This is the August 8th, 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 have comments or would like a FREE subscription with the latest issue sent to your inbox each week, e-mail:  glory2gloryezine@....

In some good news this week, new Christmas Shoes movie scheduled for December; The National Day of Prayer Task Force conducting search for new theme song; DAVID CROWDER BAND covers Loretta Lynn & Hank, Sr.; new KIRK FRANKLIN hits stores soon; LIFEHOUSE hits Jay Leno show next month; artist birthdays; upcoming concerts in the Southwest; new album releases; Top 10 Signs That You Know It’s Time To Go On A Diet; and much more!

MY MUSINGS:  Our recent vacation driving through east Texas was quite enjoyable and memorable, as my wife, Teresa, was intent on visiting every Outlet Mall within a 100 mile radius of Dallas.  We were quite successful in our endeavor, with stops at outlet stores in Bossier City, Terrell, McKinney, Allen, the “Big D” and Hillsboro.  I didn’t realize Old Navy, Gap and Fossil had outlet shops with their same clothing items at a fraction of the cost (I was really impressed with Fossil’s screen print t-shirts for only two for $9.99 – I purchased four at their outlet stores in two States!)  But the most unforgettable part of our trip was not the incredible bargains nor the Michael W. Smith/David Crowder Band/Matthew West concert at Six Flags, which was pretty remarkable.  The most significant event happened as we were taking a “shortcut” between Interstate Highways 35 and 45, headed toward Ennis, Texas.  Our planned stop that night was the township of Garrett and a drive-in theater that had opened only a few months ago (a rarity these days – not only because there are just a handful of drive-ins remaining in the U.S., but the new Galaxy features “first run” family-type movies only!)  As we drove the long back road, I was happily anticipating seeing the theater’s double feature – “Herbie: Fully Loaded” and “Fantastic Four” – and ecstatically looking forward to sampling their chili dogs, washed down with a cold Yoo Hoo plus milk chocolate covered Raisinettes for dessert (a “nutritious meal” that I haven’t enjoyed in several decades – I need to keep up my strength for the all-day hike my wife has planned for tomorrow at Grapevine Mills Outlet Mall, you know.) 

But what we would encounter in the next hour or so was totally unplanned, when a summer Texas thunderstorm ominously grew larger just ahead – and we were headed directly into it!  I immediately switched from Teresa’s worship CD that was playing to scan the radio dial for possible tornado warnings.  Then we heard the ominous “beeeep…beeeep” that signals a National Weather Service advisory:  “A thunderstorm warning is in effect until 8:45 PM for Ennis and all of Ellis County with the possibility of golf ball-size hail and flash flooding…”  Golf ball-size hail” – dreadful news to hear when you have just bought a new car only about a month ago.  So we both started praying and asking God to “station His angels around us,” and of course, around the new PT Cruiser (hey – it’s not silly to ask for God’s protection for your possessions – several years ago I prayed for our washing machine that had “died” and the appliance miraculously started working again, continuing to “agitate” and “spin” even today!) 

As we approached the small town of Ennis, maneuvering around a huge tree in our lane that had been toppled by the menacing thunderstorm’s powerful winds, we drove right into a deep current of rain washing across the road.  Now with the storm’s flood waters literally rushing up to the bottom of our windows, we finally spotted a Sonic Drive-in to hide under, but not soon enough to avoid the massive hail stones that pummeled our new car’s shiny black finish.  Teresa and I just sat there in the darkness praying – the town’s electricity was down – as the mighty rushing wind and rain demonstrated to us the storm’s astounding fury.  “Wouldn’t it be awesome if God didn’t let the hail damage my car!” Teresa blurted out with the sound of ice pellets pounding the passenger side and roof.  With my faith floundering as the hail continued its unrelenting ferocity, I just knew we would find her Chrysler covered with ugly pock marks the next morning.  When the hail storm finally ended, we began to try to find the on ramp to I-45 and continue our journey, deciding to forego the drive-in movie – I had lost my appetite, anyway – and head to the comfort and safety of our hotel room about 50 miles away in Addison. 

With the next morning’s sunrise I really expected to find the worst, but God surprised me as I went outside to check the PT Cruiser’s finish against the bright sunshine and could not find even one dent or pock mark!  As David wrote in Psalms 116:6, “The Lord protects those of childlike faith…”  When I face calamities in the future, I hope I will not doubt God’s promise of protection for His children – and their belongings! – and have the same passionate faith as my wife.  Also I can’t wait for our next Texas trip and maybe the opportunity to visit the Galaxy Drive-in (I wonder if Raisinettes and Yoo Hoos are on a low-carb diet?)—Chuck Halley 

IN THE NEWS:  CBS-TV has announced that a sequel to one of their most popular TV movies of all time will be broadcast this holiday season.  Christmas Shoes 2 stars Neil Patrick Harris ("Doogie Howser, M.D.”) and Angus T. Jones ("Two and a Half Men") with a special appearance by Rob Lowe, who appeared in the original The Christmas Shoes, based on the perennial NEWSONG holiday radio hit.   According a network press release, the sequel “finds the young boy, Nathan Andrews, from the original movie, grown up and now a medical resident.  There, he meets a young woman and a little boy who are both in need of miracles for their holidays.  Nathan, in turn, discovers that hope, love and blessings can come from the most surprising places.” <><

Speaking of NewSong, the band recently experienced a very close call when their tour bus blew a front tire and the driver lost control.  As they were headed to a pre-game concert at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park traveling at 65 MPH, their bus skirted off the highway and landed in a ravine.  Miraculously, the coach kept from overturning but some of the band members were thrown from their bunks, but none received any serious injuries.  Needless to say, NewSong missed the concert, as it took over six hours for a wrecker service to clear the bus and trailer from the gully. <><   

The National Day of Prayer Task Force is conducting a national search for its 2006 theme song based on “America, Honor God.”  Songs will be judged by a panel of music industry professionals with the winning submission recorded in Nashville by Dove-award winning producer Don Koch and used in a National Day Of Prayer music video.  For details on the National Song Search and instructions on how to submit a song, go to: NDPsongsearch.com or request a written copy of the rules and a song submission form by calling The CR Group at (615) 599-2279.  Deadline for song submissions is September 26th. <><

P.O.D. is not releasing their new CD, Testify, until late fall, but bandmates Sonny Sandoval and Wuv Bernardo recently previewed a half dozen new tracks to Atlantic Records execs.  On their official website (www.payableondeath.com), Sandoval recounts how he had the opportunity to share his faith in the meeting:  "I believe in Jesus Christ," Sandoval told the label executives.  "I will never back down from my faith.  We know that no matter what happens, our name is good on the streets.  You can ask anyone and we are good with the people in the streets.”  Sandoval added, “We do this in a way that even our own kids will look back and be proud." <><

DAVID CROWDER BAND releases their first full-length studio album in almost two years on September 27th.  The 18 track CD, A Collision, also features a couple of “groundbreaking” songs, including covers of country legend Loretta Lynn’s “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” and the band’s first-ever bluegrass-tinged tune, Hank Williams, Sr.’s “I Saw the Light.”  The latter song was recorded inside the late Johnny Cash’s cabin outside of Nashville with country/gospel singer Marty Stuart lending his vocal talents.  Frontman Crowder recounted in a recent interview just how the band hooked up with Stuart:  “We met Marty Stuart at the Dove Awards a year ago.  He was backstage wearing a black suit, aglow in rhinestones, sparkling down both sleeves and spanning the back of his jacket in the shape of a very large cross.”  Crowder recalls, “None of this would have been entirely strange if not for the fact our guitar player had suggested one day prior that we should get Marty Stuart to help us with the bluegrass number.” <>< 

BETHANY DILLON’s “Dreamer” will be featured as the end credits song in the new theatrical film Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story.  The movie, which was filmed mostly in South Louisiana, stars Kurt Russell, Dakota Fanning, Kris Kristofferson and Elisabeth Shue in a “heartwarming tale of a horse trainer (Russell) and his daughter (Fanning) who nurse an injured horse back to health and, together, strive to achieve a dream against all odds.”  Dillon says the song was inspired by a story Fanning's character tells during the film about a King who gave up everything for his kingdom.  For more info on the movie, visit: www.dreamworks.com/dreamer. <><

SOUNDBYTES:  KIRK FRANKLIN’s new album will hit stores on October 4th.  Hero’s first single, "Looking For You", can be heard at Franklin’s website (www.kirkfranklin.us). <>< LIFEHOUSE will perform “Blind” from their latest self-titled project on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on NBC-TV on September 6th.  The trio continues to enjoy chart success with their current single, “You and Me,” which is at no. 14 this week on Radio & Records Christian CHR National Airplay© chart. <>< PAX 217’s lead singer David Tosti and his wife Alli recently traveled to New York City for a taping of ABC-TV’s The View.  The couple was part of a segment entitled "How Pornography Ruined Our Marriage."  The band is currently on a “farewell tour” across the U.S. and will perform their final concert in Los Angeles on October 1st. <>< YOLANDA ADAMS releases her latest album, Day By Day, on August 30th.  If you can’t wait until then to hear some of her new stuff, Atlantic Records is streaming free full versions of "Be Blessed", "Someone Watching Over You" and "Victory" just for Adams’ fans. <><

ARTIST BIRTHDAYS:

Wed., Aug. 10 - Charlie Peacock

Thurs., Aug. 11 - Dave Clo (ALL STAR UNITED)

Fri., Aug. 12 – B.J. Aberle (PLUMB)

Sun., Aug. 14 - Ben Cissell (AUDIO ADRENALINE)

Mon., Aug. 15 - Jamie Slocum

UPCOMING CONCERTS & EVENTS IN THE SOUTHWEST:

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

Aug. 13th - Go Fish--Park Place Baptist, Brandon MS

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

Aug. 18th - Mark Schultz--Bay Vista Baptist, Biloxi, MS

Aug. 20th – Jeff Deyo—Glad Tidings Assembly of God, Shreveport, LA

Aug. 25th – Matthew West & Hawk Nelson--A.E. Wood Coliseum/Mississippi College, Clinton, MS

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

Sept. 3rd – Overflow & One Way--Ridge Avenue Baptist, West Monroe, LA

Sept. 3rd – Shane & Shane with Monk & Neagle--Word of Life Church, Shreveport, LA

Sept. 8th - Phillips, Craig & Dean--Louisiana College, Pineville, LA

Sept. 8th – “Fusion 05” with Jason Morant--Chi Alpha Campus Ministries/Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA

Sept. 17th – Rachael Lampa--Lake Charles Civic Center, Lake Charles, LA

Sept. 18th - Shane & Shane & Mitch McVicker-- Rose Heights Church of God, Tyler, TX  

Oct. 1st - Audio Adrenaline, Pillar, Superchic[k], Sanctus Real & Kids in the Way--Pine Bluff Convention Center, Pine Bluff, AR

Oct. 1st – The Afters--Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA (tentative)

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

Oct. 11th – FFH--Mississippi State Fair, Jackson MS

Oct. 13th - Big Daddy Weave & Ginny Owens--First Baptist, West Monroe, LA

Oct. 14th - Casting Crowns & Building 429--Park Hill Baptist, North Little Rock, AR

Oct. 14th – “A Mother & Daughter Event: The SHE Concert” with Rebecca St. James & Evie Karlsson--First Baptist, Gulfport, MS

Oct. 19th – Avalon--Washington Parish Free Fair, Franklinton, LA

Oct. 21st – Todd Agnew, Starfield & Inhabited--Louisiana College, Pineville, LA

Oct. 23rd - Point of Grace--First Baptist, Natchez, MS

Oct. 23rd - Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman & Louie Giglio--Immanuel Baptist, Little Rock, AR

Oct. 26th – “A Collision” Tour w/David Crowder Band & Shane and Shane—First Baptist, Jackson MS

Nov. 4th – Casting Crowns & Building 429--First Baptist, Jackson, MS

Nov. 10th - Big Daddy Weave--Brookwood Baptist, Shreveport, LA

Nov. 13th – Jeremy Camp, Bethany Dillon & The Afters--Clear Channel Metroplex, Little Nov. 20-22 – Salvador, Overflow & Brock Gill--Youth Evangelistic Celebration/Southern Baptist Convention, Alexandria, LA

(for the latest concert news, visit:  www.glory2gloryproductions.com.)

UPCOMING CCM, GOSPEL, & VIDEO RELEASES:

Aug. 9th-

TODD AGNEW—Reflection of Something [Autographed] (Ardent Records)

BETHANY DILLON—Imagination (Sparrow Records)

ROBBIE SEAY BAND—Better Days (Sparrow Records)

CASTING PEARLS—Casting Pearls (InPop Records)

DORINDA CLARK-COLE—The Rose Of Gospel (GospoCentric Records)

BART MILLARD—Hymned (Simple Records/INO Records)

MOD—Mod 3:16 (Cross Movement Records)

Various Artists—Songs4Worship en Espanol - Roca Eterna (Integrity Music/Time Life)

Various Artists—The Second Chance [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] (Reunion Records)

Aug. 16th-

STRYPER—Reborn (Big3 Records)      

LEON PATILLO—Live Experience 2 (Tag Distribution)  

EAGERS SEAS—People Like People (Tooth & Nail Records)

CANTON JONES—Love Jones (EMI Gospel)

WILLIAM MURPHY—All Day - The William Murphy Project (Epic/Sony Urban Music/Integrity Gospel)

JOHN MICHAEL TALBOT—Monk Rock (Troubadour Records)

JENNIFER KNAPP—The Collection [Single Disc release] (Gotee Records)

Various Artists—Hip Hope 2006 [CD/DVD Combo] (Gotee Records)

Aug. 23rd-

CHRIS RICE--Amusing [Autographed] (eb+flo/INO Records)

SELAH--Greatest Hymns (Curb Records)

NEWSONG--Rescue (Live Worship) [DVD] (Integrity Music)

PAPA SAN--Real & Personal (Gospo Centric)

RON KENOLY & HIGH PRAISE--Fill The Earth (Right Hand/NGMR/Taseis Media Group)

Various Artists--Hymns and Choruses Top 40 (Dana Point Music)

Various Artists--My Kind of Worship (Spring Hill Music Group)

CHUCK’S CHUCKLES:

Top 10 Signs You Know That It's Time To Go On A Diet...

10. When you “fast” dance at your 30-year High School reunion, it makes the band skip. 

9. You’re diagnosed with a “flesh eating virus” and the doctor gives you 25 more years to live. 

8. You’re tempted to put mayonnaise on your One-A-Day multi-vitamin.  

7. You visit the zoo and the elephants throw you peanuts. 

6. When you ran away as a child they used all four sides of the milk carton for your photo. 

5. You were born with a silver “shovel” in your mouth. 

4. In the summertime you could sell shade. 

3. Your blood type is “Ragu”. 

2. You need an appointment to attend an “open house”. 

1. Your new driver's license reads, "Photo continued on other side." 

Glory2Glory Christian Music E-zine! thanks Kim Jones, the Editor and Guide of About.com’s “Christian Music Guide," for providing a link to us!  To subscribe to Kim’s FREE newsletter, click here: christianmusic.about.com. 

© August 8th, 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!