October 2003
It saddens us to report the following devastating news from Fono as they have suffered a major loss due to
the recent firestorm that may have cancelled the band's pending sophomore release...
"Some of you may have seen the fires that have swept through southern California and San Diego on the news. During those fires our studio was burned to the ground. We visited the studio yesterday after fires subsided in that area and we have lost everything, the whole studio was ash. We have lost all our band equipment, all our recording equipment and most unfortunately all the masters for the new Fono record. We are all devastated, but glad that our families and friends are all safe and well.
In light of this we will be disappearing for a while to regroup. Our hearts go out to all the people who have lost their homes and loved ones to this tragic fire. We appreciate all your support. -Fono"
Please keep the guys in your special prayers...
Here's the latest from Delirious? on their brand new release
World Service...
"With more grunt, drive and shove than the England scrum, the very latest studio album from Delirious is looking
good. In fact, it's sounding wonderful, and I'm not just writing that because there's money involved.
The truth, whole truth and nothing but is that World Service captures the heart and sound of a band
in the middle of something inspirational. Plug into World Service and you'll connect to 12 tracks
that will do your heart good. Plug in and you'll see that when life is tough but God is good the soul finds a
stronger melody to sing.
So, how to get your hands on the album? Well, you can wait for the December 15th release date or you can save
some pennies and more than a little anxiety by pre-ordering right now. Not only do you guarantee your copy gets
to you first, you also get it for a staggeringly good price. For just £10 you can order the regular-packaged
version, but chuck us another couple of quid and we'll ship you the limited edition special packaging version
(that'll be £12 if your math is dodgy)."
World Service releases to the UK fans on December 15 and the U.S. on February 10th, 2004.
Audio Adrenaline is releasing their first live DVD next month entitled Alive. The project will be attached
to copies of their 2003 record Worldwide starting November 18th. The guys' official site, AudioA.com recently interviewed the band
about the DVD. One question asked "Of all the festivals you played during the summer why did you choose the ALIVE festival to film the DVD?"
Drummer Ben Cissell replied, “ALIVE is one of the festivals that we truly feel at home. We play it every summer
and we always feel extremely welcome. We’ve been friends with Bill and Kathy, who run ALIVE, for years.
The set-up is great…how the audience is able to come right up to the stage. Plus, Will is from Ohio and
it’s always nice to be able to play near our hometowns.” When asked about if the band is planning a Spring tour,
the site replied "Audio Adrenaline will not be on a tour. There will be concerts on the weekends, but during the week the band will be IN THE STUDIO…"
Well that's music to our ears!
We reported last week that Smalltown Poets have finally resurfaced. Well, BEC Recordings have released this official
statement.....
Change and progression takes time. In the case of Smalltown Poets, the exact time has lapsed six years from their
self-titled debut release in 1997 to their upcoming BEC Recordings debut coming early this 2004. In those six
years the Georgia natives, whose original members met in high school, have completed three albums, scanning over
250,000 copies, received nominations for two Grammy Awards, seven Dove Awards, and created ten Top 10 singles.
In the time since, Smalltown Poets has taken on new members with Alex Peterson taking on bass and Troy Stains at
guitar joining already existing members Michael Johnston and Matt Goldman. But the newest change is in their
label home. In the summer of 2003, Smalltown inked a deal with BEC Recordings joining new labelmates like
Jeremy Camp, Seven Places, and Telecast.
“I don’t see anyone else that thinks outside the box and allows for artistic freedom like Brandon Ebel has
with BEC Recordings and Tooth & Nail,” explains Michael Johnston of the band’s decision. “As we get to share
our musical vision more in the coming days, we anticipate BEC Recordings to be the perfect place to be the
interface between our songs and music lovers. We sense an excitement at our new label home, about the band
and getting the word out about our new music. Our goal is to connect with more people and feed the souls of
music lovers with good songs. We love the fact that BEC has the ability to broaden the potential of our music
in many ways throughout the marketplace. We look forward to our songs going places they have never been before.”
Rachael Lampa is gearing up for her third studio album to street Spring
2004. Lampa, who is once again trying her hand at songwriting for the project, joins producer Tommy Sims for a
more sophisticated, coming-of-age musical statement. According to Word A&R guy Chris Rodriguez, "Tommy takes
his great understanding of song craft and blends the R&B Urban that Rachael feels with pop, rock, blues, and
gospel. This album has a more live and earthy feel overall from the first two records."
Alabama may have been central in the news in recent weeks as controversy raged over the public display of
the Ten Commandments in the State Capitol of Montgomery, but sell-outs posted on
Rebecca St. James' current "Let My Words Be Few Tour" are, she
believes, sending a message. Even in a state divided by religious opinions, the support of her current tour
offers proof that Christian based concerts continue to bring God's word to growing crowds of both new and
established believers. Her concerts this past week in both Huntsville and Montgomery, Alabama were sell-outs.
"Rebecca's tickets quickly sold-out in Montgomery (Wednesday, 22nd) and actually 300 or so people showed up at the doors that night hoping we could accommodate additional seating," noted Charlie Redmond, who booked the event. "The concert was heavily supported by local churches and the Christian base came out in full force."
Musically supporting Rebecca's billing on her current tour are fellow artists Down Here, Casting Crowns, and Charmaine .
The Smalltown Poets are back! Yup, it's absolutely true. The boys have resurfaced on the web with
a new website at SmalltownPoets.com and even have a few tour dates coming up before the end of the year.
Apparently the guys have undergone a few member changes and have found a new home label at Tooth & Nail spin-off
BEC Recordings. An August update date made this announcement, "The band is in the final stages of recording new music at Glow In The Dark Studio in Atlanta, GA. There is no word yet on a realease date but we can tell you that the new project will be released on BEC Recordings. There will be more information regarding the new album, tour dates, and general band stuff posted soon so check back often."
Surf on over now to SmalltownPoets.com and sign up for the band's official newsletter to keep tabs on the guys...
Sixpence None the Richer's frontwoman Leigh Nash has given an update on the band on their official
website Sixpence-NTR.com. Here's what Leigh has to say on her recent pregnancy with her and her husband
Mark's (formerly of PFR) first child and a forthcoming new release...
"It's hard to say exactly why I have'nt done another entry in all this time. I'm retarded? No, that would be
a good reason, but it's not true. But I do apologize for not keeping posts up there to update those who are
interested in my goings on. For a while we were out promoting the record pretty hard, that turned into a few
tours and we did some summer shows and now here we are...just about ready to start a new record.
I love Divine Discontent so much and feel so proud of it and glad we endured to get past those
rough years to see that it was heard. Thanks so much to those long time supporters that waited and waited
and waited with us.
Well I have some pretty big news. I am entering my seventh month of pregnancy this week. If you've
seen any of our recent shows you probably already know about the baby whom I've dubbed (for now)
"Mr. Baby". I'm so very much in love with him already, I've already warned him that I may have to bite
him :) It's driving me nuts that he's so close and I can't see him. Well, we actually got to see
him once during the ultrasound. Mark (my husband), and I are so thrilled that he's coming.
I can wake him or put him to sleep with certain songs I sing to him. Mark picked up a cd that
Jason Faulkner did of instrumantal versions of Beatles songs. It's for children and Mr. Baby seems
to atleast be intersted, because his movements become pretty ferocious when we play it for him.
I hope we're not scaring him. He is due around January 10th, but it sure would be nice to get him a
little early. I guess we have to wait and see on that one. My dogs (Tom and Gus) are throwing a
fit over something and I should go investigate... I thank you for being interseted enough in the
band to read this. Hope it's not too boring. I'll write more soon...Promise!"
Michael W. Smith kicked off his 19-date “Celebration Tour,” with special guest MercyMe, Thurs. Oct. 16
in Milwaukee, Wis. to a capacity crowd at the US Cellular Arena.
“Michael has been a mainstay in Christian music for 20 years and ‘The Celebration Tour’ clearly shows why,”
comments Cliff Reiser of Rush Concerts, who promoted the event. “What a way to celebrate 20 years. He inspired,
moved and shared with the audience in a way only he can do. The combination of Michael W. Smith and MercyMe
offered an evening of music and ministry that the audience was totally into. Rush Concerts is proud to
have played a small role in this success.”
John Huie of Creative Artists Agency concurs. “In a depressed business environment it is wonderful to see Michael
W. Smith selling out venues. Michael with MercyMe is the package of the year and I wish we could do another
run!”
In addition to seeing stellar tour numbers, Smith’s 17th audio recording, The Second Decade 1993-2003,
released earlier this month to claim the No. 1 position on Nielsen SoundScan’s Christian and
Christian/Mainstream Combined music sales charts. Michael was also the only artist to hold strong with
three albums in the Top 50 on the same charts.
Tait's hot new album Lose This Life drops on November 4th,
but the album won't be the only other new songs the guys have to offer. The band also recently recorded a U2
cover, the song "One", for the In The Name of Love tribute album releasing in January.
In The Name of Love will also feature songs
from Audio Adrenaline, P.O.D., Sixpence None the Richer, tobyMac, Nichole Nordeman, Pillar, and more!
The Tait band also have done a cover for the VeggieTales silly song "Cheeseburger". Now there's an interesting
cover tune...
Switchfoot continues to make a massive impact with their latest release The Beautiful Letdown,
having already shipped over 330,000 units to date. Being hailed as “...a masterpiece” by critics,
it’s no wonder that Switchfoot continues to gain national attention. The band was recently honored with
two awards from their hometown, which include “Best Pop Album,” and “Artist of the Year” at the San Diego
Music Awards. You can also check out their brand new video for "Meant To Live" online at here!
(lo) (high)
Multi-platinum, multi-Grammy and Dove Award-winning band, Jars of Clay
is readying for the Nov. 4 release of its sixth studio album, Who We Are Instead. The self-produced,
13-song project is its first disc of all new material since the acclaimed The Eleventh Hour, which released
March, 2002.
Who We Are Instead marks a return to the acoustic, soulful sound that launched Jars of Clay’s musical
journey nearly 10 years ago. “We were excited to just sit in a room and re-embrace the simple acoustic process
that got us started,” noted Dan Haseltine, Jars’ lead singer. “What has emerged, we hope, is an album that
is organic and soulful and an honest expression of the things we believe.”
Recorded at Jars’ Sputnik Studio, the project enlisted the talents of a few close and very gifted friends. Ashley
Cleveland added her trademark vocals to the album’s anchor song, “Amazing Grace,” as well as to the
blues-injected, “Jealous Kind.” Drummers Ben Mize (Counting Crows, Ryan Adams) and Ken Coomer (Wilco) played
on various tracks while Jacquire King (No Doubt, Third Eye Blind, Smash Mouth) mixed.
Who We Are Instead delivers 12 new songs written entirely by members Haseltine; Matt Odmark,
acoustic guitar; Stephen Mason, pedal steel/acoustic guitar; and keyboardist Charlie Lowell, plus offers a
remake of the 1970s hit song by super-group America, “Lonely People.” Producer Ron Aniello, who recently
worked on Guster’s latest record, Keep It Together, contributed on four songs, “Sunny Days,” “Faith Enough,”
“Show You Love,” and “Sing.”
Gotee Records' recording artist Relient K is gearing up for the
release of its very first Christmas CD, Deck the Halls, Bruise Your Hand, slated to hit store shelves
Nov. 4. The Christmas CD will be packaged along with the band's current top-selling album,
Two Lefts Don't Make a Right, But Three Do. The special Christmas combination package will feature
the fifth and final limited-edition cover of Two Lefts Don't Make a Right, making it a valuable
collector's item.
Deck the Halls, Bruise Your Hand features seven Christmas favorites performed with the inimitable
Relient K twist, including "Deck the Halls," "Handel's Messiah," "Twelve Days of Christmas," "Away in a Manger"
and more. The project also includes three original holiday offerings: "I Celebrate the Day, "Santa Clause
is Thumbing to Town" and "I Hate Christmas Parties."
"This August we ate a couple thousand sno-cones to get us in the Christmassy state of mind necessary to
record a bunch of holiday favorites (and originals) for our Deck The Halls, Bruise Your Hand album,"
says Relient K's Matt Thiessen. "We're all more than jolly about the way that this recording turned out,
and we really HO-HO-HOpe everyone who hears it enjoys it as well."
Relient K's Two Lefts Don't Make a Right, But Three Do sold more than 30,000 copies its first week
out of the box, and has gone on to sell more than 200,000 units so far in just six months. The album was
originally released with four innovative limited-edition covers, and the new Christmas edition will complete
the set. With three albums released to date, Relient K has reached combined sales of more than half a
million albums worldwide. The band's smash hit "Chap Stick, Chapped Lips, and Things Like Chemistry"
landed in the upper half of the college radio charts for more than two months before crossing over to
commercial alternative radio, and the song's video has aired on music television networks like MTV2,
Much Music and FUSE.
Relient K is currently headlining the Everybody Wants to Rule the World Tour with Anberlin and Don't Look Down.
The 35-city tour runs through the end of November. For more information, go to www.relientk.com.
You've heard the Superchick song, but do you know these girls?
Three sisters who rock will be the newest artist on growing boutique label Fervent Records, announced
Susan Riley, CEO. BarlowGirl – musicians and sisters Rebecca, Alyssa
and Lauren Barlow – have signed an exclusive label and songwriting deal with Fervent. Their Fervent debut
album will release February 24, 2004 through Provident Music Distribution.
“Fervent Records has purposely looked for a girl band to sign. Our label staff is made up predominantly of
females and each of us were tremendously affected by Christian music when we were young girls. As a label,
we wanted to find female artists that could provide that same inspiration to young women today. We were so
blessed to find that in BarlowGirl. They are incredible young ladies who will be great models for girls, but
will also find fans among guys as well as all ages,” said Riley.
“BarlowGirl has a passion to write songs about the journey that God has taken us on in our lives, and to share
with kids of our generation the power of trusting God in everything rather than just accepting and going along
with what the world has to offer. We are excited that Fervent Records believes in us and our music and has
chosen to be a part of our band’s future,” said Alyssa Barlow.
BarlowGirl (www.barlowgirl.com) was formed four years ago by Rebecca (23 – guitar, background vocals), Alyssa
(21 - bass, keyboard, vocals) and Lauren (18 – drums, vocals) who grew up in the Chicago suburb of Elgin, IL.
After playing for several years as a back-up band for their father Vince Barlow, who was a children’s music
minister for Promiseland, the children's ministry of Willow Creek Community Church, the girls began
experimenting with songwriting and playing together as a band. One year ago, desiring for deeper training
in their craft, BarlowGirl went to the Gospel Music Association’s “Seminar in the Rockies,” an annual event
in Estes Park, Colorado that brings together Christian music industry artists and executives together with
aspiring artists and songwriters for a week of training and talent competitions. It was there that they
first caught the attention of Christian music label executives, leading ultimately to their signing with
Fervent.
Dove nominated recording artist Joy Williams will again be part
of the highly attended Point of Grace “Girls of Grace” conferences.
Williams, who has been a part of the conference since its launch in fall 2002, is slated for upcoming
Minneapolis (Oct. 17 & 18), Louisville, Ky. (Oct. 24 & 25) and Oklahoma City (Nov. 7 & 8) dates. “I’m thrilled
to have been asked to participate in ‘Girls of Grace’ again,” noted Williams.
“I’m really looking forward to spending time with Terry, Shelley, Denise, and Heather of Point of Grace,
as well as with the girls coming to the event. I’ve been on the last two and love that the weekends are
set up to encourage relationship. I’ve been able to share in the lives of the some of the girls at these
events and that’s especially meaningful.”
Point of Grace started the conferences in fall 2002 to encourage teenaged girls to be Godly in every aspect
of their lives. Williams has been involved with “Girls of Grace” as a musical guest since its launch.
Eight-time 2003 Dove Award nominee Bebo Norman catches the spotlight again, this time for his song
"Tip of My Heart," recently re-recorded by popular country singer and television actor Billy Ray Cyrus.
Featured on Cyrus' upcoming release, The Other Side, "Tip of My Heart" is the album's debut Christian radio single,
going for adds Oct. 17.
"This is a song that was written by Bebo Norman, one of my favorite artists, just a great singer/songwriter,
and a guy that I have the utmost respect for," commented Cyrus during a recent interview with Salem
Communications affiliate WFFH in Nashville, Tenn. "I've wanted to cut this song for my past two albums that
I've done."
"This song is about the wanting I think we all have to go deeper in our lives ... spiritually, emotionally,
and relationally," Norman comments. "It's also about the fear of the unknown that seems to always stop us
short ... the fear that our faith is not enough; the fear that we are not enough. But more than those things,
this song is about grace ... the grace that thankfully is enough; the grace that can only come from God.
I am so pleased that Billy Ray has embraced 'Tip of My Heart' the way he has, and I hope its message is
able to affect many more lives."
Panheads unite! Skillet is urging fans to hold "Panhead Parties" in celebration of the band's forthcoming November 18th release,
Collide. Cooper made the following announcement in this week's Skillet
newsletter, "Get some friends together who like to rock. The cost is $25. What you get is: 1 CD, 2 skillet
T-shirts, autographed photo, stickers, instructions for party and how to have fun... and more!
More details later, but if you are interested and think you can get more than 3 people together,
send an e-mail to: ardent@ardentrecords.com with the subject "panhead parties". The deadline for all
e-mails concerning the parties is November 3rd."
John Reuben's gearing up for his December 2nd street date of his third Gotee release Professional Rapper.
With a lot of the new material featuring live instrumentation as well as programming, Reuben has plans to take a live
band out on tour with him for the first time in December. The self-produced Professional Rapper is agruably Reuben's tighest
work to date and offers two songs featuring The Benjamin Gate's frontwoman Adrienne Liesching with a another song offering a discreet guest
appearance from label owner and industry veteran tobyMac.
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced yesterday that the 35th Annual Dove Awards
will be held on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, said John W. Styll, president of the GMA.
The Dove Awards will be held at The Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville for the second straight year.
The GMA will offer tickets for sale to the public, including new, more affordable ticket prices for fans.
Tickets will go on sale in December to Gospel Music Association members and to the public in January.
More details will be available at www.doveawards.com.
The show’s hosts, performances, broadcast outlet and sponsors will be announced at a later date.
The Dove Awards is the culmination of the annual GMA Week convention, which will be held at various
locations in downtown Nashville from April 24 -28, 2004.
Essential Records’ Third Day and Creative Trust Workshop’s
Warren Barfield, were invited to participate with best-selling
author Max Lucado for a live, nationally broadcast satellite event that took on Sunday, October 5,
hosted by Church Communication Network (CCN).
Originating live from Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where Lucado serves as senior minister,
Lucado spoke to thousands of viewers on the topic of his new book, Next Door Savior: Near Enough to Touch,
Strong Enough to Trust (W Publishing Group,). Third Day and Barfield performed songs from the Creative Trust
Workshop Next Door Savior CD during this special event. Lucado’s daughter, Jenna, made a guest solo
appearance. A surprise guest, San Antonio Spurs David Robinson, provided his testimony during the two hour
broadcast.
Next Door Savior, the theme of Lucado’s two-hour broadcast, was written to address the questions and
longings of longtime believers as well as those of curious onlookers. Says Lucado: “To the seeker,
Next Door Savior offers reasons to believe. To the believer, Next Door Savior offers fiber
for faith. But more than an apologetic treatise on Jesus, this book is designed to platform the
"God-manness" of Christ, acquainting the reader with Jesus’ one-of-a-kind claims.” Next Door Savior
debuts at the #5 spot on the CBA’s top 50 books bestseller list in October 2003.
Last Tuesday, Sept. 30, Steven Curtis Chapman performed at the
Annual Congressional Angels In Adoption Awards Banquet, put on by CCAI, The Congressional Coalition on
Adoption Institute. The gala was held at the International Trade Center/Ronald Reagan Building in
Washington, D.C.
In 2001, Steven and Mary Beth Chapman received the National Angel in Adoption Award along with the late Dave Thomas (Wendy’s). This year, the award was given to Muhammad and Lonnie Ali as well as Bruce Willis for
their advocacies towards adoption and foster care.
Also on hand for the evening were over 50 members of Congress and 165 Angel recipients, recognized for
their adoption advocacy in their hometowns all across the nation. Families and children all came together
to share this one very special evening together!!
Chapman entertained the crowd with his song written for his first adopted daughter, “When Love Takes You In.”
He also shared a new song written especially for the evening.
Here’s a fun tidbit – earlier in the day on Tuesday, Chapman was in a taxi. Guess who left his guitar
and case (AND lyrics to his new song!) in the trunk of the taxi? Yep. As soon as he realized it,
and with no luck getting the guitar back (yet!), he spent the entire afternoon rewriting the song.
Alas, he won the crowd over debuting the new tune and did an amazing job! And while at the gala,
Chapman was photographed rubbing elbows with none other than Bruce Willis and Muhammad Ali!
After only five weeks at radio, Michael W. Smith’s current
radio single, “Signs” made a record-setting jump on the Christian Radio Weekly Adult Contemporary Chart
last week. Co-written with son Ryan, the single is receiving airplay on 43 CRW reporting stations that
collectively impact five-million listeners across the nation.
Jim Veldhuis, managing editor, Christian Radio Weekly commented, “The fact that the latest Smitty single
set a record for chart-positions-gained isn't a surprise when you realize that K-LOVE/Dallas; Salem’s
Today’s Christian Music Network; KSBJ/Houston; and KFSH/Los Angeles were among the reporters that added
the song out of the box.”
ForeFront Records’ band, TAIT, prepares to powerfully connect,
both musically and lyrically, with its rapidly expanding fan base through the release of its highly
anticipated sophomore album, Lose This Life, Nov. 4.
Co-produced by lead singer, Michael Tait, and industry veteran, Mark Heimermann
(dc talk, Garth Brooks, tobyMac, Rebecca St. James), Lose This Life marks the first record with which
Michael has been this significantly involved. A follow up to its applauded, hit-filled 2001 debut,
Empty, TAIT’s upcoming album features more power, sincerity and maturity as the artistry and
camaraderie grows for members Michael, bassist Lonnie Chapin, drummer Chad Chapin and guitarist Justin York.
“The chemistry of this band has become something like a freight train over the last year,” says Lonnie
Chapin. “We feel like we’re breaking through to the next level musically and we’re gaining hardcore fans
who really get what we’re doing as a band. This new record will be an explosion of who we are.”
Michael continues, “There’s a believable passion that courses through Lose This Life. Even the slow
songs have this tremendous energy. This project exudes life and is really a statement from the heart.
We’re intense about saying things that matter. The older I get the more I realize how short my time on
earth is. As a band, we don’t feel like we have time to sit back and tickle people’s ears.”
Along with 10 original cuts and a cover of Eddy Grant’s 1982 hit, “Electric Avenue,” the project will
feature a bonus track, “The Christmas Song,” reminiscent of Nat King Cole’s musical style. Produced by
Brown Bannister (Steven Curtis Chapman, Avalon, Warren Barfield), the holiday single was recorded live
to 2-track format with players from the London Symphony Orchastra and the London Philharmonic.
Lose This Life will be enhanced with special features, including a tool to unlock behind-the-scene
“webisodes” available at the redesigned www.TAITband.com, launching Oct. 13. We've been blessed with a listen
guys, and it's fantastic!
With its unprecedented success in the mainstream market this year, it is no surprise that
"I Can Only Imagine" was chosen to lay the foundation for the upcoming M2.O Communications/Sony Wonder
release, I Can Only Imagine: Lullabies For A Peaceful Rest,
slated for release on November 11th. Many know this hit song in its original form, and for the first time
ever, it can be heard in a newly recorded acoustic version on the release, also performed by
MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard. Produced and arranged by Grammy nominee Brian Green,
this 45 minute tranquil collection includes fifteen familiar and new lullabies geared to soothe the child
and to worship the Creator. Other tracks especially recorded for this project are the timeless classics
"Jesus Loves Me," "Lullaby and Goodnight (Brahms Lullaby)," and "Hush Little Baby," as well as the
instrumental tracks "Rock A Bye Baby" and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
Featured vocals include Millard and fellow MercyMe member Nathan Cochran, along with voices of other
accomplished singers. Cochran contributes to this album with the timeless melody "Keeper Of My Heart."
Whereas Millard lends his vocals on the title track, he also sings with his wife, Shannon on
"Baby Sleep Tonight," which they penned especially for this project. During the song, the two parents
express their promise to their son, Samuel, to always be by his side. The words ring parallel to the
promises Christ gives His children, "When you close your eyes, know that I¹ll be there for you,
I¹ll never let you go for you¹re my heart and soul."
Atlantic Records, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., and Atlantic recording group P.O.D.
announced yesterday a groundbreaking collaboration to create the entertainment industry's first-ever
combined music CD/PlayStation®2 videogame release. The first one million copies of P.O.D.'s eagerly
awaited new album, Payable On Death, will include an exclusive bonus PlayStation®2 DVD
containing a custom videogame track from the critically acclaimed PlayStation 2 music game title,
Amplitude, featuring a newly recorded, non-album P.O.D. track, "Space." Playable only on the
PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, this disc will also feature a 50-minute behind-the-scenes \
documentary, "Inside P.O.D. Culture," and a special feature on Daniel Martin Diaz, the artist who created
the paintings and sketches for the Payable On Death package.
Due in stores nationwide on November 4, this unparalleled two-disc package will carry a suggested list price
of only $19.98, providing tremendous added value for P.O.D. and PlayStation 2 fans. The album will be
stickered with the PlayStation 2 logo, quickly calling the retail consumer's attention to the unique
multimedia elements of Payable On Death.
"This is a breakthrough in the way we market music," stated Atlantic Co-President Ron Shapiro.
"As the lines between media are increasingly blurred, and the competition for the consumer's attention
is ever more fierce, the new P.O.D. release is a remarkable response to the challenges before us.
With an extremely low price point, the added value is exceptional and the sales potential enormous.
This is only the first in what we hope will be a series of truly innovative, consumer-driven projects
designed first and foremost with the fans' interests and desires in mind."
"P.O.D. is the ideal group to spearhead this groundbreaking, cross-media approach to new releases," added Atlantic Co-President Craig Kallman. "There is a striking correlation between their core audience and the most avid game players, and this fantastic package gives P.O.D. fans something truly unique and compelling that they can get nowhere else. By combining music, videogame, and DVD elements, we are able to cover all the bases and offer a complete, intimate, multimedia immersion in the world of P.O.D."
"We pride ourselves on delivering first-rate content for both a unique and memorable interactive experience," said Sharon Shapiro, Director, Promotions, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "Through our promotion with Atlantic Records, PlayStation 2 and P.O.D. fans will experience for the first time, a one-of-a-kind medium that fully delivers innovative entertainment for the consumer to listen and re-create what they hear."
P.O.D. lead vocalist Sonny commented: "This idea came out of us wanting to do everything possible to give back to our fans. With all the talk about downloading and CD prices, all we've ever cared about is giving our fans the best. We've been working for most of the year to release a fully playable video game with our record. We were very fortunate that Atlantic and Sony were willing to take this risk with us, especially keeping all of this below $20.
Payable On Death is our best record ever and with the PlayStation 2 game, the art cards and all the other things we're doing, our fans will get something big... something never done before in music."
Skillet mastermind John Cooper offered this update on the band earlier this week
in regards to their new album Collide releasing next month...
"About a year ago, we were discussing when we were going to record,
and with whom. We knew that after all the extra time off, a new
album needed to be in sight, along with the need to tour our booties
off! We prayed and prayed and felt like God was leading us to record
with producer, Paul Ebersold. Paul co-produced our first album in
1996. Since then, however, he's produced bands such as, Three Doors
Down, Sister Hazel and Spacehog! Point being, we don't make
enough money to have him work with us. God, of course, works in awesome
ways! Through a lot of prayer, stress, and scheduling, Paul said that
he wanted to do the album for less than half his normal cost because
he liked the songs.
I should explain the reason that I was so stressed. I've known that
it's been time to redefine Skillet's sound for quite a while, and
that I needed a producer that I trusted could tell me which of my
songs were good and which weren't. I also knew that I couldn't be
that producer. By the time we really started recording in April, I had
about twenty songs written, with a goal of recording only ten that we
all thought were good. Ten good ones. No bad ones. (That's always the
idea.) After that first week of recording, something fell into place
and the outcome was surprising! We knew that we were steering away
from our industrial sound, and that this album needed to be
smack-your-mama heavy. I also knew that on this album I couldn't be
ashamed of my raspy voice and that I needed to scream louder! While
we were finishing that week, something clicked in my song-writing and
I felt I'd found a missing key. It's hard to explain, but I told our
producer, Paul, that I was going into the other room for a little while.
About ten minutes later, I told Paul I’d written something that I
thought was pretty cool. I played him the chorus for a song called
"Savior". Paul said, "That's the best thing you've written yet!" I
found his response to be a little bit annoying because I usually spend
about five hours writing a chorus. But, it worked and I proceeded
to write another five songs, all of which are on the new album.
These songs were better and had more direction and passion than my
original twenty songs.
The album is called Collide. Our last album, AlienYouth, had
the word “collide” in it twice. It appeared in the song, "Earth
Invasion", but I want to focus on the song, “Will You Be There”,
where it says: "as my brokenness and your strength collide..."
The idea behind the album title is that when faith and fear collide,
God will be your anchor. We are living in a world that is so full of
hate and fear that we are suffocating. Our brokenness must collide
with God's strength in order for us to be made strong."
For clips of "Savior" and two other brand new
tracks, click here.
While it was kept hush-hush up until the big day and after, the news on Jaci Velasquez's
recent marriage is finally out! Jaci had asked for privacy about her August 16th date. We found out
about it that day at Purple Door 2003 but were asked to keep it on the DL. So, without further ado,
here's CCM Magazine's write-up from their new October issue...
"The 23-year-old Latin singer/actress tied the knot with musician Darren Potuck on Aug. 16 just
outside of Nashville. And only a month after the wedding, she hit the road for her current spot
as headliner for "Unspoken-- The Tour" with Salvador. Congratulations Jaci and Darren!
Stacie Orrico will be on the Emmy-winning Wayne Brady Show TODAY, Thursday October 3rd!
Check local listings for a time in your area. Also, a new Stacie DVD will be ready by November
18th and will include 2 videos ad behind the scenes footage! Finally, Stacie Mania continues
as she has surpassed 1.1 million in worldwide sales! "More To Life" is currently in the Top 20 on the
Mainstream charts, and continues to climb up the CHR and AC Christian charts, with an add at
New York's Star 99.1 and on the Salem Radio!
With their duet single perched at #1 for airplay in Australia and currently climbing the U.S. AC charts,
Rebecca St. James and
Chris Tomlin merged their creative talents in Nashville
this month for filming of the "Expressions" video, targeted to debut in November.
"It's always an amazing process to see a song come to life on video," noted Rachel Beavers,
Rebecca's Artist Brand Manager at Forefront Records. "In the case of 'Expressions,' the artistic
content and visual energy Rebecca and Chris bring to the song is something that I think will have
a profound impact with viewers." The video was directed by Eric Welch, who has previously directed
several successful RSJ projects on video-including "Wait For Me," and "Reborn."
September virtually closes out the last "free time" Rebecca will enjoy this year.
October 10th will see the launch of her "Let My Words Be Few" Tour, which will find her
being joined in concert by fellow artists Downhere, Casting Crowns, and Charmaine. For
a complete concert schedule resource: www.rsjames.com.
Flicker/Geffen Record’s award-winning, best-selling rock group Pillar is set to release
Broken Down: The EP on November 18. The project contains newly recorded versions of five
Pillar favorites including “Further From Myself” featuring guest vocals from Tyler Burkum and
“Bring Me Down,” a brand new song available exclusively on Broken Down: The EP. In addition,
the record will include bonus multimedia content including the video for “Further From Myself,” band
interviews and an extensive photo gallery. Broken Down: The EP will be distributed through Chordant
Distribution Group and has a suggested retail price of $7.99.
Pillar has also announced that the band will headline this fall’s “The Underground Uprising”
Tour, which will hit over 25 major markets across the country beginning on October 30. The group
will be joined by Disciple, Spoken and Flicker Records’ newest signing, Kids In The Way.
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Seth Davey 
