It's safe to say that singer/songwriter Matt Maher’s music is out of this world. His latest album Alive Again orbited aboard space shuttle Atlantis, servicing its final scheduled journey after almost a quarter-century of missions.
Maher’s music has become a staple carry-on item for NASA astronaut, Mike Good, who has officially selected Maher’s song “Alive Again” as one of his “wake-up songs” -- not only reviving Good from an outer space slumber but the rest of the STS-132 and International Space Station crew as well.
This marks the third year in a row that Maher’s music has visited the cosmos. In June 2008 and 2009 Matt’s previous album Empty & Beautiful found its way onto shuttle Discovery for NASA Mission STS-124 with astronaut Ron Garan and aboard Atlantis STS-125 with Mike Good.
Garan carried Jaci Velasquez's album Llegar a Ti with him on a recent trip to space.
Garan flew onboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on a recent 14 day mission that included nearly 9 days docked at the International Space Station, 220 miles above Earth. The disc orbited Earth 218 times, traveling over 5.7 million miles and reaching speeds over 17,000 miles per hour (Mach 25).
Following the mission, Garan sent the disc that he had carried into space to Velasquez, along with a Certificate of Authenticity and a photo of Garan holding the CD on board the International Space Station.
"There are so many milestones in my career that I could never have anticipated," says Velasquez. "And this is definitely one of them. To hold this CD in my hands and to know that it's literally been around the world is incredible. I'm so honored."
Throughout her career, Velasquez has sold over 3.5 million albums, garnered 3 RIAA certified Platinum recordings, 3 RIAA certified Gold recordings, 16 #1 radio hits and has graced more than 50 magazine covers.
Full articles here and here.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Stryper to Host Holy Land Tour For Fans in 2011
Platinum-selling rock band Stryper announced today that they will be hosting a 10-day tour of the Holy Land February 12-21, 2011. The once-in-a-lifetime VIP tour will be limited to 150 people. Stryper fans will be able to spend time with the band during this unique travel opportunity, with portions of the trip being filmed for an upcoming DVD.
"Oz, Robert, Tim and I are excited to go to Israel and see first-hand the birthplace of Christianity," says lead vocalist/guitarist Michael Sweet. "And to be able to share this experience with some of our fans makes this even more incredible."
The tour will visit the following locations in Israel:
* Caesarea: A city built by King Herod the Great
* Mount Carmel: Where the prophet Elijah defeated the false prophets of Baal
* Galilee Boat Ride: Where Jesus walked on the water
* Caesarea Philippi: Where the disciple Peter first confessed Jesus as the Messiah
* Nazareth Village: A recreation of a village at the time of Jesus
* Jordan River Baptism: An opportunity for those who wish to be baptized in the Jordan River
* Masada: Where the final Jewish revolt against the Romans took place
* The Dead Sea: A chance to float in the most therapeutic waters in the world
* Pools of Bethesda: Where Jesus healed the man who was lame for 37 years
* Garden Tomb: The place of Jesus’ crucifixion and Resurrection
* Yad Vashem: Memorial to the Holocaust
* Western Wall Tunnels: 60 feet below the modern city of Jerusalem
* Jerusalem: The City of God
* Mount of Olives: Where Jesus rode the donkey through the Eastern Gate
* Garden of Gethsemane: Where Jesus prayed before He was betrayed by Judas
* Western Wall: Holiest site in Judaism
Due to limited availability, this trip will sell out quickly. Reservations can be secured for only $300. To register, please contact ari@ihtours.com or 1-877-999-8868 ext 415.
The cost for this unique travel opportunity is $3,299.00 per person, which includes airfare out of Los Angeles, New York or Toronto; hotel accommodations; all buffet breakfasts and dinners; air-conditioned transportation; an English-speaking tour guide and entrance fees to all of the sites. Price is based on double-occupancy and does not include airport tax, tip fee or lunch meals.
For more information, please contact joe@amaral.tv or 1-877-628-2800.
"Oz, Robert, Tim and I are excited to go to Israel and see first-hand the birthplace of Christianity," says lead vocalist/guitarist Michael Sweet. "And to be able to share this experience with some of our fans makes this even more incredible."
The tour will visit the following locations in Israel:
* Caesarea: A city built by King Herod the Great
* Mount Carmel: Where the prophet Elijah defeated the false prophets of Baal
* Galilee Boat Ride: Where Jesus walked on the water
* Caesarea Philippi: Where the disciple Peter first confessed Jesus as the Messiah
* Nazareth Village: A recreation of a village at the time of Jesus
* Jordan River Baptism: An opportunity for those who wish to be baptized in the Jordan River
* Masada: Where the final Jewish revolt against the Romans took place
* The Dead Sea: A chance to float in the most therapeutic waters in the world
* Pools of Bethesda: Where Jesus healed the man who was lame for 37 years
* Garden Tomb: The place of Jesus’ crucifixion and Resurrection
* Yad Vashem: Memorial to the Holocaust
* Western Wall Tunnels: 60 feet below the modern city of Jerusalem
* Jerusalem: The City of God
* Mount of Olives: Where Jesus rode the donkey through the Eastern Gate
* Garden of Gethsemane: Where Jesus prayed before He was betrayed by Judas
* Western Wall: Holiest site in Judaism
Due to limited availability, this trip will sell out quickly. Reservations can be secured for only $300. To register, please contact ari@ihtours.com or 1-877-999-8868 ext 415.
The cost for this unique travel opportunity is $3,299.00 per person, which includes airfare out of Los Angeles, New York or Toronto; hotel accommodations; all buffet breakfasts and dinners; air-conditioned transportation; an English-speaking tour guide and entrance fees to all of the sites. Price is based on double-occupancy and does not include airport tax, tip fee or lunch meals.
For more information, please contact joe@amaral.tv or 1-877-628-2800.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Tenth Avenue North Debuts at #15
On the heels of its hit single “By Your Side” receiving the prestigious Song of the Year honor at this year’s GMA Dove Awards, headliners Tenth Avenue North’s The Light Meets The Dark debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard Top 200 with first week scans of 21,583.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Anatomy Of A Hit Song
Steve Ford over at Centricity Records asked several decision makers in Christian radio what makes a song a “hit.”
Shaun Groves expands upon Ford's thoughts and effectively argues that Christian hit songs often come from artists who are protagonists in a compelling life story that elicits empathy or admiration. Read here.
Shaun Groves expands upon Ford's thoughts and effectively argues that Christian hit songs often come from artists who are protagonists in a compelling life story that elicits empathy or admiration. Read here.
Third Day, TobyMac, Michael W. Smith & Max Lucado on Tour
World Vision and AEG Live announce the “Make A Difference Tour 2010” featuring New York Times best-selling author Max Lucado and some of the top names in the Christian music industry—GRAMMY® award-winning recording artists TobyMac, Michael W. Smith and Third Day.
AEG Live is producer for the “Make A Difference Tour 2010” and World Vision is the tour sponsor. The “Make A Difference Tour 2010” will make a difference for children by helping to raise up sponsors for 25,000 children through World Vision.
AEG Live is producer for the “Make A Difference Tour 2010” and World Vision is the tour sponsor. The “Make A Difference Tour 2010” will make a difference for children by helping to raise up sponsors for 25,000 children through World Vision.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)