Jeremy Camp was awarded his fourth RIAA Gold Certified album for Beyond Measure last week in Nashville, TN. In addition to his Gold Record, BEC Recordings’ General Manager Tyson Paoletti presented Jeremy Camp with a commemorative plaque honoring over three million albums sold in his career.
"It is an overwhelming joy to see how the Lord has been faithful even though I am undeserving of it,” shared Camp on this career milestone. “I just want to continue to seek Him in all that I do, and want to always remember that it’s the Lord doing the work...not me! I'm so thankful for those who have stood by my side with much prayer and encouragement."
Friday, April 30, 2010
Why Film's Golden Age Ended
Chuck Colson argues modern films are on-the-whole inferior because filmmakers have lost the art of storytelling-along with their grounding in a view of life that fits with the structure of reality. Instead, they offer false claims of salvation-along with graphic sex and violence to titillate instead of challenging the imaginations of their viewers. Requiring movie makers to exercise restraint “was, on balance, beneficial to the creative process."
Jason Castro - An 'Idol' with Soul
Though he didn't win the seventh season of American Idol, third-place finisher Jason Castro was an enduring fan favorite for his sweet demeanor and soaring performances of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and his own ukulele-accompanied "Over the Rainbow." Both songs appear on "deluxe" versions of Castro's self-titled debut album, which released two weeks ago.
The dreadlocked singer/songwriter wants the world to know about the second part of that description—songwriter. He's not "just" a singer, like most Idol alums. Castro penned seven of the eight songs ("Hallelujah" is the eighth) on the more widely available version of the new album—mostly poems about love (he just got married in January) and friendship.
A committed Christian, Castro talked to Christianity Today about his new album, how his faith informs his songwriting and his performances, and how David Crowder Band was instrumental in his conversion.
The dreadlocked singer/songwriter wants the world to know about the second part of that description—songwriter. He's not "just" a singer, like most Idol alums. Castro penned seven of the eight songs ("Hallelujah" is the eighth) on the more widely available version of the new album—mostly poems about love (he just got married in January) and friendship.
A committed Christian, Castro talked to Christianity Today about his new album, how his faith informs his songwriting and his performances, and how David Crowder Band was instrumental in his conversion.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Afters & Jordin Sparks Share "Secrets of the Mountain"
The Afters’ “Never Going Back to OK” is featured on the soundtrack of the family friendly film “Secrets of the Mountain.” Hand-picked for the soundtrack by American Idol judge, Randy Jackson, The Afters’ music will be featured with the likes of Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks and more on the soundtrack. The “Secrets of the Mountain” debuted in first place on NBC April 16th.
The movie focuses on a single mother who brings her family to a mountainside cabin. The film highlights values such as generosity, honesty and togetherness. The DVD version of the film bundled with the soundtrack will be available exclusively at Walmart.
The movie focuses on a single mother who brings her family to a mountainside cabin. The film highlights values such as generosity, honesty and togetherness. The DVD version of the film bundled with the soundtrack will be available exclusively at Walmart.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Winning the Debate
Trevin Wax has a fantastic article that addresses the unfortunate recent trend of Christian artists 'coming out' and how we can better defend our position. He writes in part:
Find the rest of this must-read here.
If we are to re-frame this discussion along biblical lines, then we must emphasize the necessity of repentance for the Christian faith. The point is not that the pastor and the Knapp are both sinners. It's that the pastor agrees with God about his sin, while Knapp remains in her sin without repentance. That is why he is questioning her Christianity, for Christian teaching makes clear the necessity of repentance as the entryway into the Christian family.
Find the rest of this must-read here.
Monday, April 26, 2010
"Letters to God" Remains in Top 20
Letters to God fell 42% to receipts of $800K in its second week of release. This was enough to land in 17th place, but likely not enough to keep it in theaters.
“In the movie world, in Hollywood world, that’s not a very good showing,” said David Nixon after the film's release last weekend. "And unfortunately, the theater owners are threatening to take the movie out of theaters because not enough people came this weekend."
Last week, the movie director encouraged the film’s supporters to get their friends, family, and even church to see the movie this weekend or even purchase tickets in advance for following weekends.
“That would make all the difference,” Nixon said. “We need to change this trend right now and get more people to come see the movie this weekend. And then hopefully the theater owners will keep it in theaters so that more people can see it."
“In the movie world, in Hollywood world, that’s not a very good showing,” said David Nixon after the film's release last weekend. "And unfortunately, the theater owners are threatening to take the movie out of theaters because not enough people came this weekend."
Last week, the movie director encouraged the film’s supporters to get their friends, family, and even church to see the movie this weekend or even purchase tickets in advance for following weekends.
“That would make all the difference,” Nixon said. “We need to change this trend right now and get more people to come see the movie this weekend. And then hopefully the theater owners will keep it in theaters so that more people can see it."
Friday, April 23, 2010
MercyMe Makes History As "I Can Only Imagine" Passes 1 Million Downloads
"I Can Only Imagine" becomes the first song in Christian music genre to Platinum in digital sales. Their CD "All That Is Within Me" goes Gold.
Once again MercyMe has made history as their massive multi-format single “I Can Only Imagine” recently surpassed 1 million digital downloads, making it the first song in Christian music to go platinum in the digital domain. Simultaneously, their last studio record, All That Is Within Me, received RIAA Gold certification, continuing to place MercyMe in the unique position of having had all of their studio recordings receive gold or platinum status. MercyMe will release The Generous Mr. Lovewell on May 4th.
Jeff Moseley, president of INO Records, surprised MercyMe on the Rock & Worship Roadshow last week with plaques commemorating both honors, saying, “This award is a testament to the fact that a song can change the world. Selling one million downloads is an achievement that is unprecedented in Christian music and I couldn't be happier for the guys.”
Written by lead singer Bart Millard as his father was suffering from terminal cancer, MercyMe had what seemed like overnight success with "I Can Only Imagine,” when after topping the Christian radio charts, hit #4 on the mainstream Adult Contemporary charts and top 25 on Pop/CHR and Hot AC charts. The success of the song created a nationwide groundswell, as the American public called in to radio stations all across the country requesting stations play the song.
"Once again it is overwhelming to see the success that a song which is so personal to me has touched so many lives,” says MercyMe’s Bart Millard. “We are honored that our fans continue to buy our records and support our ministry. God has been way too good to us!"
Once again MercyMe has made history as their massive multi-format single “I Can Only Imagine” recently surpassed 1 million digital downloads, making it the first song in Christian music to go platinum in the digital domain. Simultaneously, their last studio record, All That Is Within Me, received RIAA Gold certification, continuing to place MercyMe in the unique position of having had all of their studio recordings receive gold or platinum status. MercyMe will release The Generous Mr. Lovewell on May 4th.
Jeff Moseley, president of INO Records, surprised MercyMe on the Rock & Worship Roadshow last week with plaques commemorating both honors, saying, “This award is a testament to the fact that a song can change the world. Selling one million downloads is an achievement that is unprecedented in Christian music and I couldn't be happier for the guys.”
Written by lead singer Bart Millard as his father was suffering from terminal cancer, MercyMe had what seemed like overnight success with "I Can Only Imagine,” when after topping the Christian radio charts, hit #4 on the mainstream Adult Contemporary charts and top 25 on Pop/CHR and Hot AC charts. The success of the song created a nationwide groundswell, as the American public called in to radio stations all across the country requesting stations play the song.
"Once again it is overwhelming to see the success that a song which is so personal to me has touched so many lives,” says MercyMe’s Bart Millard. “We are honored that our fans continue to buy our records and support our ministry. God has been way too good to us!"
Seabird Premieres Video on Seventeen Magazine site
The band Seabird has shared its official music video to the song "Don't You Know You're Beautiful" exclusively with Seventeen.
Read more: http://www.seventeen.com/fun-stuff/17-buzz/seabird-music-video#ixzz0lygyBoit
Read more: http://www.seventeen.com/fun-stuff/17-buzz/seabird-music-video#ixzz0lygyBoit
Dove Awards Signal Christian Music's Move to the Mainstream
"American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks belts out the show's opening number.
Midway through the evening, former heavy metal band Korn's lead guitarist, Brian"Head" Welch, brings down the house with his instrumental technique and athleticism.
Toward the end of the night, bluegrass icon Ricky Skaggs sings his new single.
The lineup suggests the Grammys. But the music signals a more heavenly intent.
This is the 41st Annual Dove Awards, which air Sunday night on the Gospel Music Channel. It is Christian music's big-night equivalent to the Grammy Awards.
According to Ed Leonard, president of the Gospel Music Association, there were nine Christian singles on Billboard's top 200 that debuted in the top 25 in 2008. Last year that number increased to 13.
Generating about a half a billion dollars, Christian music sales as a percentage of all music receipts rose to 7.2 percent last year from 6.8 percent in 2008. At the same time sales of other music saw losses.
Rest of article here.
Midway through the evening, former heavy metal band Korn's lead guitarist, Brian"Head" Welch, brings down the house with his instrumental technique and athleticism.
Toward the end of the night, bluegrass icon Ricky Skaggs sings his new single.
The lineup suggests the Grammys. But the music signals a more heavenly intent.
This is the 41st Annual Dove Awards, which air Sunday night on the Gospel Music Channel. It is Christian music's big-night equivalent to the Grammy Awards.
According to Ed Leonard, president of the Gospel Music Association, there were nine Christian singles on Billboard's top 200 that debuted in the top 25 in 2008. Last year that number increased to 13.
Generating about a half a billion dollars, Christian music sales as a percentage of all music receipts rose to 7.2 percent last year from 6.8 percent in 2008. At the same time sales of other music saw losses.
Rest of article here.
Monday, April 19, 2010
TobyMac on Fox & Friends
Last week, TobyMac appeared on The Fox News Channel’s morning show Fox & Friends performing his latest single "Get Back Up."
He also gave an exclusive online bonus performance of “Boomin” from his Grammy nominated album Portable Sounds during Fox & Friend’s “After the Show Show” as well as a stripped down version for Fox’s “Strategy Room”.
He also gave an exclusive online bonus performance of “Boomin” from his Grammy nominated album Portable Sounds during Fox & Friend’s “After the Show Show” as well as a stripped down version for Fox’s “Strategy Room”.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Third Day Notches Eighth Career RIAA Gold Certification
The honors and awards for Third Day’s Live Revelations: On Stage, Off Stage, Backstage keep flowing in, as the live concert video project earned a Gold sales certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. The RIAA Gold certification follows a busy early 2010 that saw the project earn a GRAMMY Award for the band, along with Dove Award nomination for Long Form Music Video of the Year.
“We’re definitely both honored and humbled to be receiving this news. It was our desire to give our fans a real sense of what life on the road looks like – just being ourselves; sometimes tense, sometimes funny but always being real,” says bassist Tai Anderson.
The Live Revelations honor marks the band’s eighth overall Gold certification and second for a video project, with Third Day, Offerings, Offerings II, Come Together, Time, Wherever You Are and the CD/DVD version of Live Wire all hitting Gold status. (Offerings and Live Wire have also hit the organization’s Platinum threshold.)
“We’re definitely both honored and humbled to be receiving this news. It was our desire to give our fans a real sense of what life on the road looks like – just being ourselves; sometimes tense, sometimes funny but always being real,” says bassist Tai Anderson.
The Live Revelations honor marks the band’s eighth overall Gold certification and second for a video project, with Third Day, Offerings, Offerings II, Come Together, Time, Wherever You Are and the CD/DVD version of Live Wire all hitting Gold status. (Offerings and Live Wire have also hit the organization’s Platinum threshold.)
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
'Letters to God' Reaches Box Office Top 10
“Letters to God” rounded out the box office top ten in its debut weekend with a gross of $1.25 million.
Though small compared to the No. 1 movie of the weekend, “Date Night,” which grossed around $27 million, the earnings of “Letters to God” places it around where “Facing the Giants” was when it came out in 2006.
“Facing the Giants,” considered one of the big screen pioneers for independent Christian films, debuted with a $1.3 million opening weekend and went on to gross over $10 million with just a $100,000 production budget.
Though 30 times larger, the production budget of “Letters to God” is still small by Hollywood standards and makes a $1.25 million debut a good start.
The movie, inspired by a true story, was produced by one of the filmmakers behind “Facing the Giants” and “Fireproof” and tells the story of a young cancer-stricken boy who corresponds regularly with God through prayers in the form of letters.
Though initially unsure about what to do with the letters, the beleaguered mailman assigned to deliver the ailing boy's letters decides to make a series of choices that will change his life and help the young boy touch the lives of those around him.
Though small compared to the No. 1 movie of the weekend, “Date Night,” which grossed around $27 million, the earnings of “Letters to God” places it around where “Facing the Giants” was when it came out in 2006.
“Facing the Giants,” considered one of the big screen pioneers for independent Christian films, debuted with a $1.3 million opening weekend and went on to gross over $10 million with just a $100,000 production budget.
Though 30 times larger, the production budget of “Letters to God” is still small by Hollywood standards and makes a $1.25 million debut a good start.
The movie, inspired by a true story, was produced by one of the filmmakers behind “Facing the Giants” and “Fireproof” and tells the story of a young cancer-stricken boy who corresponds regularly with God through prayers in the form of letters.
Though initially unsure about what to do with the letters, the beleaguered mailman assigned to deliver the ailing boy's letters decides to make a series of choices that will change his life and help the young boy touch the lives of those around him.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Carlos Whittaker On Good Morning America
Whittaker gained overnight popularity recently when he posted a clip of his children’s back-seat sing-a-long to Beyonce’s "Single Ladies" (and the now-famous incident that followed) on his blog last week, little did he know the priceless moment would grab the attention of CBS’ "The Early Show," NBC’s "TODAY with Kathie Lee and Hoda," ABC’s "Good Morning America," AOL, CNN and “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” among others, bringing nearly 1 million views to this video on YouTube in less than 4 days.
Whittaker will be partnering with Dillon International Texas, For This Child and Adoption Access adoption agencies in Dallas to bring awareness to the issue of adoption, an issue close to his heart. To bring meaning and unexpected depth to the entertaining moment, the viral video sensation is shedding new light on a subject dear to Whittaker’s heart: adoption. Whittaker plans to harness this recent popularity and use it to help others, by partnering with local adoption agencies on his tour.
The Whittaker’s four-year-old son, Losia was adopted from South Korea in 2006, and he will be using this as a platform to encourage others to adopt and bring awareness to the issue. The first single from Whittaker’s new project, Ragamuffin Soul, titled “God of Second Chances,” penned by Whittaker, Jason Ingram and Phillip LaRue, was partially inspired by Losiah’s adoption. Radio disc jockeys and listeners will not only hear about Carlos Whittaker’s upcoming album, Ragamuffin Soul, but become better aquainted with Carlos, the family man.
A husband and father of three, Whittaker also served as a key planner and teacher at last year’s Catalyst Conference in Atlanta, which drew over 12,000 people. Whittaker can currently be seen on tour with artists Shane & Shane and John Mark McMillan.
Whittaker will be partnering with Dillon International Texas, For This Child and Adoption Access adoption agencies in Dallas to bring awareness to the issue of adoption, an issue close to his heart. To bring meaning and unexpected depth to the entertaining moment, the viral video sensation is shedding new light on a subject dear to Whittaker’s heart: adoption. Whittaker plans to harness this recent popularity and use it to help others, by partnering with local adoption agencies on his tour.
The Whittaker’s four-year-old son, Losia was adopted from South Korea in 2006, and he will be using this as a platform to encourage others to adopt and bring awareness to the issue. The first single from Whittaker’s new project, Ragamuffin Soul, titled “God of Second Chances,” penned by Whittaker, Jason Ingram and Phillip LaRue, was partially inspired by Losiah’s adoption. Radio disc jockeys and listeners will not only hear about Carlos Whittaker’s upcoming album, Ragamuffin Soul, but become better aquainted with Carlos, the family man.
A husband and father of three, Whittaker also served as a key planner and teacher at last year’s Catalyst Conference in Atlanta, which drew over 12,000 people. Whittaker can currently be seen on tour with artists Shane & Shane and John Mark McMillan.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Who has had the most #1s?
Which artist has had the most #1 Christian singles? It's a bit tricky because Billboard has only been tracking for 7 years, but the order is:
No. 1 Songs, Artist
8 - MercyMe
7 - Casting Crowns
4 - Jeremy Camp
4 - Third Day
4 - Matthew West
What about albums? The answer may surprise you, I know the Top 7 certainly did for me because of some notable absences:
No. 1 Albums, Artist
19 - Michael W. Smith
9 - Steven Curtis Chapman
8 - Amy Grant
5 - Carman
5 - Kirk Franklin
5 - MercyMe
5 - P.O.D.
No. 1 Songs, Artist
8 - MercyMe
7 - Casting Crowns
4 - Jeremy Camp
4 - Third Day
4 - Matthew West
What about albums? The answer may surprise you, I know the Top 7 certainly did for me because of some notable absences:
No. 1 Albums, Artist
19 - Michael W. Smith
9 - Steven Curtis Chapman
8 - Amy Grant
5 - Carman
5 - Kirk Franklin
5 - MercyMe
5 - P.O.D.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Winter Jam Tour Sets Attendance Records
Christian music’s annual tour, the Winter Jam Tour, has concluded its 15th year with record-breaking attendance. The 44-city Winter Jam 2010 Tour Spectacular played to a total of more than 403,000 people, setting a new record for the tour.
Hosted by NewSong, Winter Jam featured multi-platinum Third Day, Newsboys, Tenth Avenue North, Fireflight, and guest speaker Tony Nolan.
Hosted by NewSong, Winter Jam featured multi-platinum Third Day, Newsboys, Tenth Avenue North, Fireflight, and guest speaker Tony Nolan.
Relient K Joins Paramore on Tour
Platinum-selling band Paramore is hitting the road in the US from April 26th to May 16th with special guests Relient K.
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