This is the December 6th., 2004 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, GINNY OWENS featured on iTunes; THIRD DAY and P.O.D. featured on 60 Minutes; cast your vote in the Worship Leader “Praise Awards” and The People Choice Awards; Backstreet “Boy” signs with Christian label; upcoming concerts in the Southwest; new album releases; Top 10 Ways To Confuse Santa Claus This Year; and much more!

IN THE NEWS:  GINNY OWENS has partnered with iTunes for a live, four-song EP (extended-play album) that can be downloaded from their website.  Owens recorded the tracks while filming a live concert DVD last summer at the New Orleans House of Blues.  Featured on the EP are live versions of “Bread,” “I Love the Way,” and “Call Me Beautiful” from her latest studio album, Beautiful, plus Owens’ cover of Lenny Kravitz’ “Let Love Rule.”  The singer/songwriter’s next studio release is not expected to be released until October 2005.  For more info, visit ginnyowens.com or www.rocketownrecords.com. <><  

Voting in Worship Leader magazine’s “4th. Annual Praise Awards” is now underway.  These awards honor outstanding achievement in categories including “Best Praise and Worship Song,” “Best Worship Project,” and “Best Urban or Gospel Project.”  Also selected by popular vote will be the “2004 Breakthrough Artist,” whose nominees include SARAH KELLY, PLANETSHAKERS, and JASON MORANT.  You can cast your vote in six Worship music categories by visiting the Worship Leader or Song Discovery websites.  Winners will be announced in the magazine’s March/April 2005 issue. <><

Reunion Records has announced the Christian music label will officially sign Brian Littrell of the multi-platinum, award-winning “boyband” Backstreet Boys.  Glory2Glory reported this “rumor” several months ago, but now The Provident Music Group’s President and CEO, Terry Hemmings, plans to make the official announcement this Wednesday (December 8th.)  The “official press release” will brief media and fans on “how this relationship developed” and why Littrell has decided “to record a Christian music market album.” <><

If you would like to remind Hollywood that Jesus Christ is important to Americans, you can vote for The Passion of the Christ as your favorite movie this year in The People's Choice Awards.  CBS-TV will air the awards special on January 9th., but visitors to the network’s T.P.C.A. website can vote for their favorite movie drama plus several other categories through Monday, December 13th.  If “The Passion” wins, director Mel Gibson has said he will appear on the live telecast to receive the award. <><

SOUNDBYTES:  Hillsong Australia Worship leader REUBEN MORGAN has released his debut solo album.  World Through Your Eyes features 11 tracks that “reveal an incredible intimacy and great insight into the character of God and our rightful response to Him.” <>< THIRD DAY and P.O.D. will be featured on 60 Minutes this Wednesday (Dec. 8th.) at 7:00 PM CST.  CBS News correspondent Bob Simon reports in the story on “evangelical Christian music” that $4 billion a year is now flowing from Christian entertainment into the mainstream media. <>< Frontman Jeremy Thiessen of Canadian band DOWNHERE is auctioning off for charity 20 of his dreadlocks for $50 each on eBay.  Thiessen’s dreads are listed as items # 5540555276, 5540555441, and 5540555529 (winners also will receive a personal thank-you letter and a free downhere sticker--Wow!) <>< South Africa’s TREE63 has a new “member.”  Bass player Daniel Ornellas and wife Samantha welcomed baby daughter Luka Ornellas to the world on November 30th.  In other band news, drummer Thinus (Tain) Odendaal was recently engaged to his Canadian girlfriend. <><

ARTIST BIRTHDAYS:

Wed., Dec. 8th. - Joel Hanson (PFR)

Thurs., Dec. 9th. - Steve Taylor (CHAGALL GUEVARA, record producer)

Fri., Dec. 10th. - Eli

Sat., Dec. 11th. - Gabe Combs (PLUS ONE)

Sun., Dec. 12th. - Greg Long (solo artist, AVALON)

UPCOMING CONCERTS IN THE SOUTHWEST:

12/9 - Steven Curtis Chapman, Casting Crowns, & Chris Tomlin--CenturyTel Center, Bossier City, LA

12/18 - NewSong, FFH, & Palisade--Ouachita Parish High School, Monroe, LA

12/22 - Jim Brickman & Kristy Starling--The Strand Theatre, Shreveport, LA

01/02/05 - Ron Kenoly--Christian Worship Center, Alexandria, LA

01/06/05 - Ginny Owens--Woodland Hills Baptist, Jackson, MS

01/09/05 - Angelina McKeithen--First Assembly of God, Bastrop, LA

01/13/05 - Shane Barnard & Shane Everett--First Baptist Church, Ruston, LA

02/03/05 – Selah--First Baptist Church, West Monroe, LA

02/10/05 – downhere--Louisiana Baptist Convention, Alexandria, LA

02/18/05 – NewSong & tobyMac--River Center, Baton Rouge, LA

02/22/05 – Skillet & Seventh Day Slumber--Planet Rock, Pearl, MS

03/02/05 – Kutless & BarlowGirl--Planet Rock, Pearl, MS

03/11/05 - Natalie Grant--First Baptist Church, Bossier City, LA

03/11 – 03/13/05 - Point of Grace--First Baptist Church, Bossier City, LA

03/12/05 - Natalie Grant--First Baptist Church, West Monroe, LA

03/18 - 03/20/05 – Watermark--First Baptist Church, Shreveport, LA

03/25/05 – Skillet--Six Flags, New Orleans, LA

04/01/05 - Chonda Pierce, Sandi Patty, & Sheila Walsh--“Women Of Faith” Conference, CenturyTel Center, Bossier City, LA

04/15/05 – Skillet--“Acquire the Fire”, Baton Rouge, LA

04/29/05 - Wayne Watson--First Baptist Church, Minden, LA

UPCOMING CCM, GOSPEL, & VIDEO RELEASES:

12/07/04—

The Gospel Wonders--The Gospel Wonders (Church Howse/Lightyear)

Christ Tabernacle Choir--We Have Overcome (Daywind)

12/14/2004—

Various--Let It Rise: Songs of Celebration (Maranatha! Music)

CHUCK’S CHUCKLES:

Top 10 Ways To Confuse Santa Claus This Year--

10. Instead of milk and cookies, leave him a salad and a note explaining that you think he could stand to lose a few pounds.

9. Leave out a copy of your Christmas list with last-minute changes and corrections.

8. Leave him a note, explaining that you've gone away for the holidays.  Ask if he would mind watering your plants.

7. Paint "hoof-prints" all over your face and clothes.  While he's in the house, go out on the roof.  When he comes back up, act like you've been "trampled" and threaten to sue.

6. Keep an angry bull in your living room (if you think a bull goes crazy when he sees a little red cape, wait until he sees that big, red Santa suit!)

5. Build an army of mean-looking snowmen on the roof, holding signs that say "We hate Christmas" and "Go away Santa."

4. Leave a note by the telephone, telling Santa that Mrs. Claus called and wants him to pick up some milk and a loaf of bread on his way home.

3. Take everything out of your house as if it's just been robbed.  When Santa arrives, come out dressed like a policeman and say, "Well, well…they always return to the scene of the crime."

2. While he's in the house, find the sleigh and sit in it.  As soon as he comes back and sees you, tell him that he shouldn't have missed that last payment, and take off.

1. Leave lots of hunting trophies and guns out where Santa's sure to see them.  Go outside and yell, "Ooh! Look! A deer! And he's got a red nose!", and fire a gun.

© December 6th., 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.  Start spreading some Good News by forwarding this issue to five friends who have an interest in contemporary Christian music & modern Worship!