This is the March 15^th, 2004 edition of 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, statistics on “The Passion”; THIRD DAY goes back to their roots; former members of TRUE VIBE star in “Godspell”; more changes in the O.C. SUPERTONES; artist birthdays; upcoming concerts in the Southwest; new album releases; Top 10 Things Overheard on Noah's Ark; and much more!

IN THE NEWS: 

The Passion of the Christ continues to set records in Hollywood.  According to an executive with the film’s promotions staff in Pennsylvania, a poll last week showed that 11% of all Americans have seen this movie with another 60% of Americans saying they plan to see it.  This means that 3/4 of the citizens of the United States want to see this important film, which is absolutely unheard of in the movie industry (of course, many plan to wait for the DVD release!) 

Here are some statistics that should prove the gargantuan strength of The Passion:

--with already $214 million in ticket sales through last weekend, there’s no question the film will gross more than $300 million in domestic theaters and is predicted to quite likely reach $350-400 million.

--Mel Gibson’s reportedly $25 million investment could translate into $100 million or more of profits to the movie’s producer (and that’s just from the U.S. and Canadian showings.)   

--Needless to say, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.  Usually if a film grosses $400 million domestically, it could easily do twice that internationally and, of course, even do more (Titanic, for instance, did about $1 billion abroad compared to about $600 million in the U.S. and Canada.)

--The Passion of the Christ is likely to do extremely well in Latin America and South America where it should benefit from having a very large core audience of Christians (it could wind up in those territories as the biggest blockbuster of all time.)

--In the United Kingdom, where the film doesn’t kick off until Mar. 26^th., it’s likely to perform very well, driven again by the country’s large core audience of Christians.  News reports on Monday said four churches in England’s southeastern county of Kent have already block-booked some $37,000 worth of tickets that they plan to give away at no cost in an effort to add people to their congregations.

--While The Passion is still a long way away from its home video release, it’s safe to say the movie clearly has a built-in audience that can be expected to buy it, so the film could be looking at another $400 million in DVD and VHS sales with somewhere around $260 million more going to Gibson. <><

THIRD DAY will release its seventh studio album to stores on May 4^th.  “Wire” will return the band to their rock roots through the talents of producer Paul Ebersold, who has produced albums for mainstream artists (Sister Hazel, 3 Doors Down, Pseudopod), as well as Christian artists including BIG TENT REVIVAL and SKILLET.  Also Brendan O’Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Aerosmith, Lifehouse, King’s X) mixed the tracks for the band’s latest release.  The Grammy and Dove Award winners kick off their 85-date "Third Day Live" tour in April with guests TOBYMAC and WARREN BARFIELD. <>< 

Two former members of the now defunct TRUE VIBE have traded the concert stage for center stage in theater.  Jason Barton and Nathan Gaddis will be performing in a production of “Godspell” at The People's Church in Franklin, Tennessee this week.  The play is based on the gospel according to Matthew and has been performed more than 2,600 times on and off Broadway since its first run in the 1970's. 

Barton, who is a native of Gilbert, Louisiana, plays the role of Jesus in Godspell and gained prior theatrical experience in productions such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (“Joseph”) and West Side Story (“Tony”).  Gaddis is originally from Campbellsville, Kentucky and plays the roles of John the Baptist and Judas.  Currently a member of the new band SOJOURN FARE, Gaddis has had lead roles in productions of Fiddler on the Roof, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Music Man, and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.  For more info on The People's Church, visit www.thepeopleschurch.org. <><

Speaking of former “Boy-Bands,” PLUS ONE kicks off their 30-city “Exodus ‘04” tour, which is their first headline tour in over two years, on April 15^th.  The Dove Award-winning group will leave their music tracks at home this time when they hit the road with a five-piece live band to perform songs from their latest album.  Also featured on the tour is special guests TELECAST, Hawk Nelson, and Jadon Lavik.  The Exodus ’04 tour will focus on more “intimate” venues such as Christian universities, clubs, and small halls where “Plus One can interact directly with their fans, and where the band will deliver a powerful, full-scale rock show while keeping the ticket price(s) affordable for families and students,” according to press releases. <><

MICHAEL W. SMITH’s instrumental “Carol Ann” has been selected to run as part of the very first Bush-Cheney television commercial for the President’s re-election campaign.  The song is from Smith’s instrumental CD, “Freedom,” that was released in 2000.  The singer’s last two Worship albums and his DVD release have sold a total of two million copies which adds to his career sales of more than 10 million units.  To view the TV spot, visit:  http://www.georgewbush.com/tvads <><             

SOUNDBYTES: 

Another original member of the O.C. SUPERTONES has quit.  Darren Mettler (a.k.a. “The Chief”) has left the ska band to serve as a Junior High youth pastor at a church in Southern California.  Replacing Mettler will be the former trumpet player for THE W’S, Bret Barker. <>< BY THE TREE enters the studio this week to record a Worship album set for a Summer ‘04 release.  Band members say they feel a “redirection to worship is needed” for their lives and that recording a Worship project is “the best way to do it.” <>< Whatever happened to SARAH MASEN?  The artist who had a CCM hit with “All Fall Down” in 1997 can be currently seen in Nashville starring in Anton Chekhov's “The Cherry Orchard” at the Darkhorse Theater.  Also Masen is now married to writer David Dark, who just published his first book, “Everyday Apocalypse,” described as a “vivid exploration of apocalyptic themes in contemporary art and culture.” <>< Singer/songwriter ELI is also resurfacing with a new album called "Gratitude."  The L.A. native, who also now resides in Nashville, is hitting the road through August to promote his new 11-tune independent CD and sing some of his old hits such as “Things I Prayed For,” “The Lumber Song,” and “Second Hand Clothing.” <><

GOSPEL & CHRISTIAN MUSIC ARTIST BIRTHDAYS:

Tues., March 16^th. - Bryan Duncan

Wed., March 17^th. - Paul Overstreet

Thurs., March 18^th. - Jeff Easter (Jeff & Sheri Easter)

Sun., March 21^st. - Karl Messner (the APOLOGETIx)

Mon., March 22^nd. - Denise Jones (Point of Grace), Brian Johnson (O.C. Supertones)

UPCOMING SOUTHWEST U.S. CONCERTS:

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

3/20 - Terry MacAlmon--Cathedral in the Pines, Beaumont, TX

3/25 - By The Tree--Heritage Baptist Church, Texarkana, TX

3/26 - Casting Crowns & Jeff Deyo--Texas Tech., Plainview, TX

3/27 - Tinman Jones--Seabrook YMCA, Pine Bluff, AR

3/31 - FFH & Big Daddy Weave--LA. College, Pineville, LA

4/02 - Tinman Jones--The LightHouse, Midlothian, TX

4/02 - Chris Tomlin--Mississippi Coliseum, Jackson, MS

4/02 – Switchfoot--Texas Union Ballroom, Austin, TX

4/03 – Switchfoot--Gypsy Tea Room, Dallas, TX

4/03 - By The Tree--Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater, College Station, TX

4/03 - Andrew Peterson--Hilton Lincoln Center Hotel, Dallas, TX

4/03 – Avalon & Mark Schultz--C.W. Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands, TX

4/08 - Third Day, tobyMac, & Warren Barfield--Civic Center, Monroe, LA

4/08 – Salvador--Pentecostal Campground Tabernacle, Tioga, LA

4/09 – Newsboys & Jeremy Camp--Six Flags - New Orleans, New Orleans, LA

4/09 - Third Day, tobyMac, & Warren Barfield--Mississippi Coliseum, Jackson, MS

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

4/13 - Delirious? & David Crowder Band--Mississippi College, Clinton, MS

4/16 - By The Tree--Baylor University, Waco, TX

4/16 - Jars of Clay & Bebo Norman--Univ. of Miss., Oxford, MS

4/23 - Out of Eden--Dallas Bible Church, Dallas, TX

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

4/30 - Plus One & Telecast--Walnut Street Baptist, Jonesboro, AR

4/30 - The Violet Burning--LifePoint Church, Longview, TX

4/30 & 05/01- Tammy Trent--First Baptist Church, Bossier City, LA

5/03 - Audio Adrenaline--Old Oil Place, Tyler, TX

5/04 – Skillet & 12 Stones--Fort Smith Convention Center, Fort Smith, AR

5/08 - Big Daddy Weave--Carthage Jr. High School, Carthage, TX

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

5/22 - Casting Crowns--Ark. State College, Jonesboro, AR   

6/06 - Paul Colman--Galloway Memorial UMC, Jackson, MS

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

6/23 – Superchic(k)--Teen Mania Ministries, Lindale, TX

6/27 & 6/28 - Allen Asbury & Selah--Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas, TX

7/03 - Anointed & Audio Adrenaline--Southfork Ranch, Dallas, TX

7/12 - Paul Baloche--International Worship Institute, Dallas, TX

7/15 - Pillar & O.C. Supertones--Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, TX

7/16 – Skillet--Lake Pointe Baptist Church, Rockwall, TX

7/16 – Newsboys & Tait--Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, TX

7/17 - Steven Curtis Chapman & Casting Crowns--Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, TX

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

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

8/19 - Casting Crowns--Oakland Heights Baptist Church, Longview, TX

8/20 & 8/21 – “Rock the Desert” w/Jars of Clay & Casting Crowns--Midland, TX

8/27 & 8/28 – “Irrepressible Hope - Women of Faith” w/Natalie Grant & Laurie Hickson-Smith--American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX

8/27 & 8/28 – “Promise Keepers” w/Brad Stine & Salvador--SBC Center, San Antonio, TX

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

9/18 – downhere--Galloway Memorial UMC, Jackson, MS

11/13 – Selah--Arlington Convention Center, Arlington, TX

UPCOMING GOSPEL RELEASES:

3/23 - 7 Sons Of Soul--7 Sons Of Soul (Verity Records)

3/23 - Ace Troubleshooter--It's Never Enough (Tooth & Nail Records)

3/23 - Bishop T.D. Jakes Presents: Manpower, "God Is Working It Out" (EMI Gospel)

3/23 - Bishop T.D. Jakes Presents: Woman Thou Art Loosed, "Help A Sista Out" (EMI Gospel)

3/23 - David Crowder Band--The Lime CD (Six Steps Records)

3/23 - Sara Groves--The Other Side of Something (INO Records)

3/23 - Dennis Jernigan--Hands Lifted High: Class Worship Songs from Dennis Jernigan and Friends (Doxology Records)

3/23 - Terry MacAlmon--The Sound of Heaven (M2.0 Communications)

3/23 - George Beverly Shea--How Sweet The Sound (Spring Hill Music Group)

3/23 - Taylor Sorensen--The Overflow (Rocketown Records)

3/23 – Staple--Staple (Flicker Records)

3/23 – Switchfoot--Live in San Diego DVD (Sparrow Records)

3/23 - Tunnel Rats--Tunnel Rats (Uprok Records)

3/23 – United [Hillsongs]--More Than Life (Integrity Music/Hillsong)

3/23 – Various--conGRADulations! Class of 2004 (ForeFront Records)

3/23 – Various--Empty Me (BEC Recordings)

3/23 – Various--Hallelujah! Great Sacred Choruses (Sparrow Records)

3/23 – Various--Integrity's iWORSHIP DVD ‘H’ (Integrity Music)

3/23 – Various--Songs4Worship [Spanish] - Sendas Dios Hara (Integrity Music/Time Life Music)

3/23 - Shelia Walsh--The Best of Shelia Walsh (Integrity Music)

3/30 – Various--Top 25 Modern Worship (Maranatha! Music)

4/6 - Building 429--Glory Defined (Squint/Curb/Warner Bros.)

4/6 - Caedmon's Call--Chronicles (Essential Records)

4/6 - Jeremy Camp--In 24 [DVD] (BEC Recordings)

4/6 - The Canton Spirituals--Nothing But The Hits of the Canton Spirituals (Verity Records)

CHUCK’S CHUCKLES:

Top 10 Things Overheard on Noah's Ark--

10. "Did anyone think about bringing a couple of umbrellas?"

9. "Hey, there are more than two flies in here!"

8. "Wasn't someone supposed to put two shovels on board?"

7. "OK, who's the wise-guy who brought the mosquitoes on board?"

6. "Help! I need some Pepto Bismol for the elephants…QUICK!"

5. "Don't make me pull this Ark over and come back there!"

4. "No, Ham, you cannot eat the Pig!"

3. "And whatever you do, DO NOT pull this plug out."

2. "Nice doggie!"

1. "Are We There Yet?"

© March 15, 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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