CCM 8.01 pg.11-24 All Access

Transcription

7.02 cover
6/5/02
2:38 PM
Page 1
ccm
SALVADOR
GOOD
entertainment
|
CCMMAGAZINE.COM
ccmmagazine.com
TAKE A
JOYRIDE WITH
JULY 2002
A SALEM COMMUNICATIONS PUBLICATION
JOHN
REUBEN
SLIM BUT NOT SHADY
MTV’S
HOLLY &
CHADWICK
NEWSBOYS’
GLOW-IN-THE-DARK BOOK
MEET THE NEW
FACE ON NBC’S
‘FRASIER’
MARY MARY
BRAVO! BRAVO!
7.02 Inside CCM v.5
6/5/2002
5:48 PM
Page 5
CCMMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2002
insideccm
COVER STORY
28 Whether it’s playing their lively
Latin-infused music to the masses or
at home in Texas keeping close ties
with family, the men of SALVADOR
pursue life with an excitement and
joy that can only come from knowing
God. BY C H R I S TA FA R R I S
IN REVIEW
45 MUSIC
52 BOOKS
54 GEAR
56 WEB
FEATURES
34 Whether it’s her continued role
on NBC’s “Frasier” or her Tony
Award-winning performance in
“You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,”
the spunky and delightful KRISTIN
CHENOWETH shares the secret
behind her success. BY D A N E W A L D
DEPARTMENTS
SIZZLING HAPPY FAMILY
6 FROM THE EDITOR
8 YOUR FEEDBACK
12 FYI: NEWS
16 THE INSIDER
22 GET REAL
24 ONE TO WATCH: 12 STONES
26 CONSIDER THIS
67 SYLLABUS
68 CITYSCAPE
69 ON TOUR
SALVADOR
74 LAST GLANCE
38
PETER FURLER, lead singer
of the Newsboys, in anticipation of
the band's new book, Shine, speaks
passionately to a new generation
about living in the light.
BY J A N E T C H I S M A R
40 HOLLY AND CHADWICK
PELLETIER went back on MTV’s
“Road Rules” and faced their biggest
challenge yet: Overcoming the TV
viewers’ marred first impression of
the born-again Christians.
BY K R I S R A S M U S S E N
42
Rapper JOHN REUBEN’s
background gives him a colorblind
platform to “mix it up” for the
Kingdom. BY A N DY A R GY R A K I S
PHOTO: CHAD DRIVER
PAGE
28
ccmmagazine.com
july 02 ccm 5
7.02 From the Editor v.5 (brook
6/5/2002
4:52 PM
Page 6
fromtheeditor
NEVER LET FEAR KEEP YOU FROM LIVING BOLDLY
IF I’M LEARNING ANYTHING ABOUT MY RELATIONSHIP WITH
CHRIST right now, it’s this: Jesus wants me on His turf. Period. It’s a hard
lesson, but I’m learning that He’ll do whatever it takes to get me there. He
almost never asks me if I’m OK with Him changing things. It usually just
happens. He seldom gives me a list to choose from. I would most likely
choose “none of the above.” There have even been a couple of times when
I’ve been thrown into situations that make me feel like I’m standing in a
crowded room wearing nothing but my boxer shorts. Embarrassing? Yes. But
sometimes that’s how God works. He is not afraid to send us into the
craziest circumstances armed with a very powerful promise: “I will never
leave you or forsake you.”
In contradiction to this promise that all of us have heard a thousand times,
I am convinced many of us live our Christian lives in a crippling state of fear.
The truth is, we are a scared bunch of Jesus freaks. And I’m the biggest
culprit. I wake up in the morning with the greatest of intentions to live my
life solely for God. I often pray for opportunities to serve, to witness, to be
kind, to be the encourager and the list goes on. But many times I find I am
too selfish to serve, too scared to witness, too angry to be kind and too
consumed with myself to encourage others. This isn’t bold living.
Living boldly begins with a real faith in the certainty that Christ lives
inside of you. The Bible says in Romans, “It is through faith that a righteous
person has life.” My life and also my ability to impact others
completely depends on my belief in the supernatural. Jesus
Christ making His home in my heart is indeed supernatural,
and it’s that truth that sustains me to
continue my pursuit to defeat fear.
Some of the most compelling
moments in Scripture are the times God displays His
own boldness. He says in Isaiah 45:19 (NLT), “I publicly
proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner
so no one can understand what I mean. And I did not tell the people of
Israel to ask me for something I did not plan to give. I, the Lord, speak only
what is true and right.” So when God says He will never leave us or forsake
us, it’s a promise. We all have the freedom to move forward in confidence.
Fear will flee a situation quickly when our confidence turns away from
“self” and onto the ever-present power of Christ. As followers of Jesus Christ
we cannot remain in bondage to fear. This only inhibits us from
experiencing joy, ministering to those who know nothing about God and
finding complete fulfillment in our relationship with Him.
Psalm 27:3 (NLT) says, “Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart
will know no fear. Even if they attack me, I remain confident.” Only you
know what fears are burdening you. And God is the only One who knows
what those fears are keeping you from experiencing. I encourage all of us to
allow the life that comes from knowing Jesus Christ to be the power that
ignites us to move out of our comfort zones and into the place where His
promise to never leave us or forsake us defeats fear and lets us start living
boldly for Him.
P.S: I’ve had a few people write and ask
what music I’m currently listening to.
Here’s the short list:
The Benjamin Gate, Contact
Rebecca St. James, Worship God
John Mayer, Room for Squares
Mary Mary, Incredible
Moby, 18
Vanessa Carlton, Be Not Nobody
Amy Grant, Legacy: Hymns and Faith
Linkin Park, Hybrid Theory
God’s best,
[email protected]
6 ccm july 02 ccmmagazine.com
PHOTO: MIGUEL S. SALMERON
7.02 Your Feedback v.6
6/5/2002
5:27 PM
Page 8
yourfeedback
“The subtitle change on the cover is an interesting,
almost disturbing evolution” —Mark Carter
You have no business being a
spiritual leader. That is a position
you have forfeited. I would not
want my students to pattern their
decisions after yours. If you want
to serve, serve quietly, away from
the glare of lights and adulation of
the fans and the generous salary.
You spoke of consequences you
would face, this is one of them.”
Lou Rodriguez, Evansville, IN
‘I WAS WRONG’
I am a big fan of Amy Grant! I
loved your article [“Defining Her
Legacy,” May 2002]. After reading
it I realized I was wrong in judging
Amy for some of the choices she
has made in her life. In fact I wept.
I can’t wait for the new CD! Praise
God for your article! I am right
with Him, and Amy’s music once
again fills my home.
Gloria Caballero, Anaheim, CA
HOW BIG IS YOUR GOD?
I came to Christ after Amy Grant’s
heyday in Christian music, so I
don’t share that almost personal
sense of betrayal that some
Christians feel about the choices
she has made in her life. I have
even heard some go so far as to
question her faith. This both
saddens and angers me. Amy
Grant identifies herself with our
Lord and is forgiven just as we
are—and as I am. If your God isn’t
big enough to forgive Amy Grant,
I’d switch to another. My God
hung naked on a cross for her, too.
Wendy Myers, Sterling, MA
SERVE QUIETLY AMY
As a youth pastor, I have defended
Amy Grant and her music for
years. I have encouraged students
to buy her music, I appreciated her
efforts in ministry. I’m truly sorry if
I appear to be judgmental, or if I
appear to be casting stones, but I
have to say, “Amy, I’m glad you are
smiling again. I’m glad you have
repented, I’m glad you are
forgiven, I’m glad you are healed,
but Amy, you have no business
being in the spotlight anymore.
ANGRY NO MORE
Thank you for helping me get my
Amy Grant CDs off a dusty shelf.
Since her divorce, I have been too
angry to enjoy her music—”How
could a Christian in the public eye
possibly divorce?” How wrong I
was! My sister and I used to build a
tent in our back yard and blast
Amy’s music for the whole
neighborhood to hear. I feel like
I’m able to get back to those days
of blasting. Thank you for showing
me the power of forgiveness and
the true healing that only Jesus’
grace can bring.
Anne Pettit, New York City, NY
ENOUGH ALREADY!
Why do we need another
commentary on divorce, and
specifically how it applies to Amy
Grant? This topic has been
rehashed over, and over and over.
The condemnation never ends!
The past cannot be undone. For
once, let it go.
Christopher Nance-Ulrich,
San Pedro, CA
FORGOT IT WAS
‘CHRISTIAN’
I commend your magazine on its
new format. I’ve been watching your
transformation closely, and I loved
reading through this latest issue.
There were some points when I
completely forgot I was reading a
“Christian” magazine, and just
allowed myself to take from the
spiritual testimonies of the actors
and musicians that were represented.
One of the things I would
suggest is that, in your review
section, take out the comparisons
of music style.... I realize the
purpose of including it (to help
potential buyers know what they’re
getting), but I would personally
love it if I could just read a review
based on who the band is and what
they can offer as “themselves.”
Dave Courtney, via e-mail
EVOLUTION OF A TAGLINE
The subtitle change on the cover is
an interesting, almost disturbing
evolution. You’ve gone from
“Music, Faith and Culture” to
“Music to Change Your World” to
“Good Entertainment.” I believe
Christian music is more than just
“good entertainment.”
There is a Grand Canyon-sized
hollowness in our lives without
Christ. Entertainment cannot fill
that void. Neither can music in and
of itself. But Christian music can
and has played an enormous role in
leading people to the One who
can fill that hole. Just a thought.
Mark Carter, Paris, MO
JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME
When I look back upon the first
[CCM] I received (January 1995),
all I could think about is how, issue
by issue, your magazine went
down. And based on the past few
issues, I was getting ready to cancel
my subscription until the May
2002 issue came out. I’m glad
you’ve improved your magazine on
so many levels... most importantly
more relevant content. I want to
thank you for finally creating an
issue that has potential to reach
and speak to everyone’s hearts.
Christopher Gino Dean,
Salt Lake City, UT
Clarification: On page 22 of the June
2002 issue, the photo labeled “Dc talk
with fan” should have been attributed to
Lifest. For more information about this
festival go to lifest.com.
We welcome your comments. Address letters to
Feedback, CCM Magazine, 104 Woodmont Blvd.,
Ste. 300, 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.
CCM MAGAZINE
volume 25 issue 1
The mission of CCM Magazine is to move
readers toward a closer walk with Jesus
Christ. CCM celebrates the message of
God through the ministry and impact of
today’s finest Christian artists using
Scripture as our interpretive lens.
Executive Editor Rick Edwards
Editor Matthew Turner
Managing Editor Tracey L. Bumpus
Associate Editor Sarah Aldridge McNeece
Staff Writer Stephanie Ottosen
Contributing Editors Christa Farris,
John Fischer, Kent Morris, Kris Rasmussen,
Tim A. Smith, John J. Thompson
Contributors Andy Argyrakis, Marcia
Bartenhagen, Kevin Breuner, Anthony BarrJeffrey, Lou Carlozo, Janet Chismar, Michael
Ciani, Lizza Connor, John M. DeMarco,
Kristin DeMint, Daniel Eagan, Dan Ewald,
Cheryl Johnston, Steven Douglas Losey,
Bryan Nance, Dawn Pharris, Mark Rodgers,
Jeff Schmid, Lisa Tedder, Lis Trouten,
Dave Urbanski, Bill Wichterman
Production Director Ross Cluver
Art Director Brook Hines
Associate Art Director Andy Beachum
Circulation Director Buffy Booker
Assistant Circulation Manager
Kimberly Johnson
VP, Sales & Marketing David W. Berndt
Senior Advertising Director
DeDe Donatelli-Tarrant
Advertising Manager Daniele Kimes
Account Executive Pat McAbee
Marketing Coordinator Michael TenBrink
Senior Administration Director,
Advertising Jo Anne Scaife
Advertising Coordinator Carol Jones
Main Office
104 Woodmont Blvd., Ste. 300
Nashville, TN 37205
615/386-3011 (phone)
615/386-3380 (business fax)
615/385-4112 (editorial fax)
615/312-4266 (advertising fax)
West Coast Advertising Office
6942 Quito Court
Camarillo, CA 93010
805/383-9150 (phone)
805/383-9250 (fax)
ccmmagazine.com
Subscriptions/Customer Service
Write CCM, P.O. Box 706, Mt. Morris, IL
62054-0706, call toll free 800/333-9643
or visit ccmmagazine.com. Annual
subscription rates: United States,
$19.95/one year, $35.95/two years,
$53.95/three years; Canada, (U.S. funds)
$27.95 per year; all other countries, (U.S.
funds) $33.95 (surface) or $67 (airmail).
For address changes or other inquiries,
please include both old and new
addresses and mailing label. Allow four to
six weeks for new subscriptions to begin.
Cover Photo Chad Driver
NASDAQ SYMBOL: SALM
CCM7.02_pg12-13
6/5/02
4:06 PM
Page 12
fyinews
“But to go online and be able to download the whole song [for free] is totally wrong.” KEN FOWLER
news
bought the cd
’cause i heard the mp3
New studies reveal surprises about digital downloads
and listeners’ buying habits.
THERE IS A POPULAR SCHOOL OF THOUGHT that says digital downloading technology and the
free downloads themselves are stealing the hearts of music buyers and are therefore robbing the
music industry. But a new study’s findings may put that fear to rest.
The April 6 issue of Billboard included survey information from market research firm Ipsos-Reid.
The firm’s research, completed in February of this year, stated that 81 percent of people who
downloaded music continued to buy CDs at the same rate they previously did or even increased
their purchases.
So what is all the fuss about? While
Christian retailers and labels CCM
“I think probably these same
Magazine spoke with agreed that digital
discussions occurred [with]
downloads were not the sole cause of the
recent overall decline in music sales, they
radio. There were people who
all insisted that government regulations
were taping songs off the
were necessary to keep download issues
radio with cassettes.
in check.
...Technology continues to
“I think regulation should apply across
the board…,” Ken Fowler, owner of
advance more rapidly than
Shepherd’s Staff Christian Bookstore in
regulation can.”
Roswell, Ga., told CCM Magazine. “…It’s
NINA WILLIAMS, ESSENTIAL RECORDS
not unusual to read the first chapter of a
book online, so it should not be unusual
to go online and hear the first 30 seconds of a song. But to go online and be able to download the
whole song [for free] is totally wrong.”
While Fowler thinks digital technology affects only his “younger buyers or teens,” and not his
entire customer base, he is still working to make sure people keep coming back to his store. “The
way we counter [the draw of digital downloads] in this store is to provide all kinds of listening
centers throughout the music department. We’ve got 15 different kinds of music listening
opportunities, so they can sample about anything we’ve got, and hopefully, they’ll buy it while
they’re here.”
Although labels are also concerned with sales, their primary download stress stems from a
publishing standpoint—making sure artists get their song royalties, just as they do for radio airplay.
SHEPHERD’S STAFF CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORE
CCM7.02_pg12-13
6/5/02
4:06 PM
Page 13
fyinews
perspective
news
“I think there needs to be some sort of restraint
to make sure that artists and writers are taken care
of and protected,” Essential Records’ Nina
Williams told CCM. “I think probably these same
discussions occurred [with] radio. There were
people who were taping songs off the radio with
cassettes. …Technology continues to advance
more rapidly than regulation can.”
While not a hole-in-one for retailers, EMI
CMG’s new BurnITFIRST.com online music
service may be a step in the right direction. For
$9.95 per month subscribers can download up to
20 tracks from artists in the EMI CMG family,
like Steven Curtis Chapman, Rebecca St. James or
Newsboys. “BurnITFIRST.com is a win-win, both
for our consumers and for the artists who create
the songs,” said Scott Hughes, senior vice
president of strategic marketing for EMI CMG.
“This service gives fans a convenient, legal
opportunity to download songs and burn them to
CDs and is unique in its portability.”
On the other hand, Kirby Trapolino, president
of independent distributor Grassroots Music
Distribution, believes both listeners and the music
industry can benefit from free digital downloads.
Trapolino told CCM that based on the surveys
conducted on the Grassroots Music Web site,
digital downloads actually drive his sales.
“[Through downloads] the [consumer is]
exposed to an artist they might not have ever had
a recording of…,” Trapolino said. “Or maybe they
get sick of hearing some medium-grade quality
that they found [in free downloads], or they want
to experience the whole thing with the lyrics and
the booklet… it still contributes to the purchase
in the long run.”
Although not scientific, the results of our poll
on ccmmagazine.com seem to support Trapolino’s
theories. In the poll approximately 79 percent of
participants said they use downloads as a guide to
buying full-length CDs or as a way to discover
new music and artists. Only six percent of
participants said digital downloads were their
main form of listening.
Still, it remains to be seen if a balance can be
struck that pleases everyone: preserving retailers’
customer base, protecting artists’ copyright
royalties and allowing listeners continued
downloading freedom. S T E P H A N I E O T T O S E N
Voice your opinion in our online poll at
ccmmagazine.com.
Artists can lead the way to a brighter moral landscape
renewing the culture
Whether you’re an artist or a fan, we
More than 2,000 years ago, the Greek
challenge you to think anew about the
philosopher Plato wrote, “Give me the
power of music—and all of popular
songs of a nation, and it doesn’t matter
who writes its laws.” If Plato was right— entertainment and the arts—to shape the
direction of our society. If you’re a fan,
and we think he was—then those
listen and watch with discernment.
Christians who believe that evangelism
Support those artists who communicate a
and political action will save America
biblical worldview. If you’re an artist, use
are wrong.
your talent with an understanding of the
Many believe that the battles for our
culture begin in government and
must be won in government.
“Whether you’re an artist or
Whether it is the abortion license,
a fan, we challenge you to
no-fault divorce, school prayer,
human rights, poverty, gay marriage think anew about the power
or pornography, many Christians
of music—and all of popular
believe the only way to reverse the
entertainment and the
nation’s moral decline is to elect a
arts—to shape the direction
president and Congress (who will
appoint judges) who share their
of our society.”
convictions. But Hollywood and
New York have as much to do with
times. Seek to challenge and change the
the future of our nation as all of
way people think. If you’re a leader,
Washington’s politicians.
support and encourage those who pursue
Music and film play a powerful role in
the arts. Help others in the church to
shaping what we love and what we hate.
value what artists do.
They form our moral imaginations. They
The truth is that the cause—and the
tell us stories that inspire us, move our
cure—for America’s moral decline are
souls and shape our worldviews in ways
primarily cultural, not political. And
that politicians rarely can. Entertainment
that’s why Christians must embrace the
informs our minds and opinions, even
vision for using the arts to renew our
when we don’t realize it. Politics alone
culture, lifting up the good, the true and
can’t repair our nation. We need the arts,
the beautiful.
and not politicized art, but art that
That’s our opinion. Send us an e-mail
reaches mainstream America in a way and
and let us know what you think, and we
with a message that is consistent with a
can keep you informed on issues facing
biblical worldview.
our nation and shaping our culture.
Take abortion, for example. Even if
Roe v. Wade were overturned tomorrow
MARK RODGERS AND
there would still be about one million legal
BILL WICHTERMAN
abortions every year due to state laws. We
Rodgers and Wichterman work for the U.S.
need to change the cultural drive behind
Congress in Washington, D.C. To respond,
this holocaust: the sexual revolution.
e-mail [email protected].
Politics is ill suited to that task. We need
songs and stories that re-instill the biblical
understanding that sex is a sacred gift of
God intended for marriage.
ccmmagazine.com
july 02 ccm 13
6/5/02
4:12 PM
Page 14
CCM Magazine
Readers’
Awards
We all have our favorites. Now CCM Magazine is giving
you, our readers, a chance to voice your opinion in our
2002 CCM Magazine Readers’ Awards. Here is your chance
to be the judge and let us know who is at the top of your
list. So go ahead, dare to be opinionated; cast your vote
for all of your entertainment favorites now! Winners will be
announced in the December 2002 issue of CCM Magazine.
Best Artist
Name
Best Band or Group
Address
Best Male Artist
City
Best Female Artist
State
Best New Artist
Zip code
Best Song (in the last 12 months)
Phone number
E-mail address
Age
How long have you been a CCM subscriber?
What do you think of CCM’s redesign?
Best Pop Album (in the last 12 months)
Best Rock Album (in the last 12 months)
Best Urban Album (in the last 12 months)
Best Book (in the last 12 months)
Best Independent Artist/Band
Most Underrated Talent
Best Author
SEND YOUR BALLOT TO:
CCM Magazine Readers’ Awards
Best Live Show
104 Woodmont Blvd., Ste. 300
Artist with the best fashion sense
Nashville, TN 37205
or fax to: 615/385-4112
Artist/Author you would most
E-mail your votes to: [email protected].
want to have dinner with
Deadline is Aug. 31, 2002. One entry per subscriber, please.
Clip and mail this ballot to: CCM Magazine Readers’ Awards, 104 Woodmont Blvd., Ste. 300 • Nashville, TN 37205 • or fax to: 615/385-4112
CCM7.02 _pg14
CCM7.02_pg16-19
6/5/02
3:52 PM
Page 16
theinsider
POPNEWS
EVERYTHING NEW: new solo projects from Avalon members; new label from P. O.D.; new festival; new records; re-newed careers.
BY CHRISTA FARRIS
Bringing
Worship Home
to You
The Solo Experience
With its firm lock at the top of
the charts in the latter part of
last year and continuing into
2002, there’s a pretty good
chance that you’ve heard
Michael W. Smith’s Worship
(Reunion) album. But now,
fans have an opportunity to
hear Smith lead worship in the
comfort of their own living
rooms. Well, sort of. With the
Aug. 20 release of the Worship
DVD, Smith performs a
selection of songs from the
disc, while adding six new
praise & worship songs to the
mix. Recorded in Alberta,
Canada, at a worship service
for more than 15,000 youth,
the DVD captures Smith’s live
worship sound.
Goin’ Fishing
AVALON MEMBERS STRIKE A NOTE
OF THEIR OWN
Dc talk’s Toby McKeehan, Michael
Tait and Kevin Max took the plunge last
year when they unveiled their respective
solo projects, and as recently announced
at a Nashville media event, half of Avalon
plans to do the same. While the group has
no intentions of breaking up and recently
released a remix album of its best-loved
hits, O2: Avalon Remixed (Sparrow), Jody
McBrayer and Janna Long are working
on solo projects. While release dates aren’t
set in stone, both albums are tentatively
slated for this fall. More information about
these projects will be available soon, so be
sure to check back here for more details.
AVALON
LaRUE AND JONES
NEW FESTIVAL EMERGES
IN CALIFORNIA
Summer is one of the best
seasons for a variety of
reasons, but the arrival of
Christian music festivals
definitely has to be one of its
best perks. And for those in
the Irvine, Calif., area, fans of
the Fish radio station 95.9
(owned by Salem
Communications, parent
company of CCM Magazine)
now have a festival to call their
own. On Sunday, July 28,
Newsboys, ZOEgirl, Jennifer
Knapp, Sonicflood and
several other artists will
perform at Fish Fest at Verizon
Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine.
More information is available at
thefish959.com or by calling
The Fish at 818/956-5552.
RICE
Behind the Music
THE SCOOP ON UPCOMING FALL RELEASES
Although summer is in full swing,
and you’re probably reading this
while sitting at the pool or making
sand castles at the beach, we’ve
got the early scoop on your favorite
artists who are slaving in the studio
on releases hitting shelves this fall.
For instance, Chris Rice is no
longer attempting to smell the color
nine but putting the finishing
touches on a yet-to-be-titled project
that’s due this fall. After wrapping up
a photo shoot with Jimmy Abegg in
San Francisco, Chris teamed up
again with ubiquitous producer
Monroe Jones. Early buzz on the
album indicates this Chris’
songwriting “just keeps getting
better.” Also on the verge of calling
its third album a wrap is
brother/sister duo LaRue. Like Chris,
LaRue chose to work with Monroe
(when does this guy ever have time
to sleep?). Phillip LaRue says
working with Jones really helped the
group to find its sound and have
more control in the creative process.
Utilizing its touring band for the first
time on an album, LaRue’s disc will
be available in September.
For the latest pop news go to ccmmagazine.com.
CCM7.02_pg16-19
6/5/02
3:52 PM
Page 17
theinsider
BY JOHN J. THOMPSON
ROCKNEWS
JONFULTON
omartian chronicles
AC PRODUCER ROCKS
BLINDSIDE
didn’t see this coming
P.O.D. LAUNCHES SOUL CRAFT RECORDS, SIGNS BLINDSIDE
The members of P.O.D. are taking the momentum they have generated with their doubleplatinum certified Satellite and putting it into a new label venture, Soul Craft Records. The
label has signed Swedish hard-music band Blindside. Soul Craft will be backed by Elektra
Records, and Blindside’s debut for the label will be released next month.
Though the first release by Michael Omartian in
many years will have AC fans excited, the artistic
pioneer and record producing guru is turning rock fans’
heads with his new label venture Crowne Music Group.
In May the label released Play for the Gallery, the
debut by new artist Jonfulton whose rootsy, pop-rock
sound recalls recent breakout hits by the likes of Five
for Fighting and Lenny Kravitz. Crowne has also
partnered with the new indie label American Dream
Entertainment to release the driving, hard-alternative
rock of Seventh Day Slumber this September. For
more information visit CrowneMusic.com.
SCATERD FEW
scaterd, not smothered
AGUIRRE RETURNS WITH NEW LABEL
Allan Aguirre (originally under the name Ramald
Domkus) shook the alternative Christian music scene
to the core when his band Scaterd Few debuted in
the late ’80s. Now, over a decade later, the artist is
back with a new label and two new recorded projects
of his own. His new label, Accidental Sirens, recently
released a long-awaited project by industrial-pop Dove
Award winners Massivivid as well as projects by
Aguirre’s post-punk, Brit pop-rock group Spy Glass
Blue and a stripped-down punk project by Scaterd
Few. For more information visit AccidentalSirens.com.
‘Festival Con Dios’ season 2
THE BENJAMIN GATE
established contact
THE BENJAMIN GATE RELEASES SOPHMORE EFFORT
Following up its critically acclaimed debut Untitled, The Benjamin Gate returns this
month with its highly anticipated sophomore at-bat, Contact. The band, which recently
wrapped a jaunt of the United States on Pillar’s “Fireproof Tour,” has caught the
attention of the higher-ups at EMI (the corporate owners of the band’s label ForeFront
Records). Untitled has been distributed in the mainstream by Capitol/EMI in
Scandinavia and the group’s native South Africa, and the label has plans for similar
mainstream roll-outs for Contact this fall. Meanwhile, ForeFront is releasing the album
stateside on July 2. Watch for The Benjamin Gate at “Festival con Dios” this fall.
The team behind last summer’s blockbuster “Festival
con Dios” tour recently unveiled plans for their
upcoming second season. The event will partner with
the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association (LPEA) and their
Next Generation Alliance® (NGA) evangelists for ministry
assistance. The event has also partnered with Premier
Productions who will oversee the booking and promotion
functions. Zondervan’s Starting Point Bible will be a tour
sponsor. Organizers have confirmed the tour’s headlining
talent as well. Audio Adrenaline and Toby Mac will
co-headline the tour with Out of Eden, MercyMe and
Tree63 also confirmed. Other additions include a lasertag dome and new grandstand seating arrangements.
For the latest rock news go to ccmmagazine.com.
ccmmagazine.com
july 02 ccm 17
CCM7.02_pg16-19
6/5/02
3:52 PM
Page 18
theinsider
URBANNEWS
BY TIM A. SMITH
falcon on the mic
PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER RUNS RHYMES
DURING OFF SEASON
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Ray Buchanan is a lot
more than just your average football player. He’s a husband,
a father, loves Jesus and is a pretty good musician, too. He
recorded his first album in 1998 entitled Favor, a Christian
release featuring a potpourri of musical styles. He produced
a CD single, “Roll With Me,” that was released during the
1999 season, as well as cutting a rap song that was
featured on the NFL Jams CD. Ray is now happy to
announce that he has joined forces with BEC to release a
project that is guaranteed to travel beyond NFL circles. The
self-titled project blends hip-hop with a smooth R&B base.
Sounds like a very interesting combination.
NORFUL
earfuls of norful
NEW RELEASE GETS ATTENTION
The buzz about I Need You Now (EMI Gospel), the debut release by
R&B-flavored crooner, producer and songwriter Smokie Norful, is big,
and the album doesn’t disappoint. Smokie has been doing the usual
media thing, touching down in all of the hot spots: New York, Los
Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and San Francisco. After one listen, you’ll go
away thinking, “Man, this dude is just too smooth for words!”
All in the Family
TWINKIE CLARK ASKS SISTERS FOR HELP ON NEW SOLO ALBUM
Recognized as the “mastermind” behind the patented sound of the legendary
contemporary gospel group The Clark Sisters, Twinkie Clark recently took her
musical prowess to the University Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, North
Carolina. Here Clark recorded her first-ever-live solo album. The highlight of the
session was something that gospel fans have been begging for years on end to
see—a reunion of The Clark Sisters. Well, Karen, Dorinda and Jackie joined
Twinkie onstage during the session to perform some of their past hits. Look for
the project and long-form video to drop some time this summer.
Mix ’n’
Match
RAY BADY AND
FELLOW ARTISTS
STRUT THEIR STUFF
ON THE COURT
New artist Ray Bady
recently took his act to the hardwood, playing host
to a celebrity basketball game and concert. Taking
place at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Ray’s
fellow sportsmen included Men of Standard,
Woody Rock, Marvin Sapp, high-profile producer
Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary, Angie Stone,
Brandy, Luther Vandross), actor Will Gates (Hoop
Dreams), NBA All-star Terry Cummings, NFL star
Ray McElroy, BET’s Brother Gerard and Bishop
Simeon Gordon, among others. Preceding the
game, the artists and sports stars signed autographs
and an invitation to accept Christ was given. Check
out Bady’s recently released debut CD, MISSION
K.O.B. (Keep on Believin’) (Gospo Centric).
MCCLENDON AND PETTIDEE
In Good Company
NEW ARTIST DRAWS COMPARISONS TO GREAT WOMEN OF SOUL
Up and comer Lisa McClendon’s neo-soul sound has been compared to the likes of Jill Scott,
Angie Stone and Erykah Badu. I recently saw her kick it at not one, but two showcases,
performing material off of her recently released debut album, My Diary, Your Life (Shabach
Entertainment). One of the highlights was Lisa’s being joined onstage by labelmate, holy hiphopper Pettidee. The duo kicked out the dirty south abstinence-themed dance anthem “Party,
Party.” The song, whose video has received some attention on BET, has produced many
testimonies from youth across the country that have seriously tuned into its message of
remaining pure until marriage.
For the latest urban news go to ccmmagazine.com.
CCM7.02_pg16-19
6/5/02
3:53 PM
Page 20
theinsider
tv&movienews BY KRIS RASMUSSEN
Hollywood Improvement
BIG-TIME PRODUCER SEEKS
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
more c.s. lewis
magic
NEW DOCUMENTARY
LOOKS AT EARLY YEARS
The Magic Never Ends takes a
refreshing new look at the life
of C.S. Lewis. The documentary
includes rare footage from the
early days of Lewis’ academic
career and some interesting
interviews, including his
stepson Doug Gresham and
actress Debra Winger, who
played Lewis’ wife in the
movie Shadowlands. It’s for
sale now on the Internet at
duncanentertainment.com or
at Borders bookstores.
‘Human
Relations 101’
If you live on the Northern
East Coast, be sure to tune
into WPXN the week of July
20 to catch a new sketch
comedy show, “Human
Relations 101,” produced by
the Christian production
company Crossing Barriers.
This PG version of a
“Saturday Night Live” type
show hopes to eventually go
weekly and then expand into
more markets.
Does Hollywood need more Christian actors, writers
and directors? Maybe. Maybe not. “If you want to
make a difference in Hollywood, send 10,000
p.a.’s [production assistants] to work here. That
would make a difference. The problem is, most of
us don’t want to serve; we want to be successful.
And as Christians, we always get into trouble when
we want to be kings.”
MCFADZEAN
So says television and film producer David
McFadzean (“Home Improvement,” Where the Heart Is). Sweet and funny, yet passionate and
opinionated, having a conversation with McFadzean is like an unexpected ride on a really fun roller
coaster. What is his take on most Christian media? “Only exposing ourselves to Christian books, music
and movies that coddle us can actually keep us in our own sin.”
So exactly what types of projects will McFadzean be producing next? With a wink and a smile he
responds, “For the remainder of my career, I will probably be making movies that aggravate other
Christians.” Hmmm… maybe not all of us, David.
SCENE FROM
CHILDREN ON THEIR BIRTHDAYS
Coming Attractions
Sweeter than a glass of Southern ice tea, Children
on Their Birthdays is Crusader Entertainment’s
latest family-oriented theatrical release. It’s a
humorous coming of age story that explores faith,
first loves, loss and true friendship.
In a small Alabama town in 1947, a wisebeyond-her-years young girl, Lily, steps off the bus
and promptly turns the lives of two 13-year-old boys
completely upside down. Reminiscent of the classic
film Stand by Me, every decision our young heroes
make feels like the weight of the world is on their
shoulders, and the small moments of any given day can lead to life-altering adventures.
Children on Their Birthdays premieres nationwide in August. And if you’ve already had your
summer fill of big budget, superstar sequels, you’ll find this trip down memory lane a nice
change of pace.
Best of the Web
Did you know there are some pretty cool
Christian movies as close as your computer?
The best place to download some awesome
short (30 minutes or less) films that range
from animated to artsy is at damah.com. The
Damah Film Festival is one of the few film
festivals devoted to quality movies that explore
spiritual themes. And now they have started
posting new films to their site twice a month
that you can download and watch or purchase
VHS copies directly from the creators! Perfect
for discussion starters in your small group, or
just for entertainment value, there’s something
for everyone. And you don’t have to stand in
line to buy a ticket.
7.02 Get Real v.7
6/5/2002
4:48 PM
Page 22
getreal
“This is an opportunity to witness to the guys I was too chicken to witness to in high school.”
BART DAMAR
making a difference
PHOTO: BRANTLEY GUTIERREZ
SKATEBOARD MINISTRY USES RAMPS
TO REACH OTHERS FOR CHRIST
What does a 26-year-old communications coordinator for a conservative
Baptist church have in common with an angry young teen decorated with
earrings, long hair and a tattoo that reads “[Expletive] the world”?
The answer to that question has grown into a ministry recognized by
churches all over Virginia that want to build cutting-edge outreach
programs. For the numerous youth leaders who contact David Stokes,
pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, expressing interest in starting a similar
program, skateboarding is another tool to help reach kids for Christ. But
for Bart Damar, the communications coordinator who helped spearhead
the church’s weekly skate night, it’s just bringing together two of his
favorite things.
Damar started skateboarding in sixth grade and has continued to enjoy
it his entire life. So when one of his youth group students brought a
skateboard to a church event in April of 2000, Bart was more inclined to
borrow his board than to criticize—despite the “No Skateboarding” signs
that then decorated the church property. As they took turns skating
around the church gym, the student said laughingly, “We should build
some ramps in here and call it a ministry.”
Two years later, Bethlehem Baptist’s skate night attracts 150 to 250
skaters every Sunday night for three hours of free skating and a
10-minute message given by Josh Hackworth, the church’s ministry
pastor. About 60 of those also come to a monthly “skater service” in the
gym. And over 1,000 people—skaters, audience and sponsors—turned
out for their most recent biannual skate contest. The church has watched
numerous skaters profess faith in Christ and become involved in youth
group and church. They’ve watched students in the youth group take
leadership roles by setting up the ramps each week and visiting local skate
demos to pass out tracts and invitations. They’ve watched God move in
ways they never would have dreamed were possible.
Although Damar is grateful to be part of a ministry effectively reaching
a subculture that many churches ignore, he’s even more excited to be part
of a program that brings together his passion for God and his love for
skateboarding. “For some people this is the ‘cool’ ministry to have,” he
says, “I just skate. This is an opportunity to witness to the guys I was too
chicken to witness to in high school. I kept my mouth closed then, now I
get another chance to be open about my faith.” L I S A T E D D E R
message board
CCM Magazine asked readers, “How have the events of Sept. 11 changed the way you
look at the freedoms we have in the United States?”
I lost my big bro Tony in the Sept. 11 attacks….
Freedom, to me, seems dangerous. Because of
so much freedom, the terrorists got to come in
our country. I’m not against freedom. I love
freedom, but it’s just not what it used to be. It
used to be safe for me but not anymore.
—Cindy Alba, Garden Grove, CA
Before Sept. 11, freedom was something we
took for granted. Then Sept. 11 came….
People did this because they hate us for what
we have. Now, listening in history class, I
realize that freedom is a gift. Many people died
for the freedoms we have. And one Man gave
the total sacrifice for freedom. And that is
something even terrorists can’t take from us.
—Sara Kelm, Sioux Falls, SD
I think sometimes the only freedom we have is
the freedom in our minds. One person from a
concentration camp said that though they took
every kind of dignity and pleasurable thing
away from him, they could not take the
freedom to think and dream. As Christians we
have even more freedom because we know
that when all is said and done—when the
world ends—that Jesus will lift us up, brush us
off, and we will live with God.
—Francis Gasparri, Philadelphia, PA
presence of evil God is in control, and
He is working.
—Mandy Liptak, Lincoln, IL
On Sept. 11 we watched in awe as evil
seemed to defeat our nation. In reality, the
events of that day defeated our pride but not
our country. Now, with humility, we see that we
are not in control, but God is. Even in the
Look for your chance to respond to the
Message Board question each month in
CCM’s electronic Christian music newsletter.
To sign up to receive the newsletter, go to
ccmmagazine.com.
7.02 Get Real v.7
6/5/2002
4:49 PM
Page 23
getreal
band file
a conversation with
Ron Block
checking in with our rising stars
BY L I Z Z A C O N N O R
How did you hook up with Alison Krauss?
I met Alison in ’85 at a bluegrass convention,
and I got to know the other guys as we were
playing in different bands. When the banjo
job opened up in ’91 with Alison, I joined.
PHOTO: MARK NICHOLAS
UNSEARCHABLE RICHES
THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING SIGNED FINALLY SEEMS REAL
“Now we’re not just sitting around thinking, ‘Oh, something’s
going to happen eventually.’ It’s happening,” says Ethan Smith.
After waiting and hoping for “the big break,” it can take time
for reality to set in when an artist’s record deal finally comes
through. For Smith, Unsearchable Riches’ drummer, it wasn’t
good enough to meet ForeFront Records’ Mark Nicholas in
Maryland, to get a contract underway or to have his lead
singer, Jeremy Sorensen, fly to Nashville, Tenn., several times
to work on composing songs for the band’s first album. For
Smith and bass player Dave Corbin, it took an intense week of
meetings and writing lyrics in Nashville to finally make the
deal seem real. “It was great to go to Nashville and see that we
are really going to produce a CD,” Smith explained. “It made
everything more real instead of Jeremy saying, ‘Mark says this,’
or ‘We’re going to do that,’” Corbin added.
The band’s trip to Nashville included a couple of “firsts” for
the guys. The trip coincided with Gospel Music Week, which
gave the band an opportunity for its first official radio interview.
“We set four alarms to get up at 3:30 a.m. to be live at 4:40 a.m.
with WRBS in Baltimore,” remembered Corbin. ForeFront also
decided it was time for professional photography and arranged
for the guys to have their first photo shoot.
“It was cool to have someone photograph us who actually
knew what they were doing with backdrops, lighting, angles,
focuses. Someone who could tell if we needed to tilt our heads
another half an inch,” said Corbin.
Unsearchable Riches is polishing songs, but they are still
waiting for the contract to be finalized. “I’m anxious to see the
contract,” admitted Corbin. The waiting, although longer than
expected, hasn’t hurt the group. “I’m focused on finishing
school before too much happens. So much groundwork has
been laid that I’m not concerned,” said Smith.
While in Nashville, the band also met with its producer,
John Painter (Fleming and John), who will soon work with
them on the three-song demo CD. The band has been
searching for a guitar player for more than six months, hoping
to have someone in place before heading into the studio. “We
want the right guy who has some chemistry with the group, a
strong follower of Christ and good performer,” said Sorensen.
CHERYL JOHNSTON
You address themes of brokenness and
redemption in your new solo album,
Faraway Land. Were you writing from
personal experience? That record came out
of a self-esteem crash I had…. I started
playing music because it made me feel good.
By the time I joined Alison Krauss & Union
Station, I was riding high because I believed in
my ability. But when your worth is based in
what you do, what you do is going to
fluctuate, and your worth is going to fluctuate, too. It was a constant roller coaster,
and finally there was a complete crash. God said one thing about me, and I was
saying the opposite, so I had to come to grips with that.
The record is about that crash—learning that I’m not strong, that we have an
inherent weakness in our humanity. The record’s built on the knowledge of that
weakness and the sufficiency of Christ.
You’ve written many of the gospel/Christian tunes on AKUS’ albums. Why do
you include those songs? Partly because it represents me—when I write, it
tends to be gospel. Also, the gospel tunes put all the other sad songs in
perspective. The whole record is like a question, with songs about the pain and
suffering of life, but the answer comes in the end with songs like “There Is a
Reason for It All.”
How do you continue to stay renewed spiritually? Staying [renewed] now
means simply reminding myself that I’m complete in Him.
Block, guitarist/banjo player with Alison Krauss & Union Station, is a part of the
nationwide roots-tinged “Down From the Mountain” tour this summer. AKUS
recently won three Grammys for its latest release, New Favorite (Rounder), and
Block’s solo debut, Faraway Land (Rounder), hit Christian retail stores in May.
quote this
C O M P I L E D BY D A N I E L E A G A N
“I believe in Christianity as I believe
that the sun has risen, not only
because I see it, but because by it I
see everything else.”
“We all take different paths in life,
but no matter where we go, we take
a little of each other everywhere.”
T I M M C G R A W , beliefnet.com
C . S . L E W I S , Weight of Glory
“This world is filled with great possibilities,
if only we turn around and notice them.”
“If there is one mark of perfection, it is
simply that it can tolerate the
imperfections of others.”
T H O M A S K I N K A D E , beliefnet.com
F R A N Ç O I S F E N E LO N in the 17TH century
“I am falling into grace, to the
unknown, to where You are, and faith
makes everybody scared....”
L I F E H O U S E , from the song “Unknown”
Send suggestions for Quote This to
[email protected]. Please include the
source of the quote.
ccmmagazine.com
july 02 ccm 23
7.02 One To Watch_v.5
6/5/2002
5:23 PM
Page 24
onetowatch
12 STONES
CREED’S OPENING ACT STILL TAKES ADVICE FROM MOM AND DAD
BAND 411 Paul McCoy (vocals), Eric Weaver (guitar), Kevin Dorr (bass), Aaron
Gainer (drums)
NEW ALBUM 12 Stones (Wind-up) released April 23. McCoy, the group’s primary
songwriter, notes, “We want to play hard but also have substance. We’re doing this in
front of general audiences that may not have had a spiritual upbringing, so we try to
be sensitive and realize that not everybody believes in the same things we do.”
INFLUENCES Finger Eleven, Staind and Silverchair, although McCoy notes a lot of
listeners compare 12 Stones to Creed.
FAVORITE CUT “Open Your Eyes” tops McCoy’s list. The song speaks to listeners
who are feeling down on themselves, sharing that getting to know God on a more
personal level is the first step toward change.
BACKSTORY Group members put together a three-song demo and sent it to local
radio stations throughout New Orleans. One program director liked the cuts so much
that he offered to manage 12 Stones and promised to shop their project to major
record labels. He did just that, and within 15 months of forming, 12 Stones inked a
deal with Wind-up.
ON THE ROAD The group is scheduled to open for Creed’s upcoming tour.
ROLE MODELS “My parents have meant the most, and they are stoked with the
band’s direction,” says McCoy. “They call us on the road every day, which a lot of
people may think gets frustrating. But I’d rather have that communication in the
long run because I know they care.”
GOAL “We want to bring a positive light back to rock,” McCoy reveals. “We want
teens to look to us as positive role models….” A N DY A R GY R A K I S
MCCOY, DORR, WEAVER AND GAINER (L-R).
7.02 Consider This v.5 (brook)
6/5/2002
6:00 PM
considerthis
Page 26
BY J O H N F I S C H E R “The Spirit knows we are destined to shine brighter than the sun some day in our glorified
bodies, so He is in no hurry to put on a light show now.”
PHOTO: M. FREEMAN
ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD
GLO·RY (NOUN): GREAT HONOR
AND ADMIRATION WON BY DOING
SOMETHING IMPORTANT OR VALUABLE;
FAME; REKNOWN.
In a ministry such as contemporary Christian
music, it is imperative that we do some serious
thinking about glory. Who gets it? Where does
it come from? What does it look like? Paul’s
teaching on the ministry proves its relevance to
contemporary Christian music with the
following statements:
“Now if the ministry that brought death,
which was engraved in letters on stone [the
law], came with glory, so that the Israelites
could not look steadily at the face of Moses
because its glory, fading though it was, will not
the ministry of the Spirit be even more
glorious?” (2 Corinthians 3:7, 8 NIV).
The first thing to notice is that Paul is
comparing ministries. The distinction is subtle.
He’s not talking about good guys and bad
guys—he’s talking about good guys and good
guys. Moses was certainly a man of God
seeking to do the best he could, but the glory
attached to his activity somehow falls short of
what the Spirit has planned for us.
Just what are these two ministries? Well,
Moses exemplifies the law—perfection, selfeffort and performance, which leads to
frustration, guilt, and always ends in death;
because the law is so perfect, no one can fully
obey it. The Spirit, on the contrary, brings us
grace, forgiveness, power and adequacy for the
very life we are required to live.
When you look at it this way, it seems
surprising that the way of the law would have a
chance at all with such a depressing array of
qualities. But it does. And one of the reasons it
does is that it still has a glory attached to it.
And the glory fools people today just as it did
in the day of Moses.
Let’s face it, the glory on Moses’ face must
have been quite impressive. In fact, it was so
bright that people couldn’t look steadily at it.
Now stop right here. Imagine what a hit
Moses would be today in contemporary
Christian music. I can see the headlines now…
“No Spotlight Needed at Jesus Festival; Moses
Does It All!”
How easily we can be fooled by this kind of
glory. How quick we are to attribute great
charisma or a radiant personality to the
presence of God. But in Moses’ case it wasn’t
the “present” presence of God, it was the
leftover glory.
And because it was leftover, it was fading.
“Fading though it was…” says Paul. This is the
way it always is with this glory. It starts big and
then fizzles. It begins with God but ends with us.
The shine on Moses’ face was real shine from
being with the real God, but it faded because
he had to leave God on the mountain and trust
in his own adequacy and the people’s adequacy
to keep it going. How often do we start with
big plans only to leave God on the mountain?
Even the greatest vision from God for a
ministry can fade when we take our trust off of
Him and put it in ourselves, our talent, our
promotional gimmicks, our ad campaigns or
even the fact that we can do it because we’ve
done it so many times before.
Paul says there is a glory that is more glorious
than this fading glory. It can eclipse the
brightness on the face of Moses. It’s a glory that
comes from the ministry of the Spirit in us.
But it’s a different glory and it shines in a
different way. The Spirit knows we are
destined to shine brighter than the sun some
day in our glorified bodies, so He is in no
hurry to put on a light show now. He is much
more content to operate on the quiet level of a
changed life. He is working the character of
God into our lives on a daily long-term basis.
Glory on a human level starts big and fades
like the face of Moses. The glory of the Spirit
starts small—hardly noticeable—and grows
steadily from one degree to another. Day by
day we become more like Him.
It’s also a glory that is just as much at work
offstage as it is on. It is not activated by a
spotlight. People who have the confidence of
the Spirit in their lives can walk in and out of
the spotlight with ease knowing that the glory
of God will always be seen in them.
This glory does not come and go on
demand. It’s either there or it is not. It’s either
the fading glory of our own human effort, or
it’s the increasing glory of the character of God
being built into our lives.
Originally printed in July 1983 CCM Magazine.
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]).
6/5/02
salvadoR
CCM7.02_salvadorpg34-36
2:56 PM
Page 28
whether it’s playing their lively
latin-infused music to the masses
or at home in texas keeping
close ties with family, the men of
salvador pursue life with an
excitement and joy that only
comes from knowing God.
BY CHRISTA FARRIS
UNLIKE THE PARTRIDGES AND OSMONDS OF
YEARS PAST, MTV’s new musically-inclined family,
“The Osbournes,” have demonstrated that a healthy
family life in the spotlight isn’t always a reality.
But, worlds apart from the Osbournes’ Beverly Hills
broods, the Austin-based family known as Salvador
doesn’t bicker, brawl or need a censor to edit its
comments for an audience. And while the band will
probably never see the Osbournes’ new $20 million
paycheck, these seven guys would likely argue that their
job pays in equally-rewarding dividends.
Finding contentment in traveling from city to city
together on their trusty tour bus, the men of Salvador
view their career as a rare opportunity to see the world
while doing something they love—sharing their joy and
hope through having a relationship with Jesus Christ.
And ministering together is an opportunity that
brothers Nic and Art Gonzales, their cousin Joshua
Gonzales and their adopted extended family of Eliot
Torres, Chris Bevins, Billy Griego and Pablo Galbaldón
don’t take for granted. After all, they never aspired to
perform outside of their home church or the makeshift
rehearsal digs located in the family garage. Signing a
recording contract and performing in front of crowds of
thousands were never their goals. They just hoped to
fulfill God’s will for their lives—and for Salvador, that
calling just happens to involve music.
EVEN IN THE MOST SERIOUS OF DISCUSSIONS, the
men of Salvador always approach conversation with
humor. When asked about how the band got its start, Art
quickly interjects, “There’s a rumor going around that we
came out of prison, and that’s so not true.” After adding
“We weren’t in a gang either,” the band bursts into
laughter—something that happens loudly and often
during our mid-morning interview at T.G.I. Friday’s
before a performance at Kentucky Wesleyan University
in Owensboro that evening.
With everyone snacking on spinach and artichoke
dip, Art sets the record straight. Far from the dismal
confines of a prison, he and his younger brother Nic
began attending their aunt and uncle’s church at a very
PHOTOS BY: CHAD DRIVER
6/5/02
2:56 PM
Page 29
“I BELIEVE WE WERE ASSEMBLED FOR A PURPOSE, AND IT’S NOT
ALWAYS TO BE LOVED BY HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF FANS.”
NIC GONZALES
ccmmagazine.com july
02 ccm
29
6/5/02
2:56 PM
Page 30
young age. After the congregation’s worship leaders stopped showing
up on Sunday mornings, the Gonzales brothers decided to step in and
give worship-leading their best shot.
“I finally got fed up one day and said, ‘Nic, if you go up there and play
the guitar, I will play the drums. Anything is better than nothing.’” While
Art admits it wasn’t the most sonically-pleasing service with their mom
and aunt joining them on vocals, it was the start that led them to where
they are today.
As things progressed, the Gonzales brothers recruited their cousin to
play bass, and Art and Nic’s parents began their own ministry at King of
Glory Church in Austin. Starting out in their mom’s garage with a beatup drum kit and guitars that were donated to the church by their
from Austin, and it was getting really late,” Arts recalls. “And I remember
we got together, and I said, ‘We need to pray because everybody’s
getting upset, and we shouldn’t go onstage like this.’”
After praying together and eventually playing their show at 11 p.m.,
the band connected with someone afterward who would play a major
role in their lives later on—artist manager Mike Smith.
After the show, Smith approached Nic. “I remember him telling me
‘You know young man, it [usually] doesn’t happen like this, but I believe
you guys could make an impact on Christian music,’” Nic recalls.
Trying not to make too much of what he’d heard without doing his
research first, Nic put Smith’s business card in his wallet and made a few
phone calls. Discovering from a friend of his that Smith “was legit,” Nic
“THEY WERE HUMBLE BEGINNINGS, BUT WE DIDN’T STRUGGLE BECAUSE OUR CHURCH WAS ALWAYS THERE.”
ART GONZALES
grandfather, the three of them constantly rehearsed and honed their
skills while leading the worship services on Sunday mornings.
“It was one of those things where God just brought us up in steps,” Art
explains. “That’s where He brought us from—from playing inside my
mom’s garage to our own church…. I guess He saw that we were just
trying, and He blessed that.”
Content to be playing their songs in church, the Gonzales began
raising money with their family by having car washes and selling
homemade taco salads and barbecue plates to buy better gear and
instruments for their musical endeavors. “I remember pouring every dime
we had back into our gear,” Art recalls. “And that’s how we got started.
They were humble beginnings, but we didn’t struggle because our
church was always there.”
GOD IN EVERYTHING
But soon, the Gonzales’ professional lives would radically change. The
guys give props to Willie Nelson, whom they jokingly refer to as “their
friend” because Art, Nic and Josh were playing at “his place” in
Luckenbach, Texas, when record label executives decided to check out
what they had to offer.
Art fondly recalls that particular gig because it didn’t begin so well.
“My parents drove out, my wife drove out, and it was just storming. And
they kept pushing our time back. I think we were supposed to play at
8 p.m., so I remember getting really upset because our parents drove in
called him, and soon he became their manager, and record label
executives began frequenting the group’s weekend shows.
Not too long afterward, then-Myrrh Records representative Jim
Chaffee and producer Dan Posthuma flew down to see the band play.
After seeing them perform two songs, Chaffee and Posthuma asked
Smith what they had to do to persuade them to sign a deal.
Coincidentally, Myrrh Records was an organization the band already
loved because their favorite artist Bryan Duncan recorded for that label,
and their favorite producer (Posthuma) worked on Duncan’s projects.
“We had joked earlier that year about how much it would cost to get
Dan Posthuma to come down to Austin and produce a record for us,”
Nic comments. “And that goes to show the irony sometimes of how God
can be with everything and say ‘All right, that’s what you want, that’s
what I’ll give you.’ And that’s what happened, and that’s basically how we
got signed.”
After securing their record deal, the guys changed the band’s former
moniker (which they would not reveal even after constant prodding) to
Salvador and added Torres (percussion), Bevins (keyboards), Griego
(trombone) and Galbaldón (trumpet) to round out the group’s
distinctively Latin pop/rock sound.
FAMILY FIRST
Even after landing the record deal, experiencing their dream scenario of
having Posthuma produce the band’s self-titled 2000 debut and securing
“I REMEMBER
HIM TELLING ME,
‘YOU KNOW YOUNG
MAN, IT [USUALLY]
DOESN’T HAPPEN
LIKE THIS, BUT I
BELIEVE YOU GUYS
COULD MAKE AN
IMPACT ON
CHRISTIAN
MUSIC.’”
NIC GONZALES
ON MEETING ARTIST
MANAGER MIKE SMITH
Nic Gonzales
Billy Griego
Joshua Gonzales
6/5/02
2:56 PM
Page 31
a slot on Third Day’s “Offerings” tour to promote the album, the group members’ emphasis
remains on their faith and the importance of family.
Whether it’s hanging out on the bus, (where they’re even polite when whomping each other at
video games) or the five married guys returning home to their families, they strive to keep their
priorities in check. Even as they continue to play hundreds of shows a year and up the ante
considerably with the June 4 release of their sophomore album Into Motion (Word), their wives
are incredibly supportive.
“From the get-go, my wife knew this was a calling from God—that He wanted me to do
something with this band,” Griego says. “So I know that she, with her heart, and with God,
knew she would be making some sacrifices… and she’s OK with everything that’s going on.”
And even though they’re the single guys of the group, Nic and Josh are quick to point out that
their bandmates are an integral component in their lives—whether they’re traveling or home in
Austin. While many would assume that spending a considerable amount of time traveling
together and living in cramped quarters would lead to problems, Josh claims it’s “God’s honest
truth” that they never fight or even bicker.
While it seems almost too good to be true with a “Real World” scenario of seven guys living
together with thousands of miles logged on the odometer, Nic backs Josh up. “I don’t know how
many people can say that, but we’ve never had a fight,” Nic asserts. “I think everybody checks
their egos, and I think that ego is the thing that shouldn’t have a place in Christian music…. Ego
is for people who feel like they’re establishing things on their own.”
DOING THE UNEXPECTED
With hopes of always remaining humble in their calling, the guys of Salvador don’t mind
approaching their ministry and career in a slightly left-of-center manner. Other than the tour
with Third Day, the group has chosen to stay off of major tours and prefers the evangelical route
of playing conferences like Promise Keepers.
“Playing with Third Day was an incredible experience because they were so amazing to us;
they treated us like family and encouraged us more than anybody else in Christian music so far,”
Nic states. “But right now we choose to do what it is that we’re doing because we believe we’re
put on the Earth for a purpose. I believe we were assembled for a purpose, and it’s not always to
be loved by hundreds or thousands of fans.”
Nic also remembers something his manager has taught him along the way. “We used to wonder
what it was like to play in front of 50 people and go ‘Who are we actually having an impact on?’
and my manager told me ‘You know what Nic? You have no idea who’s in that audience. You
could be playing or ministering to the next Billy Graham, Luis Palau or the next Michael W.
Smith or Steven Curtis Chapman…. All it takes is one song.’”
And with those words firmly grafted in their minds as they play for audiences across the
country and around the world, the lives of the zany, polite and exuberant men of Salvador
may not make the best reality-television fodder. But these rock ‘n’ roll enthusiasts certainly
try to leave their joyful mark on every place they visit along the way. ccm
GROOVIN’—WHAT THE GUYS OF
SALVADOR ARE LISTENING TO
WHEN THEY’RE NOT MAKING
THEIR OWN MUSIC
Like a majority of modern music today,
Salvador’s sound is a mish-mash of many
sonic influences with a splash of the band’s
Latin heritage thrown in the mix. To get a
better idea of what music influences each
band member, we asked some of the guys
what they’ve listened to in the past and
what’s currently in their CD players.
Art Gonzales: “I’m listening to Willie
Nelson right now. We’re from Texas, and I’ve
always been a Willie Nelson fan.... I like
Willie Nelson just because he’s not so much
like everybody else. And I still listen to
Burlap to Cashmere all the time as well.”
Eliot Torres: “As of right now, I’m going
into this little Latin jazz phase so I can get
inspiration for my playing.”
Josh Gonzales: “When I was growing up,
I listened to anything by Bryan Duncan and
Sweet Comfort Band. Bryan Duncan’s
Anonymous Confessions of a Lunatic Friend is
probably the best Christian album ever made.
But right now, I’m on the new kick with John
Mayer, which is an awesome album.”
Billy Griego: “I grew up kind of listening to
Lawrence Welk with my parents—stuff like
that. Now I get into jazz, mostly Latin jazz
with Tito Puente, big-band jazz and stuff like
that. That’s what I enjoy.” C . F.
For more information on Salvador go to ccmmagazine.com.
Chris Bevins
Pablo Galbaldón
Art Gonzales
Eliot Torres
02 ccm
31
6/5/02
2:57 PM
Page 32
SALVADOR LIVE!
It’s a tough standard to live up to when a group
is touted as “Christian music’s premier live
band” in their press material. A music critic like
myself could easily read that and become
cynical before ever seeing the show. After all,
we’ve heard claims like that before. But having
seen Salvador play on a couple of other
occasions, I certainly knew they had what it
takes to impress. But how would their new
songs translate, and how would the crowd
react? That remained to be seen as I ventured
over to the outdoor stage at Kentucky
Wesleyan University.
With a stage that seemed a little small for seven
guys and all their gear, Salvador not only made
good on their publicist’s claims, but managed to
electrify a crowd who just heard both Joy
Williams and The Elms play incredible sets.
Salvador contained enough frenetic energy
to revive me from my nearly four-hour early
morning drive from Nashville to Kentucky. I
could hardly stop my feet from moving when
they kicked off the show with “David
Danced.” But with my tendency toward “the
full body spasm” Elaine mentioned in an
episode of “Seinfeld,” I tried to keep my
enthusiasm in check.
“Lord, I Come Before You,” from Salvador’s
self-titled project, was also a hit with its sassy
horns and expressive vocal delivery from Nic
Gonzales. Adding a funky bass line to the
mix was his cousin Josh, who is probably the
most serene of the group with his side-toside stage movements.
Slowing things down with “Alabar al Senor”
(yes, that’s Spanish, in case you wondered), the
band then regained its groove with the midtempo “Breathing Life,” the first single from
their new album Into Motion. With a strong
hook and lots of energy, this is a song that’s
made for radio while possessing a unique flair.
While it would be easy to classify them as
just another band in the praise & worship
potpourri that’s so prevalent these days, their
Latin-pop/rock edge blended with worshipful
lyrics really warrants its own category. Even on
the Delirious cover “I Could Sing of Your Love
Forever,” they managed to leave a mark of
distinction. This is one band that knows how
to engage the crowd and keep them at that
level throughout the entire show. If you get a
chance to see Salvador live, be ready for an
evening of high-energy worship. C . F.
CCM7.02_pg34-36
6/5/02
4:31 PM
Page 34
CCM7.02_pg34-36
6/5/02
4:31 PM
Page 35
Kristin Chenoweth
a bRoadway
miRacle
by Dan Ewald
A BLONDE, ASPIRING AGENT NAMED PORTIA STORMS INTO A MEN’S LOCKER ROOM TO FIND HER
POTENTIAL CLIENT—A POMPOUS RADIO PSYCHOLOGIST—WEARING NOTHING BUT A TOWEL.
“Dr. Crane,” she says.
“Portia, what are you doing here? This is a private club and men’s
locker room. Get out!” the man replies, tightening the grip on his towel.
“Not until you give me a chance,” the spunky young woman insists.
“Look, I told you, I’m not interested!”
Don’t let her blonde hair or 4-foot-11-inch height fool you—Portia
has way too much vibrant energy to keep her from reaching her goals.
She’s the type of girl who doesn’t take no for an answer. And within
minutes, she has won over Dr. Frasier Crane’s heart, promising him
bigger and better things if he agrees to sign her on as his agent.
That same spirit permeates Kristin Chenoweth, the actress who plays
Portia on NBC’s “Frasier.” She’s optimistic. Her smile warms the room.
“When I was growing up, people would think, ‘Is she fake?’” Chenoweth
says. “I got really tired of apologizing for being a happy person. I’ve had
hard times, but I could either be stuck and be bitter, or I could continue
on and be happy.”
TAKING SHOW BUSINESS IN STRIDE
One high point and low point happened last summer when the actress
starred in her own TV show, the blink-or-you-missed-it NBC sitcom
“Kristin.” While reviewers liked Chenoweth, they hated the show, calling
it “predictable” and “trite.” In fact, the only character who wasn’t cliché
was the title character—Kristin Yancey, a born-again Christian who
moves from Oklahoma to New York to pursue an acting career in the big
city. “Basically it was a show about a person who had faith and worked in
show business,” says the star. “A lot of [TV critics] are cynical and said
this type of person doesn’t exist. I just wanted to say, ‘Oh my gosh, if I
could just invite you all to Oklahoma for one day to meet my family, my
six aunts, my grandparents, my cousins, you would see that this character
is real. I couldn’t care less what they thought about anything else, but
when they say that people of faith aren’t out there, that bothered me.”
As a Christian herself, the 32-year-old actress from Broken Arrow,
Okla., should know. “I think a lot of people could relate. Ultimately, I
don’t feel sorry for myself as much as I feel sorry for the network who
missed out on a great opportunity to do something different. I think if
‘Kristin’ had aired after Sept. 11, things might be different,” Chenoweth
says. But true to her sunny personality, she looks at the bright side of a
failed TV series: “It was a great learning experience. I don’t feel bitter
about it at all. I feel so happy that I got paid a lot of money to learn in
front of the camera.”
That experience in front of the camera led to the guest spot on
“Frasier,” a job she landed at the last minute. Being bi-coastal, Chenoweth
was in New York rehearsing for “Broadway Bash,” a concert featuring
vocal stars from the world of theater. The next day, she was to fly to
Washington, D.C., to perform with Julie Andrews in the “Kennedy
Center Honors.” It was then that her agent called and presented her with
the TV sitcom opportunity. “They want you to tape it tomorrow night,”
he said.
02 ccm
35
CCM7.02_pg34-36
6/5/02
4:31 PM
Page 36
“I AM NOT THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO STANDS ON A STREET
CORNER AND SHOUTS ‘I’M A CHRISTIAN.’”
“I had to learn my part in one day,” laughs the busy actress. “I did
the orchestra rehearsal in New York, flew to L.A., did ‘Frasier,’ flew
back to New York to do the performance of the ‘Broadway Bash,’
flew to Washington to do ‘Kennedy Center Honors,’ and it all
happened within a three or four day period.”
With such a demanding schedule, Chenoweth says that several
things help her, the most of which is prayer. “I’m a big believer in
prayer. I pray all the time. I pray walking down the street in New York. I
pray on a plane. I pray without shutting my eyes. Prayer is a huge thing
in my life.”
It also helped her from a career standpoint to share the screen with
TV veteran Kelsey Grammer, who has played the same familiar character
for over 15 years (originating on “Cheers”). Although most actors balk
when getting feedback from fellow performers, Chenoweth didn’t mind
at all when Grammer gave her a tip. “There was a last scene of the show
where I had to do a big, long monologue. Kelsey was so great. He said,
‘Hey, I have an idea. Try doing this on this word’ …and it worked! Then
I ad-libbed something that seemed to get a laugh. It ended up being that
we really worked well together.”
The chemistry worked so well that producers are bringing Chenoweth
back this fall. She says, “It’s one of those things that you don’t even see
coming and ends up being a huge blessing.”
FAITHFUL BEGINNINGS
After becoming a Christian at the age of 8 in Vacation Bible School, little
Kristin started singing in the church. Her dream was to become a
professional Christian singer. Although she loved the music of Evie
Turnquist and Amy Grant, it was her hero Sandi Patty who had a voice
most like her own.
Her parents encouraged her to develop her voice. “I have to give them
a lot of the credit. They gave me a sense of security,” she recalls. “It’s
really the most important thing you can give a child. They said, ‘You
know, God gave you a gift. We’re not singers, not actors, but we’ll try to
help you the best way we know how.’” Her homemaker mother and
chemical engineer father also paid for piano and dance lessons.
Chenoweth earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in musical theater and
a Master’s degree in opera performance at Oklahoma City University.
Upon moving to New York, she nabbed the role of Sally Brown in
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and immediately became a
darling of the theater world. John Simon, theater critic for New York
magazine, called her performance “perfection.” Shortly thereafter, she
received a Tony award for the role. Suddenly, Chenoweth had made a
name for herself.
But now, with several years of big-city acclaim, Chenoweth says one of
the ways she stays grounded is listening to Christian music. “Music is a
witness to me all the time. On the subway, you can put your headphones
on, and you’re not in New York anymore,” says the actress who also has
an apartment in West Hollywood.
“Putting on Christian music as often as I can really gets me back to
what it is I believe,” she says. “I put on Sandi Patty and Cindy Morgan.
Those are two women that I just love. I love a lot of the new artists. The
person I’m listening to the most right now is Mark Schultz. I love him! I
sang the song ‘Remember Me’ with a friend of mine in church last
Sunday. It’s such a beautiful song.”
HAPPY ALL THE TIME
Chenoweth’s natural, God-given spirit of enthusiasm causes people in
show business to take notice. She’s currently taping a TV-movie remake
of “The Music Man,” airing this fall on ABC. It’s the story of scam artist
Harold Hill (played by Matthew Broderick) who arrives in River City,
intending to cheat the community by offering to train a boys’ marching
band, then planning to skip town with the money. Things go awry when
he falls for a librarian named Marion Paroo (played by Chenoweth).
“Even though Marion is known as the straight-laced librarian, I think
I’ve found some ways to make her more of a personality,” the performer
says. “I want to make Marion more of a memorable character in this
movie, not just this wooden, stiff woman who runs a library—a person
with heart.”
Whether it’s revealing the heart of a character or showing love to her
colleagues in real life, Kristin Chenoweth wants to make an impact. “I am
not the type of person who stands on a street corner and shouts ‘I’m a
Christian,’” she says. “But what happens, really by accident, is that people
I’m working with say, ‘Why are you so happy?’”
And when asked that question, Chenoweth answers with a smile, “God
works in my life. If you could hang around me for one week, you would
only begin to see the miracles that happen in my life.” ccm
CCM7.02_pg38-39
6/5/02
2:33 PM
Page 38
BECAUSE THEY HAVE FOUND PEACE, AND THEY HAVE FOUND JOY
SHINE 101
PETER FURLER, LEAD SINGER OF THE NEWSBOYS, IN ANTICIPATION OF THE
BAND’S NEW BOOK, SHINE, SPEAKS PASSIONATELY TO A NEW GENERATION
ABOUT LIVING IN THE LIGHT. BY JANET CHISMAR
CCM7.02_pg38-39
6/5/02
2:33 PM
Page 39
SHINE ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO BLAZE A NEW FRONTIER,
TO ATTACK WORLD POVERTY OR ADDRESS AIDS.
Shine/Make ém wonder what
you’ve got/Let ém see good
works, and then, let ém glorify
the Lord.
problems to move
Christians toward good
deeds. “It would be so
wonderful if we were the
Sometimes we think we can
“help people out” because we
are “special.” Compassion, on
the other hand, does not
what He sounds like. “So
we need to be quiet, to
know if we are hearing His
voice or not. And we need
THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND THE GRACE AND FORGIVENESS THEY
HAVE BEEN SHOWN BY CHRIST CAN THEN REFLECT IT TO OTHERS.
Let the words sink in a
minute. Not only is this a
classic hit from the
Newsboys, the words
reflect truth that should
challenge you to step out
into a dark world,
according to Peter Furler of
the Newsboys.
Encouraging a new
generation to make a
difference is at the heart of
Newsboys’ mission. So
when Whitaker House
Publishers approached the
band members about doing
a book with a glow-in-thedark cover, they jumped at
the chance to “shine.” Due
out early this month, the
book, with its glowing
cover, is not meant to be a
novelty or gimmick, says
Furler. “It is meant to
visually remind the [young]
reader that is what we as
Christians need to do—
shine in dark places.”
Shine encourages people
to blaze a new frontier, to
attack world poverty or
address AIDS, says Furler.
He wonders if it is possible
that God uses these
people that when certain
communities heard of us,
they wouldn’t think...
judgmental people. But
instead, they remembered
why there is a St. Mark’s
Hospital or a St. John’s
Hospital—because there
was a generation back then
that served Christ through
good deeds.”
WHAT DOES IT MEAN
TO SHINE?
“To shine is about light,”
Furler explains. “I think it
becomes brighter when
there is less of us and more
of Christ because He is the
only true light. He is
incorruptible where we are
corruptible. That’s really
where it starts. It’s not
about our efforts. It’s about
self-denial.”
Selfishness is “such a
tricky dog,” according to
Furler. “It comes in so many
forms.” One example is pity.
Furler believes there is a big
difference between feeling
sorry for people and having
compassion. Feeling sorry for
people still involves “us.”
involve us. It is realizing
that, but by God’s grace,
“there go I.”
Godly discipline and
holy habits are bedrocks in
Furler’s own life. Solitude,
prayer, confession, worship
and study are the key
components. “I ask God for
the desire to desire Him.
That’s where it starts for
me,” he admits. But, in the
vein of “be careful what you
pray for,” Furler doesn’t
pray to be humbled, he
says, joking. “One of the
things that I love about
God is that He’s out of
control. He’s not safe, but
He is just and good.”
HUMILITY, PRAYER AND
GOD’S WORD
Sharing Jesus requires a
certain amount of “emptying,”
says Furler. “For me to
stand in front of a crowd
and throw my hands up is
humbling. Again, that’s a
way to lose yourself.”
Furler says he also prays
for ears to hear. God’s
sheep recognize His voice;
they know His Word and
to read His Word.”
In order to shine, Furler
continues, “Take a day at a
time. It’s about daily bread.
Don’t worry about the
future. Remember that His
mercies are new every
morning. Take them—they
are new every morning for
a reason. We need them.”
Pointing to the parables
of Jesus for a lesson, Furler
asks, “Remember where the
man was forgiven a great
debt and he walked off
rejoicing? That’s how we
are when we first find
Christ. But then the guy
goes and finds somebody
who owed him a small
amount of money and beats
him up and throws him
into prison. That’s the exact
opposite of what it means
to shine,” he adds.
COMPREHEND THE
TRUE ATTRIBUTES
OF GOD
Those who understand the
grace and forgiveness they
have been shown by Christ
can then reflect it to others.
And that, says Furler, is a
very attractive thing for
people to see—”someone
who is full of grace, full of
mercy, full of love and full
of forgiveness.”
The concept in Shine is
not new. Furler calls it a
“2,000-year-old approach,”
which has not been “around
much lately.” It’s a
declaration for a new
generation whom the band
hopes will “lead in the area
of world peace through
Christ,” because they have
found peace, and they have
found joy.
According to Furler, this
generation is not ashamed
of the gospel. But the
struggle now is a division
between Christians and
non-Christians, or among
groups of Christians. “It’s
slowly becoming ‘us versus
them’ and that’s when grace
dies,” Furler explains.
This post-modern era is
“not a time to pretty up the
gospel, or dress it up and
take it to the prom,” he
adds. “We need to get back
to the basics, back to the
good news. We don’t need
to make the gospel trendy.“
The book, says Furler,
brings people down to
earth. “The bottom line? We
need to get out of ourselves
and serve others. Your light
shines when you empty
yourself and let Christ shine
through you.” ccm
ccmmagazine.com
july 02 ccm 39
CCM7.02_pg40-41
6/5/02
2:45 PM
Page 40
PHOTO BY: PATAGONIK WORKS
REALITY BITES
ON THE ‘ROAD’
Holly and Chadwick Pelletier went back on MTV’s “Road Rules” and
faced their biggest challenge yet: Overcoming the TV viewers’
marred first impression of the born-again Christians.
BY KRIS RASMUSSEN
Raucous shouts. Clinking beer
bottles. Young hardbodies dancing
came for them to return to MTV
to participate in the new series.
“I could blame it all on the editing, but I
did say and do those things.” H O L LY P E L L E T I E R
in skimpy outfits. Pretty much
what you would expect from the
latest MTV reality show, “Battle of
the Seasons,” where cast members
from past “The Real World” and
“Road Rules“ seasons compete
“Survivor”-style for various prizes.
But then the camera suddenly cuts
to an attractive couple alone in
their room. They’re married
(huh?), and they’re actually
praying and reading the Bible
together (what?).
The couple is Chadwick and
Holly Pelletier. They were cast
members of two different seasons
of MTV’s adventure series “Road
Rules.” They met briefly on Holly’s
season of the show, then again at a
premiere party at MTV in 2000,
and by the year’s end they were
engaged. They married in May of
2001. A few months later, the offer
CHRISTIAN VILLAINS
As Chadwick explains, “Before we
went back on MTV, both Holly
and I prayed for God’s grace and
favor. We prayed that nothing
would come between us as a
married couple and that we would
be able to share the love of God
with others there.”
Despite those positive glimpses
of their beliefs, the creative forces
at MTV decided they had found
the perfect villains in the
newlywed pair and tried to portray
the couple as a greedy, calculating
duo that would make “Survivor’s”
Richard Hatch envious.
Holly laughs, “I just watched an
episode where they actually
‘bleeped’ over something I said to
make it look like I was saying
something bad, and I wasn’t! I just
couldn’t believe it.”
Chadwick has
slightly stronger
words about his
portrayal on the
show. “The
genius in the
editing room
once again
[portrayed me
as] a jerk with
no social skills.
HOLLY AND CHADWICK IN 2002
But MTV
couldn’t take
away from us talking with Coral,
HOLLY’S SCHOOL
Theo, Tim and John [other cast
OF HARD KNOCKS
members] about God. Sure you
“‘You’re dating Holly? Why are
don’t see it on TV, but God had
you dating her?’ Chadwick got
other plans.”
asked that question a lot when my
What the television cameras also ‘Road Rules’ first came out,” says
didn’t capture were the spiritual
Holly. The reason? Holly, who
highs and lows this couple has
was only 19 at the time the show
been through before and after their taped, was portrayed as the bad
appearances on MTV. So in
girl, the wild child, the one who
separate interviews from their
verbally abused the cameramen
home in Los Angeles, they each
and production assistants. In
shared openly and honestly about
general, she came off something
some hard-learned life lessons that
like a Tonya Harding wannabe.
have led them to an even stronger
Talking with her today, that is
relationship with God.
almost impossible to believe. There
CCM7.02_pg40-41
6/5/02
2:45 PM
Page 41
“When you receive hundreds of e-mails and 75 of them
are hate mail, it’s a true test of character when it
comes to how you digest what you read.” C H A D W I C K P E L L E T I E R
is an unmistakable serenity in her
voice as she softly answers
questions about that unflattering
season of her life.
“Who I am now is not who I
was then. I had lost my father and
my grandfather shortly before [I
started] the show. I didn’t have a
great relationship with my father.
He was an alcoholic, and my
mother had to leave him when I
was very little.” During the entire
taping, Holly admits she was an
angry young woman. “I felt guilty.
I was struggling. I had a rocky
relationship with God at that
point. I knew what God wanted
me to be, but I wasn’t ready to
give that to Him.”
Holly continues, “I could blame
it all on the editing, but I did say
and do those things. I didn’t mind
them showing the bad if they
would have just shown some of
the good. I knew a part of me
wasn’t like that, but there also had
to be a part of me who really was
like what I was seeing [on
television]. And I didn’t like that. I
wanted to change.”
HUNGRY FOR GOD
The change happened when Holly
dug deeper into the Word. “I
realized how much I craved a
relationship with God, but I wasn’t
feeding it. If you want to get to
know someone, you have to spend
time with him, right?” She is also
quick to credit her husband as
having a huge influence on who
she is right now. “I really married
someone who brings out the best
in me.”
Chadwick also admits to a
deepening in his relationship with
God after his first MTV appearance.
“When I was on ‘Road Rules’ I
hadn’t experienced the ‘oneness’ I
have with Him now. I did,
however, have a relationship with
Him.” It was one year later while
Chadwick was at Harvard working
hard in medical school that he
became lonely, discouraged and
was ready to quit. Late one night
by the Charles River, Chadwick
hit an emotional bottom and cried
out to God. “From that point on,
my life changed. I started a
relationship with God that to this
“I really married someone who brings
out the best in me.” H O L LY P E L L E T I E R
day is the best relationship I’ve
ever had.”
Which doesn’t mean that
Chadwick isn’t continuing to go
through a different kind of
challenge in his spiritual growth
these days. He still hears from
television viewers with way too
much time on their hands who still
remember him as a bleach-blond
anti-hero. “When you receive
hundreds of e-mails and 75 of
them are hate mail, it’s a true test
of character when it comes to how
you digest what you read. Some of
them say I am a cult leader, some
are death threats, most of them tell
me how to live my life.”
Being humbled, loving his
enemies, remembering his battle is
not against flesh and blood—these
are all lessons Chadwick says he’s
learned through his experience on
the show.
Though “Battle of the Seasons”
just finished it’s first run airing on
television, all three of their MTV
appearances will probably
continue on in re-runs indefinitely.
But Chadwick and Holly have
already moved on to new
opportunities. Between completing
work on his PhD and being
inducted into the Martial Arts
Hall of Fame this year, Chadwick
is also pursuing a career in acting.
Holly is considering going back to
school to be an interior designer
and possibly even becoming a
licensed contractor. They are also
hoping to begin to speak at
schools and universities about
everything from relationships to
grief management.
Whatever new opportunities
might come along, the reality of
this couple’s future seems firmly
rooted in their faith that God will
lead them. “Ultimately,” says
Chadwick, “God comes first in all
that I do as a man, as a husband,
as a father someday. I will do what
is in my power to show that He is
the center of my life. I know He
will give me the direction and the
know-how to do this.” ccm
ccmmagazine.com
july 02 ccm 41
CCM7.02_pg42-43
6/5/02
2:19 PM
Page 42
straight from the hip
Rapper John
Reuben’s
background gives
him a colorblind
platform to “mix it
up” for the
Kingdom.
by andy argyrakis
Most people associate the lifestyle
of a hip-hop artist with being
larger than life. Fancy cars, flashy
jewelry, an adoring entourage
including the obligatory
bodyguard or two. Oh yeah, and
the rapper usually needs a personal
censor during interviews.
But for John Reuben, the
substance of his rap persona stems
from an unconventional
upbringing, living with his mom at
Columbus, Ohio’s Outreach for
Youth facility. In addition to
feuling his imagination, his
experiences there allowed him to
live in a community of people
from many different backgrounds.
“I was exposed to so many cultures
when I was younger that it really
opened up my mind,” he recalls.
“That time in my life allowed me
to break down a lot of
stereotypical walls and get along
with people regardless of what
they looked like or where they
came from.”
Seeing the dissolve of racial
walls firsthand allowed Reuben to
make a seamless transition into the
club scene by the time he hit his
teen years, where he mixed for an
integrated crowd. He earned the
respect needed to thrive in the
scene during various “Hip-hop
Nights,” stemming from his
pursuit of artistic excellence,
coupled with the fact that he
always stood up for what he
believed in.
PHOTOS BY: MELINDA DIMAURRO
CCM7.02_pg42-43
6/5/02
2:19 PM
Page 43
in-your-face rapping of the
this time around,” he
current taste of the day. To
One of the things the
song “Pataskala.”
enthuses. “That’s not to say
him, one major dilemma in
rapper does not believe in is
“God used that situation
that I wasn’t authentic on
the current Christian hipspiritual walls. “The key
in my life to get me off of
the first one, but I had a
hop scene is its tendency to
thing for me is that I don’t
the one-track mindset I was
clearer idea of what I
build off of mainstream
write music for Christians,
on,” Reuben recollects.
wanted to communicate
trends, merely purifying
nor do I write music for
“Ever since his passing, I’ve
certain sounds and songs for this time around.”
non-Christians,” notes the
made much more of an
And communicate is
the Christian subculture
tall and lanky rapper. “I’m
effort to keep a balance
something Reuben does
rather than being a source
not gonna force a message,
between all of my
for mainstream culture to be with gusto, citing the title
and I’m not gonna water it
priorities, including staying
track as a general thematic
influenced by.
down either. Whether
plugged in at home and
summary of the project.
“With Christian based
you’re primarily in the
staying in fellowship with
hip-hop, I don’t think we’ve “The song’s about looking
mainstream circles or in
other believers.”
back on certain situations
really tapped into the
Christian circles, forming
In retrospect, Reuben
creativity of the God of the that you’ve been unclear
your sound or lyrics around
looks on that tragedy with
about in your life and
universe,” he asserts. “An
what other people want
realizing that series of events
artist will never get any
from you is defeating the
makes sense as part of God’s
respect for ripping off
purpose of creating
overall will,” he says.
other artists, nor will they
something of your own.”
One situation over the
gain it from changing a
He adds: “I never wanted
last year that really caused
chorus for it to become
to just get grouped in the
Christian subculture.
“I DON’T WRITE MUSIC FOR CHRISTIANS, NOR DO I WRITE
I’ve always strived to
MUSIC FOR NON-CHRISTIANS. I’M NOT GONNA FORCE
make music that was a
A
MESSAGE,
AND I’M NOT GONNA WATER IT DOWN EITHER.”
proper representation
Reuben to plug into God
more holy. That’s just
of who I am and my
even more was the passing
generic and cheap.”
perspective on life, while
of his close friend and backAlthough he’s been to
making it accessible to
up performer Scott Bellows,
the studio a few times
everybody. I’ve earned
who died somewhat
before, Reuben admits that
people’s respect for not
mysteriously in his sleep. It
his last round of sessions,
being ashamed of that and
was hard for Reuben to
staying true to my art form.” while working on his
sophomore album, Hindsight imagine why the life of
That respect has also
someone who was
(Gotee), have been the
been earned due to the fact
apparently healthy was
most comfortable. “I was
that Reuben has always
taken so randomly, as
able to be more authentic
strived for originality, rather
chronicled amidst the
and give more of myself
than simply copying the
promise, noting how the
experience has shaped him
for the upcoming stage of
his life and career. “Until
something like this comes
along, it’s so easy to get
caught up in the everyday
movement of life and
neglect the important
things,” he continues. “It
may sound overly simple,
but I’m just trying to make
the most of every situation
that comes my way and not
take as much for granted in
my life.” ccm
LESS OF A MAN
Looking at John Reuben behind a
turntable or out in front of a microphone
rapping to the beat, you’d never guess
he was once nearly 100 pounds
overweight. The 6’ 2”, 22-year-old
appears slim and trim these days, but
that wasn’t always the case. “When I
was 18 years old, I weighed 240
pounds,” he shares. “I didn’t want to
look like that as I got older, so I started
to do something about it.”
Over the next two years, Reuben hit
the gym for endless sets of jumping rope,
aerobic exercise and the strict monitoring
of his diet. However, he admits the plan
he implemented to whip himself into
shape became a bit too extreme,
causing his health to swing in the
opposite direction. “Watching my diet
slowly turned into not eating enough, and
I actually dropped down to about 25
pounds lighter than I am now,” says the
current 160 pounder. “My family was
concerned about me, and I eventually
worked my way up to a healthy weight.”
A situation like this is very common to
people of all ages, because that one’s
image relates directly to self-esteem.
Although Reuben doesn’t have the
perfect tidbit of advice to those struggling
with their weight, he provides empathy
and serves as an example of
rejuvenation. “There’s no general answer
when it comes to self-image problems
because every person that’s struggling is
in the middle of a different situation,” he
says. “It’s easy to say things like ‘Trust
God’ and ‘Find your worth in Jesus,’ but
that’s a lot easier said than done. All I
can say is that healthy weight loss can
be very challenging. But I’ve been there
before, and it can be done.” A . A .
Exclusive online interview with John Reuben at ccmmagazine.com.
ccmmagazine.com
july 02 ccm 43
7.02 In Review v.5
6/5/2002
4:58 PM
Page 45
inreviewmusic
This ‘Sister Act 2’ is Incredible
MARY MARY
Incredible Columbia/Integrity
God may indeed have this one spinning
in Heaven.
With the intense power of soul and
pure groove, the dynamic-duo known as
Mary Mary slams back on the music
scene with its crunk mix of hip-hop,
gospel and jazz. Much more diverse than
2000’s platinum-selling Thankful, the divas’
File under:
album Incredible combines the musical
Urban/Gospel
Sounds like:
leanings
of Bob Marley, Mary J. Blige,
Mary J. Blige, Destiny’s Child
Shirley
Caesar,
Michael Jackson and
GRADE: AIndia Arie. Incredible is real gut-wrenching
emotion, authentic worship and tell-all stories put to beats, harmonies
and amazing vocal licks.
The women of Mary Mary are storytellers. Whether it’s a visual of a
single mom struggling to raise her children alone or a young woman
feeling less than beautiful, every song directs the listener to the healing
power of Jesus Christ. The California-based sisters are masters at
reminding the listener of the “old-fashioned” attributes of God that we
sometimes leave out of modern-day Christianity. Phrases like “hold on to
your faith,” “He’ll never give up on you” and “He’s been good to me” are
the often forgotten profound statements of faith that make up the lyrical
foundation on Incredible.
The gospel ballad “I Try” stands out as the most powerful of the 15
tunes. This honest and humble testimonial avows, “I try, but sometimes I
fail/Now I realize that I need Your help/Cuz’ I can’t make it all by myself/I need You ….”
Backed by a choir, sisters Erica and Tina Atkins once again remind us that
their sweet vocals can belt out a powerful and emotional ending.
Whether it’s the string-induced first single “In the Morning,” the beatheavy Darkchild-produced “He Said” or the reggae-influenced “Trouble
Ain’t,” Incredible crosses boundaries, pushes comfort zones and leaves the
listener convicted and moved. This album deserves a spin, and if you
aren’t spiritually impacted, then you need to listen again because it ain’t
the album that has the problem. M A T T H E W T U R N E R
ccmmagazine.com
july 02 ccm 45
7.02 In Review v.5
6/5/2002
5:02 PM
Page 47
MICHELLE WILLIAMS
Heart to Yours Columbia
THE BENJAMIN GATE
Contact ForeFront
Not as fun as you would expect
No doubt, one of the year’s best
If you’re hoping that a solo album from
one of the Destiny’s Child divas will give
you another dose of high-energy hiphop, Heart to Yours won’t be what you’re
looking for. Michelle Williams leans
toward a mellower gospel/R&B flavor,
and while the effect is mostly successful,
File under:
it won’t get the radio play she’s used to.
Gospel/Urban
Sounds like:
Her
vocals are sweet and soulful, but
Shirley Caesar, Mary Mary, Alicia Keys
they
lack the fullness that makes good
GRADE: Bsongs great.
The highlights of the album tend to be duets with other artists—a fun,
energetic mix with Mary Mary, a soulful tune with two of the Men of
Standard and a pure gospel hymn with Shirley Caesar. One exception is
“Better Place,” a percussion-driven Sept. 11 tribute that’s edgier lyrically as
well as musically. Another is “Rock With Me,” an energized rewrite of “Rock
of Ages” with a chorus that would shake up any dance floor. But it’s the
“Gospel Medley,” where Williams is joined by the other two members of
Destiny’s Child, that really proves that the best music happens with friends.
LISA TEDDER
Contact is the sophomore release from
South Africa’s The Benjamin Gate. The
disc is a musical excursion that ventures
through a sound garden of tripped-out
vocals and effect-laden guitars to
culminate into a hard-edged sonic trip.
Cuts like “Need” and “Overkill” offer
File under:
up testimony to a band that’s lyrically
Modern Rock/Alternative
Sounds like:
passionate while forging a solid musical
Chasing Furies, Plumb
statement. Each tune reflects a grandiose
GRADE: Arhythm section and electronic guitar
nuances that infiltrate the majority of the opus.
Vocalist Adrienne Liesching consistently delivers the goods with traces
of The Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan and Plumb’s Tiffany Arbuckle
weaved within each cut. Whether it’s the more subdued “The Way You
Are” or the driving “This Is Not,” the band manages to make emotional
statements without slowing down for the obligatory modern-rock ballad.
What The Benjamin Gate offers with Contact is an edgy, radio-friendly
release intertwined with melodic hooks and enduring vocals that help
create a disc with substance to spare. S T E V E N D O U G L A S LO S E Y
We write our
own
songs.
We perform
our
own songs.
we
choose our own microphones.
www.audio-technica.com
ccmmagazine.com
july 02 ccm 47
7.02 In Review v.5
6/5/2002
5:04 PM
Page 48
inreviewmusic
DAILY PLANET
Hero Reunion
A superhero debut
songs for feeling
alive and loved.
songs for someone
like you.
The Southern California foursome Daily Planet is a new gem that has
immersed itself in the Christian music scene. With its debut project, Hero,
produced by Regie Hamm, it’s clear these friends from Azusa Pacific
University are fun, creative and pretty darn good at rock ’n’ roll.
Lead singer, Jesse Butterworth, eerily rotates his vocal stylings between
Eli and Third Day’s Mac Powell. The band’s acoustic and electric energy,
with a few strings subtly woven in, creates a texture not found in wimpier
File under:
Pop/Rock
Christian bands.
Sounds like:
Cuts include the image-laden “Lost and Found,” which notes how there is
Matchbox 20, Third Day,
Dave Matthew’s Band
so much we cannot answer. “Questioning the Notion” sojourns with themes
GRADE: B+
of suffering and injustice and the ultimate decision to trust God. Butterworth
dramatically croons, “Questioning the notion that God is full of love/Is a tempting road to take when you forget about His blood.”
Children of divorce will resonate with “Six String Rocketeer”—Butterworth’s reflection on God providing
the gift of music around the time his parents split up. The song threads a creative strand of references,
including The Beatles, Sting, Simon and Garfunkel and Billy Joel.
Named after Superman’s newspaper, this young band has tremendous potential to share the good news
with Hero. J O H N M . D E M A R C O
GERSH
Awakening Spring Hill
pat t y cabre r a
love someone like me
featuring the
new singles
“love someone
like me”
and
“the cure”
Spectacular
Mark Gersmehl, a.k.a. “Gersh,” is not exactly a new artist. Long known
as an excellent songwriter and musician with groundbreaking rock band
Whiteheart, he racked up two Grammy and 22 Dove nominations. But
that was then, and this is now.
Awakening is a superbly crafted acoustic/piano record of intimate
“thinking man’s pop,” full of hope and passion and struggle. Imagine
“Sting-meets-Rich Mullins” and you’ll have a pretty good idea of the
File under:
artistry of this record. Spending an hour with Gersh’s album is like
Pop/Adult Contemporary
Sounds like:
reading a good book; it’s full of naked observations like “Listen to me/My
Rich Mullins, Sting
mouth keeps on moving/I’m boring me/I must be boring you.”
GRADE: A
There isn’t a bad song in the bunch, but the reason you should run
out and buy this record today is the stunning “Break Down.” This song is a rare musical gem that cuts
through all the messiness of life by simply saying: “Break down my friend/You don’t even realize how hurt you’ve
been/Break down to this/The best thing you could ever do/Is fall to pieces/Fall into the loving arms of Jesus/And break down.”
Enough said. M I C H A E L C I A N I
BOB SMILEY
I’ve Got a Funny Feeling About This Inpop
Not “I Love Lucy,” but cute, innocent and sometimes funny
in stores august 20
hear it now on
pattycabrera.com
As we deal with the stresses of everyday life, it’s probably true that most
of us could use a good laugh. With the release of I’ve Got a Funny Feeling
About This, comedian Bob Smiley tries to do just that, make us laugh.
Logging many miles on the road, you might have caught Smiley’s
routine, opening for such notables as Third Day and Newsboys.
On this offering, the listener becomes an audience member for an
hour’
s worth of bits, stories and jokes. Much of Smiley’s comedy is
File under:
Comedy/Spoken Word
drawn
from his personal experiences, whether it is shopping at WalSounds like:
Mark Lowry, “Leave It to Beaver”
Mart, or the retelling of his visit to the emergency room in Bartlesville,
GRADE: BOklahoma. While most of the comedy routine is purely for
entertainment, he does take moments to incorporate a message about
his faith and our responsibilities as followers of Christ. The best thing about Smiley’s comedy is that it
spans generations, so everyone will find a reason to laugh. K E V I N B R E U N E R
7.02 In Review v.5
6/5/2002
5:07 PM
Page 52
inreviewbooks
SCRIBBLING IN THE SAND:
CHRIST AND CREATIVITY
Michael Card Intervarsity Press
GRADE: B
By portraying and celebrating the
creativity of Jesus, singer,
songwriter and author Michael
Card succeeds at inspiring others to
use their artistic talents to serve and
worship Christ.
Card reveals how Jesus used
creativity in His ministry based on
John 8:1-11 (His confrontation
with the Pharisees on adultery). No
one knows what He scribbled in
the sand that day, but the act of
doing the unexpected, Card
explains, was imaginative. Because
we are fashioned in the image of
God the Creator, we are motivated
to respond to Him through our
creative works.
Scribbling in the Sand stresses the
importance of pointing the way
to God by the giving of ourselves
and our abilities. Focusing on
humility, obedience and
servanthood, traits Christ modeled
through His life, Card encourages
readers to truly give God the glory
through our accomplishments. He
also includes letters from other
writers, offering practical advice
and further encouragement to the
Christian artist.
Card’s latest writing is definitely
not a light read. His philosophical
look into Christ’s creative character
and the creative process is often
intense. This book is not for
everyone and is primarily targeted
toward the person dedicated to the
Christian arts, whether written,
performance or visual.
DAWN PHARRIS
BIBLE PROPHECY FOR
BLOCKHEADS: A USERFRIENDLY LOOK AT THE
END TIMES
Douglas Connelly Zondervan
GRADE: A
Armed with charts, references and
bullet-pointed ideas, Douglas
Connelly charges into the substantial
task of explaining the prophecies of
the Book of Revelation.
With a casual tone, simple
language and loads of Scripture
references, Connelly clearly presents
the fundamentals of end-time
prophecy without watering down
the theological points of view
involved. At times he seems to write
for a reader with less spiritual
maturity than you would think he
should have, considering the
weighty material. However, if his
desire is a book almost anyone can
understand, he’s successful.
A big plus is the book design that
lends itself to easy readability.
Connelly uses his space well and
provides historical facts, information
on additional reading, theological
terminology, recapped points plus
plenty of Scripture to cross-reference
that all help the reader fully and
thoroughly understand the various
theological points.
Connelly offers a nod to all points
of view, although he tends to present
his particular point of view of certain
prophetic passages in the most
detail—despite his claim to present
all sides equally. His strongest
chapters are those that offer differing
opinions and then proceed to lay out
the pros and cons (as well as
supporting Scriptures) of each
viewpoint. S T E P H A N I E O T T O S E N
WHEN TEENS PRAY
Cheri Fuller and Ron Luce
Multnomah
GRADE: A
If you’re looking for an easy read
that will encourage and inspire
you in your prayer journey, then
check out the latest from Cheri
Fuller and Ron Luce. Written for
teens, the book singles out 15
reasons we pray, providing teens’
real-life stories about answers
to prayer.
Perhaps the most helpful aspect
of the book is what the authors
term the God Links section
following each teen’s story. God
Links provide ideas, Scripture,
encouragement and even contact
information and Web sites to
invite the reader to get involved
and personally apply the spiritual
lessons. In some cases, the reader
is even invited to contact the teen
contributors themselves.
When Teens Pray presents
powerful examples of what
happens when we truly devote
ourselves to persistent prayer.
Finally someone is encouraging
today’s teens to stand up (or kneel
down as the case may be) and
fight the great spiritual battle that
is so pressing.
My one complaint with the
book is that it can come across as
largely egocentric. However, as
long as the reader truly seeks the
Lord’s will—as opposed to selfish
emotional gain—the seeds of the
message will fall on healthy soil.
All in all, Fuller and Luce have
compiled a marvelous work to
encourage teens in the heart of
the Christian faith: prayer. Any
earnest Christian youth would
benefit from the inspiration this
book provides. K R I S T I N D E M I N T
ANOTHER RIVER TO CROSS
Charles Johnson Treasure House
GRADE: B+
In life, whether it’s choosing what
car to drive or selecting that
perfect person to share it with,
details often separate what’s good
from what’s truly extraordinary.
And in gospel musician Charles
Johnson’s autobiography, Another
River to Cross, thoughtful detail in
describing the people who’ve
shaped his life prevent his book
from being just another drab ragsto-riches account of his journey to
accomplishing his dreams.
In the first chapter, readers are
vividly introduced to Johnson’s
unlikely mentor—his “granny.”
Unable to read or write while
serving as a slave in cotton fields,
her wisdom probably wouldn’t be
highly regarded by today’s
standards. But Granny’s
determination and continual
praise to God through grueling
conditions and constant beatings
left an indelible impression
on Johnson.
While he followed in Granny’s
footsteps by working in the fields,
Johnson believed this wasn’t his
life’s only purpose. After his “mama”
bought a cheap battery-powered
radio when Johnson was five, he
was introduced to gospel artists like
The Fairfield Four and The Chuck
Wagon Gang—musicians who not
only encouraged his new love of
singing but also inspired his
growing faith. And with his
introduction to gospel music, his
journey began with an abundance
of extraordinary details that make
this read very rewarding.
C H R I S TA FA R R I S
7.02 In Review v.5
6/5/2002
5:09 PM
Page 53
HEROES AMONG US
Jim Ryun Destiny Image
GRADE: B+
If you are weary of Americanized pseudosuperheroes glorified for their winning jump
shots or hit radio singles, pick up Jim Ryun’s
Heroes Among Us for a refreshing reality check
about authentic heroes and their historic deeds.
Ryun, a Kansas congressman and three-time
Olympic runner, has compiled an interesting
volume of stories about men and women, some
recognizable and others lost to history, who
have exhibited true traits of heroism.
Ryun relays more than a few patriotic stories,
including the tale of Joseph Warren, the
physician, statesman and soldier who rallied
against British impositions like the Stamp Act
and arose as an oft-overlooked leader in the
Revolutionary War.
Some chapters in Heroes Among Us could have
used an extra day on the editor’s desk to cut
some of the gratuitous detail and belabored
history, but in the end the book emerges as an
engaging and readable work. Heroes Among Us
stands out from the pack of hero worship
literature because it showcases the single
unifying trait evinced in each of Ryun’s heroes: a
faith in Christ which motivated them to
greatness. L I Z Z A C O N N O R
THINGS UNSEEN:
LIVING IN LIGHT OF FOREVER
Mark Buchanan Multnomah
LET’S JUST BE FRIENDS
H. Norman Wright Baker
GRADE: A-
Most of us know what it’s like to experience the
ending of a relationship. Whether it is a good
thing in the long run or not, we’ve all felt the
effects of a break-up. Often we’re left to figure
out the answers on our own, not really knowing
the steps involved in the healing process.
In Let’s Just Be Friends, author H. Norman
Wright uses the “every-angle” approach, that is,
he presents both sides of the relationship
equation based on different people’s responses
to break-ups. The reader gets an inside look at
everything from fatal attractions to a mutual
agreement that God has someone else out there.
Most importantly, chapter nine reveals that
success in any relationship will only be found if
we first pursue the divine Lover of our souls.
Wright also includes space to serve as a
personal workbook. Here the reader is able to
list thoughts and feelings that may otherwise
unhealthily remain buried.
We’ve all been hurt, and we’ve all
experienced loss. If you’re searching for a tool
to aid in healing from a break-up or if you’re
trying to move on after years of bitter feelings,
this book provides the answers and insight
you need. J E F F S C H M I D
In the introduction to Things Unseen, author
Mark Buchanan leads off with a compelling
premise for his reflections about heaven: “I’m
dying. Sometimes I forget that.”
While he explains he’s not preoccupied with
death, Buchanan uses the Apostle Paul’s words
about “outwardly wasting away” to make an
argument that Christians need to be more
heavenly-minded in their daily living.
Buchanan believes that making heaven our
“fixation” will provide the anchor of hope
necessary to make it through life’s toughest
situations and to allow relief from worry about
things that ultimately don’t matter. More than a
proverbial bandage for life’s bruises and wounds,
Buchanan hopes readers will experience a true
“homesickness” for where they really belong.
Adding another intriguing element to an
already fascinating volume is Buchanan’s
discussion of what heaven will be like. More
than just the streets of gold and heavenly
processionals we think about, Buchanan uses
Scripture to give believers more specific
snapshots of what eternity will entail.
C H R I S TA FA R R I S
GRADE: B+
page turners
Bryan Nance works at building relationships with others
Jesus stated that the greatest commandment of
all was to “Love your neighbor as yourself, and
love the Lord your God….” True Christlike love
is an important thing to learn as a Christian, and
recently I’ve been encouraged and guided as I’ve
read Practicing the Presence of People by Mike Mason
(Waterbrook).
When we come to know Christ, we enter into
a love relationship that requires commitment, self-control and many other
characteristics. Practicing the Presence of People explores 1 Corinthians 13,
describing many of these important dimensions that true love must have.
Reading the book, I’ve been challenged to practice and build deep,
meaningful relationships with others. I’ve seen that the harder I work at
building close relationships with people the more my
character develops and the closer my connection is with God.
When I forget about the things I think I “need,” and humble
myself before other people and my Father, I can examine and
identify with others’ weaknesses and see the weaknesses in myself.
In essence, Mason says that the more we draw close to others, the
more we get a glance into what our own hearts look like.
Whether you’re an outgoing people person or an introvert,
when you learn to show compassion and love for others, you
are able to grow as a person and be able to celebrate the life
that we have all equally received through Jesus. B R YA N N A N C E
Nance is lead singer of the pop/rock group Phat Chance, which wrapped touring
with Plus One in May.
ccmmagazine.com
july 02 ccm 53
7.02 Gear/Web v.5
6/5/2002
5:39 PM
Page 54
inreviewgear
BY K E N T M O R R I S
KIT WISE: LEARNING INSTRUMENTS
THE EASY WAY
IBANEZ JUMPSTART ELECTRIC GUITAR PACK
Pointy-headed guitars are hot. While traditional designs from many manufacturers
abound, Ibanez has taken its typically different path with the JumpStart. For
instance, in place of the usual single-coil setup, Ibanez has put a humbucker pickup
in the guitar to give it a fatter tone. Instead of a “no-name” generic training video,
the JumpStart struts an Andy Timmons video that is both informative and
entertaining. Add in an above-average guitar amp and you can jump-start your
guitar, thrashing chops in great style.
$399 ibanez.com
EPIPHONE BASS GUITAR PACK
One of the few complete bass kits around, Epiphone takes
the low-frequency road toward packaging, with a real bass
amp capable of producing some thud, while the highquality instrument is more than just a “beginners” axe. The
accessory pack is appropriate for bass players, containing a
well-planned video, a usable strap and a cable long enough
to allow some wild body moves. As part of the Gibson
family, Epiphone is heir to a marvelous heritage, and this
package continues the tradition of quality and value.
$349 epiphone.com
PEAVEY LAUNCH PAD ACOUSTIC GUITAR KIT
Now here’s a concept: combine a traditional acoustic guitar
with a high-tech instructional disc, virtual tuner and digital
recorder. The result is a true learning tool, with little
distraction in the form of mondo distortion amps and wailing
tremolos. As a rule, guitar instructors prefer their students start
with an acoustic guitar and then add an electric after the basics
are mastered. Everything needed to learn is here—including a
gig bag and a strap. Peavey may become the teacher’s pet with
this kit and its high-quality guitar and useful accessories that
even incorporate an extra set of strings and a peg winder.
$319 peavey.com
IBANEZ JUMPSTART ELECTRIC GUITAR PACK
TIPS FOR PLAYING
Jamie Harvill
(jamieharvill.com)—
the author of “Ancient of Days”
and “Because We Believe”—is also
an accomplished guitarist. In a
recent interview, he shared some
thoughts on learning to play in a
band setting.
FOLLOW THE 100 PERCENT
RULE
Since there is a limited range
from lows to highs, too much
information in one area will tend
to clutter the scene. With the
wide musical spectrum of a piano
as a basis, the key to clarity is to
stay out of the way of anyone else
playing in a given octave.
Detailing when each player will
cover a segment of tonality may
seem overzealous but will result in
an articulate sound that comes
across as “tight.”
LEARN EVERY PART, NOT JUST
YOUR OWN
Through preparation and practice,
the rhythm player can step in and
fill the gap of a missing
keyboardist or lead guitarist.
Also, knowing the other parts
will prevent any musical steppingon-toes.
BAND REHEARSAL IS HELD
TO POLISH THE SONG,
NOT LEARN IT
Each player should be intimately
familiar with the song beforehand,
leaving rehearsal time free for
galvanizing the various elements
into a whole. Great bands are built
this way.
I N T E R V I E W BY K . M .
7.02 Gear/Web v.5
6/5/2002
5:41 PM
Page 55
inreviewgear
WATCH AND LEARN
PAUL BALOCHE’S CONTEMPORARY GUITAR VIDEO
From “Above All” to “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” Baloche’s songwriting and playing talents
have been showcased around the world. With this video, he breaks down songs’ rhythms and
styles into manageable segments, leaving the viewer with a clear understanding of modern
acoustic guitar technique. Never preachy but always Christian, Paul’s guy-next-door demeanor
helps in the retention of the material and the message behind it. His follow-up work, the God of
Wonders Video Songbook is an instructional CD-ROM highlighting each song from the album of
the same name. It creates a new standard of excellence for teaching tapes with its use of multiscreen displays, MPEG charts and detailed data on hand damping and picking techniques.
$35 baloche.com
ED KERR’S KEYBOARDS IN CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP VIDEO
As one-half of the contemporary Christian music group Harvest for 13 years, Ed Kerr
(pronounced “car”) knows how to play in a contemporary Christian music environment, and this
video proves he knows how to teach it as well. From gracefully turning a modulation to
innovative use of voicings, Kerr does it all. The accompanying booklet covers the bulk of the
visual information in logical order and at an appropriate pace. With effective on-screen graphics
and several live band examples, this is a tape that delivers on its promise. Any keyboardist
wanting to improve his proficiency in a band setting needs this video.
$35 kerrtunes.com
K.M.
!
y
on
With the exciting introduction of
the acclaimed PROMEGA3,
Generalmusic has made a giantleap on the competition.
ph
y
ol
te
0
p
no
32
a-world-first
PIANO
above trade marks are the property
of their respective owners
[email protected]
Generalmusic Corp
1164 Tower Lane
Bensenville IL 60106
www.generalmusic.com
Real-Time ‘on-the-fly’ generation
of physical modelling technology,
combined with advanced sampling
techniques has produced a ‘list of
firsts’ that make this instrument,
truly ground-breaking. For instruments such as Rhodes™,
Wurlitzer™ and Clavinet™, Grand
Piano, you will experience a duplication of the original sound in
every respect...even the playing
environment!
Only the purpose built proprietary
DRAKE™ processing chip, with
enormous reserve power, enables
this keyboard to be the FIRST in
every area! Discover for yourself,
why this instrument has re-defined
the standard and is undoubtedly
the world industry leader.
Call or email for a full spec-sheet
and color brochure. Or place your
name on our order waiting list.
But be warned! Do it quick!
Stocks are very limited.
1800-323-0280
ccmmagazine.com
july 02 ccm 55
7.02 Gear/Web v.5
6/5/2002
5:46 PM
Page 56
inreviewweb
INTERNET IZZYÕS ADVENTURES IN CYBERSPACE
SURFIN’ THE NET WITH KEVIN MAX
It’s no secret that musicians are notorious for
staying up late, sleeping in until noon and
surviving in the tiny confines of a tour bus for
months at a time, but are your favorite artists
Web savvy? Answering that question while
giving us the skinny on his newly-redesigned
homepage, enigmatic solo artist (and one-third
of a band known for a little ditty called “Jesus
Freak”) Kevin Max joins me for this month’s
adventure in cyberspace.
where I was coming from, what inspires me and where I’m
going with poetry.
Izzy: How Web savvy would you say you are
on a scale of one to 10, and when you log on,
what sites do you frequent?
Max: On the skill level, I am probably like a four or a
five. On spending time on the Net, I’d say I’m more like a
six or a seven. The sites I visit the most are music-related. I
spend a lot of time trying to get information on different
artists, their tours and what’s hot right now. I tend to check
out what people are saying about dc talk and my record
and what they think about music in general today.
IZZY’S INBOX
Izzy: Like you, your new Web site certainly has
a personality all its own. What did you hope to
accomplish in its creation?
Check out Kevin Max’s cleverly-designed but
functional Web home at kevinmax.com. The
site’s already become so popular that Max claims
his server has crashed twice. When you log on,
Kevin Max: I’ve really always wanted to do a Web
site that was personal and it felt like it was kind of attached
to my own brain. I wanted to make a site to let people know
WE’VE SUPPORTED YOU FOR
25 YEARS. WE’RE NOT ABOUT
TO LET YOU DOWN NOW.
ULTIMATE SUPPORT SYSTEMS :
A FULL LINE OF STANDS FOR SPEAKERS ,
KEYBOARDS , GUITARS AND MICS .
Serious Musicians deserve
25 Years of INNOVATIVE &
ORIGINAL DESIGNS.
A LIFETIME WARRANTY.
AWARD-WINNING
CUSTOMER SUPPORT.
ARE YOU SERIOUS?
GET SERIOUS!
SERIOUS MUSICIANS PREFER ULTIMATE
800.525.5628
www.ultimatesupport.com
Visit our NAMM booth #5211.
MAX
you’ll find plenty of artsy fare, a message
community where everything from faith to
Kmax’s fashion is discussed and even a monthly
poetry contest for all you aspiring dilettantes.
CYBERBABBLE:
“Spider-Man reminds us of what we can achieve. We can
be insecure, awkward and still achieve great things in life.
None of us are God, but we can do godly things. All of us
are human with certain faults, just like Peter Parker. The
Spider-Man story reminds us that we can rise above our
human faults, fears, handicaps and uncertainties. We can
be all that we were created to be.” —from a review of
the film at hollywoodjesus.com where you
can find a faith-based take and entertaining
commentary on a plethora of popular flicks.
7.02 Cityscape v.8
6/5/2002
4:06 PM
Page 68
cityscapeportland
cityscapeportland
Sounds of Portland:
Log on and listen!
The Tremolo Cowboys—tremolocowboys.com
Bob Gerig—bobgerig.com
Kelly Jones—kellyjonesing.com
Mike Hohnholz—mikehohnholzband.com
The Carolines—thecarolines.com
Hyperstatic Union—hyperstaticunion.com
Ember Ghost—emberghost.com
Jaycob Van Auken—jaycobvanauken.com
C O M P I L E D BY K . B .
PHOTO: KEVIN BREUNER
PORTLAND
PORTLAND SINGS AN INDEPENDENT TUNE
WITH A MOODINESS AND VIBE THAT DRAWS COMPARISONS
TO THE MORE ARTSY, EUROPEAN CITIES SUCH AS PRAGUE
AND BUDAPEST, PORTLAND, ORE., IS A PLACE THAT HAS
EVADED THE RADAR OF MANY OUTSIDERS. Its close proximity to
Seattle, Wash., (just three hours north) has made it somewhat difficult
for Portland to gain a national music reputation of its own. When it
comes to a list of music notables from Portland, it is a very short list,
both in the Christian and mainstream marketplace. Five O’clock People,
Everclear, The Dandy Warhols and Elliot Smith come to mind.
However, something is brewing in the Rose City. And if you’re
interested in finding out more about the Portland music community and
some of its unique character, read on.
A legal substance: coffee
What does coffee have to do with Portland’s local music scene? It’s
simple—coffee is the lifeblood of the Northwest. This caffeine
addiction—and I do mean addiction—has helped conceive a community
that centers around art, culture and, of course, music. You can visit
almost any Portland coffeehouse on a Friday or Saturday night and catch
a musical performance that varies from the acoustic-savvy
singer/songwriter to the “Nirvana-esque” rock band. As the music plays,
onlookers listen intently as they sip a steaming cup of their favorite java.
One coffee shop worth mentioning is The Underground. Located in a
college town outside Portland, The Underground is building a reputation
as the Christian music hot spot. Many of the city’s emerging artists have
found the The Underground to be a venue of choice.
Tom Fest and the indie rock scene
If you ask any Portland native what has had the greatest impact on this
city’s independent Christian music scene, chances are he’ll say Tom Fest
(tomfest.com). The festival, founded by Portland musician Michael
Bridges, has given unsigned bands the opportunity to perform for a large
audience that’s anxious to hear new music. Every year the festival features
well over 100 artists and bands, most of which are independent. The
festival and its ode to the independent music scene is what prompted
Portland local Stephen Haislip to start paperbackrecords.com. This online
record company is dedicated to helping indie artists find a larger audience
through grassroots marketing and promotions. K E V I N B R E U N E R
Just Signed: The Rock ’N’ Roll Worship Circus
Hailing from Longview, Wash., just
a short drive north of Portland, this
foursome displays its creative brand
of praise & worship music on the
debut CD, Matinee (Vertical). With
a distinct sound all its own, don’t
be surprised if The Rock ’N’ Roll
Worship Circus (worshipcircus.com)
is one of this year’s stand out new
artists. When not out on the road
with The Circus, frontman, Gabe
Wilson, and lead guitarist, Solo,
(a.k.a. The Glitter Twins)
lend their production
talents to artists such as
Sheri Youngward, The
Tremolo Cowboys and
Bob Gerig. K . B .
THE ROCK ’N’ ROLL
WORSHIP CIRCUS
7.02 On Tour v.5(brook)
6/5/2002
5:14 PM
Page 69
July/August
ontour
Surf tour dates by city or state at ccmmagazine.com
38TH PARALLEL
July 6–Sherman, TX
13–Willmar, MN
26–George, WA
Aug 9–Steubenville, OH
10–Mercersburg, PA
615/859-7040
4HIM
July 12–Hughesville, PA
13–Newark, MO
21–Enumclaw, WA
28–Alton, IL
Aug 2–Charlotte, NC
3–Columbia, SC
8–Chillicothe, OH
18–Rockford, IL
23–Greenwood, IN
24–St. Louis, MO
615/963-3000
15–Oklahoma City, OK
17–Dublin, TX
20–Detroit Lakes, MN
27–Somerdale, OH
Aug 4–Lincoln, NH/Darien
Center, NY
10–Eden Prairie, MN
15–Hanceville, AL
17–Clymer, PA
24–Canton, OH
25–Oakdale, PA
31–Tipton, PA
949/770-3001
CAROLYN ARENDS
July 2–Bushnell, IL
26–Orcas Island, WA
Aug 17–Manhattan Beach, CA
28–Malibu, CA
615/467-3398
77S
RILEY ARMSTRONG
11–Oshkosh, WI
219/269-3413
July 14–Syracuse, IN
812/521-6420
ACAPPELLA
July 3–Norwalk, CA
9–Kendallville, IN
11–Willmar, MN
12–Cincinnati, OH
13–Crestview, FL
14–Oshkosh, WI
19–Arlington, TX
20–Houston, TX
26–George, WA
27–Monterey, CA
Aug 3–Lincoln, NH
4–Estes Park, CO
6–Darien Center, NY
9–Muskegon, MI
17–Pigeon Forge, TN
23–Waco, TX
24–Midland, TX
615/963-3000
July 3–Dallas, TX
4–Searcy, AR
6–Mt. Carmel, IL
9–Paducah, KY
20–Grantham, PA
27–Monterey, CA
Aug 5–Hernando, MS
11–Muskegon, MI
18–Midwest City, OK
19–Topeka, KS
20–Junction City, KS
22–Hays, KS
23–Hutchinson, KS
24–El Dorado, KS
25–Enid, OK
28–Dumas, TX
30–Longmont, CO
31–Grand Junction, CO
901/641-6810
AUDIO ADRENALINE
28–Irvine, CA
Aug 3–Lincoln, NH
16–Greensboro, NC
22–Pasadena, TX
23–Garland, TX
30–Sioux Falls, SD
jeffroberts.com
THE BLAMED
MICHAEL CARD
July 26–Whitetown, IN
27–Waterloo, IA
28–Grand Haven, MI
Aug 23–Berryville, AR
219/269-3413
BOB CARLISLE
July 13, 17–Anaheim, CA
Aug 31–Plymouth, MI
615/383-8787
11–Willmar, MN
Aug 17–Lewisberry, PA
773/561-2450
CARMAN
BLEACH
CEILI RAIN
July 1–Avon, IN
2–Bushnell, IL
11–Oshkosh, WI
25–George, WA
Aug 4–Darien Center, NY
16–Lewisberry, PA
24–Westerville, OH
615/297-2021
13–Palatine, IL
21–Erie, PA
Aug 1–Lincoln, NH
8–Albany, NY
9–Reading, PA
615/791-9986
BRAVE SAINT SATURN
GARY CHAPMAN
July 12–Newark, MO
615/771-2711
925/827-4688
Aug 4–Estes Park, CO
615/963-3000
LINCOLN BREWSTER
STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN
July 1–Columbus, TX
12–Vancouver, WA
13–Fowlerville, MI
15–Bolivar, MO
25–George, WA
26–Southaven, MS
28–Greenville, TX
Aug 18–Katy, TX
24–West Milton, PA
25–Cedar Hill, TX
615/790-5540
July 11–Oshkosh, WI
20–Arlington, TX
26–Colorado Springs, CO
27–Denver, CO
Aug 17–Redmond, WA
615/383-8787
BROTHER’S KEEPER
ASHLEY CLEVELAND
Aug 11–Hanover, PA
219/269-3413
July 27–Harrells, NC
Aug 4–Coatesville, PA
615/790-5540
July 12–Front Royal, VA
20–Pensacola, FL
28–Colonial Heights, VA
Aug 11–Indianapolis, IN
205/755-9077
AVALON
MATT BROUWER
11–Willmar, MN
13–Cincinnati, OH
28–George, WA
Aug 2–Lincoln, NH
17–Lewisberry, PA
615/662-7776
July 8–Yazoo City, MS
11–Oshkosh, WI
12–Syracuse, NY
20–Dayton, OH
Aug 17–Redmond, WA/
Pigeon Forge, TN
23–Columbia, SC
27–Timonium, MD
30–Waco, TX
jeffroberts.com
July 24–Monterey, CA
615/771-6010
OLETA ADAMS
BALLYDOWSE
BY THE TREE
July 5–New Orleans, LA
Aug 2–Richmond, VA
11–San Jose, CA
17–Palmdale, CA
615/963-3000
773/561-2450
July 1–Rocky Mount, NC
4–Tulsa, OK
6–Van, TX
13–Willmar, MN
15–Dublin, TX
21–Lindale, TX
24–Monterey, CA
25–George, WA
29–Roach, MO
9–Meridian, MS
15–Springdale, AR
17–South Bend, IN
24–Dunedin, FL
30–Arlington, TX
31–Kansas City, MO
615/790-5540
ACCORDING TO JOHN
Aug 10–West Carrolton, OH
17–Rocky Mountain, NC
615/778-0088
ACE TROUBLESHOOTER
RICK ALTIZER
615/758-6212
AURORA
PAUL BALOCHE
July 25–George, WA
baloche.com
BEANBAG
11–Oshkosh, WI
812/886-9230
July 1–Galesburg, IL
2–Bushnell, IL
3–Grand Rapids, MN
25–George, WA
Aug 31–Kansas City, MO
615/297-2021
ANOINTED
MARGARET BECKER
Aug 3–Yakima, WA
10–Muskegon, MI
16–Porterfield, WI
615/859-7040
Aug 11–Hanover, PA
615/963-3000
DANIEL AMOS
APOLOGETIX
July 3–New Philadelphia, OH
4–Graham, NC
6–Elysburg, PA
11–Willmar, MN
Tour dates courtesy of
BUCK ENTERPRISES
Aug 23–Buchanan, MI
248/478-6488
BURLAP TO CASHMERE
July 11–Willmar, MN
615/354-9100
CADET
THE BENJAMIN GATE
6–Warsaw, IN
11–Upper Sandusky, OH
12–Oshkosh, WI
19–Tampa, FL
25–George, WA
27–Monterey, CA
.
July 19–Pensacola, FL
21–Ludington, MI
24–Monterey, CA
Aug 1–Lincoln, NH
615/297-2021
THE CHOIR
615/353-0375
FREDDIE COLLOCA
July 5–Miami, FL
615/859-7040
CROSS MOVEMENT
Aug 1–Lincoln, NH
215/423-1800
CLAY CROSSE
July 26–St. Peters, MO
27–Anniston, AL
Aug 17–Branson, MO
615/777-2227
THE CROSSING
773/561-2450
DAILY PLANET
Aug 1–Lincoln, NH
24–Rome, NY
30–McAllen, TX
31–Kingsville, TX
615/859-7040
DANIEL’S WINDOW
734/434-4359
THE DARINS
July 3–New Port Richey, FL
19–Elysburg, PA
25–Virginia Beach, VA
31–Vicksburg, MI
615/790-5540
DAVID CROWDER BAND
davidcrowderband.com
CALIBRETTO 13
DELIRIOUS
25–George, WA
615/297-2021
25–George, WA
26–Southaven, MS
Aug 3–Lincoln, NH
615/383-8787
11–Willmar, MN
909/279-2500
ELEMENT 101
STEVEN DELOPOULOS
713/477-5122
615/777-2227
ELI
AL DENSON
Aug 10–Middleburg Heights, OH
615/673-1398
July 4–Pelzer, SC
717/627-1911
THE ELMS
DENVER & THE MILE HIGH
ORCHESTRA
Aug 17–Milton, DE
615/414-8135
JEFF DEYO
July 4–Atlanta, GA
13–Willmar, MN
14–Rockford, IL
Aug 1–Dallas, TX
3–Midland, MI
17–Bangor, ME
28–South Barrington, IL
817/560-8179
July 6–Louisville, KY
11–Willmar, MN
15–Mt. Vernon, MO
26–Dallas, TX
27–Canton, TX
Aug 2–Doswell, VA
4–Lincoln, NH
10–Tulsa, OK
24–Transfer, PA
615/662-7776
SCOTT FAIRCLOFF
July 8–Panama City Beach, FL
205/755-9077
DANIELSON FAMILE
DJ MAJ
Aug 1–Lincoln, NH
615/361-0051
DOGWOOD
July 1–Albuquerque, NM
2–Bushnell, IL
3–Santa Fe, NM
9–San Angelo, TX
11–Abilene, TX
14–Wichita Falls, TX
18–Claremore, OK
20–Wichita, KS
23–Kansas City, KS
29–Salt Lake City, UT
31–Pocatello, ID
Aug 2–Twin Falls, ID
4–Sun Valley, ID
10–LaGrande, OR
12–Baker City, OR
14–Florence, OR
16–Salem, OR
18–Portland, OR
20–Olympia, WA
22–Tacoma, WA
23–Seattle, WA
25–Wenatchee, WA
[email protected]
DOWNHERE
July 6–Jacksonville, FL
14–Upland, IN
Aug 1–Lincoln, NH
9–Fort Myers, FL
10–Sebring, FL
11–Lakeland, FL
14–Winchester, TN
23–Brentwood, TN
219/269-3413
BRYAN DUNCAN
July 12–Phoenix, AZ
17–San Diego, CA
27–Antioch, CA
Aug 2–Stockton, CA
10–Lansing, MI
17–Davenport, IA
18–Peoria, IL
24–Houston, TX
219/269-3413
EARTHSUIT
July 11–Oshkosh, WI/
Willmar, MN
12–New Orleans, LA
615/383-8787
EAST WEST
206/782-2073
FFH
July 9–Lynchburg, VA
11–Oshkosh, WI
13–West Palm Beach, FL
16–Toccoa, GA
17–Lagrange, IN
20–Winston-Salem, NC
21–Sevierville, TN
23–Toccoa, GA
26–Charlotte, NC
27–Hickory, NC
28–Rawlinsville, PA
Aug 17–Raleigh, NC
29–Palmer, AK
615/790-5540
JOHN FISCHER
661/325-6967
FIVE IRON FRENZY
11–Willmar, MN
925/827-4688
FLIGHT 180
11–Willmar, MN
25–George, WA
615/297-2021
FORTY DAYS
July 1, 8, 15–Boiling Springs, NC
Aug 2–Paducah, KY
3–Lookout Mountain, GA
17–Milton, DE
25–McKinney, TX
615/777-2227
KIRK FRANKLIN
July 6–Del Mar, CA
13–Syracuse, NY
27–Monterey, CA
Aug 9–Beaumont, TX
12–Springfield, IL
24–Spokane, WA
615/963-3000
RONNIE FREEMAN
July 7–Greenfield, IN
11–Willmar, MN
21–Elk Grove, CA
24–Monterey, CA
28–Tracy, CA
Aug 18–Bristow, VA
615/790-5540
FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER
617/247-4287
FURTHERMORE
FRED HAMMOND
801/329-2717
July 9–Brooklyn, NY
14–Chicago, IL
21–Doswell, VA
28–Arlington, TX
Aug 13–Columbus, OH
fredhammond.com
FUSEBOX
July 6–Lima, OH
11–Oshkosh, WI
12–Willmar, MN
Aug 3–Midland, MI
615/859-7040
HANGNAIL
GERSH
Aug 3–Birmingham, AL
4–Estes Park, CO
615/777-2227
GHOTI HOOK
[email protected]
11–Oshkosh, WI
13–Willmar, MN
19–Virginia, MN
25–George, WA
28–Tacoma, WA
Aug 10–Burbank, CA
17–Lewisberry, PA
615/297-2021
LARNELLE HARRIS
BEN GLOVER
July 4–Rocky Mount, NC
14–Crestview, FL
Aug 4–Cumming, GA
17–North East, MD
18–Richardson, TX
407/240-0048
Aug 7–Suffolk, VA
10–Arbuckle, CA
615/790-5540
GO FISH
21–Marshall, MN
27–Monterey, CA
717/734-3335
KIM HILL
July 19–San Antonio, TX
Aug 15–Lewisville, TX
31–Naples, FL
615/777-2227
GOSPEL GANGSTAZ
615/662-7776
ILL HARMONICS
NATALIE GRANT
July 4–Granite City, IL
7–Humble, TX
11–Oshkosh, WI
19–Decatur, GA
24–Monterey, CA
Aug 15–Grovetown, GA
16–New Port Richey, FL
615/248-0800
STEVE GREEN
July 14–Maryville, TN
15–Mableton, GA
17–Grantham, PA
21–Tampa, FL
26–Springfield, VA
27–North East, MD
9–Crown Point, IN
11–Rockford, IL
17–Redmond, WA
22–Tulsa, OK
24–Des Moines, IA
615/662-0335
615/662-7776
JACOBSTONE
414/732-5795
JAKE
July 3–Chicago, IL
Aug 18–Pigeon Forge, TN
615/771-6010
JARS OF CLAY
25–George, WA
17–Milton, DE
18–Meadville, PA
615/963-3000
STICKMAN JONES
414/732-5795
JOY ELECTRIC
GRITS
Aug 3–Horseheads, NY
17–Lewisberry, PA
[email protected]
25–George, WA
615/370-2980
SARA GROVES
July 6-7–Alexandria, MN
12–Cincinnati, OH
13–Millers, MD
14–Bel Air, MD
Aug 9–Omaha, NE
10–Arnolds Park, IA
29–Swanzey, NH
31–Woolwich, ME
615/383-8787
JULIANA THEORY
SHAUN GROVES
JUSTIFIDE
July 6–Houston, TX
26–Houston, TX
Aug 16–Nashville, TN
17–Milton, DE
28–Waco, TX
615/790-5540
11–Oshkosh, WI
Aug 3–Port Clinton, OH
10–Leitchfield, KY
21–Hart, MI
24–Midland, TX
480/899-8846
GS MEGAPHONE
773/561-2450
July 6–Warsaw, IN
11–Willmar, MN
13–State College, PA
19–Taylorville, IL
501/243-5885
301/604-1386
JUMP5
July 4–Frisco, TX
5–Pleasanton, CA
jump5.com
GLENN KAISER
THE KATINAS
4–Chula Vista, CA
ccmmagazine.com
july 02 ccm 69
6/5/2002
5:14 PM
Page 70
ontour
7–Plymouth, MI
12–Syracuse, NY
13–Newark, MO
14–Anaheim, CA
15–Kingsport, TN
19–Pensacola, FL
20–Urbana, IL
21–Goshen, IN
28–Rockford, IL
Aug 3–Grand Rapids, MI
4–Estes Park, CO
8–Simpsonville, SC
9–Leitchfield, KY
10–Marietta, GA
17–Milton, DE
23–Des Moines, IA
615/963-3000
JOHN P. KEE
CHERI KEAGGY
July 4–Walla Walla, WA
20–Dayton, OH
Aug 3–Lookout Mountain, GA
16–New Castle, IN
24–Muskegon, MI
615/777-2227
PHIL KEAGGY
25–George, WA
Aug 3–Lititz, PA
219/269-3413
FULL SAIL
Real World Education
July 13–Shreveport, LA
20–Houston, TX
28–Charlotte, NC
Aug 10–Deerfield Beach, FL
704/537-9119
RON KENOLY
July 12–Cedartown, GA
15–Columbia, SC
Aug 14–Chicago, IL
28–Palm Springs, CA
888-PRAISES
WES KING
July 21–Detroit Lakes, MN
26–Richardson, TX
27–Lakeland, FL
Aug 25–Oswego, IL
219/269-3413
24–Visalia, CA
615/777-2227
9–Mercersburg, PA
18–Meadville, PA
21–Hyannis, MA
615/383-8787
JAN KRIST
KJ52
KNOWDAVERBS
248/582-2932
615/662-7776
615/662-7400
July 5–Longview, TX
6–Jackson, TN
7–Alpharetta, GA
615/851-4500
RACHAEL LAMPA
MARY MARY
6–Louisville, KY
11–Oshkosh, WI
13–Cincinnati, OH
20–Pensacola, FL
21–St. Joseph, MI
22–Ionia, MI
Aug 24–Ashland, KY
615/383-8787
Aug 3–Lincoln, NH
24–Indianapolis, IN
615/383-8787
LARUE
SARAH MASEN
Aug 9–Leitchfield, KY
10–Marietta, GA
800/578-7984
Aug 3–Lincoln, NH
615/777-2227
JENNIFER KNAPP
SCOTT KRIPPAYNE
3–Norwalk, CA
13–Cincinnati, OH
25–George, WA
Aug 1–Lincoln, NH
July 2–Grapeland, TX
4–Gulf Port, MS
9–Grapeland, TX
14–Medford, WI
13–Frankenmuth, MI
18–Chehalis, WA
ROD LAVER
July 1–Galesburg, IL
2–Bushnell, IL
11–Willmar, MN
19–Buchanan, MI
25–George, WA
615/297-2021
RUSS LEE
®
Full Sail’s Solid
July 13–Mount Hermon, CA
25–Monterey, CA
615/859-7040
Sta
te
Lo
gi
c
NIKKI LEONTI
SL
J
00
90
- one of 40 s
tud
studio
i
o
sa
nd
School of:
p
Audio
Film
Show Production
Digital Media
Computer Animation
Game Design
800.226.7625
am
es on c pus.
suit
on
cti
du
ro
www.fullsail.com
• Financial aid available to those who qualify
• Job placement assistance
• Accredited by ACCSCT
3300 University Boulevard • Winter Park, FL 32792
©2002 Full Sail, Inc. All rights reserved. The terms “Full Sail”, “Full Sail Real World Education”,
and the Full Sail logo are either registered service marks or service marks of Full Sail, Inc.
July 12–Radcliff, KY
Aug 3–Yakima, WA
17–Milton, DE
615/963-3000
CRYSTAL LEWIS
July 8–Columbus, TX
13–Rock Hill, SC
20–Milwaukee, WI
21–Chicago, IL
17–Honolulu, HI
615/383-8787
LIVING SACRIFICE
501/343-2496
GREG LONG
July 5–Terre Haute, IN
13–Newark, MO
21–Dublin, OH
Aug 18–Matthews, NC
24–Oakdale, CA
615/963-3000
THE MARTINS
BABBIE MASON
July 10–Siloam Springs, AR
babbie.com
KEVIN MAX
615/383-8787
DONNIE MCCLURKIN
July 3–Columbus, OH
6–Seattle, WA
10–Raleigh, NC
18–Vineland, NJ
20–Los Angeles, CA
27–Dallas, TX
615/822-5308
JUSTIN MCROBERTS
Aug 1–Lincoln, NH
31–Woolwich, ME
615/297-2021
MITCH MCVICKER
July 4–Ridgeland, MS
11–Oshkosh, WI
Aug 2–Norman, OK
785/232-4189
DAVID MEECE
14–Scottsdale, AZ
26–Phoenix, AZ
27–Tucson, AZ
Aug 1–Villanova, PA
520/981-1828
MERCYME
Aug 17–Redmond, WA
615/297-2021
RIKI MICHELE
rikimichele.com
LOST DOGS
KATE MINER
11–Oshkosh, WI
219/269-3413
818/992-5780
LUNA HALO
July 6–Warsaw, IN
615/297-2021
TOBY MAC
6–Louisville, KY
11–Oshkosh, WI
18–Arlington, TX
19–Houston, TX
25–George, WA
Aug 2–Lincoln, NH
10–Tulsa, OK
24–Midland, TX
615/383-8787
PHIL MADEIRA
219/269-3413
GEOFF MOORE
July 4–Laurel, MT
12–Newark, MO
22–Wheaton, IL
26–Lewisville, NC
28–Chicago, IL
29–Rocklin, CA
Aug 10–Hickory Corner, MI
11–Muskegon, MI
18–Racine, WI
615/790-5540
NICOLE C. MULLEN
July 5–Odessa, TX
15–Kingsport, TN
19–Houston, TX
Aug 2–Minneapolis, MN
4–Lincoln, NH/Darien
Center, NY
10–Muskegon, MI
615/383-8787
ANNE MURRAY
July 2–Lancaster, PA
902/597-8614
MXPX
July 2–Peoria, AZ
3–Chula Vista, CA
5–Las Vegas, NV/Bushnell, IL
6–Lake Tahoe, CA
7–Tulare, CA
10–Pomona, CA
12–Ventura, CA
13–San Francisco, CA
20–George, WA
22–Billings, MT
23–Fargo, ND
24–Milwaukee, WI
25–Noblesville, IN
26–Cleveland, OH
27–Tinley Park, IL
28–Minneapolis, MN
30–Sparta, KY
31–Antioch, TN
Aug 1–Atlanta, GA
2–Orlando, FL
3–Pompano Beach, FL
4–Tampa, FL
5–Jacksonville, FL
6–Charlotte, NC
7–Virginia Beach, VA
8–Bristow, VA
9–Camden, NJ
10–New York, NY
11–Asbury Park, NJ
14–Buffalo, NY
15–Boston, MA
18–Detroit, MI
615/963-3000
NEWSBOYS
12–Willmar, MN
13–Oshkosh, WI
18–Arlington, TX
25–George, WA
26–Monterey, CA
28–Irvine, CA
Aug 1–Lincoln, NH
17–South Bend, IN
31–Jackson, NJ
770/736-5363
NEWSONG
July 4–Liberty Township, OH
6–Daytona, FL
10–Shreveport, LA
12–Newark, MO
30–Findlay, OH
Aug 4–Decatur, IL
10–Muskegon, MI
15–Blacksburg, VA
18–Porterfield, WI
23–Baker, LA
29–St. Paul, MN
615/859-7040
NOGGIN TOBOGGAN
noggintoboggan.com
NICHOLE NORDEMAN
Aug 3–Melbourne, FL
10–Millers, MD
17–Milton, DE
615/777-2227
BEBO NORMAN
30–South Bend, IN
615/297-2021
LARRY NORMAN
503/361-7414
6/5/2002
advertiser
index
5:16 PM
Page 71
ontour
ERIN O’DONNELL
PIERCE PETTIS
Aug 10–Arbuckle, CA
615/790-5540
888/423-5769
PHAT CHANCE
STACIE ORRICO
Advertiser
Website or phone
Atlantic/Squint
www.wordrecords.com
Audio Technica-Northampton Advertising
www.audio-technica.com
Audix
www.audixusa.com
Page
July 24–Hyannis, MA
25–George, WA
615/383-8787
Back Cover
FERNANDO ORTEGA
47
37
Aug 18–Fort Collins, CO
219/269-3413
OUT OF EDEN
July 11–Memphis, TN
13–Crestview, FL
15–Tulsa, OK
19–Decatur, AL
26–George, WA
27–Southaven, MS
Aug 2–Lincoln, NH
9–Leitchfield, KY
17–Milton, DE
615/963-3000
July 1–Siloam Springs, AR
11–Oshkosh, WI
12–Willmar, MN
15–Panama City Beach, FL
18–Charlotte, NC
27–Monterey, CA
Aug 1–Fruitland Park, FL
9–Mercersburg, PA
16–Blountsville, AL
17–North Little Rock, AR
23–Hoover, AL
25–North Wilkesboro, NC
615/790-5540
BEC/Tooth & Nail
www.becrecordings.com
51
Best Buy
www.bestbuy.com
44
Carvin Corp.
www.carvin.com
21
Classifieds
[email protected]
73
Compendia Music Group
www.compendiamusic.com
72
OUT OF THE GREY
PHILLIPS, CRAIG & DEAN
Crosswalk
entertainment.crosswalk.com
73
July 26–Knoxville, TN
615/777–2227
Depot Music Productions
www.depotmusicpros.com
Aug 3–Millers, MD
23–Rome, NY
615/859-7040
3
OVER THE RHINE
Dicksons
1-800-457-9885
63
513/731-6837
Factory 79
www.factory79.com
62
Forgiven Jewelry
www.forgivenjewelry.com
71
Full Sail Real World
www.fullsail.com
70
General Music Corp.
www.generalmusic.com
55
Gibson/Epiphone
www.epiphone.com
15
Harborwood Records
www.musicforce.com
61
Indie Spotlight
[email protected]
10-11
Inspirational Network
www.inspmediagroup.com
2
Integrity Music/Vertical/Music
www.integritymusic.com
25
InterVarsity Press
www.ivpress.com
49
Multnomah Press
www.multnomahbooks.com
65
Patrona Productions
909-785-1300
GINNY OWENS
July 4–Jackson, MS
19–Nashville, TN
26–Camp Greene Hills, PA
Aug 3–Somerset, KY
4–Estes Park, CO
jeffroberts.com
PAIGE
25–Monterey, CA
Aug 3–Yakima, WA
615/963-3000
July 22–Harrington, DE
Aug 4–Estes Park,CO/
Jackson, MI
6–Kansas City, MO
8–Old Orchard Beach, ME
11–Rochester, MI
16–Gray, TN
17–Elwood, IN
24–Lake Junaluska, NC
28–Canfield, OH
615/963-3000
48
PAUL COLMAN TRIO
Pearl Drums
www.pearldrum.com
75
Peavey Electronics
www.peavey.com
Aug 11–Indianapolis, IN
16–Lewisberry, PA
615/662-7776
27
59
19
The Domain Group
www.musicforce.com
7
Thomas Nelson
www.thomasnelson.com
64
Tooth & Nail/BEC/Uprok
www.toothandnail.com
4
Ultimate Support
www.ultimatesupport.com
56
University of Mobile
www.umobile.edu
33
Whitaker House
www.whitakerhouse.net
9
Word Music
www.wordmusic.com
66
July 12–Hughesville, PA
27–Sidney, OH
8–Chillicothe, OH
26–Du Quoin, IL
28–Woodstock, VA
30–Endicott, NY
31–Indiana, PA
615/963-3000
PILLAR
11–Upper Sandusky, OH
12–Oshkosh, WI
13–Willmar, MN
25–Monterey, CA
27–George, WA
Aug 2–Loveland, CA
3–Harrisonburg, VA
4–Darien Center,
NY/Lincoln, NH
16–Milton, DE
17–Lewisberry, PA
23–Garland, TX
580/774-2665
PLUS ONE
25–George, WA
Aug 17–Eureka, MO
31–Jackson, NJ
615/963-3000
P.O.D.
PAX217
Prophetik
www.prophetik.com
Aug 30–Grand Island, NY
615/777-2227
CHONDA PIERCE
SANDI PATTY
Praise Hymn Sound Tracks
www.praisehymn.com
JILL PHILLIPS
July 1–Avon, IN
2–Bushnell, IL
11–Willmar, MN
25–George, WA
17–Lewisberry, PA
615/297-2021
ANDREW PETERSON
July 6–Jamestown, NY
7–Grand Island, NY
19–Rapid City, SD
22–Muskegon, MI
615/297-2021
PETRA
July 30–South Bend, IN
Aug 3–Arlington, SD
615/285-0729
July 6–Bristow, VA
7–Burgettstown, PA
10–Wantagh, NY
12–Camden, NJ
13–Hartford, CT
19–Holmdel, NJ
24–Raleigh, NC
26–West Palm Beach, FL
28–Atlanta, GA
Aug 3–Columbus, OH
4–Noblesville, IN
10–Tinley Park, IL
11–East Troy, WI
13–Cuyahoga Falls, OH
15–Cincinnati, OH
17–Somerset, WI
19–Maryland Heights, MO
20–Bonner Springs, KS
22–Denver, CO
25–Marysville, CA
27–George, WA
29–Mountain View, CA
31–Devore, CA
646/336-8520
MARK SCHULTZ
July 13–Cincinnati, OH
14–Oshkosh, WI
19–Pensacola, FL
25–George, WA
26–Monterey, CA
27–St. Louis, MO
615/963-3000
July 5–Old Orchard Beach, ME
11–Oshkosh, WI
13–Greentown, IN
19–Orlando, FL
20–Pensacola, FL
Aug 3–Madison, WI
17–South Bend, IN
615/790-5540
POOR OLD LU
SELAH
July 13–Kansas City, MO
14–Ludington, MI
19–Omaha, NE
21–Zeeland, MI
27–Gastonia, NC
Aug 1–Davis, OK
4–Cabot, AR
10–Cross Plains, WI
11–La Grange, IL
18–Simpsonville, SC
615/777-2227
POINT OF GRACE
[email protected]
PROJECT 86
11–Oshkosh, WI
project86.com
RELIENT K
July 3–Bourbonnais, IL
4–Bushnell, IL
12–Willmar, MN
13–Cincinnati, OH
14–Oshkosh, WI
18–Fort Collins, CO
19–Dallas, TX
20–Houston, TX
26–Monterey, CA
27–George, WA
28–Irvine, CA
Aug 1–Lincoln, NH
9–Muskegon, MI
10–Tulsa, OK
16–Lewisberry, PA
17–West Lebanon, IN
31–Middlebury, IN
615/662-7776
SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER
615/269-6600
SKILLET
6–Warsaw, IN
11–Willmar, MN
13–Anaheim, CA
15–Bakersfield, CA
19–Arlington, TX
26–George, WA
27–San Jose, CA
28–Riverside, CA
31–Paso Robles, CA
Aug 1–Garden Valley, TX
4–Lincoln, NH
8–Fort Smith, AR
9–Norman, OK
11–Wausau, WI
16–Milton, DE
22–Waukegan, IL
23–Lincoln, NE
615/771-9996
SLICK SHOES
11–Willmar, MN
615/662-7776
JAMI SMITH
405/752-9330
SONICFLOOD
July 5–Garland, TX
10–Hyannis, MA
11–Cincinnati, OH
12–Quincy, MA
26–Southaven, MS
27–Montgomery, AL
28–Irvine, CA
29–Eureka, MO
Aug 2–Orlando, FL
4–Lincoln, NH
6–Pipestone, MN
9–Denver, CO
16–Milton, DE
17–Millers, MD
24–Greensboro, NC
615/777-2227
SQUAD FIVE– O
Aug 24–Westerville, OH
MICHAEL W. SMITH
July 5–Plano, TX
13–Fowlerville, MI
25–George, WA
27–Denver, CO
Aug 4–Lincoln, NH
10–Muskegon, MI
11–Cincinnati, OH
16–Wexford, PA
17–South Bend, IN
30–Plymouth, WI
615/383-8787
[email protected]
REBECCA ST. JAMES
Aug 1–Lincoln, NH
4–Estes Park, CO
8–Garden City, KS
9–Muskegon, MI
615/771-2900
STARFLYER 59
SOLOMON’S WISH
July 11–Wheelersburg, OH
18–Albany, KY
Aug 3–Madison, MS
jeffroberts.com
714/963-3521
JOHN REUBEN
6–Louisville, KY
11–Oshkosh, WI
25–George, WA
615/297-2021
CHRIS RICE
July 5–Odessa, TX
25–George, WA
615/383-8787
THE ROCK ’N’ ROLL
WORSHIP CIRCUS
25–George, WA
worshipcircus.com
SALVADOR
12–Anaheim, CA
15–Columbus, TX
25–George, WA
27–Cleveland, OH
Aug 4–Lincoln, NH/Darien
Center, NY
9–Norman, OK
16–Stockton, CA
jeffroberts.com
SATELLITE SOUL
July 4–Temple Terrace, FL
11–Oshkosh, WI
17–Hordville, NE
Aug 1–Livingston, TX
23–Marshalltown, IA
24–Le Mars, IA
219/269-3413
ccmmagazine.com
july 02 ccm 71
6/5/2002
5:18 PM
Page 72
ontour
918/336-6921
23–Pevely, MO
615/963-3000
RANDY STONEHILL
SWITCHFOOT
July 13–Sumner, WA
24–Monterey, CA
26–Cordova, TN
Aug 2–Lincoln, NH
219/269-3413
July 1–Grayson, KY
4–Chula Vista, CA
11–Oshkosh, WI
13–Anaheim, CA
26–Monterey, CA
25–George, WA
Aug 4–Lincoln, NH
7–Hyannis, MA
11–Wickliffe, OH
17–Lewisberry, PA
615/963-3000
STAVESACRE
SUPERCHICK
11–Cincinnati, OH
16–Lindale, TX
17–Cleburne, TX
18–Pasadena, TX
19–Pensacola, FL
21–St. Joseph, MI
25–Monterey, CA
Aug 1–Lincoln, NH
770/736-5363
THE SUPERTONES
July 2-3–San Antonio, TX
11–Oshkosh, WI
12–Cincinnati, OH
13–Newark, MO
22–Costa Mesa, CA
25–George, WA
Aug 4–Lincoln, NH
TAIT
July 6–Denver, CO
11–Willmar, MN
20–Pensacola, FL
Aug 1–Redmond, OR
24–Ashland, KY
615/383-8787
TEN SHEKEL SHIRT
615/297-2021
THIRD DAY
July 13–Syracuse, NY
17–Redmond, WA
615/383-8787
THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH
11–Willmar, MN
25–George, WA
28–Tacoma, WA
Aug 1–Lincoln, NH
17–Lewisberry, PA
615/297-2021
2–Fort Lauderdale, FL
9–Nashville, TN
16–Washington, D.C.
23–Denver, CO
615/963-3000
TRUE VIBE
July 3–Vandalia, OH
6–Houston, TX
12–Springfield, MO
18–Panama City, FL
19–Pensacola, FL
Aug 3–Lincoln, NH
18–Springfield, IL
22–Lansing, MI
615/383-8787
MICHELLE TUMES
Aug 18–Flint, MI
615/370-4700
July 20–Portland, ME
27–Chicago, IL
28–Camp Lake, WI
Aug 17–Creamery, PA
20–Boiling Springs, NC
615/790-5540
T–BONE
CHRIS TOMLIN
TWOTHIRTYEIGHT
615/297-2021
936/273-4142
TERRY TAYLOR
TRINITEE 5:7
11–Willmar, MN
713/477-5122
11–Oshkosh, WI
812/886-9230
20–Los Angeles, CA
trinitee57.com
PAM THUM
TEMPER TANTRUMS
KATHY TROCCOLI
11–Willmar, MN
360/714-1016
July 26–St. Louis, MO
28–Alton, IL
Aug 1–West Palm Beach, FL
URBAN HILLBILLY QUARTET
414/732-5795
JASON UPTON
Aug 1–Lincoln, NH
jasonupton.com
VEGGIETALES
July 27–Monterey, CA
615/963-3000
JACI VELASQUEZ
July 12–Chicago, IL
17–St. Charles, IL
Aug 2–Fort Lauderdale, FL
5–West Allis, WI
19–Louisville, KY
23–Spokane, WA
25–Monroe, WA
31–Houston, TX
615/963-3000
VIGILANTES OF LOVE
11–Oshkosh, WI
219/269-3413
THE WAITING
July 12–Cincinnati, OH
19–Palm Harbor, FL
20–Pensacola, FL
Aug 10–Leitchfield, KY
17–Booneville, MS
770/736-5363
WAYNE WATSON
July 12–Syracuse, NY
27–Millers, MD
28–Pampa, TX
615/777-2227
WHISPERLOUD
July 6–Akron, IN
12–Carterville, MO
13–Loogootee, IN
19–Fort Dodge, IA
27–Harrells, NC
Aug 3–Lookout Mountain, GA
4–McMinnville, TN
14–Suffolk, VA
17–Milton, DE
615/777-2227
DAVID WILCOX
July 12–Newport, KY
13–Cross Village, MI
14–Ann Arbor, MI
15–Alexandria, VA
18–New York, NY
20–Saratoga Springs, NY
21–Northampton, MA
davidwilcox.com
JOY WILLIAMS
12–Phoenix, AZ
21–Clearwater, FL
26–Monterey, CA
27–Oakdale, CA
31–Paso Robles, CA
14–Suffolk, VA
17–Milton, DE
24–Midland, TX
615/859-7040
CECE WINANS
Aug 9–Dallas, TX
16–Washington, D.C.
18–Redmond, WA
615/963-3000
ZAO
212/581-3100
ZOEGIRL
July 18–Charlotte, NC
20–Duluth, MN
24–Cary, NC
25–George, WA
Aug 3–Lincoln, NH
11–Wickliffe, OH
17–South Bend, IN
615/383-8787
Subscription/Customer Service Information: Write
CCM, P.O. Box 706, Mt. Morris, IL 62054–0706 or
call 800/333–9643. In the U.S., $19.95/one year,
$35.95/two years, $53.95/three years; Canada,
(U.S. funds) $27.95 per year; all other countries,
(U.S. funds) $33.95 (surface) or $67 (airmail). For
address changes or other inquiries, please include
both old and new addresses and mailing label. Allow
four to six weeks for new subscriptions to begin.
CCM [ISSN 1524–7848] is published monthly by CCM
Communications. Copyright: CCM © 2002 by CCM
Communications, 104 Woodmont Blvd., Ste. 300,
Nashville, TN 37205. Contents may not be reproduced
in any manner, either whole or in part, without prior
written permission of the publisher. Editorial: The
editor cannot assume responsibility for unsolicited
manuscripts and will return only those accompanied by
a stamped, self–addressed envelope. Writers’
guidelines available upon request. Advertising: Neither
the advertisers nor the contents of advertisements
appearing in this publication are necessarily endorsed
by CCM Communications. We cannot accept 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 61054–0706. Printed in the U.S.A.
Sacred songs and hymns
like you have never heard them before
T A L I E S I N
O R C H E S T R A
THE NEW ALBUM PERFORMED BY
THE BILLBOARD C HART - TOPPIN G
T A L I E S I N
O R C H E S T R A
Featuring:
The Lord’s Prayer
Amazing Grace
Glory To God
W W W. TA L I E S I N O R C H E S T R A . C O M
SEND
A FREE TALIESIN ORCHESTRA MUSIC GREETING AT
BEATGREETS.COM. OVER 300 ARTISTS TO CHOOSE FROM!
AVAILABLE JULY 9!
6/5/2002
5:20 PM
Page 73
CLASSIFIEDS
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 AugustMay. One-year commitment minimum. Partial support
must be raised. Call Arc Ministries at 800/422-4383.
LET THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE your career in
music. www.usgovernmentinformation.com. Free
recorded message: 707/448-0200. (5JZ4)
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.
LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT HIT SONG?
Hitchristiansongs.com.
DW ARTIST DRUMMER/PERCUSSIONIST looking
for a West Coast music group. Call Marcus at
760/323-1409.
ATTENTION SINGERS, SONGWRITERS AND
INSTRUMENTALISTS Nashville-based production
company looking for great talent. For more information
check us out at www.w3productions.net or call
615/828-8224.
WOO WOO PRODUCTIONS is looking for rocking
bands with integrity. Two-inch analog or digital as low
as $25 per hour. Small intimate environment—big
$2,000 per day studio results. www.woowoopro.com
or 415/845-6753.
ESSENTIALWORSHIP.COM offers instructional
materials for the worship guitarist, leader and team.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR VOICE BIGGER WITHOUT
STRAIN Internationally known coach reveals secrets.
Amazing free recorded message! 888/306-2218.
RECORDS/TAPES/CDS
CHRISTIAN DIGITAL MUSIC Enormous selection of
pre-owned 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.
BELIEVE Melt your heart—rock your soul! The
Chatmans Live in Love CD, $5.00. Quita Records, P.O.
Box 1498, Lawrenceville, GA 30046.
THE LONG-AWAITED NEW CD by Christian
guitarist/songwriter Keith Bruce (“Good Man in a Storm”)
now available online at: www.cdbaby.com/keithbruce.
HE REIGNS MUSIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP
541/267-7025 or [email protected].
CHRISTIAN MUSIC VINYL COLLECTION FOR SALE
E-mail Don Cyr at [email protected] or call
860/646-5437 to request a mailing of the list.
ACOUSTIC ARTS CUSTOM MUSIC PRODUCTION
L.L.C. Create background tracks, professionally record
your song demo. 616/975-9966.
SERVICES
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]
RUGGED CROSS MUSIC Hard to find, out of print
CDs, LP records and tapes. Contact us: P.O. Box
42146, Charleston, SC 29423-2146;
www.RuggedCrossMusic.com;
[email protected].
SONGWRITERS/SINGERS Master quality demos
and soundtracks of your song digitally recorded!
Professional musicians! 865/774-4671.
KCCHRISTIANMUSIC (.COM) Artists promoting
artists, KCCM Awards, online store, radio program, etc.
LIGHTING DIRECTOR/TECHNICIAN seeking to tour
with a ministry. Call Ryan at 903/278-1263 or
e-mail at [email protected].
/($51WKH$57RI5(&25',1*
6WXGLRV
/DWHVW(TXLSPHQW
+DQGV2Q
6WXGHQWVSHU&ODVV
0R3URJUDP
J
2Q&DPSXV+RXVLQJ
$IIRUGDEOH

-RE3ODFHPHQW$VVLVW
&DOOIRU)UHH%URFKXUH
UHFRUGLQJZRUNVKRSFRP
HPDLOLQIR#UHFRUGLQJZRUNVKRSFRP
NOW ACCEPTING DEMOS
For Christian Various Artists
Album Project.
Send your non-published songs on CD.
Set-Fire Records
PO Box 759, Springfield, LA 70462-0759
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 July 10 for the
September 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 camera-ready art for display ads)
and your check to: Classified Ads, CCM Magazine, 104
Woodmont Blvd., Ste. 300, Nashville, TN 37205. Make
sure to include a daytime phone number.
ccmmagazine.com
july 02 ccm 73
ccm7.02 _pg74
6/5/02
5:03 PM
Page 74
lastglance
OUR FAVORITE QUOTE
“The problem is, most of us don’t want to serve; we want to be successful.”
time machine
music that matters
VINCE EBO
YOU MAY NOT
RECOGNIZE Vince
Ebo’s name or face, but
if you are a Charlie
Peacock fan, you would
no doubt recognize his
voice. Ebo cut his
chops as a session
singer, performing on
albums by such artists
as Margaret Becker,
Jimmy A, Brent
Bourgeois and Out of
the Grey. Ebo also
made a name for
himself as a part of
Peacock’s acoustic trio,
adding even more soul
to Peacock’s already
passionate music. In
EBO
1992 he released his
first and only solo
album, Love Is the Better Way (Warner Alliance), featuring elements of
R&B, rock, jazz and pop. But late in 1993, Ebo’s life was tragically cut
short when he committed suicide. Just a year earlier Ebo had sung:
“When your life is runnin’ off track/No way it’ll ever come back/You try with all of
your might/But you just can’t seem to make things right/I’m here to tell you/There is
a way.” S A R A H A L D R I D G E M C N E E C E
editors’ picks
D A V I D M C FA D Z E A N , p . 2 0
CHAPMAN’S WORDS GIVE HOPE
FOR THIS LIFE AND THE NEXT
A couple of years ago, I had the
long-awaited opportunity to
meet Steven Curtis Chapman at
my local Christian bookstore.
His music and character have
deeply encouraged and
ministered to me in very dark
times of my life. I was born with
spina bifida, a spinal birth
defect, and had recently
recovered from surgery at the
time I met him.
It was Steven’s song
“Sometimes He Comes in the
Clouds” that spoke to me most
through my loneliest hours.
When I finally reached the line
to meet him, I quickly told
him my story and how that
song, among others, was used
“It was Steven’s song
‘Sometimes He Comes in
the Clouds’ that spoke to
me most through my
loneliest hours.”
by God to draw me closer to
Him. Looking straight into my
eyes, he asked me my name.
When I replied he said,
“Shannon, you and I will run
together in heaven.”
As I thanked him for his time
and encouragement, tears
welled up in my eyes. Those
two minutes blessed my life
immensely. Steven’s words not
only gave me hope, but a whole
other side to this amazing artist.
He truly is a man after God’s
own heart.
Shannon Benfield
ORLANDO, FL
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.
our favorite new releases
coming
next month
GET TO KNOW THE
REAL BEBO NORMAN
HEROES AMONG US
by Jim Ryun (Destiny Image)
After Sept. 11 we seem to look more and
more often for heroes to emulate. Especially
this month, as we celebrate our freedom, it’s
good to have a reminder that heroes aren’t
necessarily the people you might expect.
Sometimes it’s the most ordinary people who
do the most extraordinary things. Heroes Among
Us gives great examples of some of these
overlooked lives. T R A C E Y L . B U M P U S
THINGS UNSEEN: LIVING IN
LIGHT OF FOREVER
by Mark Buchanan (Multnomah)
Sometimes it is so easy to get caught
up in the challenges of day-to-day
life. I lose sight of how petty the
problems are that seem so earthshatteringly significant at the time.
Things Unseen is just the dose of reality
most of us need to remind us of what
really matters on the scale of
eternity. T. L . B .
final word
TABLE FOR ONE
AUTHOR CAMERIN
COURTNEY
GERSH,
Awakening
This album is a songwriter’s dream.
My favorite cut, “Shoes,” grooves
with a piano-heavy bass line that
carries the weight of the lyric
nicely. Reminiscent of the work by
David Gray and John Mayer,
Awakening captures the listener’s
heart and doesn’t let go.
SOUTH AFRICAN
ROCK FORCE
THE BENJAMIN GATE
WHAT IS LUIS PALAU
READING?
CITYSCAPE: LONDON
MAT THEW TURNER
“WE WORK HARD AND SUFFER much in order that people will believe the truth, for our hope is in the
living God, who is the Savior of all people, and particularly of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:10 (NLT)