Casting Crowns' latest album, Until The Whole World Hears sold 167,432 copies its first week, landing at No. 4 on Billboard's Top 200 chart. That makes Casting Crowns the third strongest album debut in the nation on Billboard's Top 200 Chart, behind John Mayer and Norah Jones.
In addition, the band had another strong sales week as its recent RIAA certified Gold 2008 Christmas album Peace On Earth sold over 56K units this week alone.
Casting Crowns' 2003 self-titled debut has sold 1.7 million units, according to Nielsen SoundScan, spawning such hits as "Voice of Truth" and "Who Am I." The band followed with 2005's "Lifesong," which has sold 1.2 million units. "The Altar and the Door," released in 2007, has sold 949,000 copies. Along the way, the act has also issued a 2008 Christmas collection, "Peace on Earth," and three live projects.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Skillet's Comatose Goes Gold
Rockers Skillet’s 2006 release, Comatose, has been certified Gold by the RIAA, while their latest effort, Awake, which debuted on the Billboard Top 200 at No. 2, has surpassed 200,000 units in just 12 weeks.
Flyleaf Drops in at #8
Memento Mori, the new album from FLYLEAF, debuted at No. 8 on The Billboard 200, selling 56,400 copies in its first week of release according to Nielsen SoundScan. It was produced by Howard Benson who also has Daughtry, Third Day, Creed, Mae, Relient K, Skillet and P.O.D. to his credits. It's interesting how he continues to work with Christian artists.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Foreigner's Lou Gramm Knows What Love Is
Lou Gramm is interviewed by the 700 Club. Interesting learnings include that he takes 16 prescribed medications twice a day because of a brain tumor that almost killed him.
He became a Christian after checking himself into rehab and soon afterwards found himself praying the sinner’s prayer with a staff pastor.
He became a Christian after checking himself into rehab and soon afterwards found himself praying the sinner’s prayer with a staff pastor.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Steven Curtis Chapman Featured on CNN.com
Steven Curtis Chapman is being featured on the home page of CNN.com. The article deals with how he uses music to cope with the loss of his daughter.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Carrie Underwood Places Christian Songs on her iTunes Playlist
Carrie Underwood lists four Christian songs on her iTunes playlist: Casting Crowns' 'Praise You in this Storm,' PCD's 'Revelation Song' and two tracks from Thousand Foot Krutch's new album "Welcome To The Masquerade."
Check out what she has to say:
"Fire It Up": "I love love love this band. They can do it all! Awesome. Trevor has amazing vocals paired with GIANT guitars. Makes me jump around the room!"
"Already Home": "Once again, I love this band. This song is just great ...enough said!"
"Praise You in This Storm": "There are times in everyone's lives where things aren't so good and it becomes easier to blame our problems on others. This song reminds us to praise God even in the worst of times, and we'll get through it because He's always with us."
"Revelation Song": "Awesome song"
Check out what she has to say:
"Fire It Up": "I love love love this band. They can do it all! Awesome. Trevor has amazing vocals paired with GIANT guitars. Makes me jump around the room!"
"Already Home": "Once again, I love this band. This song is just great ...enough said!"
"Praise You in This Storm": "There are times in everyone's lives where things aren't so good and it becomes easier to blame our problems on others. This song reminds us to praise God even in the worst of times, and we'll get through it because He's always with us."
"Revelation Song": "Awesome song"
Dr. James Dobson leaving Focus on the Family radio show and ministry
Focus on the Family Founder James C. Dobson will leave the ministry as its primary radio voice at the end of February, the ministry announced.
Jim Daly, the ministry's president and CEO, explains that "Dr. Dobson's departure from the radio program and from official affiliation with the organization he founded in 1977 is just the 'third chapter in a transition that began in 2003,' when Dr. Dobson stepped down as Focus president."
Dr. Dobson later explained that the board did ask for his resignation at a meeting last week, but was emphatic that there was "not one word of criticism or conflict" spoken during the meeting, and the entire process was conducted with love. After 32 years of service with the ministry he founded, it's time to put closure to the phased transition.
Dr. Dobson is not ill, he hasn't committed some transgression nor are he and the board at odds, and Focus on the Family will go on.
Dr. Dobson's comments can be heard on the Focus on the Family site.
Jim Daly, the ministry's president and CEO, explains that "Dr. Dobson's departure from the radio program and from official affiliation with the organization he founded in 1977 is just the 'third chapter in a transition that began in 2003,' when Dr. Dobson stepped down as Focus president."
Dr. Dobson later explained that the board did ask for his resignation at a meeting last week, but was emphatic that there was "not one word of criticism or conflict" spoken during the meeting, and the entire process was conducted with love. After 32 years of service with the ministry he founded, it's time to put closure to the phased transition.
Dr. Dobson is not ill, he hasn't committed some transgression nor are he and the board at odds, and Focus on the Family will go on.
Dr. Dobson's comments can be heard on the Focus on the Family site.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Another Poor Example of 'Girl Power'
New site, CMDish.com unveils how yet another former Christian singer (remember Katy Perry) has crossed over to the secular side, but not in a positive way in which we have become accustomed.
Maria first entered the CCM scene when she performed guest vocals with Jody McBrayer on the song “Never Alone” which received a fair amount of radio airplay.
In 2008, Maria moved to Atlanta, was signed to R&B singer Ne-Yo’s label and began working on her album that is now slated for a December 29th release. Based on the available singles, the lyrics are sexually suggestive as typical of pop music these days. However, just about all of the interviews that CMDish has sorted through featuring quotes from Maria don’t seem to indiciate that she has given up her Christian upbringing. Maria is upfront about her time in the CCM bubble and seems to have no regrets.
Maria first entered the CCM scene when she performed guest vocals with Jody McBrayer on the song “Never Alone” which received a fair amount of radio airplay.
In 2008, Maria moved to Atlanta, was signed to R&B singer Ne-Yo’s label and began working on her album that is now slated for a December 29th release. Based on the available singles, the lyrics are sexually suggestive as typical of pop music these days. However, just about all of the interviews that CMDish has sorted through featuring quotes from Maria don’t seem to indiciate that she has given up her Christian upbringing. Maria is upfront about her time in the CCM bubble and seems to have no regrets.
Jason Castro Explains Why He Is Second
I Am Second has released a video of American Idol alum, Jason Castro. In the video, he explains how he was having difficulty choosing a song during 80s week on American Idol. He selected "Hallelujah" which propelled him into the final four. He speaks of how Hallelujah is a special word reserved for God and how excited he was to sing the word in front of millions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)