This is Glory2Glory Christian Music E-zine!, a FREE contemporary Christian & modern Worship music 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 publisher Chuck Halley at glory2glory-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

In the news this week, gospel legend VESTAL GOODMAN dies, REBECCA ST. JAMES and MICHAEL W. SMITH on national TV on New Year’s Day; artist birthdays; upcoming concerts and album releases; Chuck’s Chuckles; and much more!

IN THE NEWS:

Although Glory2Glory does not typically cover Southern Gospel news, the death of gospel music pioneer VESTAL GOODMAN has shaken the entire Christian Music world.  74-year-old Goodman died Dec. 27^th. in Celebration, Florida (near Orlando) while visiting family members during the Christmas holidays.  According to the “Southern Gospel News, “she had been ill with the flu and (it) turned worse…"  The legendary singer was part of The Happy Goodman Family act that recorded 15 #1 gospel music songs while performing more than 3,500 concerts.  The Goodmans were original members of “The Gospel Singing Jubilee” syndicated TV program that was a pioneer in gospel music broadcasting that appeared on more than 100 U.S. television stations.  The gospel act was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998.  "Besides being talented, she loved people and people loved her," said John Styll, president of the Gospel Music Association.  Styll adds that "in her later years, she developed a kind of hipness--even in the contemporary Christian music crowd.  She was bigger than her (Southern Gospel) genre."

Vestal Goodman is survived by her son and daughter, Rick and Vicki, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.  Her funeral will be Thursday, Jan. 1^st. at 1:00 PM at Christ Church, 15354 Old Hickory Blvd., in Brentwood, Tenn.  Visitation will be Wednesday, December 31^st. from 6:00-8:00 PM and from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM on Thursday, January 1^st. at Christ Church.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Goodman Rose Garden Bench in care of Christ Church Memorial Gardens.  For further info, visit www.vestalandfriends.com.  Our hearts and prayers go out to the Goodman family during this time. <><

REBECCA ST. JAMES and MICHAEL W. SMITH will co-host a New Year’s Day television special on the Hallmark Channel on Thursday, January 1^st. The two hour concert, “Night of Joy at Walt Disney World,” is billed as “a celebration of contemporary Christian music.”  The event was recorded live before a sold-out audience at Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park in Florida and will feature performances and behind-the-scenes interviews with special guests JARS OF CLAY, KIRK FRANKLIN, POINT OF GRACE, YOLANDA ADAMS, NICOLE C. MULLIN, RACHAEL LAMPA, SALVADOR, ZOEGIRL, and STACIE ORRICO.  The special will air on the Hallmark Channel on Thursday, January 1^st. at 9:00 PM CDT with a repeat airing on Sunday, Jan. 4^th. at 11:00 PM CDT. <><   

CHRISTIAN MUSIC ARTIST BIRTHDAYS:

Mon., Dec. 29^th. - Linda Elias (Tuesday's Child)

Tues., Dec. 30^th. - Kim Hill

Wed., Dec. 31^st. - Tyler Burkum (Audio Adrenaline)

Thurs., Jan. 1^st. - Chris Poisat (The Benjamin Gate)

UPCOMING ARK-LA-MISS CONCERTS:

12/30 – Newsboys--DeSoto Civic Center, Southaven, MS

1/11/04 - Audio Adrenaline & NewSong--Mississippi Coliseum, Jackson, MS

1/15/04 - Everyday Sunday--Bowmar Baptist, Vicksburg, MS

1/26/04 - Louisiana Baptist Conference w/Charles Billingsley--First Baptist Church, Lafayette, LA

2/12/04 – MercyMe, Amy Grant, & Bebo Norman--CenturyTel Center, Shreveport, LA

2/27 & 2/28/04 - Women of Faith Conference w/Natalie Grant--CenturyTel Center, Shreveport, LA

2/28/04 - Gaither Homecoming Tour--Mississippi Coliseum, Jackson, MS

3/09/04 - Shane Barnard & Shane Everett with Ginny Owens--UCA Ida Waldren Auditorium, Conway, AR

3/20/04 – Selah--McClendon Baptist Church, West Monroe, LA

3/31/04 - FFH w/Big Daddy Weave--LA College, Pineville, LA (6:30 PM)

4/2/04 - Chris Tomlin--Mississippi Coliseum, Jackson, MS

4/10/04 – Kutless, Thousand Foot Krutch, Ryan Dobson--Six Flags - New Orleans, New Orleans, LA

4/8/04 – Salvador--Pentecostal Campground Tabernacle, Tioga, LA

4/9/04 – Newsboys--Six Flags - New Orleans, New Orleans, LA (6:00 PM)

4/24/04 - Big Daddy Weave--Hinds Community College, Raymond, MS

4/30 & 05/01/04—Women's Conference w/ Tammy Trent--First Baptist Church, Bossier City, LA

5/15/04 – Bleach--Downtown Festival Plaza, Shreveport, LA  

6/19/04 - Rebecca St. James & Casting Crowns--Timberwood Amphitheater (Magic Springs), Hot Springs, AR

7/17/04 – Selah--Southside Baptist Church, Stuttgart, AR

7/17/04 - O.C. Supertones & Paul Colman Trio--Union County Fairgrounds, New Albany, MS

8/28/04 - Audio Adrenaline--First Bossier Church, Bossier City, LA (7:00 PM)

UPCOMING CHRISTIAN MUSIC & GOSPEL RELEASES:

1/6/04 - Maranatha!--That's Why We Praise Him: Songs of Celebration (Maranatha!)

1/13/04 – Tonéx--Out The Box (Verity Records)

1/27/04 - Bill & Gloria Gaither, T.D. Jakes, and Friends--Build A Bridge (CD & DVD) (Gaither Music Group)

1/27/04 - Bill & Gloria Gaither, T.D. Jakes, and Friends--We Will Stand (CD & DVD) (Gaither Music Group)

1/27/04 - Hugs Series--Hugs for Daughters (Here to Him Music)

1/27/04 - .Rod Laver--Rudolph Wayne vs. The Man (Uprok Records)

1/27/04 - Matt McGee--Worship Through the Valley (Crowne Music Group)

1/27/04 - The Praise Baby Collection--         Praises and Smiles (Big House Kids)

1/27/04 - Starflyer 59--I Am The Portuguese Blues (Tooth & Nail Records)

1/27/04 - Thank You Series--Thank You Friend & Thank You Mom (Here to Him Music)

1/27/04 – Various--Here I Am To Worship - Volume 1 (Worship Together)

1/27/04 – Various--In the Name of Love: Artists United for Africa (Sparrow Records)

1/27/04 – Various--iWORSHIP @Home DVD Vol. 3           (Integrity Music)

1/27/04 – Various--Mammoth City Messengers (ForeFront Records)

CHUCK’S CHUCKLES:

(After this holiday season, many will make a New Year’s resolution to lose that excess weight.  Here are some “Diet Facts” to remember as you stock up on Slim Fast!—Chuck)

A diet is a weigh of life.

It's not the minutes spent at the table that put on weight, it's the seconds.

It's something most of us do religiously: We eat what we want and PRAY we don't gain weight.

The problem with curbing our appetites is that most of us do it at the drive in window of McDonalds.

The most fattening thing you can put in an ice cream sundae is a spoon.

The biggest drawback to fasting for seven days is that it makes one weak.

Sweets are the destiny that shapes our ends.

Diets are for people who are thick and tired of it.

The toughest part of a diet isn't watching what you eat.  It's watching what other people eat.

A diet is when you have to go to some length to change your width.

Most people gain weight by having intimate dinners for two...alone.

A diet is the modern-day meal in which a family counts its calories instead of its blessings.

One guideline applies to fat and thin people alike: If you're thin, don't eat fast.  If you're fat, don't eat--FAST.

© December 29, 2003; Glory2Glory Productions; Chuck Halley, publisher; 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. 

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