Top 50 Christian Artists Currently on eMusic.com

eMusic.com can be a cost affordable way to augment your music library.  The hitch: the majority of the artists are independent.  Here are our current 50 favorites in no particular order.

Thousand Foot Krutch
Delirious?
Disciple
Kutless
Stryper 
Guardian
Manafest
Newsboys
Fireflight
Superchick
The Choir
Relient K
Jars of Clay
Stephen Christian
7eventh Time Down
Philippa Hanna
Pillar
Starfield
Sonicflood
Planetshakers
Jaci Velasquez
Rend Collective 
Brooke Fraser
newworldson
Dogs of Peace
Phil Keaggy
Holy Soldier
Adam Again
Shout
Danny Gokey
Holly Starr
Capital Kings
Beckah Shae
The Katinas
The Union of Sinners and Saints
Anthem Lights
Peter Furler
KB
Mark Schultz
newsong
Michael English
Crystal Lewis
Cindy Morgan
Clay Crosse
John Elefante
Ginny Owens
Kevin Max
Stu G
Michael Sweet
Martin Smith
Liaison

Plus a few bonus ones:

Tim Miner
Charlie Peacock
Marc Martel
Magdallan

Wayne Brady and Jaci Velasquez Board VeggieTales' Noah's Ark

Carrots meet cubits as VeggieTales builds an ark filled with lessons about trusting God in Noah's Ark,  its first Bible-themed production in more than four years.  Starring Wayne Brady and Jaci Velasquez, along with Larry the Cucumber, Bob the Tomato, Noah's Ark will be available March 3.

The Grammy nominated and multi-Emmy award-winning host of one of TV’s most famous game shows, Let’s Make a Deal, and star of Whose Line Is It Anyway brings to life Noah’s son Shem, who first questions, then learns to embrace, his father’s direction from God. Christian singer, actress and radio host Jaci Velasquez co-stars as Shem’s wife, Sadie.

“Saying ‘yes’ to VeggieTales was a no-brainer – my daughter’s a fan and I love the music and messages,” says Brady, who performs seven original songs in Noah's Ark. “The best part is, Bob and Larry are down to earth and they never let the ‘I’m a global Veggie superstar’ thing go to their heads.”

Adds Velasquez: “Every parent searches for entertainment that’s both wholesome and imparts valuable life lessons, and with Noah’s Ark, VeggieTales serves up a delicious dish on both counts.  The story, the music and the visuals are perfect for the entire family.”

Jaci Velasquez and Nic Gonzales Featured on November 15 Episode of DIY Network's Renovation Realities

Recording artists and husband and wife duo Jaci Velasquez and Nic Gonzales are featured on the November 15 episode of DIY Network's Renovation Realities where they put their home renovation skills to the test. With a huge task to demolish the front deck on their home and rebuild it from the ground up, Renovation Realities tags along to capture the ups and downs of the project as Jaci and Nic put in a little sweat equity to get their dream remodel done.

"I had an incredible and a less than incredible experience at the same time. Is that even possible?," Jaci explained laughing. "I got to know things about my husband Nic that I never knew before doing the show. We bonded over so much, and I had no idea that so many things could go wrong - all at the same time. The best part about the show was working with my husband. The worst part? The heat, working with my husband, the bugs, working with my husband, and the sweating-oh my gosh the sweating....! Would I do this again? Let's just say I haven't gone outside for an extended period of time since the renovations. But what I learned is priceless!"

Catch Jaci and Nic on their Renovation Realities episode, airing on November 15, then go behind the scenes with Jaci after the show as she shares pictures and her own Renovation Realities from the show on Facebook.

Music for Your Holiday Season: Don't Miss These Best Ever Albums

Amended and expanded list based on new releases and continued consumption:

25 Best Christmas CDs of All Time

25. Bryan Duncan - A Nehosoul Christmas
24. Harry Connick Jr. - When My Heart Finds Christmas
23. Michael McDonald - In the Spirit
22. Relient K - Let It Snow Baby... Let It Reindeer
21. Jewel - Joy: A Holiday Collection
20. Faith Hill - Joy to the World
19. BarlowGirl - Home for Christmas
18. MercyMe - The Christmas Sessions
17. Jars of Clay - Christmas Songs
16. Amy Grant - A Christmas Album
15. Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song
14. Michael W. Smith - Christmas
13. Bing Crosby - White Christmas
12. Ginny Owens - Bring Us Peace
11. Elvis Presley - It's Christmas Time
10. Russ Taff - A Christmas Song
9. Avalon - Joy
8. Downhere - How Many Kings? Songs for Christmas
7. Vince Guaraldi - A Charlie Brown Christmas
6. Steven Curtis Chapman - The Music of Christmas
5. Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas
4. Amy Grant - Home for Christmas
3. Jaci Valesquez - Christmas
2. Michael W. Smith - Christmastime
1. Bryan Duncan - Christmas is Jesus

Honorable mentions:
Various - Christmas (1988 Sparrow compilation)
Matthew West - The Heart of Christmas

Recognizing the Best in Christian Music: Dove Awards Airs on UP Tonight

Hosted by Amy Grant & Kirk Franklin, the Dove Awards airs tonight at 8 PM ET on UP and features performances by NEEDTOBREATHE, TobyMac, Michael W. Smith, Newsboys, Gaither Vocal Band, Jason Crabb, Tamela Mann and more.

Presenters include Candace Cameron Bure, Rusty & Julie Bulloch, Pastor Rick Warren, Joyce Meyer, Brandon Heath, Chonda Pierce, David Mann, Isaac Carree, Jaci Velasquez, Lecrae, Bart Millard (MercyMe), Mandisa and Montell Jordan.

Amy Grant and Kirk Franklin To Host The Dove Awards

The GMA announces Amy Grant and Kirk Franklin as hosts for the 44th Annual GMA Dove Awards. The awards show will take place on October 15 in Nashville, Tennessee. The show will be broadcast on Monday, October 21st at 8:00pm ET exclusively on UP.

In addition to the awards show host, past Dove Award winners and nominees, Gaither Vocal Band, Michael W. Smith, Tamela Mann and TobyMac are the first announced performers.

The first round of presenters confirmed includes Jaci Velasquez, Lecrae and Pastor Rick Warren.

Best Female Christian Vocalist of All Time

Half a decade ago, I shared my thoughts on who I thought were the best female Christian vocalists of all time.

Criteria include song quality, vocal prowess, ability to play an instrument and/or craft a song, and of course my personal bias...

An updated list:

10. Nichole Nordeman

9. Crystal Lewis

8. Margaret Becker

7. Natalie Grant

6. Mandisa

5. Ginny Owens

4. Britt Nicole

3. Jaci Velasquez

2. Joy Williams

1. Amy Grant

Honorable Mentions:

Francesca Battistelli

Lisa Bevill

Christine Dente (Out of the Grey)

Brooke Fraser

Rachael Lampa

Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer)

Rebecca St. James

Kathy Troccoli

Thoughts?

Looking forward to early 2012 Releases

January 10
David Crowder*Band Give Us Rest (A Requiem Mass in C [The Happiest of All Keys])

January 13
Anthem Lights The Acoustic Sessions EP

January 31
Starfield The Kingdom

February 7
Jaci Velasquez Diamond
Worth Dying For Live Riot

February 14
Eisley Deep Space EP

February 28
Kutless Believer

March ??
Thousand Foot Krutch The End Is Where We Begin

March 6
Todd Agnew How To Be Loved
Fireflight Now

March 13
Anberlin Anthology (Best Of)
Dave Barnes Stories To Tell

March 27
12 Stones Only Human
Jimmy Needham Clear The Stage
Britt Nicole untitled
Sidewalk Prophets untitled

April 10
Matthew West Into The Light

April 17
Big Daddy Weave Love Come To Life

May 22
Jon McLaughlin Promising Promises
MercyMe The Hurt and The Healer

Sometime 2012...
Sanctus Real untitled -- Fall 2012
Skillet untitled -- Late 2012
TobyMac untitled -- Late 2012
VOTA Sons & Daughters
The Waiting untitled new album

Jaci Velasquez Signs with Inpop

With over four million albums sold worldwide, 16 No. 1 radio hits and three RIAA certified platinum and three gold records to her credit, Jaci Velasquez has signed a record deal with Inpop Records. Her first project with the label, titled Diamond, is slated for a February 7th, 2012 release. Taking a few years off to marry fellow musician Nic Gonzales (Salvador) and have two children, Zealand and Soren, Velasquez is returning to her career with a fenzy of activity. In addition to the upcoming release of Diamond, she is writing a new book and is starring in two new films, "The Encounter" and "Jerusalem Countdown," both slated to release this year. And in the midst of all of this she manages to co-host Salem Broadcasting’s syndicated network show, "Your Family Friendly Morning Show With Doug & Jaci Velasquez," which reaches more than 1.5 million listeners nationwide every week.

Their Music Is Out of this World

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.

25 Best Christmas CDs of All Time

Amended and expanded list based on new releases and continued consumption:

25 Best Christmas CDs of All Time

25. Harry Connick Jr. - When My Heart Finds Christmas
24. Relient K - Let It Snow Baby... Let It Reindeer
23. Michael McDonald - In the Spirit
22. Bryan Duncan - A Nehosoul Christmas
21. Jewel - Joy: A Holiday Collection
20. Faith Hill - Joy to the World
19. BarlowGirl - Home for Christmas
18. MercyMe - The Christmas Sessions
17. Jars of Clay - Christmas Songs
16. Amy Grant - A Christmas Album
15. Various - Christmas (1988 Sparrow compilation)
14. Michael W. Smith - Christmas
13. Bing Crosby - White Christmas
12. Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song
11. Elvis Presley - It's Christmas Time
10. Ginny Owens - Bring Us Peace
9. Russ Taff - A Christmas Song
8. Avalon - Joy
7. Vince Guaraldi - A Charlie Brown Christmas
6. Steven Curtis Chapman - The Music of Christmas
5. Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas
4. Amy Grant - Home for Christmas
3. Jaci Valesquez - Christmas
2. Michael W. Smith - Christmastime
1. Bryan Duncan - Christmas is Jesus

10 Best Female CCM Vocalists of all time

Criteria include song quality, vocal prowess, impact on industry, ability to play an instrument and/or craft a song, whim...

10. Nichole Nordeman
9. Crystal Lewis
8. Natalie Grant
7. Jennifer Knapp
6. Lisa Bevill
5. Rebecca St. James
4. Ginny Owens
3. Jaci Velasquez
2. Margaret Becker
1. Amy Grant

Updated list here.