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 some Good News this week, THIRD DAY, AVALON, SKILLET, JOHN TESH, STACIE ORRICO, and FIVE IRON FRENZY; artist birthdays; upcoming concerts in the Southwest; new album releases; A Dog’s New Year’s Resolutions; and much more!

IN THE NEWS:

THIRD DAY fans can get a sneak peek at the band this week in the studio working on their new album.  From January 6^th. through the 9^th., web surfers can watch a behind-the-scenes view of a “day with the band.”  Third Day promises to “put pictures up all day long in ‘real time’ along with commentary of what is going on.  We will have short video clips of the recording sessions and other activities (and) small audio samples of upcoming songs.”  Also special eBay auction items will be put up for auction immediately as they are made in the studio, including signed photos.  To access the “3D Live” cam, go to www.thirdday.com.<><

GREG LONG has finally confirmed that he has been chosen as the permanent member of the Grammy and Dove Award winning CCM quartet AVALON.  Long replaced Michael Passons during the vocal group’s concert tour in 2003 and has toured with them ever since.  The husband of long-time member Janna Long, Greg will be heard on the new Avalon project set to be released this spring as well as be releasing his fifth solo album on February 17^th. entitled “Born Again.”<><

SKILLET will hit the road this spring accompanied by BIG DISMAL, GRITS, and 12 STONES.  The tour will kick off in early March in about 40 cities across the U.S. and continue on through May.  Also Skillet’s new CD is scheduled to be in stores in late May or early June.<><

The father-in-law of Judy Martin Hess (the MARTINS) died early Sunday morning (January 4^th.) in Opelika, Alabama.  76-year-old Jake Hess was a legendary gospel singer who founded the IMPERIALS in 1963 and also sang at ELVIS PRESLEY’s funeral in 1977.  Throughout his 60 years of performing on television and at thousands of concerts Hess received numerous honors including induction into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame and winning four Grammy Awards.  Our condolences go out to Hess’ family and friends.<>< 

Modern Worship artist JOHN TESH begins a new venture in 2004 as the singer/pianist debuts his syndicated “John Tesh Radio Show” on January 5^th. on a network of over 60 stations.  The daily radio program, billed as “music and intelligence for your life,” airs at 7:00 PM every weeknight.  Tesh will take a hiatus from the glamorous life of studio recording, television appearances, and concert performances to concentrate on his full-time radio gig for now.<><

Australia's national Christian music chart, “The Rock Across Australia,” has named American CCM artist STACIE ORRICO Artist of the Year and her single "(There's Gotta Be) More to Life" as Song of the Year. Orrico is also featured in the debut edition of Beautiful Girl, a “new, hip, and trendy Christian teen girl magazine,” on newsstands now.  In an interview with the publication, the 17-year-old singing sensation talks about “what true beauty is” to her and the way “God is using her to make a difference” around the world. <><

<>< FIVE IRON FRENZY called it quits in 2003, but plans are still underway to release their final project next month.  “The End Is Here” will be a two-disc CD with “disc one” being the band’s last studio album while “disc two” will feature a recording of their final show in Denver, Colorado last November.<><  

CHRISTIAN MUSIC ARTIST BIRTHDAYS:

Tues., Jan. 6^th. - Joyce Martin McCollough (Martins)

Wed., Jan. 7^th. - Charles Billingsley (NewSong), Rick Elias (Rich Mullins, A Raggamuffin Band), Chuck Dennie (By the Tree)

Fri., Jan. 9^th. - Pam Thum

Sat., Jan. 10^th. - Jeoffry Benward (Aaron/Jeoffry)

Mon., Jan. 12^th. - Dan Haseltine (Jars of Clay)

UPCOMING SOUTHWEST CONCERTS:

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

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

1/16 – Skillet, The Door, Dallas, TX

1/17 - Jeremy Camp, Denton Bible Church, Denton, TX

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

1/30 - David Crowder Band, First United Methodist Church, Arlington, TX

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

2/21 – ApologetiX, Eastwood Baptist Church, Haughton, LA

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

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

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

3/14 – “Adoration Tour” w/Newsboys & Rebecca St. James, The Oil Palace, Tyler, TX

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

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

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

4/8 - Third Day and TobyMac--Monroe Civic Center, Monroe, LA

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

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

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

4/10 - Jars of Clay & Chris Tomlin, Six Flags over Texas, Arlington, TX

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

UPCOMING CHRISTIAN MUSIC & GOSPEL RELEASES:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHUCK’S CHUCKLES:

A Dog’s New Year’s Resolutions--

I will remember the garbage collector is NOT stealing our stuff.

I will not suddenly stand straight up when I'm lying under the coffee table.

I will shake rainwater out of my coat BEFORE entering the house.

I will not eat the cat's food before, or AFTER, he eats it.

I will stop trying to find new places on the carpet when I am about to throw up.

I will not throw up in the car.

I will not roll on dead things.

I will stop considering the cat's litter box as a cookie jar.

I will not chew on my master’s toothbrush and not tell him.

I will not chew on crayons or pens, especially not the red ones, so my people will not think that I am hemorrhaging.

When in the car, I will not insist on having the window rolled down when it's raining outside.

I will remember the sofa is not a face towel and neither are Mommy's & Daddy's laps.

I will not bite the officer's hand when he reaches in for Mommy's driver's license and car registration.

I will not play tug-of-war with Daddy's underwear when he's in the bathroom.

© January 5, 2004; 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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