CHRISTIAN MUSIC NEWS UPDATE 4-13-12
By Terry DeBoer
Headlines: (details below)
1. Audition Opportunity
2. Girls of Grace
3. Music Festival News
4. Easter follow-up
5. Casting Crowns milestone
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1. I-SHINE SEEKING SHINERS
The i-Shine tour for tween-ers and young teens is doing an open casting call for singers, dancers and actors. The auditions are next week Friday (April 20) near Nashville. Kids ages 10-16 are welcome, preparing for the tour that has featured young artists such as The Rubyz, Luke Benward, Mission Six, Jamie Grace and others. For more info visit www.ishinelive.com/auditions/.
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2. PLAN AHEAD FOR GIRLS OF GRACE
The “Girls of Grace” conference geared for teen girls and hosted by Point of Grace goes back on the road this fall, including a stop in Grand Rapids on Nov. 3.
For King & Country - on the Girls of Grace tour this fall
Musical guests on the tour include: For King & Country, Meredith Andrews, Group 1 Crew, and “American Idol” finalist Jason Castro. There are also several speakers with presentations as part of the event. Check www.girlsofgrace.com.
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3. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
There has been a casualty among Christian music festivals this summer. Spirit West Coast, which started back in 1997, has announced it is cancelling its festival in Monterrey, Calif. this year because of high expenses and low ticket sales. Their companion festival in Del Mar, Calif. is still on, although organizers say it’s because they’re likely to lose more money by canceling it as they would by still having it. They say ticket sales are about 30 percent lower than in previous years.
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4. POST EASTER-TIME
Jars of Clay is thanking everyone who took the “40 Days of Water” challenge during Lent– giving up all beverages but water during the 40 days before Easter and donating the dollars saved to their Blood-Water Mission.
“Go out and enjoy that 20-shot latte,” tweeted lead singer Dan Haseltine. “You are part of a resurrection story for Africa.”
Talk about your Easter sunrise service…….the inspirational trio Selah had about the earliest call of anyone on Easter morning. They had to be at the venue at 4 o’clock in the morning to do a sound check to be in time to sing in the sunrise service.
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5. ANOTHER “METAL” FOR CASTING CROWNS
Casting Crowns just nabbed its third “Gold” digital single (500,000 plus sold) for “East to West” a song from 2007. Previously getting digital gold status for the band were “Who Am I” and “Praise You In This Storm.” That ties them with Switchfoot for contemporary Christian artists with the most digital gold songs (three).
Next week……coverage of the Dove Awards, Thursday night 4/19 from Atlanta. Check www.mlive.com Fri. morning for all the happenings, who wins Doves, back stage quotes, inside information…all at www.mlive.com.
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Check out Terry’s news articles at www.mlive.com or www.westmichiganchristian.com
