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
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
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
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
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
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!
* 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!
* 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!
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."
Christian Music News Source
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."
Christian Music News Source
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