This is the February 7th, 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 the news this week, NICOL SPONBERG quits SELAH; MICHAEL W. SMITH leads GMA Awards nominations; WHITE CROSS to reunite?; LIFEHOUSE back on charts; STARFIELD looks for new drummer; artist birthdays; upcoming concerts in the Southwest; new album releases; Top 10 Excuses for Not Going to Church; and much more!

IN THE NEWS:  NICOL SPONBERG has left multi-Dove Award-winning SELAH to pursue full-time ministry with her husband.  Sponberg and her husband Greg, a graduate student at Moody Bible Institute, were married about a year and a half ago.  Melodie Crittenden, who attended Belmont University with Selah members and solo artists TODD SMITH and ALLAN HALL, will be Sponberg’s replacement in the vocal trio.  According to the group’s website, Smith and Hall “are excited for Nicol as she embarks on a new chapter in her life of ministry with her husband, Greg Sponberg…as (they) work to establish their ministry.” <><

Nominations were announced today (Feb. 7th) for the 36th Annual Gospel Music Association Music Awards with MICHAEL W. SMITH leading the pack with eight individual nominations.  Atlanta’s CASTING CROWNS followed close behind with seven nominations with the band’s lead singer and songwriter, Mark Hall, garnering six individual nominations.  The multi-platinum-selling San Diego band SWITCHFOOT received five nominations (with frontman Jon Foreman adding another three nominations of his own).  Also MERCYME and new artist MATTHEW WEST collected five GMA nods each while STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN, BARLOWGIRL, MATT REDMAN, SANCTUS REAL, SELAH, MARTIN SMITH of DELIRIOUS?, JEREMY CAMP, and Stellar Award winner MARTHA MUNIZZI got four nominations each.  For a complete GMA Awards nominations list, visit gmamusicawards.com. <><

SOUNDBYTES:  The legendary Christian Rock band WHITE CROSS is reuniting.  Founding members Scott Wenzel and Rex Carroll say they are currently writing music for a new album “in the vein of 'Hammer and Nail' with a more modern, hard-edged sound."  <>< The new single from LIFEHOUSE was the No. 1 most added song at Adult Top 40 radio last week.  Fifty stations including mainstream powerhouses such as WPLJ,  New York City and WWZZ, Washington D.C. are playing "You And Me" from the band’s upcoming self-titled album, due in stores March 22nd. <>< Canadian band STARFIELD is looking for a new drummer.  John Andrews has departed while the band’s technical director is filling in on the drum set until a permanent replacement is found. <><

ARTIST BIRTHDAYS:

Fri., Feb. 11th - Clay Crosse, Pearl Barrett (CONSIDERING LILY)

Mon., Feb. 14th - Tony Terusa (O.C. SUPERTONES), Freddie Colloca

UPCOMING CONCERTS IN THE SOUTHWEST:

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

Feb. 11th -  “Absolute Worship Tour” w/Big Daddy Weave & Todd Agnew--First Baptist, Lafayette, 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 3rd - Caedmon's Call--Brookwood Baptist, Shreveport, LA

March 4th - Big Daddy Weave & Todd Agnew--World Harvest Church, Slidell, LA

March 4th – “First Friday Fire” w/Bishop T.D. Jakes--United Pentecostal Campground, Tioga, LA

March 11th – “Wonderful Weekend for Women” w/Natalie Grant & Lori Salierno--First Baptist, Bossier City, LA

March 12th – “Awaken Tour” w/Natalie Grant & Trevor Morgan--First Baptist, West Monroe, LA

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

March 18th - Watermark--First Baptist, 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 9th – “Healing Rain Tour” w/Michael W. Smith & Selah--Mississippi Coliseum, Jackson, MS

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

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

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

May 6th - Nicole C. Mullen & George Huff--First Baptist, West Monroe, 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:

Feb. 8th…

Chris Rice--Snapshots: Live and Fan Favorites (Rocketown Records)

Jadyn Maria--Choices (Sparrow Records)

John Michael Talbot--City of God (Troubador Records)

Allen Asbury--Stand (Doxology Records)

David Crowder Band--Sunsets and Sushi: Experiments in Spectral Decorating (Sixsteps Records)

Feb. 15th…

Troy Sneed--A State Of Worship  (Word) 

Stellar Kart--all gas. no brake. (Word Records)

Various--Crabb Fest Live 2004 (Daywind Records)

Steve Green--Somewhere Between (Sparrow Records)

Ashley Cleveland--Men and Angels Say (Rambler Records)

Joel Engle--Made For Worship (Doxology Records)

Lisa McClendon--My Diary, Your Life (Shabach Entertainment)

Deitrick Haddon Presents--Detroit Sings (Nu Hymnz)

VeggieTales--Bob & Larry's Toddler Songs (Big Idea)

VeggieTales--More Sunday Morning Songs with Bob & Larry (Big Idea)

Yahweh Reigns!--The Messianic Praise & Worship Collection (Martingale Music)

Feb. 22nd…

The Afters--I Wish We All Could Win (INO Records)

Héctor David--Adonai (Integrity Music)

Hillsong Kids--Jesus Is My SuperHero [CD/DVD] (Hillsong/Integrity Music)

Phanatik--The Incredible Walk (Cross Movement Records)

Kathy Troccoli--Draw Me Close - Songs of Worship (Reunion Records)

Kara Williamson--Undisguised (INO Records)

BeBe Winans--Dream (Integrity Gospel/Sony/Hidden Beach Recordings)

CHUCK’S CHUCKLES:

Top 10 Excuses for Not Going to Church (these were compiled from actual excuses given to pastors)--

10. “There are too many hypocrites in church.”

9. “There are too many sinners in church.”

8. “I work six days a week…the seventh day belongs to me.”

7. “I work lots of overtime....so I'm too tired to worship God.”

6. “The Sabbath day is actually Saturday, not Sunday.”

5. “I listen to church on the radio.”

4. “I watch Billy Graham every week.”

3. “The people there always try to get me to join the church.”
2. “I don't go to church because getting the kids dressed in their ‘Sunday Best’ first thing in the morning makes me cuss…very loudly.”

1. “I'll get religious in my next life.”

© February 7th, 2005; glory2glory productions, LLC®, 697-1 Horseshoe Lake Road, Monroe, Louisiana; publisher, Chuck Halley.  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 and modern Worship music!