Adam Young, better known as Owl City, moves to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Fireflies." The track earns the Digital Gainer honor, moving to #1 on Digital Songs chart. The track also moves into the top 30 of Radio Songs in just its third week. The track's popularity is spurring sales of Owl City's debut "Ocean Eyes" as it leaps into the top 10 of the Billboard 200.
Adam shares on his MySpace site: "I follow Jesus Christ Wholeheartedly. He is my life, my strength, my all." His bio in part reads: "Adam Young has been clear since his start in the music industry that although he is a devout Christian he does not want to be put in one box as far as his music goes, it is not Christian Pop, it is not Electronica, it is not Disco Pop, it isn't Synthetically Engineered it simply is music by Owl City."
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Large Market CCM Station airing mainstream music
CMDish is reporting that to the dismay of some listeners, The River 102.3 (KPEZ-FM), an Austin TX based Christian AC radio station, recently introduced mainstream titles into their lineup.
Yes.com, which tracks radio station airplay in many markets across the country, revealed that one particular hour of programming on The River was only about 40% Christian.
In an interview with CMDish.com, The River Program Director, Gary Walsh said that the decision to add mainstream music to the station’s playlist was a mutual and local decision and that Clear Channel didn’t shove the idea down their throat.
Over the years, Christian radio stations have begun playing crossover mainstream acts like The Fray and Lifehouse, but to play secular acts like Kelly Clarkson and Gwen Stefani is very rare with large market Christian stations.
According to Walsh, The River has amazingly already captured nearly 80% of the Christian audience in the Austin market. However, their mission is to reach all families in Austin, not just those who consider themselves to be Christians.
Yes.com, which tracks radio station airplay in many markets across the country, revealed that one particular hour of programming on The River was only about 40% Christian.
In an interview with CMDish.com, The River Program Director, Gary Walsh said that the decision to add mainstream music to the station’s playlist was a mutual and local decision and that Clear Channel didn’t shove the idea down their throat.
Over the years, Christian radio stations have begun playing crossover mainstream acts like The Fray and Lifehouse, but to play secular acts like Kelly Clarkson and Gwen Stefani is very rare with large market Christian stations.
According to Walsh, The River has amazingly already captured nearly 80% of the Christian audience in the Austin market. However, their mission is to reach all families in Austin, not just those who consider themselves to be Christians.
Should a Christian Ministry Play Host to Bands With a Message Contrary to the Gospel?
Can a Christian ministry play host to bands with a message contrary to the Gospel? Gospel Soundcheck has facilitated such a debate the past few weeks due to Rocketown's controversial hosting of Satanic bands for a night of concerts. Links here and here.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Relient K Hits Billboard Chart at #15
The latest from GRAMMY® nominated Relient K, Forget and Not Slow Down, debuted at #15 on the Billboard Top 200.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Concert of the Decade?
Watch live performances from Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, MercyMe, Natalie Grant and Kirk Franklin on Monday October 12. The artists have all donated their time and expenses to support the GMA.
“In a time of restricted sponsorship dollar availability and financial hardships faced by many in our community, the GMA has continued to be there for all of us, offering first class events, tackling important legislative issues and promoting the genre to the world through the Dove Awards. The organization faces financial obstacles that require all of our help to overcome. This dinner concert is a way to not only ensure the viability of GMA in the future, but to have the concert experience of a lifetime,” Ed Leonard, chairman of the GMA Board of Directors, said.
“In a time of restricted sponsorship dollar availability and financial hardships faced by many in our community, the GMA has continued to be there for all of us, offering first class events, tackling important legislative issues and promoting the genre to the world through the Dove Awards. The organization faces financial obstacles that require all of our help to overcome. This dinner concert is a way to not only ensure the viability of GMA in the future, but to have the concert experience of a lifetime,” Ed Leonard, chairman of the GMA Board of Directors, said.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Mat Kearney teams with Kris Allen
Mat Kearney has been heard everywhere from "Grey's Anatomy" to on tour with Keane. The next place the singer/songwriter hopes to hear his work is the debut of "American Idol" winner Kris Allen.
Kearney teamed up with Kris in early August to write a tune (watch interview with MTV News below).
Amid a flurry of the usual "Idol" collaborators, Allen surprised many when he announced that he was also working with Kearney according to MTV. The singer/songwriter was just as surprised. "I think [Kris] was just a fan," Kearney said of how they ended up collaborating. "What he told me was that he was just picking bands that he liked." (Those bands apparently include Semisonic, Daughtry, the Fray and the Calling — members from each of those groups have all been mentioned in connection with Kris' album.)
Kearney teamed up with Kris in early August to write a tune (watch interview with MTV News below).
Amid a flurry of the usual "Idol" collaborators, Allen surprised many when he announced that he was also working with Kearney according to MTV. The singer/songwriter was just as surprised. "I think [Kris] was just a fan," Kearney said of how they ended up collaborating. "What he told me was that he was just picking bands that he liked." (Those bands apparently include Semisonic, Daughtry, the Fray and the Calling — members from each of those groups have all been mentioned in connection with Kris' album.)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Newboys Kick Off Fall Tour With New Lead Michael Tait
Now we'll see how Newsboys fans really feel about Michael Tait at the helm of the Newsboys. They kick off their Fall "The Way We Roll" tour today, with special guests Seventh Day Slumber and Bread of Stone, and it'll be interesting to track ticket sales.
This is the Newsboys' first full-length tour featuring new front man Michael Tait, who stepped into the role mid-tour earlier this year after longtime leader Peter Furler decided to take a more behind-the-scenes role.
The change took many Newsboys' fans by surprise and was met with a mixed emotions. Some fans thought the change was good; some thought it was too much DC Talk mixed with Newsboys. But most were disappointed they didn't know ahead of time that Tait had taken over the lead spot and weren't offered the opportunity for a refund.
This is the Newsboys' first full-length tour featuring new front man Michael Tait, who stepped into the role mid-tour earlier this year after longtime leader Peter Furler decided to take a more behind-the-scenes role.
The change took many Newsboys' fans by surprise and was met with a mixed emotions. Some fans thought the change was good; some thought it was too much DC Talk mixed with Newsboys. But most were disappointed they didn't know ahead of time that Tait had taken over the lead spot and weren't offered the opportunity for a refund.
Wilson Phillips Star Returns Amidst Family Crisis
Chynna Phillips, who found fame as part of the pop trio Wilson Phillips, is back with a Christian pop album. She teamed up with singer songwriter Vaughn Penn and for their release, One Reason, hit stores on the 22nd.
The very next day, Chynna Phillips' half sister Mackenzie Phillps released her memoir, "High On Arrival," in which she revealed that she'd had an on-again-off-again 'consensual relationship' with her father John Phillips, of the 60s folk group The Mama and the Papas.
Chynna Phillips is married to actor Billy Baldwin, whom she described to People Magazine as "an evolving Christian." Phillips became a Christian as a teen, but rediscovered her faith years later.
Vaughn Penn, the other half of the new duo, committed her music career to God during a life-threatening medical condition four years ago, and began to write songs to specifically encourage others to develop a relationship with Christ.
The very next day, Chynna Phillips' half sister Mackenzie Phillps released her memoir, "High On Arrival," in which she revealed that she'd had an on-again-off-again 'consensual relationship' with her father John Phillips, of the 60s folk group The Mama and the Papas.
Chynna Phillips is married to actor Billy Baldwin, whom she described to People Magazine as "an evolving Christian." Phillips became a Christian as a teen, but rediscovered her faith years later.
Vaughn Penn, the other half of the new duo, committed her music career to God during a life-threatening medical condition four years ago, and began to write songs to specifically encourage others to develop a relationship with Christ.
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