This is the January 17th, 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 would like a FREE subscription with the latest issue sent to your inbox each week, e-mail glory2gloryezine@....

In some good news this week, SKILLET helps tsunami victims; hear new music from JACI VELASQUEZ and LIFEHOUSE; SWITCHFOOT is No. 1 on iTunes and Billboard; watch DELIRIOUS? as they work; sign the petition to get The Passion nominated for an Oscar; upcoming concerts in the Southwest; new album releases; Top 10 Worst Comments Found on Actual Performance Evaluations; and much more

IN THE NEWS:  Grammy-nominated Christian rock band SKILLET is helping the "Music For Relief" effort to aid the tsunami victims in Southeast Asia.  The band’s Collide Tour with SEVENTH DAY SLUMBER and KIDS IN THE WAY is working with local Red Cross chapters to set up donation tables and has merchandise people passing out flyers at their concerts to give fans information on how to donate.  According to Skillet’s frontman John Cooper, "Since the disaster we've been asking ourselves as a band, 'What can we do?'  We've all seen the footage on the news and the despair and loss is unimaginable.  With that in mind, we will be encouraging our fans to support this massive need by donating any amount of money they can to Music For Relief, so we can join in one of many efforts being made worldwide to help."  To make a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, visit musicforrelief.org or call 1-800-HELP-NOW. <><

JACI VELASQUEZ has a new album set to be released this spring.  Beauty Has Grace was produced by Martin Terefe (a-Ha) and is filled with songs boasting “an ethereal, Brit-pop quality absent from her previous, peppier releases”, according to Velasquez’ own press release.  To hear three brand new tracks from the project (“Supernatural”, “Something Beautiful”, and “Tonight”), go to myspace.com. <><

LIFEHOUSE has just finished up its new self-titled album, the band’s first release since the departure of founding member and bassist Sergio Andrade.  The trio with new member Bryce Soderburg is now preparing for a spring promotional tour.  The CD is not due in stores until March 29th, but you can hear the first single “You And Me” by clicking on this link:  "You And Me". <><

SOUNDBYTES:  SWITCHFOOT’s The Beautiful Letdown was named as one of the “Best of 2004” by iTunes (along with albums from Usher, Ray Charles, Green Day, Alicia Keys, Loretta Lynn, and Black Eyed Peas).  Also Billboard magazine named the band the “No. 1 Top Christian Artist” and the double-platinum The Beautiful Letdown (now officially double-platinum, marking 2 million copies sold!) as the “No. 1 Top Christian Album” for last year. <>< British modern Worship band DELIRIOUS? is back in the studio after a year of international touring.  A live Web cam has been set up in the United Kingdom control room, so you just might catch Martin Smith and the band members making music at delirious.co.uk. <>< BMG Direct has started a new website where every CD is only $5.99 with free shipping.  This subscriber service requires you buy one CD every month from their extensive Christian music category.  Check it out at yourmusic.com. <><

ARTIST BIRTHDAYS:

Mon., Jan 17th - Eddie Carswell (NewSong), Teron David (Grits)

Wed., Jan 19th - Carman

Sun., Jan. 23rd - Rick Heil (SONICFLOOd), Jason Davis (Between Thieves)

Mon., Jan. 24th - Matt Gingrich (Bleach)

UPCOMING CONCERTS IN THE SOUTHWEST:

Jan. 21st – The Afters--River of Life Church, Winnsboro, LA

Jan. 29th – NewSong & tobyMac--Barton Coliseum, Little Rock, AR

Feb. 3rd – Selah--First Baptist Church, West Monroe, LA

Feb. 3rd – Everyday Sunday & Liptocoal--Cactus Jack’s, Ruston, LA

Feb. 10th – downhere--Louisiana Baptist Convention, Alexandria, LA

Feb. 18th – NewSong & tobyMac--River Center, Baton Rouge, LA

Feb. 18th – “I Choose You Tour” w/Point of Grace & Scott Krippayne--Faith Church, New Orleans, LA

Feb. 24th – Carman--Victory Church, Camden, AR

March 11th – Natalie Grant--First Baptist Church, Bossier City, LA

March 12th - Natalie Grant--First Baptist Church, West Monroe, LA

March 13th – Point of Grace--First Baptist Church, Bossier City, LA

March 18^th, 19^th, & 20^th. – Watermark--First Baptist Church, Shreveport, LA

March 18th - Gaither Homecoming Tour--Riverside Centroplex, Baton Rouge, LA

March 25th – Skillet--Six Flags, New Orleans, LA

April 1st - “Women Of Faith” Conference w/Chonda Pierce, Sandi Patty, & Sheila Walsh--CenturyTel Center, Bossier City, LA

April 16th – “Acquire the Fire” w/Skillet--River City Centroplex, Baton Rouge, April 22nd - “All Things New ’05 Tour” w/Steven Curtis Chapman, Casting Crowns, & Chris Tomlin--Cajundome, Lafayette, LA (7:00 PM)

April 27th – “The Un-Done Tour” w/MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, The Afters, & Monk & Neagle--Monroe Civic Center Arena, Monroe, LA (7:00 PM)

April 28th - Wayne Watson--First Baptist Church, Minden, LA

May 13th - Gaither Homecoming Tour--Mississippi Coliseum, Jackson, MS

June 6th - Denver and the Mile High Orchestra--Broodmore Baptist, Shreveport, LA

(For the latest concert information, visit www.glory2gloryproductions.com)

UPCOMING CCM & GOSPEL RELEASES:

Jan. 18th…

Exit East--Exit East [CD with free DVD] (Fervent Records)

Olivia the Band--Olivia the Band (Essential Records)

Various--Gospel's Top 20 Songs Of The Century Vol. 2 (New Haven Records)

Peculiar People Band--Not Ashamed (Broken Records)

Jan 25th…

Scott Krippayne--Gentle Revolution (Spring Hill Music)

Michael Cook--Imprint (A'postrophe Records)

Grand Prize--Identity (A'postrophe Records)

John Wells--The Dash (Cross Movement Records)

WOW--Wow Gospel 2005 (Verity Records)

ABSOLUTE Series--Absolute Modern Worship [2 CDs] (Fervent Records)

ABSOLUTE Series--Absolute Modern Worship For Kids (Fervent Records)

Various--Here I Am To Worship Vol. 2 [2 CDs] (Worship Together)

Various--Here I Am To Worship for Kids 2 (Worship Together)

The O.C. Supertones--Unite (BEC Recordings)

KJ-52--Behind The Musik (BEC Recordings)

Andy Griffith--Bound For The Promised Land (Sparrow Records)

Various--Stellar Awards Hits 2005 (Integrity Gospel)

Various--The Pinnacle Project: B.I.G. (Pinnacle Records)

Various--The Pinnacle Project: Last Say So (Pinnacle Records)

Anberlin--Never Take Friendship Personal (Tooth & Nail Records)

SUPPORT THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST:  As most of us know if we watched the Golden Globe Awards last night (Sun., 1/16), The Passion of The Christ did not receive a single nomination and lost out to several films that most people would not even recognize.  Now, Oscar nominations are to be handed out Jan. 25th and sadly, most Hollywood insiders are saying that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will not even nominate The Passion for consideration for any of its prestigious awards despite the film’s unprecedented success.  The Academy was originally formed to recognize artists for their contributions to film, but unfortunately today many people are corrupting the Oscars by spending ridiculous amounts of money for advertising in an effort to "buy" an award. Mel Gibson and his Icon Productions have announced they will not engage in this type of promotion because The Passion of The Christ was not made to win awards.  However, Oscar nominations carry tremendous weight in Hollywood and an Academy Award for The Passion could pave the way for future major Christian films.

If you want to send a message to Hollywood that The Passion of The Christ deserves a full and fair consideration by Academy voters for its writing, direction, cinematography, editing, set design, costumes and acting, please sign a petition at SupportThePassion.com, which will be sent to the Academy and also be used in ad campaigns directed to Academy members and Hollywood “opinion leaders”. <><

CHUCK’S CHUCKLES:       

Top 10 Worst Comments Found on Actual Performance Evaluations--

10. "Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap."

9. "Since my last report, this employee has reached rock bottom and has started to dig."

8. "When she opens her mouth, it seems that this is only to change whichever foot was previously in there."

7. "He would be out of his depth in a parking lot puddle."

6. "This young lady has delusions of adequacy."

5. "He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them."

4. "This person should not even be allowed to have children."

3. "This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot."

2. "His men would follow him anywhere, but only out of morbid curiosity."

1. "This employee should go far…and the sooner he starts, the better."

© January 17th, 2005; 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!