield, MO
5–Hartford, CT
19–Atlanta, GA
25–Louisville, KY
26–Indianapolis, IN
Nov 2–Oklahoma City, OK
4–Berrian Springs, MI
615/963-3000
TRUTH
Oct 6–Wichita Falls, TX
13–Waterloo, IA
Nov 9–Tallahassee, FL
25–Euless, TX
615/771-6010
MICHELLE TUMES
(see Twila Paris)
615/790-5540
JACI VELASQUEZ
Oct 13–Cincinnati, OH
Nov 24–Gaylord, MI
25–Grand Rapids, MI
30–Toledo, OH
615/963-3000
THE WAITING
Oct 13–Valdosta, GA
21–Springfield, OH
27–Durango, CO
770/931-9032
WAYNE WATSON
Oct 4–Denver, CO
7–Tampa, FL
12–Klamath Falls, OR
13–Helena, MT
20–Paradise Valley, AZ
27–Medina, OH
Nov 3–Waupon, WI
10–Berthoud, CO
16–Anchorage, AK
17–Lynden, WA
615/777-2227
DEREK WEBB
Oct 12–Virginia Beach, VA
24–Lexington, KY
25–Columbus, OH
26–Dayton, OH
615/297-2021
WHISPER LOUD
Oct 13–Birmingham, AL
27–Cincinnati, OH
Nov 3–Dallas, TX
10–Orlando, FL
17–Raleigh, NC
615/777-2227
STEVE WIGGINS
Oct 6–Austin, TX
www.jeffroberts.com
JOY WILLIAMS
(see Avalon)
www.jeffroberts.com
CECE WINANS
Oct 12–Charlotte, NC
Nov 16–Des Moines, IA
615/963-3000
WATERMARK
ZOEGIRL
(also see “Songs 4
Worship”)
Nov 2–Charleston, WV
3–Cedarville, OH
4–Charlotte, NC
5–Youngsville, NC
9–St. Louis, MO
10–Olathe, KS
(see Avalon)
615/383-8787
DARLENE ZSCHECH
(see “Songs 4 Worship”)
www.hillsong.com
CCM [ISSN 1524–7848] is published monthly by CCM
Communications. Copyright: CCM © 2001 by CCM Communications,
104 Woodmont Blvd., Third Floor, Nashville, TN 37205. Contents may
not be reproduced in any manner, either whole or in part, without prior
written permission of the publisher. Editorial: The editor cannot assume
responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and will return only those
accompanied by a stamped, self–addressed envelope. Writers’
guidelines available upon request. Advertising: Neither the advertisers nor
the contents of advertisements appearing in this publication are
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liability for any products, services, etc., offered in advertisements, but
please contact us if you experience any difficulties with advertisers.
Periodicals postage paid at Nashville, TN and additional offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to P.O. Box 706, Mt. Morris, IL
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Subscription/Customer Service Information: Write CCM, P.O. Box 706,
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$19.95/one year, $35.95/two years, $53.95/three years; Canada, (U.S.
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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.
64
| ccm
10.01
MUSICIANS/EMPLOYMENT
MUSICIANS WANTED Openings for vocalists, lead,
rhythm and bass guitars, drummers, keyboardist and
sound, lighting and media technicians. Evangelistic
outreach to America’s schools. Full-time tour August-May.
One-year commitment minimum. Partial support must be
raised. Call Arc Ministries at 800/422-4383.
NATIONAL PRODUCER SEEKS serious R&B, pop and
rock groups to develop. Budgets to meet individual needs.
E-mail: [email protected] or send material to
P.O. Box 23852, Nashville, TN 37202.
JOB OPENING Youth ministry. Travel the U.S., and get
paid for it. Call Bill and Kaylor: 800/359-6922.
MUSICIANS WANTED Top national artist agency is
currently auditioning for new Christian parody band. Drums,
bass, guitars, keys, drivers, roadies for tour. One-year
commitments. Talent and sense of humor needed. Send
demo or résumé to P.O. Box 866, Plainfield, NJ 07060.
AWARD-WINNING SONGWRITER/PRODUCER who
has worked with major labels seeking talented Christian
singers. Great original songs. Quality and creativity.
www.bowtierecords.com. 615/824-3375.
PRAISE & WORSHIP SONGS WANTED Don’t miss this
opportunity! We are looking for artists and songwriters who
want to reach the world for Jesus. Amazing major label
project. Beginners to professionals. Please send a cassette
or CD of your songs, including lyrics. Please do not send
any song that is currently under contract with another
publishing or record company, but make sure your material
is copyrighted. Worldwide Ministries, 49 Rockview Ave.,
North Plainfield, NJ 07060.
NEW CHRISTIAN VOCALIST/SONGWRITER Thirty-two
with 12 years of performing and recording experience, on
fire to sing for the Lord. Seeking an opportunity to record,
tour and share musical ministry. Capable of singing any and
all styles. Contact Michael: 503/643-3076.
LET THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE your career in
music. www.usgovernmentinformation.com. Free recorded
message: 707/448-0200. (5JZ4)
RECORDS/TAPES/CDS
CHRISTIAN DIGITAL MUSIC Enormous selection of preowned CDs! Damaged discs repaired. Cash for your discs.
Free catalog. Send large S.A.S.E. to C.D.M., 4051
Berrywood Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93455-3342.
E-mail: [email protected].
Web: www.christiandigital.com.
5,000 + USED/new Christian CDs, tapes, etc. at
www.bitsmart.com/csx.
FREE CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC
SAMPLER CD! The Piper, Box 66053, Chateauguay,
Quebec Canada J6K 5B7; [email protected].
SERVICES
500 FREE CDS!/EARTH DISC MANUFACTURING
When you manufacture your next CD project with us you’ll
be entered into our Flavor of the Month contest! Check out
our Web site or call for details on our wholesale duplication
prices. At Earth Disc quality is No. 1. Free catalog available.
800/876-5950; www.earthdisc.com.
RADIO/RETAIL PROMOTIONS Proven track record for
labels, independents. 541/888-4222;
[email protected].
CD & CASSETTE MANUFACTURING National Tape &
Disc Corp. offers full scale CD replication and cassette
duplication for the small independent artist, as well as the
major label product. We handle graphic design, premastering, printing and packaging for your “retail-ready”
project. Short run cassette or CD copies available with
same day service! Contact information: 800/874-4174; Web
site: www.ntdc.com; e-mail: [email protected].
CD REPLICATION WITH NATIONAL CHRISTIAN
RADIO PROMOTION Oasis CD Duplication offers the
highest quality CD manufacturing and promotes your
music to Christian radio nationwide on the acclaimed
Oasis Inspirational CD sampler. Call for free information:
888/296-2747; www.oasisCD.com; [email protected].
JOBS! JOBS! Christian company hiring people to present
educational and motivational programs in schools and
churches nationwide. 800/359-6922; Camfel Productions,
15709 Arrow Hwy. #2, Irwindale, CA 91706.
MISCELLANEOUS
Brent Larimore
Singer/Songwriter
“The Song That I Sing... New CD release
jumps to our consciousness of outstanding
original music.”
—Take-one Productions review
For concert bookings, sales, demo:
[email protected]
FREE NATIONAL EXPOSURE for unsigned artists at
www.GospelDemo.com. Be a part of the newest and most
innovative Web site in Christian/gospel music.
GospleDemo.com will market your music to the industry
and give you your own Web page, complete with photo, bio
and your demo. Log on for details.
HOW TO PLACE CLASSIFIEDS
To place a classified ad, send a check (payable to
CCM MAGAZINE) along with your ad copy by the 10th
of the month, two months in advance of the issue in
which you want the ad. (For example, by Oct. 10 for
the December issue.) Cost: $2.50 a word with a
minimum of $20 per month. Display ads run as
follows: $215 (B/W), $295 (2 color) and $345 (4
color). CMYK colors only. Send ad copy (or cameraready art for display ads) and your check to:
Classified Ads, CCM MAGAZINE, 104 Woodmont
Blvd., Third Floor, Nashville, TN 37205. Make sure to
include a daytime phone number.
CCM 10.01 pg.66 Consider This
9/5/01
5:27 PM
Page 66
CONSIDERthis
by john fischer
Standing in the Gap
Jan Krist readies herself for another day at work like any
other normal American. She has been a singer/songwriter for
many years and is currently a recording artist with Silent Planet
Records. But she is not on her way to the studio or the airport.
She is on the way to her job as community life director for a
large senior living center in the Detroit area. Jan has worked
with seniors for almost nine years now, and in this community
for the last six months. It is a job which often makes use of her
creative skills as a musician and an artist.
Jan has set up sessions where patients with varying stages of
dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can find joy and expression
through music and painting classes—even art history and
appreciation. “I am responsible to set up a framework for these
people to have their social and spiritual needs met.” It’s an
ideal place for a Christian, and a Christian artist at that.
There are places where just the normal life of a Christian
can make a big
difference. This is
one of those places.
Does she feel like
she’s making a
difference in the
world? “One smile
can tell you that,”
she says as we talk
over breakfast in
Lincoln, N. H.,
during August’s
Inside Out Soul
Festival. “Senior care
is like day care. The
government tells you
what the minimum ratio of care givers to bodies can be, and
that is the ratio staffing is usually set at. While it might be
enough to keep grandma or grandpa fed and clean, it’s not oneon-one, or even one-on-five. There’s a lot of burnout among the
staffers. A lot of people who work in places like this only have
time to provide the care that’s absolutely necessary. And not all
of those people are going to give this job 100 percent. Like
childcare, jobs in the field of eldercare often don’t pay all that
well. Some who work there are compassionate and driven to
make a difference; some are hiding out.”
They are not the only ones overworked, or hiding out.
In Jan’s experience, it can seem like much of the church is
hiding out as well. Churches can become trapped in their own
programs, so busy with the needs of their congregations that
they don’t have the energy or drive to look beyond their own
borders. Others seem to be so absorbed in their attempts to
avoid being in the world, they appear to be running away from
the world instead of being a presence for Christ in it.
66
| ccm
10.01
“At one point I was sending letters to churches, calling their
pastors on the phone, asking for someone to come and do a
Bible study or a church service just once or twice a month.
After about six weeks of concerted effort, the best I could get
was one church that would send their youth group once a
month to sing songs of praise. So we took what we could get. It
seemed though, that at Christmas we would get a bunch of calls
from church youth group leaders wanting to bring a group of
kids in to sing carols, and then we wouldn’t see or hear from
them until the next Christmas.
“Christians, as a community, talk about being salt and light
in the world,” Jan continues, “but our idea of salt usually turns
out to be a big salt
lick in the middle of
the world. We set it
out there and wait
for a few deer to
come in out of the
forest and lick it. We
think the world will
come to us. Well,
these people aren’t
going anywhere.
They need someone
to come to them.
“It seems that
churches focus on the
lost and those within
their own walls. We
visit our orphans and
our widows, but
there are a lot of
widows out there who belong to no one.
“Compassion is understood by everyone, even those who
suffer with Alzheimer’s. I love what [writer] Anne Lamott said
about her job as a Christian being to take care of the people
around her, wherever she may be. Until I started this job, I
could sing those songs in worship that said ‘I long for the
coming of Christ’ and I would think, ‘but not right now. Right
now I’m enjoying my life.’ I had no connection with the level of
suffering we are surrounded by. I didn’t expose myself to things
that were uncomfortable to me. Now, I sing those words, and I
mean them. I know that His coming will be the only thing that
ends the suffering of people I see every day. I
don’t think that everyone has to serve this way; I
just think we should be careful that we consider
the voiceless living close at hand.”
John Fischer is an author, speaker and musician
([email protected], www.fischtank.com).
For booking information, contact Sheryl Giesbrecht
at 661/325-6967 ([email protected]).
ILLUSTRATION: DANNY WILSON