Fireproof

We were able to attend a pre-screening of Fireproof, the new movie by the makers of Facing the Giants, last night at the Fox Theatre. It's an inspiring and convicting film and effectively uses music from Third Day, Casting Crowns, Warren Barfield and John Waller.

As an added bonus, John Waller performed his song from the film and Kirk Cameron (in a role of a lifetime!) and the filmmakers spoke.

Tomlin picks up Gold and Platinum

Chris Tomlin recently celebrated the RIAA Platinum Certification of his 2004 release, Arriving, and the RIAA Gold Certification of 2006’s See the Morning.

Christian artists on Grey's Anatomy

Grey's Anatomy has an interesting history of using Christian artists in their show. While the show is questionable at best for believers, it's nice to see this music being exposed to the masses. Some artists are crossover such as Lifehouse and The Fray while other are decidedly not such as Caedmon's Call and Katie Herzig.

Season 4
Lay Your Hands on Me - 01/10/08
"Broken" - Lifehouse
"Sweeter Than This" - Katie Herzig
"Ten Thousand Angels" - Caedmon's Call

Physical Attraction... Chemical Reaction - 11/08/07
"Name" - Derek Webb

Haunt You Everyday - 10/25/07
"Fools Gold" - Katie Herzig
"I Will Show You Love" - Kendall Payne

Season 3
The Other Side of This Life - 05/03/07
"Ain't Nothing Wrong With That" - Robert Randolph & The Family Band

Staring at the Sun - 11/16/06
"Where We Gonna Go from Here" - Mat Kearney

What I Am - 10/12/06
"Fall For Nothing" - Mindy Smith

Season 2
Losing My Religion - 05/15/06
"Breathe In Breathe Out" - Mat Kearney
"Broken" - Lifehouse

Under Pressure - 04/23/06
"Scratch" - Kendall Payne

Superstition - 03/19/06
"How to Save a Life" - The Fray

Break on Through - 01/29/06
"Scratch" - Kendall Payne

Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer - 12/11/05
"It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" - Sixpence None The Richer

Much Too Much - 11/27/05
You and Me" - Lifehouse

Season 1
Who's Zoomin' Who? - 05/22/05
Beautiful Love" - The Afters

Family Force 5 New CD Debuts at #30

Family Force 5's sophomore release, Dance Or Die, has debuted at #30 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart

Oh Woman, Where Art Thou?

GMC has a fantastic article on the lack of a consistent female presence on the Christian charts.

“It’s a struggle for females right now for sure,” Natalie Grant shares. “We’re in a cycle, and it’s been a long one... Today, so many radio stations are programmed by research, and the research often says listeners don’t want to hear from female artists.”

So who exactly is the target Christian radio listener? It’s typically females ages 35–44, the soccer moms affectionately known as 'Becky.'

"Radio programmers are targeting ‘Becky’ because they believe they will get most of the family listening if she is. She’s really the most important one to have on board," Chris Hauser says. “The challenge of the current research model is seeing that very few female voices end up translating well with ‘Becky.’ The big joke is that if the artist’s name is ‘Becky,’ then ‘Becky’ doesn’t want to hear anyone named ‘Becky.’

DecembeRadio "Satisfied" Prelease Concert at Hard Rock Cafe

We had the opportunity to attend the DecembeRadio "Satisfied" Pre-lease Concert at Hard Rock Cafe(!) in Atlanta. Echoing Angels opened with a surprisingly rocking set then turned it over to DecembeRadio.

The boys from Virginia did a great job and brought the house down. Perhaps in recognition of their atypical venue, the music was scalding with blazing guitars and an effective front-man.

Their freshman CD was one of the best rock CDs released in the last two years and this CD continues a level of excellence, but I must admit they're even better live.

Rally for Rocketown

Interesting pairing for Rally for Rocketown - it includes Smitty as well as special guest speaker Sean Hannity.

Josh Turner in new Graham film

Country artist Josh Turner will play George Beverly Shea in "Billy: The Early Years," a film about evangelist Billy Graham's start that's due out Oct. 10.

Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman Tour Together

Two of the biggest names in CCM history will be touring together for the first time.

Krystal Meyers on NBC

NBC has selected “Make Some Noise,” the title-track from Krystal Meyers’ upcoming CD, as its theme song to promote the NBC 2008 Fall line-up.

Concerts Currently on my Radar for 2008

Upcoming concerts of interest within 2 hours of me

BarlowGirl - 8/9 - Atlanta
Starfield - 8/31 - Cleveland, TN
Music Builds Tour (Third Day w/ Switchfoot & Jars O Clay) - 9/20 in Atlanta
Casting Crowns - 9/20 - Dalton
Mark Schultz - 9/26 - Marietta
Phil Keaggy w/ Wes King -10/2 -Athens
Needtobreathe - 10/8 - Cumming
United Tour (Michael W. Smith w/ Steven Curtis Chapman) - 10/17 - Marietta
Downhere - 11/9 - Clarkesville, GA

Third Day's CD is a Revelation

Third Day's new CD Revelation is an impressive No. 6 on Billboard’s Top 200 making it this week’s top-selling debut album in the nation and their best charting and sales week ever.

This is their 4th Top 20 debut (Wherever You Are #8, Wire #12, Offerings II #18)

Hawk Nelson featured in JCPenney promotions

Hawk Nelson is currently being featured in the back-to-school promotion for national retailer JCPenney.

Michael Sweet tours with Boston

Stryper frontman Michael Sweet is touring with Boston this summer sharing lead vocals and playing guitar.

Christianity Today had a nice interview with him prior to the tour on his motivation.