Happy Memorial Day!

Hope everyone is enjoying their three-day weekend. As we enjoy the cookouts and the unofficial start to summer, remember the reason for this holiday: to honor those who lost their lives protecting our country. In honor of the holiday, I'm posting the music video for Mark Shultz's "Letters From War." Although I have to admit this is more of a Veteran's Day song than Memorial Day, you have to think about those who received all those letters from the home-front and never returned. It's still a very powerful song about the sacrifices our servicemen and women make in order to keep us safe.

I'm dedicating this one to all the servicemen and women I call friends, fellow students and brothers and sisters in Christ, whether they're stateside or in the battle zone. We're praying for you!

American Idol sings "Shout to the Lord": Spot the Difference

Tonight is part one of the season finale of American Idol in which America will pick between Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery. This is the youngest finale match-up in AI finale history (McCreery is 17, Alaina is 16). Both seem to have Christian backgrounds: both list their favorite quote as Philippians 4:13 (which just happens to be one of my favorite verses).

Since we're discussing AI, let's talk about a past performance. In season 7, the top 8 performed the traditional worship song "Shout to the Lord" for the Idol Gives Back event. Here's the live performance:




And here's the studio version:



Did you spot the difference? Or better yet, did you hear the difference?

If you guessed that the name "Jesus" was missing from the live performance, you are CORRECT! (Gold Star!) Why do you think they omitted that missing lyric? I'm guessing that they didn't want to offend non-Christians who were fans of the show. However, I believe if you are going to sing a song of faith, you shouldn't change the lyrics just to appease your audience. Yes, they'll be offended; they might even call the FCC. But, legally they have to First Amendment right to sing, perform, and broadcast what you like and no one can persecute you on the basis of religion. If Mandisa can sing "Shackles (Praise You)" which is a gospel song, then the top 7 can sing the name Jesus!

Award Winners: Billboard Music Awards

The Billboard Music Awards aren't even finished yet, but ABC's website already has the winners! Here they are:

Top Christian Artist: Chris Tomlin

Top Christian Album: Awake, Skillet

Top Christian Song: "Our God," Chris Tomlin

Congratulations to all the winners!

Breaking News: The David Crowder* Band is...

If you are a fan of the David Crowder* Band (DC*B), you might not like this news. Earlier today, CCM Magazine tweeted that the band posted a letter to the fans on their website. First, they discuss their upcoming fall tour, "The 7 Tour." "If you haven't heard yet, we're doing a national tour with some of our favorite artists ever," they wrote. "Gungor, John Mark McMillan, and Chris August are joining us, and we cannot wait to be in the same room with these folks night after night." Later in the letter, they announced that this would be their final tour together. In fact, the reason why they called the tour "The 7 Tour" was because in the Bible, the number 7 represents completion (ie. 7 days to create the earth). 

Ironically (if I am using the term correctly), their 6th album will be their last. "For a long while, we have had a good idea what we were going to do for album number 6; we were going to record a Mass," the band wrote. "Ambitious, maybe, but we had been working out the details of how it would connect to A Collision, you know the one with the boy and the atom on the cover. Mass happens to be a term used in physics, and this was exciting to us." However, with the announcement of BC*B's disbandment, the "Mass," taking on its religious definition, is becoming a Requiem. I have to say, I'm REALLY going to miss this band. My favorite song of theirs: "No One Like You" from their Illuminate album. So, what's your favorite DC*B track? Will you be attending their last concert?

More DC*B (official) videos:

• "Foreverandever, etc"
• "SMS [Shine]"
• "How He Loves"

Billboard Report: Week of May 28, 2011

I know I've been slacking off for the last few weeks. I had final projects, finals, and graduation. Yes GRADUATION! I am now officially an alumna of S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications of Syracuse University. But enough about my personal life: here's the Billboard Report.

Christian Albums: Born Again by newsboys

• #113 Billboard 200

Debuts:

• #2 Listen to the Sound by Building 429

• #15 Anthem Lights by Anthem Lights 

Other Great Gains

• #13 Horseshoes and Handgrenades by Disciples (Greatest Gainer)
• #19 Tonight by TobyMac

Christian Songs: "Glorious Day (Living He Loves Me)" by Casting Crowns (from Until the Whole World Hears)

Greatest Gains

• #2 "Stronger" by Mandisa (from What if We Were Real)
• #3 "I Refuse" by Josh Wilson (from See You)
• #5 "Listen to the Sound" by Building 429 (from Listen to the Sound)
• #6 "Blessings" by Laura Story (from Blessings)
• #8 "You Love Me Anyway" by Sidewalk Prophets 
• #12 "Your Great Name" by Natalie Grant (from Love Revolution)
• #13 "Reach" by Peter Furler (from On Fire)
• #15 "The Redeemer" by Sanctus Real (from Pieces of a Real Heart)
• #16 "I Lift My Hands" by Chris Tomlin 
• #17 "The Way" by Jeremy Camp
• #20 "Strong Enough" by Matthew West (from The Story of Your Life)
• #21 "Beauty of the Cross" by Jonny Diaz (from Jonny Diaz)
• #22 "Manifesto" by The City Harmonic (from Introducing the City Harmonic)
• #23 "Hold Me Together" by Royal Tailor (from Black and White)
• #24 "Hold Me" by Jamie-Grace featuring TobyMac

 Gospel Albums: Hello Fear by Kirk Franklin

• #34 Billboard 200
• #7 R&B/Hip-Hop Albums 

Debuts

• #3 Becoming by Yolanda Adams
• #5 My Heart Says Yes by Troy Sneed

Re-entry: #25 Won't it Be Wonderful by James Hall Presents Voices of Citadel

Great Gains

• #11 Take the High Road by the Blind Boys of Alabama 
• Greatest gainer
• #43 Country Albums  

Gospel Songs: "I Smile" by Kirk Franklin (from Hello Fear)

• Made great gains
• #99 Hot 100
• #18 R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
• #56 Radio Songs
• #13 Heatseekers Songs
• #39 Ringtones

Great Gaines

• #4 "My Heart Says Yes" by Troy Sneed (from My Heart Says Yes)
• #5 "Well Done" by Deitrick Haddon (from Church on the Moon)
• #8 "Over and Over" by Trin-i-tee 5:7 featuring PJ Morton 
• #9 "He Has His Hands on You" by Marvin Sapp
• #10 "God Made Me" by the Mississippi Mass Choir 
• #11 "God is Great" by Ricky Dillard and New G
• #12 "Window" by Canton Jones
• #15 "I'm Back" by Lonnie Hunter featuring Structure

Mary Mary Covers Bruno Mars - Mashup Mondays | Billboard.com

I was looking around the Billboard website when I found this interesting article. Billboard has a series called "Mashup Monday" in which artists cover songs from other artists. This week featured Mary Mary covered Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are" - but with a maternal twist. In their version, the CCM Magazine cover girls dedicated the tune to their daughters (Everyone say it with me now. AWWWW!!!!).

The article also has a video of the group performing "Walking," the first single off their new album, Something Big, as well as an interview in which they talk about their message, music, songwriting process, and the meaning behind "Walking." Enjoy!

Mary Mary Covers Bruno Mars - Mashup Mondays | Billboard.com

DC Talk - It´s The End Of The World As We Know It

Since, according to Harold Camping (who, FYI, was WRONG about the end of the world before) Saturday at 6:00 PM marks the Day of Judgment (or not), I just HAD to post this video of DC Talk's cover of R.E.M.'s "It's the End of the World (As We Know It)" off their live album "Welcome to the Freak Show."I got to say, it's a really good cover of the song with a good message: If we believe in Christ, we can and will be fine, because we know where we're going at the end of it all. So, when is the actual end of the world? According to this article, it's not our place to figure it out. However, we are to be about our Father's business until He does come. So for now, enjoy this clip!

Event Alert: Summer Concerts and Festivals

It's summertime again ladies and gentlemen. And that means one thing: concert season! I already reported on the Gospel Comedy Tour with Steve Harvey and Kirk Franklin (until June) and the 2 Friends Tour with Micheal W. Smith and Amy Grant (starting in July). There are other events coming to a town near you, as evidenced by this list from Today'sChristianMusic.com. Personally, I would love to see "An Evening with Anita Renfroe," which features the comedienne/singer with Mandisa (touring to support her new album What if We Were Real). I've seen Renfroe in action at the Women of Faith Conference (which is making the rounds this summer boasting talents such as Mary Mary and Sandi Patty) and believe me when I say, "This woman is funny!" Don't believe me? Watch this video, then this (her newest video). But she will forever be known for being "The William Tell Mom." As for Mandisa, her newest album is a hit among critics and fans alike and is currently #4 on Billboard's Christian Albums chart (#134 on the Billboard 200). The first single "Stronger" is #2 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart.

Another tour I would like to see: the "All Things Bright and Beautiful Tour" with Mat Kearney and Owl City. Although these two artists have a lot of success outside the Christian music scene, they have been very vocal about their faith. Owl City (aka Adam Young) is touring in support of his upcoming album All Things Bright and Beautiful (out in June) and the first single "Alligator Sky" is available on iTunes.

You might be able to see your favorite Christian artists at the nearest amusement parks. Six Flags have been known to put on concerts featuring Christian and gospel artists. For instance, I'm originally from Washington, DC, so the nearest Six Flags is Six Flags America. According to the Six Flags website, Mandisa and Jars of Clay will perform on June 18, while Marvin Sapp will perform in its annual "Praise in the Park" concert. In LA, Six Flag Magic Mountain has its annual Hallelujah Jubilee with performances from Superchick, Pillar, Manifest, Me in Motion, and Bread of Stone. If you want to find Christian events at a nearby Six Flags, go to the national website.



At the end of the summer, there are plenty of back-to-school events. One such event is Solid Rock 2011, which will take place on August 20 at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC. The best thing about this concert isn't because of its line-up, which includes such as Todd Agnew and Rush of Fools. The best thing about this concert is that IT'S FREE! Let me repeat, SOLID ROCK 2011 IS FREE! They're not even collecting donations! However, I do suggest saving money for snacks and merchandise. If you're a youth leader or pastor, there is a training and info meeting on May 24 at Columbia International University (who is sponsoring the event). To get more info, visit the event's website.

These are just a few events coming this summer. If I missed anything, please let me know! 

Christian Songs on TV

I was watching the Desperate Housewives finale when a commercial for the summer drama Rookie Blue. The Canadian show is about young police officers who recently graduated from the Academy (think of it as Grey's Anatomy, but with police officers). The song they used was "Blink" by Australian band, Revive. The song is from their 2010 album, also called Blink. Also on the album, the song "Something Glorious" was used for a commercial for another ABC show, Secret Millionaire. The show follows millionaires as they live incognito in impoverished communities and give thousands of dollars to help improve those communities.

Of course, Revive wasn't the first band/Christian artist to have their work used in commercials. Krystal Meyers' "Make Some Noise" was used for NBC's  fall season promo. Needtobreathe's songs have been used in various NBC commercials and you probably heard their song "Something Beautiful" on an overstock.com ad. Speaking of overstock.com, they used a Switchfoot song for its Valentine's Day commercial. Even one of my favorite artists, Tobymac, had songs used for America's Got Talent.

While I'm happy that Christian artists are being used in commercials, sometimes I have to ask "why." Aren't Christians supposed to be separated from the "secular." However, the question should be "why not"? It's not about exposure or making money. As Christians, our job is to get the message of Christ out there. If it means using a 30-second snippet for a popular show or product, then why not?

Event Alert: National Day of Prayer 2011 (Did You Participate?)

Yes, today is Cinco de Mayo, but it is also the National Day of Prayer. For those who don't know, since 1952, Congress designated the first Thursday in May for Americans to "turn to God in prayer and meditation." This year's theme is "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" based on Psalms 91:2. With our troops still at war and the announcement of Osama Bin Laden's death, that theme is more relevant than ever.

This year, Dove award winner Ginny Owens performed at a commemoration event in Washington, DC earlier today. According to an article for TodaysChristianMusic.com, Owens performed selections from her 2009 record, Say Amen: Hymns & Songs of Faith, as well as older hits and an original song written for the event named A Mighty Fortress. If you participated in today's events, let me know. Also, I'll add more to this post when I get the information.