gmc Changes Its Name to UP

At the stroke of midnight as the calendar turns to June 1, gmc will begin writing the latest chapter in its evolution as America's leading television destination for uplifting entertainment when the network changes its name to UP. The fresh, new name will better communicate a clear sense of the network's unique brand position, which has been, and will continue to be, "Uplifting Entertainment."

Along with the new name the network introduces a new URL, UPtv.com.

"The response to our new name has been phenomenally positive," said Charley Humbard, president and CEO. "The beauty of UP is that it needs no explanation. Every hour of programming on UP is uplifting, inspiring and entertaining for the whole family. It captures the essence of our brand - uplifting entertainment - and will lend itself to many interesting and fun creative executions."

Starting June 1, viewers continue to see the great programming they have come to love along with a new logo and new on-air look. The introduction of UP will be supported with on-air image and cross-channel spots, a multi-platform marketing initiative and the launch of the on-air "Summer UP" campaign.

Leigh Anne Tuohy Appears on Katie to Promote Her New Show Family Addition

"The Blind Side" tells the real-life story of Leigh Anne Tuohy's adoption of Michael Oher. After being adopted into Leigh Anne’s home, Michael went on to play for the Baltimore Ravens and became a Super Bowl champion this year.

Leigh Anne goes on Katie to explain her mission to help adoptive families.  She is using her passion, experience and creativity to help other adoptive families in her new reality show "Family Addition" on UP.

Lecrae Talks of Sleepless Nights & Impacting Culture

Award-winning, bestselling rapper, Lecrae believes he, and other Christians, can impact culture simply by being engaged and demonstrating what "redemption has done" in a Christian's life, instead of creating sub-cultures or living life in a bubble.

A recent conversation with Ed Stetzer also touched on a comment Lecrae previously made in response to whether he views himself as a Christian rapper: "I am a Christian. I am a rapper. But Christian is my faith, not my genre."

Saying he knows such a statement "goes against the grain of cultural Christianity," Lecrae added: "We have to be careful with terms like 'Christian' and 'Gospel.'" He suggested that limiting those labels to simply a genre of music does a "disservice" to the Christian message of salvation in Jesus Christ.

"Christian is an identifying mark. It says I identify myself with Christ, I'm a follower of Christ," he emphasized. "I'd rather you not put the tag or the label 'Christian' on me (simply) because I say so." The rapper added that he welcomes the title "Christian" being applied to him if his character warrants it, but not simply because of the type of music he creates.

Read full article

Actress Alley Mills on How Buddhism, Jesus Picture Led Her to Christ

Actress Alley Mills ('The Wonder Years,' 'Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,' 'Yes, Dear') is unashamed to talk about Jesus Christ. However, while she was still a Buddhist working in Hollywood, she was more concerned about what people thought about her than she does now, she told The Christian Post in an interview.

Mills said that she had good survival skills as an actress before becoming a follower of Jesus 15 years ago, but that her priorities are much different now. She gives her Christian testimony in church and has talked about it in Bible study, but has never spoken to the press about her journey of faith prior to her interview with Christian Post.


(Photo: Alley Mills)


The actress grew up in New York  and was mostly raised by a caregiver. Her parents, a father that was a television executive and a mother that was a magazine art editor, were "rabid atheists," she said. They later divorced.

"From the age of a teenager, I was always seeking something outside what the real world was. I had a yearning for meaning," said Mills, 62. "That's why I became an actress in school. I went away to boarding school when my parents got divorced. My childhood had not been happy.

"I was always searching. I became a Buddhist in my twenties when I came to Los Angeles. I met a group of people who I really loved," she explained.

Being a Buddhist was part of her spiritual journey, she said. "I was a Buddhist for 20 years. At a certain point, in my late 30s I began to get unsettled about Buddhism. and the major thing was I felt like I needed to be grateful for this incredible creation … I've always loved nature. I've always been a hiker. I love the wilderness. I didn't realize it was God then, but I now do."

Her uncertainty began to grow as she realized that chanting "to a law in the universe" was beginning to not work for her. She was also concerned that some of the Buddhist leaders were "becoming a little bit egocentric."

A shift in her life began, she says, when she went to a Lutheran school's church service because it was recommended that as grandparents (Mills is married to actor and author Orson Bean) who are helping to place their grandchild in the school, they should attend.

"There on the wall [of the church where service was held] was a very old picture of Jesus and it was the same picture that the woman who raised me, my whole childhood, had by her bed," she said. "It was as if I was hit by a thunderbolt. I saw that picture and I suddenly remembered everything that I had not remembered at all about Mary (her caregiver) raising me pretty much from the age of two. She was a devout Christian. She was an African American. She kind of rescued me from a very crazy caregiver we had at that time, and always took me under her wing."

She said she completely forgot about this part of her childhood probably because her parents forbade the caregiver from teaching from the Bible at a certain point. "I remembered that happened in front of me when I was about six and she stopped reading me the Bible, which was awful. It must have broken her heart," Mills explained. "Unfortunately, she died before I became a Christian. I am convinced she prayed for me every day."

Later, Mills asked the pastor of the Lutheran school church if it was okay for her to attend even if she was a Buddhist. He told her it was fine just as long as he could have meetings with her and her husband over coffee.

"That pastor is still my husband's best friend and he baptized me 3 to 4 years later with my grandson," she said. "That was the beginning of a change in my life. It was a continuation for me… Buddhism was sort of a step. People worry about [Buddhism being the wrong spiritual path]. That's true, people can become complacent and remain stuck… but it wasn't for me, it was a step."

Mills said she now prays regularly before coming onto a set and has been shown that by doing so it can help her think less about herself and alleviate any worries. Most of her coworkers and the crew on the set of "The Bold and the Beautiful" know she is a Christian, she said.

Mills has also had discussions about her faith with conservative media mogul Andrew Brietbart, who was her stepson-in-law. She and her husband are in a scene of the documentary, "Hating Breitbart."

"In his book, Righteous Indignation: Excuse Me While I Save the World, Andrew wrote, 'Alley, I want you to know that your prayers have not gone unnoticed.' Nobody that knew him doubts that Andrew is up there with Jesus," she said. "He and I talked about faith a lot."

read full article

Foreigner Singer Lou Gramm Explains How Drugs and a Brain Tumor Nearly Killed Him & Becoming a Devout Believer

As the lead singer of Foreigner, Lou Gramm toured the world and helped the band to sell more than 70 million albums, but he bickered with co-writer and guitarist Mick Jones. He also developed a serious drug problem and nearly died from a brain tumor. It’s all recounted in his book “Juke Box Hero.” He spoke to Fox News about his career and beliefs.

Gramm recounts how he discovered his brain tumor at age 47.

Basically I was sent home and told I was going to die. I happened to be watching 20/20 a night or two later and there was a segment on Dr. Peter Black at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. How he was the purveyor of laser brain surgery and he was able to operate on brain tumors that were considered inoperable as mine was. At the end of the segment it gave his office number and I called it early the next morning and his secretary suggested I get my MRI’s, get on a plane and come immediately. I did and a day and a half later I was on the operating table. There was no time to waste, it was a nineteen hour operation.

Fox News: Isn’t that scary thinking what would have happened if you hadn’t seen that show?

I don’t know what I would have done. I found out I was born with the tumor. It took 47 years to grow big enough to make itself known and start interfering with my life.

Fox News: Like a lot of rock stars you also abused drugs. How long were they a problem?

A dozen years. When the brain tumor was discovered I’d been clean and sober for five years.

Fox News: And you’re born again. When did that happen?

That happened just literally before [addiction treatment center] Hazelden. We had played a sold out concert at Madison Square Garden and there was the record company party afterwards that lasted until four or five in the morning. Everybody was in that condition and I ended up back in my hotel room, of course I wasn’t able to sleep. I just started doing a little self assessment and thinking about what I had become and was very upset about it and worried about my children seeing me like this. I finally fell to my knees and asked God to take this plague away from me.

A couple of hours later I called my attorney and asked him to book me into Halzeden and I wasn’t going home. I spent the best thirty days of my life there.

I’m a devout born-again Christian. God plays a role in everything I do. I know he gave me life and saved my life. I serve him.

Fox News: Is it hard singing songs like, “Feels Like The First Time” now?

As the words come out I’m asking Him to forgive me and I’m only just doing a job. (Laughs). I’m hoping he does. If anyone would understand it would be him.

Fox News: You recorded a Christian rock album.

After I became clean and sober I promised myself at some point I would do this although it took another 10 or 12 years. I remembered that promise and really had the desire to work on an album like that.

Shirley Jones & Rebecca St. James Star In New Film "A Strange Brand of Happy"

Singer, songwriter and actress Rebecca St. James has another acting credit to her name now, and the film is slated to hit select theaters this Fall.  It comes out in 42 cities (and counting) Sept 13, but if people pre-buy tickets now, that increases the likelihood to open in more cities.

A Strange Brand of Happy is described as "a fun, funny romantic comedy with a subtle faith theme. We made it so people could have a good time with their friends and maybe have a conversation or two about the big things of life - things like love, meaning, happiness, God, pancakes...you get the idea." 

TobyMac Appearing on 'The View' May 24

TobyMac will be performing on ABC's "The View" for the second time May 24 at 11 a.m. EST.

The six-time Grammy Award winner will be performing his Billboard Christian chart No. 1 single "Me Without You," off of his Billboard Christian No. 1 album, Eye On It, as well.

"It's been a seriously encouraging year already ... it's hard to believe Eye On It only came out eight months ago. It's my honor to write songs that turn people's eyes toward a God who loves them. 'Steal My Show' is not just a song I want to sing, it's how I want to live," the former DC Talk frontman said.

The 48-year-old has sold over 11 million records as a solo artist and around 20 million more with his group DC Talk in the '80s and '90s as well as countless Dove Awards and six Grammys.

TobyMac helped introduce hip-hop to Christian music in the late '80s and later with his group evolved into genres covering dance, pop, R&B, and rock before going solo in 2000.

Amy Grant's Album, How Mercy Looks From Here, Debuts at No. 12 on the Billboard 200

On the heels of receiving some of the best reviews of her 30+ year career, six time GRAMMY® winner Amy Grant has even more to celebrate as her first full length album in 10 years, How Mercy Looks From Here, has garnered her a No. 12 debut on the Billboard 200, scanning over 26,000 units.

"Amy Grant has delivered a beautiful record of compelling songs that document her life experiences over the past decade since her last studio record," remarked Peter York President, Capitol CMG Label Group. "It's an authentic album of songs she's written that allow the listener to peer deeply into her heart and connect emotionally with her journey. It must be heard to be appreciated and I would encourage all to taste and see."

Following an extensive press and radio tour last week that included CBS This Morning, NPR's Weekend Edition, People.com, Morning Joe on MSNBC, WOR Radio with Rita Cosby, FUSE NEWS and more, Grant will make tour stops in the UK starting May 25, with previously filmed interviews airing next week on Lifetime TV shows "The Balancing Act" (5/28) and "Hollywood Watch" (5/31). Additionally, Grant is also scheduled to appear on the popular ABC daytime shows The View (6/20) and The Chew (7/19), while more critical acclaim for the project continues to roll in:

"Few singers probe issues of the spirit and of the heart with the warmth and intimacy of Amy Grant.….With a voice as organic and comforting as a wool sweater, Grant shows maturity by relying on her voice's amber tones and subtle phrasing without showing off or pushing any edges…..however we look at time, we should make the best of this moment - which is what Grant does on How Mercy Looks From Here." -Associated Press

Brian 'Head' Welch Reunites with Korn

Korn‘s reconciliation with guitarist Brian ‘Head’ Welch has been taken to the next level, as the band just revealed a video via Rolling Stone depicting Welch in the studio with Korn. The band has gathered to record their first album together in 10 years. Along with drummer Ray Luzier, the classic Korn members have welcomed Welch back into the recording studio to create the follow-up to the group’s 2011 dubstep-infused album.

Carman Announces 60-City Tour After Raising More Than $200K on Kickstarter

Carman, the popular recording artist and Christian evangelist who revealed a cancer diagnosis earlier this year, shared with fans that he has surpassed the $200,000 goal for his Kickstarter campaign to launch a new record, music video and tour.

"Christian music pioneer Carman launched a Kickstarter campaign April 19 with the goal to raise $200,000 for his first new album and music video in over 10 years. Remarkably, Carman not only reached his goal in 25 days, but also exceeded that goal, raising over $233,000 so far," reads a statement from his media team.

The statement went on to claim that Carman's fundraising campaign was "the second most funded music project ever on Kickstarter," although a member of Kickstarter's communications team was unable to verify the apparent feat.

Carman's campaign, which still has 32 days to go before the project is considered funded, has attracted more than 2,500 backers.

FCC proposing to allow more sex and profanity during kids’ television viewing hours

If you thought that our television channels were already saturated with enough sex, vulgarity and profanity, you may want to brace yourself – the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is proposing changes to its guidelines that would allow more racy content to infiltrate the small screen during hours when kids could tune in.

A public notice posted on the regulatory agency’s website last month said that FCC is launching a review that may end the prohibition of expletives and certain images of nudity on television. The FCC had first given the public until May 20 to weigh in on the hot-button issue, but that deadline was recently extended to June 19.

And in overwhelming numbers, Americans have been quick to express their outrage over the potential changes, which could pave the way to more adult themes on prime-time programs. The FCC has received almost 95,000 comments on this proposal, whereas the next highest active proceeding has a mere 320 comments.

“Today’s television programming already goes well beyond the content parameters most parents find acceptable. No parent, after watching a program with their children says, ‘you know, that sure would have been a better program if they’d only thrown some nudity and profanity in there,’” said Bryan Fischer, director of issues analysis at the American Family Association. “The pressure is coming from the broadcast networks, who don’t want to be accountable to anyone for content. But the airwaves are owned by the American people, and the FCC is supposed to be a responsible steward of the airwaves for their true owners.”

So what exactly would the potential changes mean?

“Prime time television will start looking more like cable television in terms of language and content,” John Conway, entertainment attorney and CEO of Astonish Media Group, told FOX 411’s Pop Tarts column. “I’m sure networks will test limits for ratings as they do now, but I think the American public will keep the worst outrages in check as they do now.”

And in an Opinion piece for FoxNews.com last week, Penny Young Nance – who most recently served as Special Adviser for the FCC – stated that it was “unfathomable to think the FCC actually wants to allow more filth, such as frontal female nudity, the F-bomb, and the ‘S’ word on broadcast television during hours when our kids will be watching and listening.”

The Parents Television Council (PTC) is expressing concern over the FCC’s proposal, as well. The organization declared last week “#NoIndecencyFCC Week,” and encouraged the public to file comments to the Commission and tweet their concerns.

The PTC, along with a 75 member coalition representing millions of Americans, also sent a letter to members of the U.S Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the U.S House Committee on Energy and Commerce, urging them to oppose the FCC’s proposed amendments to weaken enforcement of the broadcast indecency law.

“There’s an enormous amount of TV content that parents are going to find problematic, offensive or even harmful to their children. The broadcast indecency law is only meant to deal with the worst of the worst TV and radio content to begin with and now the FCC says it doesn’t even want to deal with that,” said Dan Isett, director of public policy for the PTC.

“It would be grossly irresponsible for the FCC to allow this. If the FCC drops the standard, the networks will give us all the profanity and nudity they think they can get away with, and they’d just keep pushing the envelope,” Fischer added.

On that note, there is some concern that if the changes pass, the increase in lewd and body-baring programming could have long-term effects on young viewers.

“We can debate what those effects are, but we know that the harm exists,” Isett insisted.

However, Conway argued that the projected deregulation probably would not be any more detrimental to children that what is already being showed in movies, cable, videogame, the Internet and other media outlets.

“If there is harm being done, it is probably already being done elsewhere,” he said.

But if there is a silver lining to be found in the proposed changes, Jim Steyer, CEO and Founder of Common Sense Media – an organization that seeks to provide families with trustworthy information and education – said the changes could encourage parents to be more aware of what their kids are watching.

Eric Roberts & Jason Castro to Star in movie The Perfect Summer on gmc

On May 13, Jason Castro began shooting for "The Perfect Summer" in North Carolina. The singer/songwriter has a role as a surf shop owner named Cody in "The Perfect Summer" which is due to premiere on GMC later this year and stars Eric Roberts. Castro, whose current single "Rise To You" is at radio now, can also be seen throughout the country with the Sidewalk Prophets this month.

Simon Cowell Told Christian 'American Idol' Winner Candice Glover She Would Be 'Lounge Singer'

Former "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell told newly crowned winner of the show's 12th season Candice Glover that she would be "a lounge" singer the last time he cut her from the show.

The determined songstress who describes herself as a "church girl" used the confidence-crushing critique, however, as fuel to power her to an inspirational win three years later.

Her debut album, Music Speaks, scheduled for release by Interscope Records on July 16, is already available for pre-order on iTunes.

"I always knew for some reason that it would happen if I kept going," said Glover shortly after she won the singing competition last Thursday. She had previously tried out for the show's ninth and 11th seasons and got as far as top 60 in the competition last year.

But in a subsequent interview with Jay Leno on NBC's "Tonight Show," Glover who at one time struggled with confidence revealed that the last time she met with Cowell three years ago he skewered her potential.

"Season nine, he was not a fan and he told me that I would be a lounge singer and I would, like sing in a hotel lobby and people would eat peanuts and turn their heads," said the 23-year-old from St. Helena, S.C.

"Like he pretty much painted a picture about how unsuccessful I would be but I honestly thank him for that because he pushed me to do better and come back and win three years later," she said to cheers from Leno's audience.

Glover, who has been praised as a "powerhouse" soul singer, has been compared to former "American Idol" reject Jennifer Hudson whom Cowell also crushed on the show.

Candace Cameron Bure on Finding Purpose in Hollywood

In an interview with Beliefnet, Candace Cameron Bure reveals how she handles being a Christian in Hollywood.

Esther 4:14... probably the most known verse from Esther. And it says “for if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” And that verse has stood out to me in terms of where I have been put in this industry right now. And if I don’t speak up or if I remain silent then God would not be able to use the things, the tools or the gifts that he has given me to use it for his purposes. So I feel like I kind of cling to that verse in terms of being outspoken about my faith and to be a proponent in family programming. To just keep good things out there on television for families to be able to watch and it encourages me to continue to just pick and choose the right projects that are positive and have good messages.

Read full interview.

Candace Cameron Bure: More family shows ‘important’

Actress Candace Cameron Bure, known for her role as DJ Tanner on “Full House,” plays a high-powered surgeon in the upcoming gmc romantic comedy “Finding Normal.”

She tells Today's Kathie Lee and Hoda that it’s important for her to act in wholesome and family-friendly shows that are hard to find these days. 

Watch her appearance on Today below:

'Pastors of LA' Reality Show Coming to Oxygen

The past year has seen a bevy of faith-based reality programming from networks like TLC, Lifetime and BET. Oxygen Media is joining the pack with its own reality show looking at the lives of southern California pastors, tentatively titled "Pastors of L.A."

The "authentic new docu-series" starring Bishop Noel Jones, Deitrick Haddon and four other high-profile Christian ministers is scheduled to debut in the fall of this year, and appears to follow in the vein of BET's "The Sheards" and WE tv's "Mary Mary" – promising viewers an inside look at the lives of popular and otherwise inaccessible men of faith.

"'Pastors of L.A.' will give viewers a candid and revealing look at six boldly different and world renowned mega-pastors in southern California, who are willing to share diverse aspects of their lives, from their work in the community and with their parishioners to the very large and sometimes provocative lives they lead away from the pulpit," according to a press release from Oxygen.

"This show documents a journey of transparency from one man to the next as they endeavor to lead others to their own truth and self-discovery," said exec producer Holly Carter.

"We intend to portray the human side of these pastors and the real world in which they live and work," added producer Lemuel Plummer.

Pastor Jones, brother of actress, recording artist and model Grace Jones, and Haddon, who has a long list of Dove, Stellar and Grammy awards, appear to be headliners of the series.

Jones has been leading City of Refuge Church in Gardena, Calif., since 1994 and travels extensively to preach and lecture. The bishop, who is unmarried, suggested last year that rumors claiming he had fathered actress and singer Stacy Francis' second child, were exactly that – "rumors and innuendo." Among the many celebrities said to attend City of Refuge Church is controversial rapper The Game, who was reportedly baptized at the Los Angeles-area church in 2011.

Haddon, meanwhile, whom Oxygen Media describes as "a dynamic personality, singer, songwriter, and preacher," went through a divorce in 2011 that surprised many of his gospel music fans and led to him being shunned by members of his church. The award-laden recording artist also surprised fans when it was revealed in April that he had fathered a child out of wedlock and was engaged to be married. Currently, Haddon is working on a live production for his upcoming album League of Xtraordinary Worshippers.

While faith-based reality programming like "The Sheards" has proven successful with viewers, Lifetime was not as lucky with "The Sisterhood." The program about preachers' wives was canceled after the first season following strong backlash from Christians who felt the reality show was offensive.

Artist and Preacher’s Kid PJ Morton Talks Weed-Smoking, Wild-Partying Atmosphere

PJ Morton is profiled in an article on EEW.

PJ Morton, the son of Bishop Paul & Pastor Debra Morton, is signed to Lil Wayne’s Young Money label and is a keyboardist for pop group Maroon 5, opened up about the weed-smoking, wild-partying atmosphere of his label home.

“Well it’s smoky in the studio anytime you’re with Wayne,” Morton told NBC’s TheGrio.com in an interview. “There’s women around and it’s a party.”

The party, unfortunately, recently spilled over onto the Grammy, Stellar, and Dove award winner's single “Lover,” that features a profanity-filled, offensive verse by Lil Wayne.

The song’s premise is that Morton is a “lover, not a fighter” who has grown tired of arguing and fussing in his relationship. But that message is overshadowed in the explicit version, which includes a base rap delivered by “Lil Tunechi.”

Morton allowed the vulgar lyricist to debase his music—something he once told EEW Magazine President & CEO, Dianna Hobbs, he would never do.

Lil Wayne guest raps on PJ Morton’s “Lover” single and appears in the Young Money artist’s video.

In a November 2009 exclusive with EEW, Morton and Hobbs chatted at length and told the award-winning faith-based media specialist he simply wanted to sing about love, but would never release music that undermined his Christian lifestyle or betrayed his mission to perform exclusively clean R&B.

“I think songs should reflect the way you live,” said the author of Why Can't I Sing About Love? The Truth About The "Church" Against "Secular" Music, adding, “I want to be like Jesus and I want my heart to be right.”

But when Morton allows Wayne to include such vulgar lyrics is that something Jesus would do?

According to him, when it comes to going back and forth between genres, specifically pop & R&B, “It’s really not that big of a difference actually. Once you get past the lyrical content, all bands are a certain level of pop (music).”

But, “getting past the content,” is something a core group of Morton’s previous gospel followers can’t seem to do these days.

Many are left wondering, how far is too far?

American Idol Shocker: Angie Miller Doesn't Make the Top 2

 

It was the shocker of season 12 of American Idol. When Angie Miller was eliminated on Thursday night, it came as a surprise to the American Idol judges, the studio audience, people on Twitter and viewers at home -- not to mention Angie Miller herself.

“It's bitter and sweet,” the 19-year-old Beverly, Mass. native told reporters after the show, which saw Candice Glover and Kree Harrison advance to the final round. “I definitely thought that with the whole hometown visit and how huge social media has been … I did feel kind of confident that I was going to make it.”

Equally surprising was how Miller was able to maintain her composure following her elimination. She joyfully displayed her excitement for the two finalists in a slew of TV interviews -- “They're both incredible; it'll be an amazing night,” she said repeatedly.

Miller said she has the judges to thank for giving her the boost. Asked what wisdom Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban left her with, Miller answered: “They all pretty much said, ‘Girl, this is not over. You're so going to do incredible things.’ Coming from them, that means everything. … They brought me here.”

As for where she goes next, there’s the summer tour, for one, and the support in knowing that her original music might one day be recorded. “When I think of this whole experience and people ask me what's the best moment, it's when I was able to sing ‘You Set Me Free,’ my original song,” she said. “That song and that moment will carry me on and I can't wait to record it.”

As I Lay Dying Members Respond To Lead Singer's Murder Plot Allegations

As most fans of As I Lay Dying already know, lead vocalist Tim Lambesis was arrested this week for allegedly hiring a third party in a plot to murder his wife.  Last night, band members broke silence about the accusations and had this to say:

To our fans, As we post this, the legal process is taking its course and we have no more information than you do. There are many unanswered questions, and the situation will become clearer in the coming days and weeks. We'll keep you informed as best we can.
Our thoughts right now are with Tim, his family, and with everyone else affected by this terrible situation - and with our fans, whom we love and draw strength from.
Thank you for understanding, and as always, for your support of As I Lay Dying.
- Jordan, Nick, Phil, and Josh

80s Christian Music Pioneer Carman Finds Success on Kickstarter

With 16 RIAA Certified Platinum and Gold albums and videos, over 10 million albums sold, Carman plans to record an album and video of all new music for the first time in over 10-years. Remarkably, it was a death sentence by doctors that paradoxically revived this entertainer's creative spirit through his fans.

In March of this year, Carman was diagnosed with terminal, multiple myeloma cancer, a cancer of the blood that affects the body's bone marrow, and was given a three to five year life expectancy by doctors. Stunned and initially devastated by the news, Carman's spirit was soon lifted up by the overwhelming love and support received by tens of thousands of fans after posting the news on his Facebook page. Turning the death sentence into a renewed vision and hope for the future, Carman is not only determined to fight the cancer, but is also well underway to his first independent, fan-funded new album and music video through Kickstarter.

Launched April 19, Carman's Kickstarter campaign has already become one of the most successful Christian music campaign ever for Kickstarter. Raising more than $158,000 to date, the campaign donations are on target to reach Carman's $200,000 goal by his June 18 deadline. Fans are able to donate as little as $1 up to several thousand dollars with commensurate gifts of appreciation from Carman once the campaign is fully funded and the album and music video are recorded and released. See http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/886460906/new-carman-album-and-music-video for all the details.

"I'm so excited about this incredible opportunity we all have through Kickstarter to make something happen as a team and a family," says Carman to his fans. "Cancer pronounced a death sentence, but you have been life to me, rallying me back into the fight and praying me back to my feet. As one fan said on my Facebook page, 'Look at what Jesus did in three years.' So as for you and me, with this new project and us working together, the next three years are going to be a blast."

In addition to the new music, Carman is determined to not let cancer detract from doing what he does best, sharing the hope of the gospel to live audiences. Touring from coast-to-coast, Carman shares his hit songs alongside his most recent offering, "The Flag," a compelling anthem that weaves the Pledge of Allegiance into a melodic and inspirational message of pride in America. "The Flag" concept video can be seen now at http://youtu.be/4QDxqlP3Fn0.

Singer of As I Lay Dying arrested 'for hiring ex-policeman to murder his wife'

The Grammy-nominated frontman of metalcore band As I Lay Dying has been arrested on suspicion of hiring an ex-policeman to kill his wife.

Tim Lambesis, 32, was arrested at a shop in Oceanside, Southern California yesterday according to a statement released by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

He was detained on suspicion on hiring an undercover detective to murder his estranged wife Meggan, who is believed to have started legal proceedings for divorce last September.

Detectives said they averted an attempted hit on Meggan Lambesis, who lives in nearby Encinitas, after they received information last Thursday that Lambesis had solicited someone to kill his wife.

"The information came to us late last week. We acted quickly on it. I believe that we averted a great tragedy," San Diego County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Jan Caldwell told Reuters.

The singer, with his trademark long hair and heavy tattoos, was arrested “without incident” at around 2pm.

The band formed in San Diego 13 years ago, releasing six albums including their most commercially successful 2007 LP, An Ocean Between Us, which reached No. 8 on the Billboard charts. A track from the album was nominated for a Grammy for top metal performance.

As I Lay Dying, whose title is taken from a William Faulkner novel, describes itself as “always has something thoughtful and positive to say while still playing a combustible, aggressive style of music”.

As I Lay Dying has stated on several occasions that all of the members of the group are Christians. When asked if they're a Christian band or Christians in a band, Tim Lambesis stated on the band's FAQ, 

"I'm not sure what the difference is between five Christians playing in a band and a Christian band, If you truly believe something, then it should affect every area of your life. All five of us are Christians. I believe that change should start with me first, and as a result, our lyrics do not come across very 'preachy.' Many of our songs are about life, struggles, mistakes, relationships and other issues that don't fit entirely in the spiritual category. However, all of these topics are written about through my perspective as a Christian."

However, Lambis also stated on his Tumblr page 

"Every year that I had put toward my degree in Religious Studies caused me to see the god of tradition and ritual that I grew up with as less and less of a probable truth. By the time I graduated, my entire concept of the divine had changed as I sought to reconcile spirituality and reason. The more I sought truth uncorrupted by years of religious history, the more I kept finding answers I didn’t want to find. Emotionally, it would have been easiest for me to just hold on to what I grew up believing, but mentally that wasn’t an option anymore."

Phil Keaggy Honored with Prestigious ASCAP Award

Singer/songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire Phil Keaggy will be honored with the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award in recognition of his extraordinary career achievements. The ceremony will take place tonight during the 35th Annual Christian Music Awards. The invitation-only gala will also honor the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP's most performed Christian songs of the past year.

Past recipients of the ASCAP Golden Note Award have included Michael W. Smith, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Bob McDill, Don Williams, Lindsey Buckingham, Reba McEntire and J.D. Souther. "Phil Keaggy's influence on both the contemporary Christian and mainstream music markets is immeasurable," says ASCAP's Michael Martin. "We are very proud to honor him with the ASCAP Golden Note Award in recognition of his incredible career."



Keaggy earned his first Dove Award in 1988 for his instrumental album The Wind and the Wheat, and won his second in 1992 for the Celtic-influenced Beyond Nature. From 1998 to 2001, Keaggy dominated the Instrumental Album of the Year category at the Doves, winning for Invention, Acoustic Sketches, Majesty and Wonder, and most recently, Lights of Madrid. For three years in a row, Keaggy was voted one of the top fingerstyle guitarists by Guitar Player Magazine readers.

Angie Miller is in Top 3 of American Idol Finalists

The Top 3 finalists for this year's "American Idol" competition were named during the May 2 broadcast.


Those competing for the "American Idol" crown now include Candice Glover, Kree Harrison and Angie Miller.  The three finalists will head to their respective hometowns for a special homecoming this weekend. 

The May 8 broadcast will feature footage from the three finalists returning to their hometowns. Each of the women will sing three songs: “Judges’ Choice”; “Jimmy’s Choice”; and “IDOL’s Choice.”

The May 9 program will reveal which two women will perform in the grand finale. The evening will also feature performances by Alicia Keys and Season 10 runner-up Lauren Alaina.

T.D. Jakes Gives Marriage Advice on the Steve Harvey Show

T.D. Jakes, pastor of The Potter's House megachurch in Dallas, Texas, recently opened up about marriage on The Steve Harvey show.

Jakes has been married to his wife Serita for over 30 years and shares five children with her. While Jakes helped a married couple on comedian and talk show host Harvey's show, he also answered a series of questions relating to holy matrimony.

Harvey also took to his show's website to post Jakes' answers to some of the marital questions brought to the pastor.

When asked about the biggest mistake that young couples make, Jakes said some couples do not take the time to really get to know one another.

"Young couples can get swept up in the euphoria of romantic love without ever realizing that love ebbs and flows through the seasons and stages of life," Jakes told Harvey. "They say their 'I dos' without ever asking the hard questions."

Jakes also spoke about factors that can cause marriages to fail.

"Sometimes individuals place unreasonably high expectations on their partners. They want their mate to 'complete them,' to be their 'best friend,' 'their everything'- which is a heavy burden to place on a partnership," Jakes told Harvey. "The only place where two halves make a whole is in geometry. Marriage requires two whole individuals to become one."

The pastor spoke about marriage requiring constant work, and used gardening as a metaphor to describe the process.

"Like a garden, marriage requires constant upkeep and maintenance," Jakes told Harvey. "Tilling the ground may be hard work in the spring, but breaking up the fallow ground allows you to get rid of the accumulating weeds and turn over old soil six to eight inches beneath the surface, so that fresh earth is allowed to come to the top to breathe which enables you to replenish the nutrients depleted in winter so that new vegetables and flowers can flourish. In the summer, only watering is required and fall is harvest time."

Jakes and his wife previously appeared on the February issue of Ebony magazine, where they shared what made their love work in particular.

"Marriage requires work and expecting the unexpected. Don't let other people design a marriage you can't live with," Jakes told Ebony. "Keep other people out your business. Every marriage is different."

John Elefante of Kansas Fame Returns with New Album

John Elefante is back with a new solo album, "On My Way to the Sun" to be released May 7th.

The 4 time Grammy Award winner is best known for his time as the lead vocalist for the multi-platinum rock outfit Kansas. And fans will be delighted to find that the opening track, "This Is How The Story Goes," reunites Elefante with former Kansas bandmates Rich Williams and David Ragsdale.

"Lyrically, I have more inside me that I need to say, more I need to express and convey than ever before," says Elefante of what just may be the most personal project of his career. One of the album's highlights is the song, "This Time," which tells the story of a young teen's divine encounter at an abortion clinic that ultimately leads her to save her baby. The somewhat autobiographical song touches close to home for Elefante, whose adopted daughter was rescued from abortion.

"This is one the easiest songs I have ever written," says Elefante. "I was able to put myself in the place and time where my daughter was so close to being aborted. It was so divinely vivid to me because this story was meant to be told. I don't know all of the fine details but I do know that on that day God said, 'No! You're not taking this one - This Time.'"

In addition to Kansas and his solo work, Elefante's extensive resume includes writing and performance contributions on more than 100 albums that shaped popular American music. In 1993, Elefante and his brother Dino founded The Sound Kitchen in Franklin, Tennessee, which quickly became the largest recording studio in the southeast and an instant draw for such top acts as Bruce Springsteen, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Natalie Grant, Amy Grant, Keith Urban, Third Day, Jewel, Jimmy Buffett, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley and many more.

Pepsi Presenting Sponsor for Inaugural K-Love Fan Awards

K-LOVE, the leading Christian radio network with a weekly listenership of over 13 million people, is bringing the first ever fan-voted award show in Christian music history to Nashville. The K-LOVE Fan Awards will be held on Saturday, June 1st at 7:30pm at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium.

Starting today through May 31 fans can vote for their favorite nominees at KLOVEFanAwards.com  in categories celebrating artists, athletes, authors and entertainers who, with excellence engage and impact popular culture for Jesus Christ. Leading artist nominees are TobyMac and Newsboys with three nominations each. See below for the complete list of nominees in each category.

Nominees were determined by K-LOVE with consideration given to airplay, spins, impact and overall performance. Winners are solely determined by fan vote online. The winners will be announced at the awards show hosted by the stars from A&E TV's popular show "Duck Dynasty," Phil and Kay Robertson and Jase and Missy Robertson. A&E's top show surpassed "American Idol" ratings last week during the "Duck Dynasty" finale.

Performers already slated are fan favorites TobyMac, MercyMe, Amy Grant, Third Day, Newsboys, Casting Crowns, NEEDTOBREATHE, Steven Curtis Chapman, Matthew West and many more.

In addition to the unprecedented list of performers, sport figures set to attend the special evening include Mike Fisher (Nashville Predators), Barrett Jones (Two-time National Champion from Alabama), Jason Hanson (21-year Detroit Lions kicker), Alfred Morris (Washington Redskins) and Hugh Freeze (Head football coach from the University of Mississippi). Representing the movie impact category will be Kirk Cameron (Monumental, Fireproof), Alex Kendrick (Facing the Giants, Fireproof, Courageous) and David Evans (The Grace Card).

In honor of the awards, Pepsi will be launching their Christian Artist Can Panel series at the weekend's events. The four artists that will be featured include Matt Maher (Dr. Pepper), Francesca Battistelli (Diet Pepsi), Matthew West (Pepsi), and TobyMac (Mountain Dew). Each artist will be featured on three million cans for a total of 12 million cans - 12 million new ways to change lives. On each can a link will be featured to receive a free download from each artist.

In addition to the presenting sponsor, the official charity sponsor has been revealed as World Vision.