Fireproof opens today

Fireproof, the new film by the Kendrick brothers, is opening today. IMDB is predicting a Top 10 opening. As previously mentioned, the film effectively uses music including Warren Barfield as seen here:



There's a nice article on the Today show site.

Smallwood uninvited from White House

Who knew that Richard Smallwood was so far left? The legendary black gospel performer was smartly uninvited from the White House's celebration of Gospel Music Heritage Month after performing at a retirement party for the controversial radical Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

Smallwood has been invited to perform at the White House before, but he turned the invitation down, citing "atrocities of the Administration on the lives of African Americans, especially the middle and lower class." And he tells Gospelcity.com that he wouldn't accept an invitation even if it was offered.

Clay Aiken Comes Out of Closet

Yet another former AI alumni who has claimed to be a Christian has come out of the closet. This time it's Clay Aiken.

To be honest, this one shocked no one.

Christian Artists on "One Tree Hill"

I've never watched One Tree Hill (I'm not in the target audience), but it is interesting to note the Christian artists they've included in the show.

Bleach - "Good As Gold" - ep. #3.07
Debby Boone - "You Light Up My Life" - ep. #3.02
Tyler Burkum - "End of the Road" - ep. #5.18
The Fray - "How To Save A Life" - ep. #3.17; "Look After You" - ep. #3.20
Group 1 Crew - "Forgive Me" - ep. #5.02
Mat Kearney - "Won't Back Down" - ep. #4.03
Jonny Lang - "Beautiful One" - ep. #1.06
Lifehouse - "Broken" - ep. #5.09
Mae - "Skyline Drive" - ep. #2.11
Plumb - "In My Arms" - ep. #5.17
Robbie Seay Band - "Shine Your Light On Us" - ep. #6.03
Switchfoot - "Dare You To Move" - ep. #1.07; #2.05; "The Blues" - ep. #3.11

SixStepsRecords Defies Gravity

While SixSteps forges ahead with consistency in staff, artists, and record sales, the question is how has the label stayed successful? Its small size is important, but so are the label's focus and unconventional management structure.

Read a compelling profile here.

A major upcoming change is the planting of a church in Atlanta involving Louie Giglio, Tomlin, and Redman.

The latter two have already moved there, though the timeline for development is uncertain, as is the impact on the label. "I see songs coming out of the church," says Tomlin of the new plant. "I see Chris Tomlin still making records, but I also see Passion Church CDs , and that kind of thing. The reason I'm excited about that is we've never been in the same place: me and Redman and Louie."

Chris Tomlin & Louie Giglio forming new church

I finally became aware that Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio (of Passion fame) are forming a new church in Atlanta. As this blogger notes, it was likely began an instant Mega-church.

A local guitar-slinger/Worship leader shared the news with my wife today.

Cleaning up Entertainment (including Music)

Hollywood actor turned outspoken Christian evangelist Stephen Baldwin wants us to join the fight in cleaning up Hollywood and its 'cultural terrorism'.

He has been known to promote Christian alternatives such as The Cross Movement.

Music by Christian Artists in "The Hills"

While the reality series "The Hills" will never be considered a paragon of virtue or quality, it is interesting to note how often Christian artists have shown up on the show.

Francesca Battistelli "It's Your Life"(Season 4, Ep. 406)
Superchick "Rock What You Got"(Season 4, Ep. 406)
Natasha Bedingfield "Unwritten" (Season 4, all)
Francesca Battistelli "Behind The Scenes" (Season 4, Ep. 404)
Jordin Sparks "Young And In Love" (Season 4, Ep. 403)

Daughtry "Feels Like Tonight" (Season 3, Ep. 326)
Wilshire "A New Day's Dawn" (Season 3, Ep. 325)
Eisley "Taking Control" (Season 3, Ep. 323)
Jordin Sparks Feat. Chris Brown "No Air" (Season 3, Ep. 319)
Mat Kearney "Undeniable" (Season 3, Ep. 318)
Lifehouse "Disarray" (Season 3, Ep. 316)
needtobreathe "We Could Run Away" (Season 3, Ep. 312) - featured artist!
Luna Halo "World On Fire" (Season 3, Ep. 311)
Eisley "Invasion" (Season 3, Ep. 311)
Lifehouse "First Time" (Season 3, Ep. 303)

Mat Kearney "Crashing Down" (Season 2, Ep. 212)
The Fray "Oceans Away" (Season 2, Ep. 212)
Leigh Nash "Still See Life" (Season 2, Ep. 205)
Superchick "It's On" (Season 2, Ep. 202)
Superchick "Anthem" (Season 2, Ep. 202)


Natasha Bedingfield "Unwritten" (Season 1, all)
Natasha Bedingfield "I'm the Bomb" (Season 1, Ep. 110)
Natasha Bedingfield "Single" (Season 1, Ep. 109)
The Fray "How To Save A Life" (Season 1, Ep. 109)
Superchick "One Girl Revolution" (Season 1, Ep. 103)
The Fray "Over My Head" (Season 1, Ep. 103)

Radio Gives Needtobreathe More Time

Needtobreathe's "More Time" sits at #1 on the R&R Triple A Top Ten Recurrent chart. Recurrents are songs that have appeared on the Radio & Records (R&R) chart for 20 or more weeks and have fallen below the top 20.

Ray Boltz Comes Out

Ray Boltz, who sold about 4.5 million records before retiring from Christian music a few years ago, came out of the closet Friday.

Casting Crowns Christmas Celebration

Casting Crowns will headline a 14-city “Casting Crowns Christmas Celebration” this November and December. The tour will feature notable special guests, Natalie Grant, Avalon, Michael English, pureNRG and Denver & The Mile High Orchestra.

Chris Tomlin Says Hello to Top 10 Release

Chris Tomlin's Hello, Love debuts at Number 9 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart. It's the best charting and sales week yet for Tomlin.

Underoath finds itself at Number 8

Rock band Underoath lands at Number 8 with "Lost in the Sound of Separation." The sextet's last CD, 2006's "Define the Great Line," arrived at No. 2 on The Billboard 200.

Steven Curtis Chapman on CBS Early Morning Show

CBS Early Morning Show had a touching piece on the Chapman family tragedy. He then somehow performed "Cinderella." He is scheduled to appear on "Fox and Friends" on September 22.


Watch CBS Videos Online

Smitty performs at White House

Yesterday, Michael W. Smith performed at the White House to help celebrate two U.S. service organizations.

He will also join Senators McCain and Obama in NYC on Thursday. I suspect Obama prefers a 'prettier' type of music.

Promoting TV with Christian Artists - The Sequel

Based on the popularity of last year's post, it's time for a long-awaited sequel...

Francesca Battistelli's "It's Your Life" is currently being featured in the promo for ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

The Afters’ "Ocean Wide" was used to promote "Grey's Anatomy" while "We Are the Sound" was used to promote "American Idol."

Jars of Clay's "Hero" is being used in the promo for the new NBC series "Kings."

Krystal Meyers "Make Some Noise" was used heavily during the Summer Olympics to promote NBC's Fall '08 line-up.

Seabird's “Rescue” was used to promote ABC’s Emmy award-nominated dramedy "Pushing Daisies."

Superchick's song "So Beautiful" in spots for the new ABC reality program, "True Beauty." Their song "Hey, Hey" was featured in series of promotional spots introducing NBC's shows "Superstars of Dance," "Biggest Loser Couples," and "Howie Do It"

Sanctus Real & Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Sanctus Real is performing a benefit concert for a fireman and his sick wife who were selected for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Jordin Sparks defends Jonas Bros. and Purity Rings

Jordin Sparks fired back at the MTV Video Music Awards host over his tasteless jokes about Jonas Brothers' Purity Rings.

"It's not bad to wear a promise ring because not everybody, guy or girl, wants to be a slut," Sparks spat back, the auditorium filling with applause. Sparks, Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez are also among the young stars who have vowed to remain chaste.

Sonicflood Performs At Republican Convention

Sonicflood performed an acoustic set during the Prayer Breakfast at the National Republican Convention. Former Congressman J. C. Watts served as the guest speaker at the event.

CDs I'm Anticipating

Upcoming releases

Downhere - Ending is Beginning - September 23
Michael W. Smith - A New Hallelujah - October 28
Jeremy Camp - Speaking Louder Than Before - November 25
Switchfoot - untitled [Lowercase People] -- Late 2008?
Tait - Loveology -- Sometime 2008?
Lou Gramm Band - late 2008
Stryper - Murder By Pride - pushed to early 2009

Others of note/interest:
Brian 'Head' Welch - Save Me from Myself - 9/9
Ayiesha Woods - Love Like This - 9/9
Bebo Norman - Bebo Norman - 9/16
Anberlin - New Surrender - 9/30
The Elms - untitled - late 2008
Sixpence None the Richer
Switchfoot - The Best Yet - 10/28

Kutless headlining new Creation Festival Tour

During the 30th anniversary year of The Creation Festival, it seems only fitting that they also conduct a 30+ city tour. The tour will be headlined by Kutless.

Rachael Lampa performs at the RNC

Rachael Lampa performed at the Republican National Convention, bringing back memories to when Michael W. Smith and Third Day sang at the 2004 Republican National Convention.

Steven Curtis Chapman on Larry King Live

Steven Curtis Chapman appeared on Larry King Live to speak about his family's tragedy. King is a liberal, old codger, but still pulls in an audience. You can view the podcast via iTunes.

New Film, the Imposter, to feature Kevin Max

Kevin Max (DC Talk) is headlining the faith-based film The Imposter. The movie also stars two other notable musicians, Kerry Livgren (Kansas, AD) and Jeff Deyo (Sonicflood).

Max's character, the lead singer of chart-topping Christian band whose lifestyle and subsequent breakdown eventually leads to redemption and self-discovery.

As much as I love DC Talk and Kevin's music, I can't help, but wonder how much of this is reflective of Kevin's own life. Besides sharing the title with one of Max's solo CDs, the writer/director said he thought of Kevin as he crafted the film.

Upcoming Christmas CDs

First by artists:
BarlowGirl - Home for Christmas
Casting Crowns - Peace on Earth
Mandisa - It's Christmas
pureNRG - A pureNRG Christmas
Sara Groves - O Holy Night
Shane & Shane - Glory in the Highest: A Christmas Record
Sixpence None the Richer - The Dawn of Grace

Follow-ups:
Amy Grant - The Collection (favorites from past Christmas CDs, plus some new tracks)
Point of Grace