Hawk Nelson is My Friend

Hawk Nelson is back and they've got the t-shirt to prove it.

Everybody needs a friend as confirmed by the modern phenomenon of social networking websites like MySpace and Facebook and as we gather to talk around the water cooler or chatter in the schoolyard. You'll see these themes played out in the new HN album.

"The album title is also what's printed across the front of our most popular tee shirt," according to Hawk Nelson bass player Daniel Biro. "And there's a little joke in there, because so many people still think 'Hawk Nelson' is some guy's name."

Interesting note: they've paired with '80s pop star-turned-hit songsmith Richard Marx on the mature "One Little Miracle."

Jason Castro Hallelujah!

Jason Castro's performance of "Hallelujah" on American Idol has led to a surge of popularity for the Jeff Buckley cover of the Leonard Cohen song in the iTunes Store, propelling it to the number-one spot on the iTunes singles chart. Buckley's version of the song sold 178,000 digital downloads in the week following Castro's performance, to debut at number one on Billboard's Hot Digital Songs chart. According to Billboard, this was the highest boost in digital sales a song had ever received after being performed by a contestant on American Idol. It was the first time Buckley's version of the song charted on a Billboard chart, as well as the first U.S. number-one song on any chart for Buckley, who died May 29, 1997, at age 30.

Castro's version of the song "Hallelujah" briefly appeared in the number-one spot on the iTunes chart before it was removed due to the producers of American Idol not wanting any contestant to be favored.

GMC reaches 40 million Subscribers

Gospel Music Channel has reached the 40-million subscriber mark.

Indianapolis Colts Punter Releases Christian CD

Not too many rock bands include Super Bowl champions in their ranks, but Hunter Smith, punter for the Indianapolis Colts, is finding success with his Christian band, Connersvine.

Brad Avery Leaves Third Day

"Third Day and Brad Avery have made the very difficult decision to part ways..."