This is the January 24th, 2005 edition of Glory2Glory Christian Music E-zine!, a contemporary Christian music & modern Worship newsletter distributed to Christian and Worship music enthusiasts via the World Wide Web.  If you would like a FREE subscription with the latest issue sent to your inbox each week, e-mail glory2gloryezine@....

In some good news this week, GMA helps organize tsunami aid; TAIT contributes hymn to new project; MERCYME releases new “DualDisc” with music AND video; upcoming concerts in the Southwest; new album releases; Top 10 Actual Funny Foreign Signs; and much more!

IN THE NEWS:  According to a story published in USA Today, Rolling Stone Magazine is refusing to run an ad for a trendy new translation of the Bible aimed at 18-34 year olds.  The advertisement for the TNIV (Today's New International Version), a Bible published by Zondervan that’s written in today's language,  features the face of a contemplative-looking young man and includes this copy:  "In a world of almost endless media noise and political spin, you wonder where you can find real truth.  Well, now there's a source that's accurate, clear and reliable for today's times--and it makes more sense than ever."  Kent Brownridge, general manager of Wenner Media that publishes Rolling Stone, was quoted as saying "we are not in the business of publishing advertising for religious messages" and cited an unwritten policy against accepting religious ads.  Zondervan offered to change the ad text but was refused by Rolling Stone, who would not show them a written policy ruling out religious advertising in the magazine.

A $1 million campaign to promote the TNIV to young adults is still planned.  Surveys show that 53% of this age group read the Bible less than once a year or not at all, even though they are huge buyers of spiritual and religious-theme books. <><

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) has established Project Restore, a tsunami awareness, prayer, and fundraising effort in conjunction with World Vision.  Through its website, ProjectRestore.org, the endeavor will serve as the Christian music industry's unified campaign for raising awareness of how artists and their fans can get involved.  Among the artists who will be lending their support to Project Restore are STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN, THIRD DAY, CECE WINANS, KIRK FRANKLIN, and CASTING CROWNS.  Links from artists' websites will include links and information about Project Restore and World Vision.  Also more than 45 concerts of World Vision artists will make an appeal to concertgoers for a donation for tsunami relief. <>< 

2005 GRAMMY-nominee MICHAEL TAIT will be included in the new Waterfront Records release Bridges: Classic Hymns, Modern Worship which releases Feb. 1st.  Tait’s version of the hymn “How Great Thou Art” joins 11 other timeless hymns recreated in contemporary style including “Amazing Grace/Jesus Loves Me” - Paul Colman, “Come Thou Fount” - Christine Byrd (GlassByrd), “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” - Todd Agnew, “It Is Well With My Soul” - Jason Ingram, and “Be Thou My Vision” - Ginny Owens.   

Hugh Robertson, founder of Waterfront Records, says, “Responding to a need voiced by church music ministers and worship leaders for music that bridges the foundational theology of our greatest hymns with a modern musical approach, we put together some of today’s most popular modern worship artists to create a new resource for the church.” <><

INO Records has become one of the first record labels in the Christian music industry to offer the “DualDisc”, a new advanced format of music and video combined on one disc.  MERCYME will be one of the first Christian artists to release on this format in the Gospel and general markets, re-releasing Almost There and Undone in early spring.  The $18.98 DualDisc combines music, video, and other features on a single, two-sided disc that plays on existing CD and DVD players.  MercyMe's DualDiscs will include the full album on the CD side, while the DVD side will feature the full album again in high-quality surround sound, plus live concert footage, behind the scenes material, band interviews, music videos, and web links. <><

SOUNDBYTES:  SANCTUS REAL has been named Radio & Records Magazine’s "Most Played Rock Artist" Of 2004.  The honor comes from radio stations playing four Sanctus Real hits in 2004, the cover of U2's "Beautiful Day," "Everything About You," "Alone", and "Things Like You". <>< PLUMB is writing a new book.  Damaged features true stories of women who have survived the pains of abuse. <><

ARTIST BIRTHDAYS:

Mon., Jan. 24th - Matt Gingrich (Bleach)

Tues., Jan. 25th - Matt Odmark (Jars of Clay)

Wed., Jan. 26th - Kirk Franklin

Friday, Jan. 28 - Renee Garcia, Sam (Leslie) Phillips, Chuck Halley (who?)

UPCOMING CONCERTS IN THE SOUTHWEST:

Jan. 29th – NewSong & tobyMac--Barton Coliseum, Little Rock, AR

Feb. 3rd – Selah--First Baptist Church, West Monroe, LA

Feb. 3rd – Everyday Sunday & Liptocoal--Cactus Jack’s, Ruston, LA

Feb. 10th – downhere--Louisiana Baptist Convention, Alexandria, LA

Feb. 18th – NewSong & tobyMac--River Center, Baton Rouge, LA

Feb. 18th – “I Choose You Tour” w/Point of Grace & Scott Krippayne--Faith Church, New Orleans, LA

Feb. 24th – Carman--Victory Church, Camden, AR

March 11th – Natalie Grant--First Baptist Church, Bossier City, LA

March 12th - Natalie Grant--First Baptist Church, West Monroe, LA

March 13th – Point of Grace--First Baptist Church, Bossier City, LA

March 18^th, 19^th, & 20^th. – Watermark--First Baptist Church, Shreveport, LA

March 18th - Gaither Homecoming Tour--Riverside Centroplex, Baton Rouge, LA

March 25th – Skillet--Six Flags, New Orleans, LA

April 1st - “Women Of Faith” Conference w/Chonda Pierce, Sandi Patty, & Sheila Walsh--CenturyTel Center, Bossier City, LA

April 16th – “Acquire the Fire” w/Skillet--River City Centroplex, Baton Rouge, April 22nd - “All Things New ’05 Tour” w/Steven Curtis Chapman, Casting Crowns, & Chris Tomlin--Cajundome, Lafayette, LA (7:00 PM)

April 27th – “The Un-Done Tour” w/MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, The Afters, & Monk & Neagle--Monroe Civic Center Arena, Monroe, LA (7:00 PM)

April 28th - Wayne Watson--First Baptist Church, Minden, LA

May 13th - Gaither Homecoming Tour--Mississippi Coliseum, Jackson, MS

June 6th - Denver and the Mile High Orchestra--Broadmore Baptist, Shreveport, LA

(For the latest concert information, visit www.glory2gloryproductions.com)

UPCOMING CCM, GOSPEL, & VIDEO RELEASES:

Jan 25th…

Scott Krippayne--Gentle Revolution (Spring Hill Music)

Michael Cook--Imprint (A'postrophe Records)

Grand Prize--Identity (A'postrophe Records)

John Wells & The Tonic--The Dash (Cross Movement Records)

WOW--Wow Gospel 2005 (Verity Records)

ABSOLUTE Series--Absolute Modern Worship [2 CDs] (Fervent Records)

ABSOLUTE Series--Absolute Modern Worship For Kids (Fervent Records)

Various--Here I Am To Worship Vol. 2 [2 CDs] (Worship Together)

Various--Here I Am To Worship for Kids 2 (Worship Together)

Andy Griffith--Bound For The Promised Land (Sparrow Records)

Various--Stellar Awards Hits 2005 (Integrity Gospel)

Various--The Pinnacle Project: B.I.G. (Pinnacle Records)

Various--The Pinnacle Project: Last Say So (Pinnacle Records)

Nicholas Jonas--Nicholas Jonas (INO Records/Columbia/Daylight)

Feb. 1st…

Anberlin--Never Take Friendship Personal (Tooth & Nail Records)

Benjiman--Activate (BEC Recordings)

KJ-52--Behind The Musik (BEC Recordings/Uprok Records)

The OC Supertones--Unite (BEC Recordings)

Phillips, Craig & Dean--Favorite Songs of All Vol. 2: The Worship Collection Sparrow Records)

Seventh Day Slumber--Once Upon A Shattered Life (BEC Recordings)

CHUCK’S CHUCKLES:       

Top 10 Actual “Funny” Foreign Signs--

10. On the door of a Moscow hotel room:  If this is your first visit to the USSR, you are welcome to it.

9. In the window of a Swedish furrier:  Fur coats made for ladies from their own skin.

8. In an Acapulco hotel:  The manager has personally passed all the water served here.

7. In an East African newspaper:  A new swimming pool is rapidly taking shape since the contractors have thrown in the bulk of their workers.

6. In an advertisement by a Hong Kong dentist:  Teeth extracted by the latest Methodists.

5. In a Japanese hotel room:  Please to bathe inside the tub.

4. At a Budapest zoo:  Please do not feed the animals.  If you have any suitable food, give it to the guard on duty.

3. In a Tokyo tailor shop:  Order your summers suit.  Because is big rush we will execute customers in strict rotation.

2. In a doctor’s office in Rome, Italy:  Specialist in women and other diseases.

1. In a Copenhagen airline ticket office:  We take your bags and send them in all directions.

© January 24th, 2005; glory2glory productions, LLC®; published by Chuck Halley, 697-1 Horseshoe Lake Road, Monroe, Louisiana.  All rights reserved.  No part of this e-zine may be reproduced without prior written consent.  Our subscriber list is NOT made available to any other companies or individuals because we value each subscriber and respect their privacy.  Start spreading some good news by forwarding this issue to five friends who have an interest in contemporary Christian music & modern Worship!