Jon Bon Jovi, Joss Stone, 3 Doors Down Go Gospel

Some of secular music's top acts, among them Michael McDonald, Jon Bon Jovi, Joss Stone and 3 Doors Down, take on Gospel music on "Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration."

The collection releases today exclusively at Wal-Mart according to Reuters.

Though artists are sometimes hesitant to talk or sing about their faith, Arnold said it wasn't a concern for 3 Doors Down. "We all grew up in church and we're all Christians. We were happy to do it," he said. "There was no discussion at all of whether or not we should."

"It's something that we'd never really done before, and it seemed like it would be a lot of fun," 3 Doors Down lead vocalist Brad Arnold said of the band's foray into gospel music with "Presence of the Lord." "It seemed like it would also be a challenge because we'd never really recorded that style of song."

According to a press release posted on several of the artists' MySpace pages, the track listing is:
1. Jonny Lang & the Fisk Jubilee Singers "I Believe"
2. 3 Doors Down & the Soul Children of Chicago "Presence of the Lord"
3. Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters "Higher Ground"
4. Jon Bon Jovi & the Washington Youth Choir "Keep the Faith"
5. Al Green & Heather Headley "People Get Ready"
6. Mavis Staples & Patty Griffin "Waiting for My Child To Come Home"
7. Michael McDonald & the West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir "Storm Before The Calm"
8. Angelique Kidjo "Redemption Song"
9. Aaron Neville & the Mt. Zion Mass Choir "A Change is Gonna Come"
10. Queen Latifah & Jubilation "Oh Happy Day"
11. Joss Stone & Buick Audra "This Little Light Of Mine"

It's Battistelli's Life on NBC and ABC

Francesca Battistelli's "It's Your Life" is currently being featured in the promo for ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and also was featured on last Tuesday's episode of NBC's "Biggest Loser."

Stephen Baldwin Lends Lohan a Hand

After a weekend in the media spotlight due to a warrant (which was later dropped) being issued for her arrest, Fox News is reporting that Lindsay Lohan is seeking guidance to put her back on a positive path.

The troubled 22-year-old actress will temporarily be in a "therapeutic environment" organized by fellow actors, Stephen and Daniel Baldwin.

Lindsay apparently "wants to remove the negative influences in her life."

It's great to see Stephen is working towards his goal and having a positive impact on the Hollywood community - even if it's just one high profile person.

Mandisa's Loss is a PR Gain

As she nears the release of her sophomore project Freedom (3.24), press is ramping up for American Idol Season 5 finalist Mandisa.

Tonight Extra TV talks with Mandisa about her weight loss in a feature about "Shrinking Idols."

Next week, Inside Edition will air an interview with Mandisa from her Nashville home, discussing her workout routine as well as her new CD.

Last week CNN.com ran a feature that was one of its Top 5 read stories on the news giant’s site.

People magazine also profiled Mandisa in an exclusive online feature last week, which both USA Today and CNN picked up. People also showcased her in their BodyWatch feature inside their current issue.

Worship Leaders Play House of Blues

Delirious? is headlining a concert at the House of Blues Anaheim tomorrow, March 18. The show will also feature Future of Forestry and Worship leader and new artist Travis Ryan.

Ryan serves as a worship pastor at Saddleback Church’s San Clemente campus.

BeBe Winans Accused of Assaulting Ex

BeBe Winans has been charged with misdemeanor domestic assault after a dispute with his ex-wife in Nashville.

An arrest warrant filed Wednesday says 46-year-old Benjamin "BeBe" Winans got into argument with his ex-wife about their children at her home on Feb 13.

The warrant says Debra Winans told authorities Winans pushed her to the ground.

Winans says in a statement that "the allegations are inconsistent with my character."

Winans is a judge on BET's television show "Sunday Best." The four-time Grammy award-winner has recorded gospel albums with his sister CeCe Winans.

South Park Takes on Jonas Bros & Disney

The season premiere of South Park looked, at first, as though it was going to pander to its audience by only making fun of the Jonas Brothers, but according to EW it instead illuminates pop-culture hypocrisy and how our culture sells sex to our youth.

I'm by no means recommending the viewing of South Park, but it's interesting to note how even this series ironically recognizes our culture's perversion of our youth.

Worship Leaders Lead the Way on American Idol

It's interesting to note how many of this year's top 13 American Idol finalists are involved in their church or Christian music.

* Kris Allen - works for his church's worship ministry
* Matt Giraud - has released two indie Christian music CDs
* Danny Gokey - is a music teacher at Faithbuilders Ministry in Milwaukee
* Scott MacIntyre - performs with the Gospel quartet, The MacIntyre Family Singers
* Michael Sarver - leads a praise team at Harvest Church in Jasper, TX

Christian Music Conspiracy?

Relevant Magazine dispels 5 Myths about the Christian Music Industry, including Christian artists can’t “cut it” in the secular world.

Media Bias is No Laughing Matter

Jeff Foxworthy was recently interviewed by Glenn Beck and even a comedian notes the bias in our media:

I've always argued that the media is not an accurate representation of what this country really is. And I think I can say that with some confidence because as a comedian, I have been to all 50 states. I have been to all 50 states many, many times. And I've always argued that most of the media is controlled out of New York and L.A., well, there's 200 million people in between. But their viewpoints aren't often the ones that make the news or the newspapers. And, you know, we've been kind of the quiet majority, but I kind of get a sense now that they're starting to see this little feeling of discontent in that and people are like, no, no, no, you don't speak for us anymore, and I think that's what it's going to take.

Michael Tait is the New Lead Singer for the Newsboys on the Road

After 22 years and more than 2,000 shows, Peter Furler will no longer front the newsboys in concert. Michael Tait will tour with the band as lead singer with Peter making special appearances throughout the year according to a press release by the band.

Peter will continue with the band and his trademark songwriting and production will remain as he focuses his professional career toward future newsboys recordings.

Michael has been on the road with the band over the past weeks working alongside Peter in what has been a positive and enjoyable experience for both parties. It has been a graceful process that both Peter and Michael have worked through as they prepare to make the change in the coming weeks.

Peter states,

“newsboys to me has always been a mission, and I entrust Mike, Jeff, Jody and Duncan to continue all that is in store for us as a band. I’m looking forward to focusing on the band’s studio career and spending time in my own bed after many years in a tour bus and hundreds of thousands of miles on the road.”

Wes Campbell, newsboys manager, explains,

“Whilst the decision to replace Peter on the road was a painstaking one, when the idea of dc Talk vocalist Michael Tait was presented, it was a no-brainer to all of us. No one can replace Peter, but we know Michael will bring a new attitude, energy and vocal style that will thrill our audience. To be able to continue a world class show and still have Peter behind the scenes guiding the career and making of newsboys music is a huge opportunity for all of us. It’s amazing that after many years of touring with dc Talk in the 1990’s, that in 2009 our paths would cross once again. It’s an exciting time for all of us.”

Michael Tait shares:

“When I received the initial call from newsboys to consider joining the band as lead singer, I was speechless! I immediately sought wise counsel and flooded the heavens with endless prayers for insight and vision, and I soon received a clear and definite peace. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to perform my first show as newsboys’ frontman to an audience of 12,000 people. I was completely wrapped in love and support by newsboys’ fans, who are clearly the best fans on the planet. Now I know this is exactly where I belong in this new and wonderful moment in my life’s history. This is a definite highlight of my career and for my 20+ years of walking with Jesus, and I am humbled, proud and privileged to call myself a newsboy.”

In the coming days, Peter will be releasing a personal statement on the band’s website in more detail.

The band has recently finished recording its new studio album, In The Hands of God, which features Peter as lead vocalist on the entire album. Street date for this record is May 5th.

With five gold albums, sales exceeding six million units, more than 20 No.1 radio hits, and a mantle of Dove Awards as well as Grammy nominations, newsboys has achieved phenomenal success in its two decades together.

More Americans Say They Have No Religion

A wide-ranging study on American religious life found that the percentage of Christians in the nation has declined and more people say they have no religion at all.

Fifteen percent of respondents said they had no religion, an increase from 14.2 percent in 2001 and 8.2 percent in 1990, according to the American Religious Identification Survey.

Northern New England surpassed the Pacific Northwest as the least religious region, with Vermont reporting the highest share of those claiming no religion, at 34 percent. Still, the study found that the numbers of Americans with no religion rose in every state.

"No other religious bloc has kept such a pace in every state," the study's authors said.

In 2008, Christians comprised 76 percent of U.S. adults, compared to about 77 percent in 2001 and about 86 percent in 1990. Researchers said the dwindling ranks of mainline Protestants, including Methodists, Lutherans and Episcopalians, largely explains the shift. Over the last seven years, mainline Protestants dropped from just over 17 percent to 12.9 percent of the population.

The report from The Program on Public Values at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., surveyed 54,461 adults in English or Spanish from February through November of last year. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 0.5 percentage points. The findings are part of a series of studies on American religion by the program that will later look more closely at reasons behind the trends.

The current survey, being released Monday, found traditional organized religion playing less of a role in many lives. Thirty percent of married couples did not have a religious wedding ceremony and 27 percent of respondents said they did not want a religious funeral.

About 12 percent of Americans believe in a higher power but not the personal God at the core of monotheistic faiths. And, since 1990, a slightly greater share of respondents — 1.2 percent — said they were part of new religious movements, including Scientology, Wicca and Santeria.

The study also found signs of a growing influence of churches that either don't belong to a denomination or play down their membership in a religious group.

Respondents who called themselves "non-denominational Christian" grew from 0.1 percent in 1990 to 3.5 percent last year. Congregations that most often use the term are mega-churches considered "seeker sensitive." They use rock style music and less structured prayer to attract people who don't usually attend church. Researchers also found a small increase in those who prefer being called evangelical or born-again, rather than claim membership in a denomination.

Evangelical or born-again Americans make up 34 percent of all American adults and 45 percent of all Christians and Catholics, the study found. Researchers found that 18 percent of Catholics consider themselves born-again or evangelical, and nearly 39 percent of mainline Protestants prefer those labels. Many mainline Protestant groups are riven by conflict over how they should interpret what the Bible says about gay relationships, salvation and other issues.

The study found that the percentage of Americans who identified themselves as Muslim grew to 0.6 percent of the population, while growth in Eastern religions such as Buddhism slightly slowed.

Kathy Ireland: From Super Model to Role Model

When most people hear Kathy Ireland, they think Sports Illustrated and super model. However, since her rise to stardom, she has become a business woman and outspoken Christian.

In her latest book, Real Solutions for Busy Moms: Your Guide to Success and Sanity, will be published on Apr. 7, Ireland attempts to help families cope with crises including family finances, health, stress, and "most importantly finding wisdom and security in the glory of Christian faith."

Is Peter Furler Leaving The Newsboys?

Gospel Soundcheck is reporting that Peter Furler may be leaving the Newsboys and that former dc Talk member Michael Tait is taking over as lead vocalist!!!

IF this is true, it will fundamentally change the sound of the Newsboys. Tait is a fantastic vocalist, but I can't see him as a Newsboy.

Update: this has been confirmed

Michael Sweet's Wife Succumbs to Cancer

Kyle was diagnosed with cancer in February 2007. She passed away at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 5, 2009. You can read a touching letter from Michael on his site.

Kyle's life was dedicated to caring for her husband and home-schooling their two children. Her heart's desire was for their children to attend college. To best honor Kyle's work as a home-school mom there has been a fund set up called The Sweet Children's College Fund.

In lieu of flowers, donations to this fund can be mailed to:

Sweet Children's College Fund
Sovereign Bank
50 Cohasset Avenue
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532

A private funeral service will be held in the coming days.

Michael Sweet is a well-known musician and vocalist, best known as the co-founder and frontman of the band Stryper. Sweet is also a guitarist and vocalist for BOSTON.

Two Times is Not a Charm

In December, Addison Road had all of their gear stolen, but subsequently returned. Shockingly, a thief has hit them again. Over $100,000 worth of stuff was reported stolen just two weeks before the start of their biggest tour yet and eight weeks before the lead singer has her first baby.

Fortunately, the van and trailer have been recovered. The van is in the shop, but the trailer was ruined. The thieves cut into the wall of the trailer to enter. Though they took all of the instruments, gear, and sound equipment, they fortunately left almost all of their merchandise.

Joe Eszterhas Added As Keynote For Biola Media Conf.

In a rare public appearance writer Joe Eszterhas will be the keynote speaker of the 2009 Biola Media Conference. He has written sixteen films that have earned over a billion dollars at the box office.

Eszterhas’s life history is as tumultuous as his movies. From growing up in a refugee camp in Hungary after the Second World War, his life has included everything from abject poverty to unthinkable riches. Once called by Time Magazine “American’s king of sex and violence”, Eszterhas lived the true Hollywood bad boy life. Drinking, drugs, sex, violence, smoking were all part of his daily life. By 2001, the alcohol and smoking had nearly killed him and doctors had removed 80% of a cancerous larynx. Unable to change his ways, he cried out for God to help him. With his new book Crossbearer: A Memoir of Faith, Eszterhas explains the mystery and wonder of how God found him.

Superchick Song Chosen for "Running In Heels" TV Show

Superchick Song Chosen for "Running In Heels" TV Show

Superchick's song "So Beautiful" from Rock What You Got has been selected as the theme song for "Running In Heels," a new realilty program on the Style Network.

Radio Legend Paul Harvey Passes Away

Paul Harvey, who captivated millions of American listeners for nearly six decades with his radio news reports and conservative commentaries, died Saturday. He was 90.

A 2005 recipient of a Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush, radio pioneer Paul Harvey and his wife were inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.

He personalized the news and shared heart-warming tales of average Americans and observations that evoked the heartland, family values and a love of God and country.

Harvey was unapologetic. "I have never pretended to objectivity," he once said. "I have a strong point of view and I share it with my listeners. I have no illusions about changing the world, but to the extent that I can I'd like to shelter your and my little corner of it."

He was renowned for his story-telling abilities and loved to intersperse them with humor. "Nudists in Lakeland, Florida, are upset that outsiders are sneaking a peek through a hole in their fence," he intoned. "The police promise to look into it."

With Paul Harvey's death, radio has lost one of its brightest luminaries.

Focus on the Family's James Dobson steps down

James Dobson, the influential evangelical leader of the Christian ministry Focus on the Family, has stepped down as board chairman, he announced Friday.

During a meeting with employees, Dobson, 72, said the move means he will no longer be involved with the administrative side of the organization, according to spokesman Gary Schneeberger.

But Dobson's public role isn't expected to change. He'll still appear on his daily radio broadcast and as an advocate for socially conservative issues, Schneeberger said.

"There won't be a whole lot of difference," the spokesman said. "You'll still hear him on the radio. You'll still see him on the networks like CNN with Larry King."

Focus on the Family says its broadcasts reach more than 220 million people in 155 countries. Its newsletter, in which Dobson will continue to write, goes to 1.6 million people.