This is the February 14th, 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, Christian and Gospel Grammy winners; edited version of The Passion to hit theaters; two Christian talent competitions from INSP and the Hearken Studios; artist birthdays; upcoming concerts in the Southwest; new album releases; Top 10 Things NOT To Say To A Police Officer; and much more!

IN THE NEWS:  Winners in the very scarce contemporary Christian and Gospel categories at the Grammy Awards were announced last night (Feb. 13th) during the telecast on CBS-TV.  Categories and winners are…“Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album”--STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN-"All Things New"; “Best Rock Gospel Album”--THIRD DAY-"Wire"; “Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album”--SMOKIE NORFUL-"Nothing Without You"; and “Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album”--RANDY TRAVIS-“Worship and Faith”. <><

Director Mel Gibson has re-edited The Passion of The Christ to delete almost six minutes of violent scenes.  After a preliminary version of the new cut was viewed by the film ratings board and still received an “R” rating (just like the original movie), Gibson decided to release his “new” film “unrated.”  Even though his original version grossed over $370 million on its initial theatrical run that began last year on Ash Wednesday, Gibson put together a less-violent version of his film in response to audiences that skipped the movie because of its graphic scourging scene.  The Passion Recut will play in up to 750 screens in most major markets beginning March 11th and is expected to run through Easter weekend. <><

According to the Gospel Music Association, Modern Worship is the hottest format in Christian music and the fastest growing genre in all music formats today.  With the upcoming release entitled Ultimate Worship: The Passion Collection, a two-disc set of twenty-five tracks performed by Worship Leader Joel Engle, listeners will see why Modern Worship is so popular.  Engle, who plays to hundreds of thousands of people each year, also publishes one of the largest “direct-to-church” subscription programs in the world.  Scheduled to be released on March 8th, The Passion Collection mixes classics such as "At The Cross," "Lord I Lift Your Name On High," "Nothing But The Blood," "Oh Praise Him," and "The Happy Song" with newer songs including "My Glorious," "In Christ Alone," "Prince Of Peace," "Wonderful Cross," "Your Love Is Deep,” and “Beautiful One.” <>< .    

Last year’s Gospel Music Association Music Awards will re-air on PAX-TV in March.  This re-broadcast of the 35th Annual “Dove Awards” can be seen on Thursday, March 24th at 8:00 PM CST.  Billed as "gospel music's biggest night of the year”, top artists from every style of gospel come together for music and celebration as the GMA gives out their highest honor--the Dove Award.  The Awards program will also highlight Food for the Hungry's child sponsorship ministry. <><

The Inspirational Network’s Fourth Annual Christian Artist Talent Search opens today (Feb. 14th).  This television series follows 64 finalists in competition with the grand prize winner receiving a national recording contract from Point of Grace Entertainment.  Singers, whether solo, duo, or group with talent in gospel, contemporary, southern gospel, praise and worship, or other Christian genres may sign-up until April 18th.  All entrants, who must be 15 years of age or older by the contest's deadline, should send a CD or audio cassette with two Christian songs, two copies of a recent photo, and two copies of their biography.  Rules for the talent search are posted on the C.A.T.S. website at insp.com and additional info is available by calling INSP at 704-561-7955. <><

The annual Christian artists showcase called The Connection will be held in Nashville at the Opryland Hotel May 30th through June 1st.  Singers and musicians will have the opportunity to perform for Christian record labels, agents, managers, promoters, producers, and organizations looking to hire Christian music talent.  The artists showcase will be aired on the Internet and is open to the public. Also The Connection will conduct training workshops in ministry, music business, law, marketing, production, and performance coaching led by the industry's top pastors, coaches, authors, speakers, and established Christian artists.  For entry forms, go online to hearkenstudios.com or call the Hearken Studios at 866-894-2122. <><

SOUNDBYTES:  SANCTUS REAL’s drummer Mark Graalman and his wife Susan are new parents. Their firstborn son, Benjamin Yo-Sup (Korean for “Joseph”), was born Friday, February 4th weighing in at 8lbs. 8oz. and “standing” 21 inches tall! <>< “Blessed Be Your Name”, recorded by South Africa’s TREE63, is Billboard Magazine’s No. 1 Adult Contemporary Christian radio single for 2004.  The song written by Beth and Matt Redman has also been nominated for “Song of the Year” by the Gospel Music Association. <><

ARTIST BIRTHDAYS:

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

Tues., Feb. 15th- Matthew Ward (2nd Chapter of Acts)

Thurs., Feb. 17th - Sam Hatch (Alabaster Box)

Sun., Feb. 20th - Andrew Osenga (The Normals, Caedmon’s Call)

UPCOMING CONCERTS IN THE SOUTHWEST:

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

Feb. 18th – (CANCELLED) “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 5th – “Still the Cross Tour” w/FFH & Matthew West--Calvary Baptist, Shreveport, 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 (for more info, call 318-680-2609)

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. 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)

March 1st…

Various--Lost In Worship: Voices of Worship (Sparrow Records)

SONICFLOOd--This Generation (INO Records)

Kutless--Strong Tower (BEC Recordings)

Aaron Neville--Gospel Roots (EMI Gospel)

Bleach--Farewell Old Friends (Tooth & Nail Records)

Norma Jean--O God, The Aftermath (Solid State Records)

Paul Colman--Let It Go (InPop Records)

Various--!Hero: The Rock Opera [DVD] (Meaux Records)  

Various--The Revolution Will Begin In The Blink Of An Eye 2 (Mono vs. Stereo)

Various--TVU Presents Flicker Rocks [DVD] (Flicker Records)

CHUCK’S CHUCKLES:

Top 10 Things NOT To Say To A Police Officer--

10. “Sorry, Officer, I didn't realize my radar detector wasn't plugged in.”

9. “Hey…Aren't you the guy from the Village People?”

8. “Wow…You must've been doing about 125 miles an hour to keep up with me…Good job!”

7. “Are You ‘Andy’ or ‘Barney’?”

6. “I thought you had to be in relatively good physical condition to be a police officer.”

5. “You're not going to check in my trunk, are you?”

4. “Wait…I pay your salary!”

3. “That's terrific, Officer.  The last cop only gave me a warning, too!”

2. “I was just trying to keep up with traffic…Yes, I know there are no other cars around, but that's how far ahead of me they are.”

1. “Officer, your eyes look glazed…Have you been eating doughnuts?"

© February 14th, 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!