Bebe Winans Criticized For Performing for Republican Convention

Gospel singer and registered Democrat Bebe Winans has upset some fans by performing at the Republican National Convention in Tampa last night. Some have interpreted his presence as an endorsement of GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, but Winans says his performance wasn't about politics.

Winans, who performed in 2004 at the Democratic National Convention and also campaigned for President Barack Obama when he ran for office, baffled fans tuned into broadcasts of the RNC last night, when Romney accepted his party's nomination for the presidency.

Apparently aware that some might be upset with his presence in Tampa, Winans told The Washington Post ahead of his closing performance: "I want to remind people that before any association with any party that we're all Americans. No matter who wins, if we don't come together and really invest in the country we love, we're not going to solve the problems."

However, some fans who didn't see it that way took to Twitter to assail the Christian singer, who earned a standing ovation for his performance of "America, America."

Others thought it best to voice their disagreement by boycotting Winans' music. While others wrote: "Bebe Winans received a healthy dose of left-wing intolerance last night. The disgraceful comments lobbed at this man by Democrats were simply disgusting."

Winans shared with The Washington Post that he had also been scheduled to perform at the Democratic National Convention next week in Charlotte, N.C., but those plans have fallen through.

"I was, but the invitation was taken back," Winans said. "No hard feelings."
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Are Christian Media Avoiding '2016: Obama's America?'

The filmmakers of "2016: Obama's America" are questioning why some Christian media and even some Christian leaders are reluctant to give movie reviews or place ads of their documentary-style film. Although not financed by any political group, the movie critically questions President Obama's worldview and paints a dire future under a second-term should he be re-elected.

"Christians can be weirdly defensive and timid about standing up for what we believe. Maybe this is why we have let the culture slip away from us," co-producer Dinesh D'Souza told The Christian Post on Thursday. "This film is one that would passionately interest many conservative Christians, so it is downright strange that some Christian editors and Christian leaders would deny their audiences a chance to hear about it."

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Double Platinum Crowns

Casting Crowns recently received notification of its first career RIAA certified double Platinum album. Casting Crowns, the band's 2005 debut release, is one of only eight Christian projects ever to achieve 2x multi-Platinum status.

Joining the elite ranks of other 2x multi-Platinum Christian CDs including Satellite (P.O.D.), The Beautiful Letdown (Switchfoot) and Almost There (MercyMe), Casting Crowns was the band's breakthrough album, spawning Gold single "Who Am I," while making Casting Crowns a household name. The group has since become one of the most decorated acts in Christian music, reigning as Billboard's top-selling CCM artist since 2007.

Owl City, Tenth Avenue North Fly Into Top 10

Owl City's "The Midsummer Station" premieres at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking the act's third top 10 set. The album's current single, "Good Time" (with Carly Rae Jepsen), has been percolating in the top 15 of the Billboard Hot 100 for the past month.

Owl City's last full-length set, 2011's "All Things Bright and Beautiful," debuted and peaked at No. 6. However, the album only spent nine weeks on the charts - a meager total compared to the 56 frames the act's debut album "Ocean Eyes," spent on the list. ("Ocean" was fueled by the No. 1 Hot 100 single "Fireflies.") It's probably safe to suspect that the new album could have a longer shelf life than "All Things" on the chart, thanks to the popularity of his Jepsen collaboration.

Downloads made up 72% of Owl City's first week, as compared to the 38% they accounted for the #1 title. That's not terribly surprising, as digital sales amounted to 48% of the total sales of Owl City's last album.

Tenth Avenue North also debuted in the top 10 this week, as the group's "The Struggle" arrives at a career-high No. 9 and with a weekly sales peak for the act. Over on the Top Christian Albums chart, the set bows at No. 1 -- the group's second leader on that tally.

TobyMac's New Release Rises to #3 on Amazon, Remains at #1 on iTunes

TobyMac's new release, Eye on It, rises to #3 (Deluxe Edition) on Amazon and is at #17 on the Amazon MP3 Albums chart. It's also risen to #6 on the Bestsellers (physical copy) chart on Amazon.com.

Apple is featuring the title and it remains at #1 on iTunes.

TobyMac's New Release #6 and #16 on Amazon Charts

TobyMac's latest release, Eye On It, is sitting at both the #6 (Deluxe Edition) and #16 positions on the Amazon MP3 Albums chart.  Ironically, it's also #8 on the Bestsellers (physical copy) chart on Amazon.com.

TobyMac's New Release #1 and #8 on iTunes Charts

TobyMac's latest release, Eye On It, is sitting at both the #1 (Deluxe Edition) and #8 positions on the iTunes Top Albums chart.  It's also the #2 on the Movers and Shakers chart on Amazon.com.

Tenth Avenue North's new release, sits at #33 on iTunes Top Albums chart.

Mandisa Shares Her Weight Loss Story on Good Morning America

Mandisa shares her weight loss story on Good Morning America.

Watch here

Mandisa and TobyMac Perform Good Morning on Good Morning America

Almost as natural as peanut butter and jelly, Mandisa and TobyMac perform her hit Good Morning on Good Morning America.

Watch here.

Robin Roberts appears familiar with Mandisa and TobyMac's music.

TobyMac Performs on Fox & Friends

GSN'S "The American Bible Challenge" Debuts As the Network's #1 Program of All Time

GSN's highly anticipated original series "The American Bible Challenge" garnered the network's highest delivery in its 17-year history with 2.3 million total viewers for the night and 1.7 million total viewers for its series premiere at 8 pm ET on Thursday, August 23rd.

"The American Bible Challenge" outperformed the previous record by over half a million viewers and solidified itself as a destination program by posting triple digit gains from its strong lead-in across all demos ("Family Feud" hosted by Steve Harvey). The GSN original series ranked among the Top 5 cable networks in total viewers, women 25-54 and viewers 25-54 in its time period.

"The best-selling book of all time is now GSN's most viewed program of all time, which proves that consumers are yearning for fun, family- friendly entertainment," said Amy Introcaso-Davis, EVP, GSN. "We are incredibly proud of this show and are happy that it connected with so many viewers."

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Kevin Max of dc Talk and Dave Ghazarian of Superchick Join Audio Adrenaline

JFH is reporting that Audio Adrenaline which disbanded in 2007 has reformed. Original lead vocalist Mark Stuart has had vocal issues for years, which then played a part in the band's break-up.

Perhaps inspired by Newsboys' decision to recruit former dc Talk vocalist Michael Tait when Peter Furler stepped down, Audio Adrenaline has enlisted the aid of dc Talk vocal powerhouse Kevin Max to take the reins. As far as other Audio A members returning, the only original member to pick up his instrument once again is bass player Will McGinniss. Drummer Ben Cissell will not be returning, and neither will guitarist/vocalist Tyler Burkum who has been on the road with Mat Kearney (almost since Audio A disbanded in the spring of '07) and is also a member of the band Leagues.

Joining Max in the new Audio Adrenaline is former Superchick guitarist Dave Ghazarian on guitar (who also has been playing with Peter Furler's band this year) and Bleach drummer Jared Byers on drums. Byers actually filled in for Cissell on Audio A's final spring tour in 2007 when Cissell had already been committed to his first post-AA job as manager of Nashville youth club Rocketown. To make the band a quintet, solo artist Jason Walker will be providing keys and additional vocals (much like Burkum did, according to McGinniss), and recently worked with AA members Mark Stuart and McGinniss on the Know Hope Collective project.

The newly revitalized band is hoping to raise funds and awareness for the Haitian orphan ministry called The Hands and Feet Project through this new musical chapter in Audio A's history, and are hoping to hop on the festival circuit in the coming months. Audio Adrenaline is also planning a new studio album to be released in 2013!

More details about the new Audio Adrenaline will be announced soon.

Bible Quiz Show Teams Play to 'Bless Somebody,' Says Host Jeff Foxworthy

After five years hosting the successful “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” television program, Jeff Foxworthy was a hot commodity in game show circles.

The comedian was pitched many, many ideas. Most, he says, were horrible or simply not up his alley.

“American Bible Challenge” (debuting tonight at 8 on GSN for a ten-episode run) didn’t entice him at first, either: “I didn’t want to do a game show about the Bible. I didn’t want to stand in line in Hell because of a game show!”

But when Foxworthy learned the show’s contestants would compete to win cash for selected charities, his stance softened.

The trick, he says, was to “make it fun and interesting, but not be disrespectful to the Bible.”

The pilot episode, which Foxworthy shot this spring in Los Angeles, failed to strike that balance. “It was flat and dry. We went back and retooled it.”

The show’s writers came up with fresher concepts. In one upcoming episode, contestants must decide if a quote came from “The Lord of the Rings” — or the Lord’s book. Playing off the popularity of Facebook, one question category was dubbed “Faithbook.”

Another episode includes a familiar-sounding topic: “Biblical rednecks.” The writers were inspired by Foxworthy, who became known in the 1980s for his “You might be a redneck” jokes.

“One day, I was going through the Bible, finding people with redneck traits. Samson got mad at his neighbor, tied fox tails together, set them on fire and burned the guy’s fields up.

“That’s a Biblical redneck!”

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Jordin Sparks Glitters

If re-runs of VH1’s “Behind the Music” and movies like Dreamgirls, Walk the Line, and Almost Famous have taught us anything, it’s that the journey to musical superstardom is never as easy or as glamorous as it seems. If anything, they are cautionary tales full of uncomfortable compromises and tragedy.

Still, there are plenty of artists like Jordin Sparks who not only make a successful career in entertainment work, but manage to keep their integrity intact in the process. As the youngest winner of “American Idol” at age 17, the now 22-year-old Platinum recording artist and Broadway alum who’s making her feature film debut in the highly anticipated Sparkle, relies heavily on her personal faith and the support of her tight-knit family to stay grounded.

Sparks shared that working with the late Whitney Houston gave her a sense of perspective. In addition to respecting the singer’s “down-to-earth demeanor,” she also admired Houston’s openness about past mistakes, saying it gave her the courage “not to be ashamed of her own [failings] at any time.”

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DreamWorks Buys VeggieTales's Owner

DreamWorks Animation has purchased Classic Media, the parent company of Big Idea and the VeggieTales brand. Big Idea will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year.

The $155 million deal gives DreamWorks the rights to more than 450 family titles, including Lassie, Casper the Ghost, The Lone Ranger, and George of the Jungle.

"DreamWorks Animation respects and supports Big Idea's successful history in producing faith-based, family friendly entertainment and is committed to supporting our growth," Big Idea manager Leslie Ferrell said to Christian Retailing. "We expect many wonderful things to come of this partnership."

"[Classic Media] is arguably one of the largest, most valuable collection of characters and branded assets left in the world today," DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, said to Bloomberg News. "We see this really providing DreamWorks with whole new sets of opportunities."

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Mac Powell Releases Self-Titled Country Project

Mac Powell, front man of the multi-platinum selling, four time GRAMMY and American Music Award winning rock band Third Day, releases his self-titled debut country music album on August 21, 2012. The CD features twelve songs by the #1 hit songwriter including his first single, “June Bug” which he released last month through his Twitter account (@macpowell) to his more than 80,000 followers.
 
His recent solo country performance debut at the 2012 CMA Music Festival in Nashville resulted
in a host of media and fan accolades. Of his song, “One Mississippi,” USA Today’s Lucas Hendrickson writes, “Note to country radio programmers: keep an ear out for ‘One Mississippi.’ And keep a spoon handy, for you will be eating this song up with it.”

“There have been so many times in the past that I had song ideas that didn’t really fit lyrically or musically with Third Day,” Powell wrote on his personal Tumblr site, announcing the project. “I filed those songs away to the ‘maybe sometime’ category. Well, that time is now.”

Powell also stresses that his work with Third Day continues, with the band putting the finishing touches on a new album – helmed by veteran rock producer Brendan O’Brien – that’s due
for release this fall with a Spring 2013 tour to follow.

Josh Turner Not Afraid To Share His Faith

 Not every person called to a career in music is called to be a Christian artist. Just ask Josh Turner. A devout believer and double-platinum selling country star, the influence of Turner’s faith and family is woven throughout his music, beginning with his 2003 debut hit “Long Black Train.”
 
Though some artists who make a living courting mainstream consumers are sometimes a little hesitant to talk about their faith, Turner has no qualms.

When asked why it’s important to him to write and record songs that express his faith, Turner told gmc,

“Because that’s a part of who I am. I’ve always tried to be who I am. I’ve never claimed to be a preacher. I’m not trying to preach to people, but at the same time, I’m commissioned to speak the name of Jesus and that’s a huge part of me, so if I leave that part out of my music, I’m leaving a part of myself out that is very important... It is a very conscious decision so there’s [sic] several songs on this record that lean to the spiritual side of things. I’m a very spiritual person. Some people refer to my faith as a religion and it’s not a religion. It’s more of a relationship.”

full article here

No Longer Travelling Down Addison Road

Critically acclaimed singer and songwriter Jenny Simmons, who helmed the Dove Award-nominated band Addison Road, will unveil her debut solo album early next year. The project, The Becoming, will release on February 12, 2013, and will be preceded by the lead radio single, "Heaven Waits For Me," which goes for adds at radio on Sept. 14th.

Leveraging the production skills of Paul Moak (Mat Kearney, Third Day) and Seth Mosley (Newsboys), Simmons penned The Becoming in the wake of Addison Road deciding to amicably disband. After years of touring and giving Christian music fans powerful songs such as "Hope Now," "What Do I Know of Holy," "All That Matters" and "This Little Light of Mine," the decade-old band is stepping off the stage.

"As a band, we have collectively decided to put a definite end to Addison Road," she states. Simmons, who started the band with her then-fiancee, Ryan (now husband of 10 years), at Baylor University in 2000 says its the best break-up she’s ever been a part of. “I hate break-ups, but this was as beautiful as a split can be! The guys were tired of living out of buses and leaving their families behind. In our case it was taking a toll on our marriage to raise our daughter on the road, work together, and then try and be married at the end of the day. After our 2010 tour with Tenth Avenue North and Matt Maher, it became clear to each of us that God was releasing us from Addison Road and ushering each of us as individuals into new seasons.”