CHRISTIAN MUSIC NEWS UPDATE -filed May 6, 2011
(You can hear Terry’s updates Fridays at 4:20 p.m. on JQ-99 (99.3FM)
Headlines: (details below)
1. Hometown Hero
2. tobyMac Running in Nashville
3. The Eagles and Point of Grace
4. Band member visits West Michigan
5. National Day of Prayer
6. Top-Selling Christian CD’s
7. Sympathies for Amy
8. First-time Grandparents To Be….
9. Quickie News Items
10. Weather Torn Areas Get Attention
11. Chonda Pierce to Salute
12. Meeting the Goal Well
13. New Music Coming
14. TobyMac Does Dad Duties
1. HOMETOWN HONORS TOMLIN
Grand Saline, Tex. – the birthplace of singer Chris Tomlin – has changed the name of one of its streets to Chris Tomlin Blvd. in honor of its native son. – I’m not sure if the name change is permanent, but an observant Mike Scheuchzer of MercyMe tweeted “What’s a band got to do to get a cul de sac or something named after them?”
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2. TOBY ON THE RUN
tobyMac ran in last weekend’s Country Music Half-Marathon in Nashville, and he and his fellow “team” runners raised more than $100,000 for New Hope Academy – the multi-ethnic school which his kids attend. The school’s mission is to overcome racial division, class segregation and turn it into community and possibility.
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3. AN EAGLES COVER SONG
Point of Grace was in the studio this week, doing a version of the Eagles’ song “Hole in the World,” written about the original 9/11 attack of nearly 10 years ago. “Timely, considering the events of the past few days,” tweeted Point of Grace member Shelley Breen. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
4. JARS GUY IN HOLLAND!
Guitarist Steve Mason of Jars of Clay came to Holland, Michigan this week – not to see the Tulips, but to make an appearance on the kids TV show “Come On Over,” created by his long time friend Holland resident Joel Tanis. Mason has a recurring role as “Steve the Super- Cool Guitar Player.” More about the show at www.comeonover.com. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
5. NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER…..
Singer Ginny Owens performed Thursday at National Day of Prayer ceremonies in Washington DC. Owens sang a new song she wrote, based on the official day of prayer theme “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” (Psalm 91:2).
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6. TOP 5 SELLING CHRISTIAN MUSIC CDS’ (wk ending April 24)
1. HELLO FEAR, Kirk Franklin
2. UNTIL THE WHOLE WORLD HEARS, Casting Crowns
3. SOMETHING BIG, Mary Mary
4. HUNDRED MORE YEARS, Francesca Battistelli
5. AWAKE, Skillet
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7. AMY’S LOSS….
Singer Amy Grant’s mother Gloria Grant passed away last Sunday, after a lengthy illness. She went to live with Amy the last several weeks of her life while under Hospice care. Amy is the youngest of four girls born to Dr. Burton and Gloria Grant.
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8. CHAPMAN’S TO BE GRANDPARENTS…..
Steven Curtis and MaryBeth Chapman learned this week that they will be grandparents! Their oldest daughter Emily and her husband Tanner are expecting. They have been in Ireland in school this past school year but will be coming home for the summer.
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9. QUICK HITTERS
Jeremy Camp is playing three shows this week in Brazil – Goiania, Rio, & Sao Paulo.
Mandisa – a former top ten American Idol finalist – was on a plane the other day and saw a fellow A.I. alum… Bo Bice…”A great Godly guy with a fantastic voice” she said.
When MercyMe was in Grand Rapids, Mich. last Sunday, lead singer Bart Millard attended Mars Hill Church to hear pastor- author Rob Bell. “This morning I attended Rob Bell’s church. This evening Osama was defeated. Coincidence? I think not.” Bart tweeted.
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10. BENEFIT CONCERTS DOWN SOUTH
Several of the members of Casting Crowns flew down to Cullman, Alabama last Sunday for a night of worship and encouragement for families affected by the tragic weather the area has suffered from. Lead singer Mark Hall is an Alabama native.
The series of fatal tornadoes forced the postponement of several concerts, including two by Sanctus Real.
Meanwhile, Third Day is planning a benefit concert May 15 in Birmingham, Alabama. Lead singer Mac Powell is also originally from Alabama.
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11. CHONDA PIERCE PREPPING FOR THE ARMY
Comedienne Chonda Pierce performed at several military sites in the Middle East last year entertaining the troops. Now she’s been asked to entertain in Washington DC at the official U.S. “Army Ball.” Her written schedule for the event kept mentioning “POTUS” .When she asked what it meant, she was told “President of the United States,” who would be in attendance. “I’m stoked,” she said. Is she polishing up some new presidential comedy material?
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12. CELEBRATION CONCERT
Jars of Clay celebrates achievement of its goal of digging 1,000 wells in Africa as part of its Blood Water Mission project begun in 2005. A concert for the celebration is set for Tuesday May 10 in Nashville with “Jars and Friends.” ++++++++++++++++++++++++
13. RETURNING WITH NEW CD……
Guess who is back with a new CD this July – Burlap to Cashmere – the acoustic folk rock band which hit it big in the late 1990s, then took a hiatus.
Releasing next week is the new Building 429 album “Listen to the Sound.” The radio single has been out for more than a month. The band just make a music video for the song.
Also making a comeback – Bleach – the pop rock band that had several Christian radio hits (remember “Epidermis Girl”?) They’re currently working on a new EP. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
14. TOBY DOING DAD DUTY
TobyMac went with his 6th-grade son Truett on his class trip to Washington DC this week , visiting all the famous monuments and museums…”Nice to be spendin time with my little man” tweeted toby of his “Tru-Dog”
Thanks for reading. You can link to Terry’s newspaper articles at:
http://connect.mlive.com/user/tdeboer/index.html
