This is the May 9th, 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, 85,000 attend joint Christian/Muslim music festival; 350,000 see STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN, CASTING CROWNS, & CHRIS TOMLIN on tour; SWITCHFOOT shares title of new CD; JACI VELASQUEZ performs at the White House; artist birthdays; upcoming concerts in the Southwest; new album releases; Chuck’s Top 10 Unhealthiest Restaurant Choices; and much more!

 

IN THE NEWS:  “Friendship Fest 2005,” held for three nights last week outside the ancient city of Marrakech, Morocco, was a huge success with an estimated 85,000 concert-goers.  Both American and Moroccan musicians performed during the festival that organizers hoped would foster friendship and peace between the Christian and Muslim cultures.  American music promoter Harry Thomas, who co-founded the Creation Festival in the US, lined up for the event contemporary Christian music artists JEREMY CAMP, NEWSBOYS, DELIRIOUS?, PHIL KEAGGY, ROCK AND ROLL WORSHIP CIRCUS, OUT OF EDEN and JOY WILLIAMS. <><

 

The “All Things New Tour” ended last weekend in Raleigh, North Carolina with over 10,000 in attendance.  The 72-city tour was STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN’S most successful ever with 16 sell-outs and nearly 350,000 fans seeing the concerts that also featured CASTING CROWNS and CHRIS TOMLIN. <><

 

SWITCHFOOT has released the title of their next project that is due in stores in early August.  “Nothing Is Sound” was recorded in various studios while the band was on tour in Germany, Africa, Australia and here in the States.  Lead vocalist Jon Foreman says the new album is a “rock record":  "My favorite rock records have been honest, where you feel them way deeper than your ears."  Let’s pray the band has recorded some new tracks with lyrics that you can feel in your spirit, too. <><  

 

JACI VELASQUEZ recently performed for President George Bush at a special Cinco de Mayo celebration at the White House.  The Christian music singer and actress was one of only three musical guests invited to the event, which commemorates the victory of Mexico over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla on May 5th, 1862.  Velasquez’ latest CD, “Beauty Has Grace,” is currently climbing the charts and you can listen to the track "Hold On To This Moment" at the singer's “My Space” page. <><

Ford Motor Co. has signed on as the lead sponsor of an “American Idol-style” gospel music TV program.  Scheduled to debut in September on the fledgling Gospel Music Channel, “Gospel Dreams 2005” will be a talent search for new gospel singers from various Christian music genres.  Local churches and radio stations will hold auditions for the televised contests beginning in July, with 100 singers from the Top 10 television markets eventually carved down to a final 10 contestants. <><

SOUNDBYTES:  HILLSONG’s annual live Worship album has just been released in Australia with a release date in the US coming by the end of the summer.  "God He Reigns" was recorded last February at The Sydney Entertainment Centre in front of almost 11,000 worshippers. <>< RELIENT K has recorded a cover of The Bangles’ 1986 hit "Manic Monday" for the new compilation CD “Punk Goes 80’s,” which is set for a June 7th release.  Fans can sample the song in its entirety at myspace.com/punkgoes80s. <><  Apple Computer’s website is featuring TOBYMAC’s video for "Gone" in their high-definition “Quicktime Gallery” (along with several movie trailers also in HD.)  Click here to view the HD version of "Gone". <>< The legendary multi-platinum Christian rock band STRYPER is releasing their first studio project in over a decade on August 16th.  “Reborn” features original members Michael Sweet, Oz Fox, Robert Sweet and new bass player Tracy Ferrie, who will embark on a nationwide tour this fall. <><

ARTIST BIRTHDAYS:

Wed., May 11th - Carrie Hodge (TWO HEARTS)

Thurs., May 12th - Eric Champion, Bill Reiger (ApologetiX), Chris Susi (COOL HAND LUKE)

Fri., May 13th - Al Denson

 

UPCOMING CONCERTS & EVENTS IN THE SOUTHWEST:

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

May 20th - Todd Agnew--Meadow Grove Baptist, Brandon, MS

May 21st - Geoff Moore & Jason Morant--Fellowship Bible Church, Little Rock, AR

May 21st – Fusebox--Heritage Baptist, Texarkana, TX

May 22nd – “Healing Rain Tour” w/Michael W. Smith, Selah & Watermark--DeSoto Civic Center, Southaven, MS

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

June 14th – BarlowGirl--First Baptist, McComb, MS

June 17th - Phillips, Craig and Dean--Brookwood Baptist, Shreveport, LA

June 25th - Jump5--Dixie Landin & Blue Bayou Water Park, Baton Rouge, LA

July 2nd – “Celebrate Freedom” w/Avalon & Casting Crowns—Southfork Ranch, Dallas, TX

July 9th – Overflow--Wood Institute, Mathiston, MS

July 14th - tobyMac & Kutless--Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, TX

July 15th - Third Day & David Crowder Band--Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, TX

July 15th & 16th - “Savage Fest” w/Bebo Norman, Downhere, Ginny Owens, the Elms, Superchic[k], GRITS, Ten Shekel Shirt--Walking Through the Light, San Angelo, TX

July 16th - Third Day & Thousand Foot Krutch--Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, TX

July 29th – Everlife-- Arkansas Catholic Conference/Clear Channel Metroplex, Little Rock, AR

Aug. 6th – “Joy Fest” with tobyMac & Skillet—Six Flags Over N.O., New Orleans, LA

Aug. 6th – “Christian Youth Day” w/Jars of Clay & Taylor Sorensen--Timberwood Amphitheater/Magic Springs, Hot Springs, AR

Aug. 12th - David Crowder Band--Brookwood Baptist, Shreveport, LA

Aug. 14th - John Tesh--Prestonwood Baptist, Plano, TX

Aug. 20th – Jeff Deyo--Glad Tidings Assembly of God/CenturyTel Center, Shreveport, LA

Aug. 27th – ApologetiX--West Monroe High School, West Monroe, LA

Sept. 29th - Natalie Grant--First Baptist, West Monroe, LA 

Oct. 7th - Randy Travis--Mississippi State Fair, Jackson, MS

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

 

UPCOMING CCM, GOSPEL, & VIDEO RELEASES:

May 10th—

DEEPSPACE 5—“Unique Just Like Everyone Else” (Gotee Records)

KIDS IN THE WAY—“Apparitions of Melody” (Flicker Records)

PAUL WILBUR—“El Shaddai” (Integrity Music/Hosanna! Music)

 

May 17th—

JADYN MARIA—“Choices” (Sparrow Records)

THE AMBASSADOR—“The Thesis” (Cross Movement Records)

NICHOLE NORDERMAN—“Brave” (Sparrow Records)

GEORGE HUFF—“George Huff” (Warner Bros. Christian)

LAST TUESDAY—“Resolve” (Mono vs. Stereo)

MICHAEL OLSON—“Long Arm of Love” (Rocketown Records)

BILL & GLORIA GAITHER and THEIR HOMECOMING FRIENDS—“It Is No Secret” (Gaither Music Group)

BILL & GLORIA GAITHER and THEIR HOMECOMING FRIENDS—“Peace In The Valley” (Gaither Music Group)

 

CHUCK’S CHUCKLES:

Chuck’s Top 10 Unhealthiest Restaurant Choices-- 

10. KFC’s "Bucket of Fried Chicken, Fried Mashed Potatoes, Fried Corn-on-the-Cob & Fried Biscuits"

9. IHOP’s “Pancakes & Butter On-a-Stick”  

8. Shoney’s “Double-Gravy Smoothee”

7. Sonic Drive-In’s “Chicken Fried Cheese Planks”

6. Wendy’s "Just the Skin" chicken sandwich

5. Burger King’s “Egg, cheese & sausage biscuit with egg, cheese & sausage”

4. Arby's “Horseysauce Salad”

3. Taco Bell’s “Lard-lupa Supreme”

2. Pizza Hut’s “Cholesterol Lover’s Pizza”

1. McDonald’s “Char-Grilled Styrofoam Container”

 

© May 9th, 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!