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Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Brandon Heath Gives Hope to Deserving Children in Denver This Christmas Season

Brandon Heath Gives Hope to Deserving Children in Denver This Christmas Season: Based off the title of his new, GRAMMY-nominated album, What If We, K-Love and Brandon Heath partnered to give K-Love listeners and Brandon Heath fans an opportunity to bring community together and work toward helping those in need. Brandon, K-Love and the Denver Rescue Mission hosted a toy drive and VIP free concert on Tuesday, December 2 to gather gifts for thousands of deserving children this Christmas. For more information on Brandon Heath, please visit: http://www.brandonheath.net/.

Christian Music News Source

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Brandon Heath Wraps ART*MUSIC*JUSTICE Tour to Stellar Reviews and a Non-Stop Single

Brandon Heath Wraps ART*MUSIC*JUSTICE Tour to Stellar Reviews and a Non-Stop Single: This fall Brandon Heath along with Sara Groves, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken and author/artist Charlie Peacock, hit the road for the ART*MUSIC*JUSTICE tour. This tour benefited both the International Justice Mission (IJM) and Food For the Hungry (FH). The tour was such a success on so many levels that plans are already underway to put together a follow-up tour in the fall of 2009. �The sound and feel of the night couldn�t have been more like a family joining other families to end slavery,� said Brandon Heath. In over 20 cities, the artists brought a unique concert opportunity to �add to the beauty, seek justice and give God praise,� each evening, desiring to further educate the church on God's heart for justice, gain advocates for the oppressed, and show evidence of a God at work in this world. Each evening brought with it inspired music and videos of God's people in action and their heroic experiences across the globe. Incredible stories of rescue from the International Justice Mission were told. As the tour wrapped, 550 kids had been sponsored in the Rwandan Village of Gisanga, and their goal to raise $50k for the International Justice Mission was surpassed.

Christian Music News Source

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Toledo minister's novel tells a story with a message

The Rev. Dave Claassen, pastor of Mayfair-Plymouth Congregational Church in Toledo, woke up one morning with a novel idea.

"I just couldn't get it out of my thought processes," he said, "so I put my current writing project on hold and decided to work full-time in my early

morning writing time on this book."

From 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. Mr. Claassen worked at putting his idea into words, and last week, his novel Kathryn's Fountain was published by Cladach

Publishing of Greely, Colo.

It's an uplifting and enjoyable story of an elderly woman living in a senior citizen's facility who is feeling "marginalized by life, that she's of little use

to anyone," as Mr. Claassen explained by phone this week.

One sweltering summer day, as Kathryn is sitting in her wheelchair in the senior center's courtyard, she dips her handkerchief into a fountain and

dabs her forehead to cool off.

She feels a tingle go through her body and undergoes a transformation that allows her to become involved in helping a neglected neighborhood

girl. It's a miracle, she says. As the novel unfolds, Kathryn also finds ways to have an impact on the lives of a police detective and a social

worker.

The breezy book is fun to read and also shines a light on the spiritual side of life - without getting preachy or heavy-handed.

"I think a novel first of all should be good entertainment," Mr. Claassen said. "But as a Christian and as a pastor, I just feel that leaving it at that is

not adequate. There's no reason why you can't have good entertainment but also have people take away something that is life-changing or

transformational."

This is Mr. Claassen's first mainstream novel, but not his first book. His Object Lessons for a Year was published in 1986 by Baker and has sold

50,000 copies and remains in print. He also has written Silent Words Loudly Spoken, a book on writing effective church signs, published in 2004

by CSS Publishing; and he has photographs published by iStock photo.

Mr. Claassen has scheduled several media appearances and book signings to promote Kathryn's Fountain. Call Mayfair-Plymouth at 419... or

check out daveclaassen.com for more information.

e

TOLEDOANS HONORED: The Rance Allen Group of Toledo will be honored at the Stellar Awards in Nashville in January, earning the Walgreen's

Ambassador Bobby Jones Legend Award.

Featuring the Rev. Rance Allen and his brothers, Thomas and Steve, the gospel group has been singing since 1969 and was inducted into the

Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998.

The Stellar Awards will be broadcast on the Gospel Music Channel on March 1.

e

CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE: Abbey Press, located at St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana, is world renowned for its Christian books and collectibles.

One of its most famous publications is CareNotes, a series of small booklets offering pastoral care and spiritual encouragement.

Brother Francis Wagner, a former Toledoan who professed his vows to become a Benedictine monk last year, joined Abbey Press as an editor,

among his many roles. One of his first goals was to help create a line of CareNotes that reflected Abbey Press' Catholic tradition and teachings.

That goal became reality last month when efforts have come to borne fruit with the new series, first five titles published last month in a new

series, Catholic Perspectives CareNotes. become Abbey Press published the first five titles in a new series, of CareNotes that reflect the

monastery's Catholicism.

The project is now a reality as the first five titles in the new Catholic Perspectives CareNotes series were published last month. Two of the

eight-page pamphlets were penned by Brother Francis, "The Healing Cross: Reflections for the Sick and Suffering," and "Finding Comfort and

Healing in the Rosary."

The other titles are "How the Eucharist Makes Whole the Broken," "Joy in the Midst of Grief: The Catholic Funeral," and "How the Saints Help Us

Through Hardship."

CareNotes live up to the name, offering words of caring and pastoral concern as if the reader were conversing with a priest or a monk.

Information is available online at carenotes.com or by calling Abbey Press' toll free line, 1-8....

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'MONITOR' UPGRADE: Dr. Mahjabeen Islam, a medical doctor and writer, has led the way for an extreme makeover of the Islamic Center of Greater

Toledo's magazine, The Monitor.

The bimonthly magazine is now printed in a glossy 32-page format with articles that cover a wide range of Islamic topics. Recent issues included

an editorial by Dr. Islam on Muslims and adoption; an article by Imam Farooq Abo-Elzahab about building strong communities, and an essay by

Mansoor Alam about examining one's beliefs, titled "I Am Not a Puppet."

Some issues are available online at icgt.org.

e

GOD'S VIEW: Brandon Heath was named New Artist of the Year by the Gospel Music Association earlier this year based on his debut disc, "Don't

Get Comfortable."

He also was nominated for songwriter of the year and song of the year. Heath's second disc for Reunion Records, "What If We," released in

August, features more solid and inspiring songwriting, especially the hit single "Give Me Your Eyes."

In the lyrics, set to a steady-flowing pop melody, Heath prays to see people the way the Lord sees them.

"Give me your eyes for just one second, give me your eyes so I can see; everything that I keep missing, give me your love for humanity."

The stirring song came to him while people-watching at an airport, he said. Sometimes the most profound ideas come in the most mundane

settings.

You can find out more about this fast-rising Christian music star at brandonheath.net.

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SWITCHFOOT'S BEST: Like most "overnight successes," Christian rock band Switchfoot paid its dues before achieving nationwide fame with its

Columbia Records breakthrough CD, "The Beautiful Letdown," in 2003.

The San Diego-based group has sold more than 5 million albums and 10 million singles worldwide since signing with Columbia, including

guitar-powered gems as the debut disc's title track, "Dare You To Move," "This Is Your Life," and "On Fire."

Switchfoot, named for a surfing term, followed its double-platinum debut with two more hit albums, "Nothing Is Sound" in 2005 and "Oh! Gravity" in

2006.

But the band - Jon Foreman on vocals; his brother Tim Foreman on bass; Jerome Fontamillas and Drew Shirley on guitars, and Chad Butler on

drums - had already been recording long before it hit the charts, having been signed by Charlie Peacock to his independent label, re:Think

Records, in 1997.

Although Switchfoot's pre-"Letdown" releases were largely overlooked, the music from this period adds to the fan appeal and artistic depth of the

group's new Columbia release, "The Best Yet."

The greatest hits disc includes 18 songs from 1997 to a previously unreleased single, "This Is Home," from the soundtrack to the 2008 Disney

movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

For fans who can't get enough Switchfoot, The Best Yet is also available in a deluxe version that includes 14 videos.

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A SAINT'S PRAYERS: Just as Mother Teresa was small in physical stature but mighty in spirit, so is a new book of selected prayers, Jesus Is My

All in All: Praying with the 'Saint of Calcutta,' Mother Teresa (Doubleday, $9.95).

The 52-page hardcover book measures just 4 1/4 inches in width and 6 1/4 inches in height, but contains a powerful nine-day prayer novena

based on the writings of Mother Teresa as compiled by Brian Kolodiejchuk.

e

GRACEFUL THINKING: I've been enjoying Cathleen Falsani's new book, Sin Boldly: A Field Guide for Grace (Zondervan, $19.99).

Religion columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, Ms. Falsani ponders the elusive meaning of grace in travels that take her to a variety of locales

including St. Peter's Square, the windswept coast of Ireland, a shantytown in Kenya, post-Katrina churches, and Elvis' Graceland.

Tapping into a wealth of religious references and colorful characters ranging from U2 to Screaming Frenchman Jean Larroux to her chauvinistic

Tanzanian tour guide Phil, Ms. Falsani says it's nearly impossible to define God's grace - but it definitely is "audacious, unwarranted, and

unlimited."

The title is taken from Martin Luther's quote urging people not to be so fearful of sinning that they don't live their lives.

Chrisian Music News Source

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Brandon Heath playing at the Staples Center! * Give me your eyes




Brandon Heath at the Staples Center before the Kings game on faith and Family night. Playing Give me your eyes!

Christian Music News Source

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Brandon Heath In Studio Recording "Heavenly Day"




Brandon Heath in the studio with producer Ed Cash recording his version of Patty Griffin's "Heavenly Day" for the new "Billy: The Early Years" Original Soundtrack. Available on ...

Christian Music News Source

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Brandon Heath Named New Artist of the Year at 39th Annual...

(Nashville, Tenn.) April 24, 2008 – Acclaimed singer/songwriter Brandon Heath scored a huge win last night in his hometown of Nashville by taking home the Dove for New Artist of the Year at the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Heath claimed the coveted New Artist title due largely to the success of his debut project, Don’t Get Comfortable, which contained the night’s Song of the Year nominee, “I’m Not Who I Was,” a No. 1 smash-hit that was also nominated in the Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song category and granted Heath his first Songwriter of the Year nod.

“I’m from here in Nashville so it’s an honor to accept this award in front of my peers and my parents,” Heath told Nashville’s CBS affiliate NewsChannel 5. “It was a fun thing!”

Heath said backstage during a press conference, “It is truly an honor to be recognized for hard work and good songwriting. I am thankful to work with such a talented and committed team of managers, producers and label staff, and I’m really looking forward to the next chapter!”

Brandon Heath currently resides in Houston, Texas, and is a worship leader at The Loft church located in The Woodlands. He is currently preparing for the late summer release of his highly anticipated sophomore album titled What If We.

Heath quickly became a fixture at Christian radio with the release of his debut project. His mega-hit “I’m Not Who I Was” raced to No. 1 and ended 2007 as one of the year’s most played radio singles. His debut project also delivered the 2007 Dove-nominated, Top 5 radio hit, “Our God Reigns.” Heath has been a respected writer in the Nashville music community for years, collaborating with well-known artists like Bebo Norman, Matt Wertz and Dave Barnes, to name a few. The Nashville native first began writing at age 13 and credits the town’s legendary hotspot for songwriters, the Bluebird CafĂ©, as the place he first experienced music that moved him.

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards show was presented at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville and broadcast live on Gospel Music Channel.

Christian Music News Source

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Brandon Heath: Finding The Sound…

He’s a “New Artist of the Year” winner. He’s releasing his second album, What If We (Reunion), after his 2006 debut was a hit with critics and audiences alike. He’s written with Jars of Clay, Matt Wertz, Bebo Norman and many others. And all he cares about is making sure the listener is connecting with his/her Creator.



It’s refreshing to talk to an artist like Brandon Heath about his music because there’s no pretense—just an honest, ordinary guy offering his heart and reflections. In this interview, Heath gives us the lowdown on the meaning behind the new title, working with the Jars guys and what it means to define his sound.



CCM: What informed the new album title, What If We?



Brandon Heath: The slogan “What If We” came from a conversation with a mentor friend of mine. We were talking about what God was doing in our lives. That work has often been with other people; it’s never been alone. For me it was taking the risk and putting myself out there as an artist. For him, he was involved in this ministry and not-for-profit organization that pulls girls from brothels called Restore International (restoreinternational.org).



Both of us are just ordinary people, but it feels that God has done extraordinary things just by us trusting Him. I love the fact we’re able to dream as big as we want as long as we believe God can do great things. So the ‘What If’ part is all about those possibilities and the ‘We’ part is doing that together. So, we’re wanting people to be inspired by that sentence.



CCM: I’ve read where you said you didn’t want to stray too far from your sound on the first record…



Brandon: Yeah, that was really the goal. I think as a new artist, to be perfectly honest, I’m still trying to figure out what my sound is. And I think others are, too. So you don’t want to confuse people too much about who you are. I want my music to be accessible, but I don’t want to be so cookie-cutter that it’s predictable. As we [were] finding out what my sound [was], I didn’t want to be too crazy on the second record.



But I think what ended up happening is that it sounded different because we were into Western movies. Also, a lot of people are using the British sound a little too much these days so we wanted to move away from that, too. We used electrics that sounded like Americana—kind of a Springsteen, Tom Petty sound—that being more of the sound spectrum, or a lot of the instruments we used, rather than the same British rock deal.



CCM: What have you learned about your own sound to this point?



Brandon: Well, that it’s a lot of what I listen to. I listen to a lot of the Nashville scene and the Americana sound. But I love listening to pop as well. I love a good pop beat and a couple of the songs on here have that. But I also work with a producer who is one of my best friends, and I give him a lot of input and stake in my own music. So I think discovering my “sound” is a process of Dan [Muckala] and I sitting in a studio and seeing what works.



I’ll be the first to tell you that my musicality is simple, and I sometimes don’t even know how to put it into words, but Dan has helped me uncover what I’m trying to get across. I think that’s what makes producers great—when they can help you define who you are.



CCM: How was writing with the guys in Jars of Clay?



Brandon: Oh man, I’ve been a fan of theirs for a long, long time. But we’ve never done anything creative—we’ve always just hung out. So I was really nervous going into it. [Laughs] I didn’t tell them that. There was a snow day in Nashville—one of the few we have—and Dan couldn’t be there because of his kids. But the other three—Charlie, Matt and Steve came to their studio called the Jarhole. It’s under construction now, and it was not the vibe to create in at the time, but we had a great time.



They came up with the musical part, and I developed the lyric almost by myself. They let me do my thing. They let me take off and come up with the melody, and most of the lyric, I steered. But the rest, they did it. Even on the recording [of this song], I’m not playing any instruments at all. It went toward their new sound as well. I’m honored to have written with them and have them on the record.



Christian Music News Source

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

World travels inspired fundraising musical tour

Singer/songwriter Sara Groves has united with several other Christian artists for a tour that's also a fundraiser for international relief efforts.

The tour, called ART*MUSIC*JUSTICE, comes to Evansville's Christian Fellowship Church on Oct. 12. In addition to Groves, the lineup includes Brandon Heath (Christian music's New Artist of the Year), Derek Webb (formerly of Caedmon's Call), Sandra McCracken and Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and record producer Charlie Peacock.

The purpose of the tour is to benefit both the International Justice Mission and Food for the Hungry.

Groves made trips to Rwanda and Southeast Asia, and through International Justice Mission she witnessed how much could be done to help victims of genocide, sexual exploitation and slavery.

"There is a huge difference between charity and justice. Justice means I'm going to fight for you," Groves said in a recent phone conversation. On her new album, "Tell Me What You Know," Groves made an effort to communicate all the joy and hope that have come from what she's learned. Seven of the songs are inspired by a young woman named Elizabeth, whom she met four years ago.

"Elizabeth, from Southeast Asia, was the oldest of seven, so she took a job in a nearby town to save money for Bible College. A woman she was traveling with betrayed her; Elizabeth was taken captive and sold to a brothel, where she was forced to see 10 to 15 men a day. Elizabeth prayed every night for God to rescue her, and that rescue came in the form of IJM, who was able to secure her freedom," Groves said.

Elizabeth is now a college graduate who uses her story to help others.

In Rwanda, Groves was struck by how one could see the most beautiful things and the most horrible things side by side.

"Hope next to the despair is Rwanda. Yet I learned that I don't know as much as I thought I did. These people are complex and proud."

Food for the Hungry and the International Justice Mission are helping artists and sponsors to partner with one community in Rwanda in the hopes of having every child in that community sponsored by the time the tour concludes.

People might feel helpless when they look at situations like those Groves witnessed in Rwanda and Southeast Asia, but Groves believes that "conviction comes in doses we can handle and guilt is a waste of time."

Partnering with filmmakers and National Geographic, Groves believes the concert will be a thought-provoking and hope-filled evening.

"We are all as Christians saved by grace, and Ephesians 2:10 tells us that Christ Jesus prepared good works for us to do. God is doing amazing things, and we get to be a part of it," Groves said.

Christian Music News Source

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Brandon Heath - Our God Reigns

Reviewed by Ontario (Raleigh, NC)
My review of this beautiful song, (Our God Reigns) is absolutely spirit filled. There are not many songs that affects me to the point where I started crying but the lyrics are definitely true and I loved it the first time I heard it. I thank God for you and for giving me the opportunity to express my feelings about it. May God continue to bless and use you to fulfill his purpose. Stay encouraged in the Lord....

Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review

Brandon Heath - What If We

Brandon Heath came onto the Christian contemporary scene rather quietly two years ago with his debut Don’t Get Comfortable. Heath quickly garnered several radio hits, however, including the worship song "Our God Reigns" and the incredibly successful “I’m Not Who I Was,” which he performed a bit of at this year’s Dove Awards. After touring almost relentlessly and venturing out on a missions trip to Kenya and Uganda with Blood:Water Mission, Heath has been writing his new album What If We. The idea for the name of the record is to challenge Christians to ask the question “What if we…?” every day of our lives. The album also addresses many of topics like love, showing kindness, and finding the best in people.

While Heath’s debut was full of radio-friendly pop hits, the major difference on this release is that each song has a much softer and more melodic feel, save for the few singles that are sprinkled throughout the record. The intro single “Give Me Your Eyes” is already climbing the charts this summer, with Heath’s choruses becoming reminiscent of fellow singer/songwriter Mat Kearney. The song also includes lyrics that show Heath’s passion for the lost and hurting, “Give me Your eyes for just one second / give me Your eyes so I can see / everything that I keep missing / Give me Your love for humanity.” Highlights on the recording include the soft yet addictive chorus of “Listen Up,” the southern twinge of “Wait And See” (where Heath admits “He’s not finished with me yet”), and the slow piano-driven finale “No Not One.” Probably the biggest highlight of the record comes on the piano-rock track “London,” seemingly a love song that Heath wrote. The piano accompanied with the singer’s strong vocals and addictive chorus makes for a beautiful song and fits perfectly for Heath’s style....

Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review

Brandon Heath - Don't Get Comfortable

Contemporary artists always get a lot of play on radio. It’s just a fact in Christian music. So it’s no surprise if you’ve already heard some of Brandon Heath’s debut album Don’t Get Comfortable. With a style that mimics the likes of Matthew West, yet bears a slightly different edge, Heath can definitely hold ground on radio. But is his debut worth more than a few hit singles?

Almost all the songs on Heath’s debut could potentially be radio singles, but there are songs that are definite hits. Songs like opener “Steady Now," the catchy title track, or even the worship-fueled “Our God Reigns,” are all perfect for radio. Other tracks like “Simple Man,” the piano-driven “Red Sky,” or the calm, beat driven sounds of “I’m Not Who I Was,” make Heath sound like he’s been doing music for ages. At the same time, implementing piano into most tracks has an interesting way of making his music very approachable for almost anyone. The only track that could have been worked a little better comes at the end of the record, with “Beauty Divine.” It’s by far the slowest song on the album, and just seems somewhat out of place for the whole of the record....

Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review

Friday, September 19, 2008

NWC to host Art-Music-Justice Concert

Sep 8, 2008

Sara Groves headlines the Art-Music-Justice Concert.

Five critically acclaimed artists will appear on stage at Northwestern College’s Bultman Center on Friday, Oct. 10, at 7:30 p.m. as part of an effort to “add to the beauty, seek

justice and give praise to God.” The Art-Music-Justice Concert will feature Sara Groves, Brandon Heath, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken and Charlie Peacock.

Groves and her friends say they desire for their Art-Music-Justice tour to “further educate the church on God’s heart for justice, gain advocates for the oppressed, and show

evidence of God at work in this world.” Benefiting International Justice Mission (IJM) and Food for the Hungry, the concerts will include inspired music and stories of God’s

people in action across the globe. Accounts of IJM’s work in rescuing people from slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression will be shared, while

audience members will have the opportunity to help Groves’ “adopted” village in Rwanda.

Northwestern’s concert is being presented free of charge as part of the inauguration of President Greg Christy. Those attending are asked to bring two canned food items to

be donated to the local food pantry.

“God is mighty to save and is actively rescuing the oppressed through his people,” says Groves. “Scripture references to the ‘slave, the poor, the oppressed’ are not

figurative. There are 27 million people enslaved today. God is calling us to respond. All of us on this tour want to convey it is not a burden to help; it is an adventure. We’re

excited to get out there and share what God is doing!”

Since her debut release in 2001, Groves has received rave reviews across the board for each recording from the likes of Billboard, consistently topped year-end readers’

polls, and garnered album-of-the-year nods from CCM magazine and Christianity Today Online. On her new album, “Tell Me What You Know,” Groves explores lessons on the

value of long defeats and the defiance of hope in the face of insurmountable odds.

Since the 2005 release of “Add to the Beauty,” Groves has been questioning just how, exactly, she is called to do that. Her answers came in a series of global conversations

and experiences, from the flood-ravaged gulf of Louisiana, to the genocide memorials of Rwanda, to the testimonies of Southeast Asia sex trade survivors. These

experiences showed the disparity between some of the American pursuits of comfort and wealth and the joy of joining the difficult work of social justice and engaging in the

suffering of the afflicted.

Brandon HeathBrandon Heath, winner of the 2008 Dove Award for New Artist of the Year, debuted his sophomore album, “What If We,” in August. The new album features

“Give Me Your Eyes,” which is currently atop the Billboard and Radio & Records Christian Hit Radio charts. Heath’s first recording, “Don’t Get Comfortable,” delivered the No. 1

radio hit “I’m Not Who I Was,” a Song of the Year nominee.

Derek WebbA former member of Caedmon’s Call, Derek Webb has seen career sales approaching a million records, 10 Dove Award nominations, a Billboard Music Video

Award nod, and six No. 1 radio hits. His fourth solo project, “The Ringing Bell,” was recognized by Christianity Today and Paste magazine as one of the best albums of 2007.

Sandra McCrakenSinger/songwriter Sandra McCracken, Webb’s wife, has been called Nashville’s best-kept secret. A music graduate of Belmont University, she has built a

substantial presence in the independent music world. She has toured nationally and sold over 20,000 records.

Charlie PeacockCharlie Peacock is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, record producer and respected author and speaker. Named by Billboard’s Encyclopedia of Record

Producers as one of the 500 most important producers in music history, Peacock has received the Dove Award for Producer of the Year three times. He is also the co-

founding director of Nashville’s Art House America, a ministry of hospitality, the arts and biblical teaching.

To listen to audio of Groves sharing about the Art-Music-Justice tour, and for more tour information, visit www.myspace.com/artmusicjustice.

International Justice Mission works with local officials to ensure immediate rescue and aftercare for victims of oppression, to prosecute perpetrators, and to promote

functioning public justice systems. Food for the Hungry works in more than 26 developing countries providing disaster and emergency relief, as well as implementing

sustainable development programs to transform communities physically and spiritually.


Christian Music News Source

Dove Awards

Wins

* 2008: "New Artist of the Year"



Nominations

* 2008: "Songwriter of the Year"
* 2008: "Song of the Year" for "I'm Not Who I Was"
* 2008: "Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year" for "I'm Not Who I Was"


Christian Music Links!

Discography

Albums

* 2003: Early Stuff (Independent)
* 2003: Soldier (Independent)
* 2005: Don't Get Comfortable The EP (Independent) [4]
* 2006: Don't Get Comfortable (Reunion Records) Reviews: Billboard
* 2008: What If We (Reunion Records) (scheduled for August 19 release)



Singles

He is best known for the song "I'm Not Who I Was", which climbed to the #16 position on the September 15, 2007 R&R magazine chart[5] after hitting #1 on the Billboard magazine's Hot

Christian Songs chart for six weeks starting on July 4, 2007. The song was covered by Jason Castro (of American Idol fame) at Lakepoint Church. Don't Get Comfortable, his debut

album's title track, was also released as a single.

He released the song "Give Me Your Eyes" as the first single off of his second album What If We.



Compilation appearances

* 2006: WOW Next 2007, "Our God Reigns" (EMI)
* 2006: The Next Big Thing, "I'm Not Who I Was" (Provident)
* 2008: WOW Hits 1, "I'm Not Who I Was" #14



Christian Music Links!

Musical career

Don't Get Comfortable is Heath's major label debut, and it is the result of all his years of studying songwriting greats. Producer Dan Muckala (Backstreet Boys, Nick Lachey, The Afters)

has added pop influences to Heath's earthy songwriting. In 2007, he received a nomination for a Dove Award for Worship Song of the Year with his song "Our God Reigns".[1] [2]

Heath has partnered in songwriting with Bebo Norman and Matt Wertz, who was one of his roommates.[2] He has written songs for Norman, Joy Williams and Christopher Williams. He

has worked with Sevenglory on their 2007 album.

At the 39th annual GMA Dove Awards, Heath was nominated for four Dove Awards, winning an award for "Best New Artist of the Year".



Christian Music Links!

Art*Music*Justice

It is probably no surprise the Art*Music*Justice tour, coming to Lee University Sept. 26, is a different kind of tour from your traditional large-scale rock tour, but it is also different from your average Contemporary Christian tour.

The tour, which features Sarah Groves, Brandon Heath, Sandra McCracken, Charlie Peacock and Derek Webb benefits International Justice Mission and Food for the Hungry.

Sarah Groves and her husband, Troy, had the idea for the tour after attending an International Justice Mission event and approached the other artists about participating.

"We are redeemed to a purpose," said Groves. "We want to challenge people to think 'what is my purpose.'"

The concert is to be held in Lee University's Conn Center Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.

Dr. Mike Hayes, assistant vice president for student life at Lee University, said, "The concert is open and free to the public as a service to the community. Our hope is that our guests will feel welcome to be a part of this unique experience to join with us for a time of worship with some great artists and an opportunity to look at how we can express our faith together to help solve challenges together in our community and around the world."

The concert will begin with a "round table" introduction to the artists and the two charities the concert is to benefit. Then each artist will perform in turn, with multimedia presentations between the sets and in conjunction with some of the songs.

"What intrigued us about the tour was how it integrated musical excellence, corporate worship and justice themes. The concert is focused on encouraging Christ-followers to really think about how we are the Church, particularly in terms of how we live in relation to those less fortunate around us," said Hayes.

The musicians represented in the Art*Music*Justice Tour are an eclectic group, their desire to "be a part of something bigger" is the uniting factor.

Sarah Groves is a longtime member of the Christian music community with seven albums released. Her latest release, "Tell Me What You Know," was inspired by experiences as she questioned her place in a world as a "fully integrated Christian."

Many of the songs on the album were inspired by the stories of others, "from the flood-ravaged gulf of Louisiana, the genocide memorials of Rwanda to the testimonies of Southeast Asia sex trade survivors." One such survivor, a young Christian girl named Elisabeth, Groves found especially inspiring.

Young up-and-coming Brandon Heath said of the Art*Music*Justice Tour, "I've never been involved with anything that suits my personality and beliefs better."

A songwriter since the age of 13, Heath was "very influenced by the songwriting community in Nashville," his hometown, and was known as an indie artist in the music community. A couple of years ago, he decided he wanted to be a singer-songwriter on a bigger platform. The result of this decision is his latest album, "What if We," which features "Give Me Your Eyes," a song about God letting people see the world as he sees is, born out of a moment of people-watching in an airport.

"These are people who shaped my songwriting," Heath said, describing the other artists on the Art*Music*Justice Tour.

In addition to his burgeoning music career, Heath is the worship leader at The Loft in Houston, Texas, and is very involved in Young Life ministries.

For Caedmon's Call alumni Derek Webb the unique Art*Music* Justice tour is just one of many career changes in recent months. Webb is known for his honest and eloquent lyrics and lack of fear in exploring controversial topics, presented in acoustic guitar-accompanied plaintive vocals. In his fourth solo release, "The Ringing Bell," Webb's lyrics are just as hard-hitting, but are accompanied by Beatles-sounding guitars and decidedly more vintage-rock feeling.

Webb said, "I hope this record is a bit of a surprise. Inadvertently I feel like I have somehow mysteriously made my most commercial record."

Webb joins the Art*Music*Justice tour with a long history of approaching difficult topics in lyric and volunteer-based action.

2008 also saw the release of Ampersand EP, the first collaborative effort between Webb and his wife, singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken, which is being called "every bit as personal and confessional as their solo work."

For musician Sandra McCracken, "It's the perfect time to step out and do something that is less about me and more about a greater story." Like Hayes at Lee University and her fellow artists on the tour, McCracken "hopes the tour is a catalyst."

McCracken's music is hard to categorize, but is most closely related to the folk genre. The Belmont University graduate has penned songs for Caedmon's Call and husband Derek Webb, but calls the Christian message of her solo work "abstract -- more implicit than explicit."

"You don't have to look like a certain thing or write a certain kind of music to portray Christianity," said McCracken.

She quotes "Everyday Apocalypse" author David Dark, who said, "There is not a secular molecule in the universe." Her soulful, folksy, Americana sound and subtle, yet, hard hitting lyrics gain more meaning with contemplation. McCracken calls her songs, "A blend of melancholy and hope."

Though he hasn't been on the road for some 20 years, Charlie Peacock is no stranger to the music business or stage.

The Grammy-winning music producer's career began with his 1982 release of "Lie Down in the Grass" and hasn't stopped since.

His resume includes touring artist, much-recorded songwriter, record producer, record company president, seminary student, jazz pianist, and Sr. A&R consultant to mega-music publisher, Sony/ATV.

In a 1990 interview with CCM Magazine, Peacock said, "I'm much more interested in being a part of historical Christianity than contemporary Christianity. If God should put me in a place of leadership in contemporary Christian music, then my prayer is that I'll keep pointing people back to the historical person of Jesus, that we could be truly contemporary."

Though he spoke those words 18 years ago, Art*Music* Justice and it's purpose of "sharing inspiring art and stories of God's people in action around the world," fall in line with the statement.

Though planning and preparing for such an event could be an undertaking, Groves said, "It was really relatively easy -- all of the artists are so on the same page."

International Justice Mission is a U.S.-based Christian non-profit human rights organization that operates in countries all over the world to rescue victims of individual human rights abuse, to combat human trafficking, forced labor slavery, illegal detention, unprosecuted rape, police brutality and illegal land seizure. Based on referrals of abuse received from relief and development organizations, International Justice Mission conducts professional investigations of the abuses and mobilizes intervention on behalf of the victims. The four-fold purpose of International Justice Mission is victim relief, perpetrator accountability, structural prevention and victim aftercare. International Justice Mission was founded in 1997 by Gary Haugen, who currently serves as the President and CEO of the organization.

Food for the Hungry is an international relief and development organization working in more than 25 countries around the world. Food for the Hungry was founded in 1971 by Dr. Larry Ward. Their stated mission is "to walk with leaders, churches and families in overcoming all forms of human poverty by living in healthy relationship with God and His creation."

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