This is the February 28th, 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 artists continue to fight global AIDS and poverty; heavy metal guitarist leaves band for Jesus Christ; CASTING CROWNS hits Platinum; upcoming concerts in the Southwest; new album releases; and much more!

IN THE NEWS:  Sixteen Christian music artists recently filmed a video to support a new drive to help fight global AIDS and poverty.  “ONE in the Spirit” is a three-minute video that will be featured at concerts, music festivals and places of worship across America all this year.  Artists including MICHAEL W. SMITH, TOBYMAC, MICHAEL TAIT, JARS OF CLAY, MARGARET BECKER, NATALIE GRANT, Peter Furler of NEWSBOYS and Mark Lee of THIRD DAY shot the video to rally support for The ONE Campaign, a coalition of the nation’s leading relief and advocacy organizations.  “ONE in the Spirit” assembled together Christian artists who have been advocating for DATA (“Debt AIDS Trade Africa”), an organization founded by U2’s Bono, since 2002.

Jars of Clay’s lead singer Dan Haseltine believes there are no second class citizens in the human race:  “God has charged us all with ensuring dignity for his or her neighbor.  I hope all Americans will join with The ONE Campaign to make that dignity a reality for every person on earth.”  According to a DATA press release, 8,000 people die everyday and another 13,000 contract the HIV virus, including nearly 1,800 who are children.  In poor countries, there are approximately 6 million AIDS patients in need of lifesaving medicines but only 700,000 currently have access.  Also more than a billion people – including half the population of Sub-Saharan Africa – live on less than $1 a day. <>< 

Speaking of Bono, rumors are U2’s front-man will once again be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.  A former nominee for his charitable and philanthropic work two years ago, Bono has continued to be a crusader for AIDS awareness and elimination of Third World debt.  Included in the 166 nominees is legendary Sitar player Ravi Shankar (the father of Grammy-winning mainstream artist Norah Jones), as well as organizations helping victims of the Tsunami disaster and the International Atomic Energy Agency.  The official list of Nobel Peace Prize nominees won't officially be announced until October with the 2005 prize awarded on December 10th.  <><

The guitarist in the multi-platinum heavy metal band Korn has left because of a “newfound relationship with Jesus Christ”.  According to an official statement on the band’s website, Brian "Head" Welch "has chosen Jesus Christ as his savior, and will be dedicating his musical pursuits to that end.”  The release also reads, “Korn respects Brian's wishes, and hopes he finds the happiness he's searching for."  Welch reportedly submitted a written "letter of resignation" to Korn’s management, citing various moral objections (the musician probably objected to the mainstream band's recent video for "Word Up," where Welch’s face is superimposed onto a dog patrolling a strip club).  The award-winning guitarist had said several months ago he was becoming increasingly disenchanted with recording secular music that “invoked dark and morbid images”.  In an interview last week at a Bakersfield, California radio station, Welch said, "I can go up there and play those songs and those solos but...I distanced myself from Korn for probably a year and a half to two years”.  Welch went on to say, “I just wanted to fade away…it was crazy.  I was so gone.  But I found my way out and I want to help anyone that wants to see the light at the end of the tunnel”.  The guitarist hopes to release a solo Christian music album later this year. <><

Worship Leader magazine has named PASSION’s latest project, Hymns: Ancient & Modern, as “Best Compilation” album in its annual “Praise Awards”.  Also CHRIS TOMLIN won for “Best Praise & Worship Song” for “How Great Is Our God” from his latest CD, Arriving.  MATT REDMAN, the writer of many modern worship favorites, including “Blessed Be Your Name” and “The Heart Of Worship”, was awarded “Best Worship Project” for Facedown. <><

SOUNDBYTES:  CASTING CROWNS’ self-titled debut album has been certified ”Platinum” for sales of more than one million copies.  Earlier this month, the Atlanta-based band and its front-man Mark Hall received a total of 13 nominations for the Gospel Music Association’s 2005 Dove Awards. <>< AMY GRANT is releasing a new hymns project on May 3rd.  Rock of Ages is produced by Grant’s husband, Vince Gill, and acclaimed Christian producer Brown Bannister. <>< STACIE ORRICO’s hit song "(there's gotta be) More to Life" will be featured in the soundtrack to the new film Robots, which opens in theaters nationwide on March 11th.  The soundtrack also includes tunes by legendary R&B artists James Brown and Earth, Wind & Fire. <><

UPCOMING CONCERTS & EVENTS IN THE SOUTHWEST:

March 4th - 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 & Tommy Tenney--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 & Watermark--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:

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)

Ross Parsley--I Am Free (Integrity Music/Hosanna! Music)

Tree63--The Answer To The Question [Expanded Edition] (Inpop Records)

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

Worship Project--P40.3 (Vertical Music/Integrity Music)

March 5th…

VeggieTales--Duke & The Great Pie War [DVD/VHS] (Big Idea)

March 8th…

Forever Changed--The Need to Feel Alive (Floodgate Records)

Lexi--A Praise In The Valley (Holy Music/Taseis)

Various--Piper Hymns (with Phil Keaggy) [2 CDs] (Martingale Music)

Yellow--Second Altitude (Floodgate Records) 

CHUCK’S CHUCKLES:

Top 10 Things You Don't Want to Hear During Surgery--

10. “I wish I hadn't forgotten my glasses!”

9. “Someone call the janitor…we're going to need a mop!”

8. “Anyone see where I left that scalpel?”

7. “Don't worry…I think it’s sharp enough.”

6. “Wait a minute, if this is his spleen, then what's that?”

5. “Hand me that…uh…that uh…thingie.”

4. “Oh no!  I just lost my Rolex!”

3. “I hate it when they're missing stuff in here!”

2. “Nurse, did this patient sign an organ donation card?”

1. “Uh oh!  Page 47 of the manual is missing!”

© February 28th, 2005.  Published by Chuck Halley, glory2glory productions, LLC, 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 and Modern Worship music!