Monday, March 11, 2013

Have a good weekend?  I hope so.
If not - let's make it a good week from here on out.

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Heather Williams

Heather Williams grew up in extreme poverty with her mom and stepfather. Throughout her early childhood, she suffered intense abuse and eventually, her mother gave her away.  She was only 11 when she went to live with her grandfather in Michigan. With little guidance and the pain of past abuse and rejection, Williams turned to drugs and alcohol as a way to numb the realities of life. She ran away, became homeless and contemplated suicide as she battled with her substance abuse.

At age 18, however, the dangerous road Williams was on took a U-turn when she briefly reconnected with her birth father. Her father, a Christian, invited Williams to church.

“I came to this place where it was either, OK, I’m going to give my life to God, or I just don’t know if I’m going to live. So, I walked up that aisle at that church, and I gave my life to God.”

After becoming a Christian, Heather Williams began to write songs from a perspective of radical change. But then another wave of tragedy struck the budding singer/songwriter when her first child passed away shortly after he was born.  Still, this incredible tragedy drew Heather closer to God.

For Williams, she describes her songs as “conversations,” sometimes joyful, sometimes angry, sometimes a mix of both. Today, Williams is grateful for how far grace has brought her. She and her husband, a full-time youth pastor, live in Florida with their two young children - and she's about 11 months pregnant - their third child is due at any moment!

Album: This Time Around

Twitter: @HWmusictweets

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: Hallelujah acoustic



What artists would you like to hear featured on The Artist of the Day?

SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q:  According to 1 Chronicles, how old did a man have to be to serve in David's army?
A. 18
B. 21
C. 13

A: B. 21 (1 Chronicles 27:23)

Way to go, Tammy! A hard won victory!

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Friday, March 8, 2013

That Leeland concert is TOMORROW! GET. TICKETS. NOW.

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Leeland

This GRAMMY and multi-Dove award nominated band from Baytown, TX is known for powerful songwriting. Their music is anthemic, with lyrics that show uncommon depth and discernment.

Lead singer Leeland Mooring and brother Jack Mooring are joined by 18-year-old newest member (and younger sister) Shelly, along with drummer Mike Smith.  The latest album digs deeper into theology and belief.  The Great Awakening was inspired primarily by Jonathan Edwards and William Booth - both historical "fathers of the faith."

When Leeland’s not on the road, band members continue to lead worship at the Baytown, Texas church pastored by the Mooring’s parents. The band also serves regularly in their community’s Gulf Coast emergency preparedness programs and at a local food pantry which feeds hundreds of people each week.

Album: The Great Awakening

Twitter: @leelandofficial

Tour: CLICK HERE http://leelandonline.com/tour/

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: I Wonder acoustic



What artists would you like to hear featured on The Artist of the Day?

SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q:  Shubael was in charge of Israel's treasury. Who was his famous grandfather?
(Hint: His grandfather is credited with the first 5 books of the Bible.)

A:  Moses (1 Chronicles 26:24)

Way to go, Frank!

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Joy 102.5 is a listener supported ministry.  You can be a part of this amazing ministry by supporting us financially. CLICK HERE to learn more!

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Thursday, March 7, 2013

Leeland is going to ROCK Pocomoke this Saturday!
Will you be there?

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Telecast

Josh White and guitarist Brian Ortize formed Telecast as a grunge rock worship band out of Spokane, Washington.  They released several worship albums and the individuals in Telecast went on to be a part of other notable bands, including Rock & Roll Worship Circus, Ruth, Esterlyn and Starfield.

Josh White also released a couple of solo albums, The Followers and most recently Achor.  As a worship and lead pastor, White has a love of centuries old hymns, which he has reworked in his solo albums.

Where are they now?

Brian Ortize is the worship pastor at Reality LA, a church out of Los Angeles, CA.  Josh White pastors a church in Portland, OR called Door of Hope.

Album: Quiet Revolution

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: The Way



What artists would you like to hear featured on The Artist of the Day?

SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q:  TRUE or FALSE: Satan convinced King David to take a census of Israel's army.

A:  TRUE (1 Chronicles 21)

Enjoy that Jeremy Camp CD, Nate!

JOIN THE TEAM!

Joy 102.5 is a listener supported ministry.  You can be a part of this amazing ministry by supporting us financially. CLICK HERE to learn more!

LISTEN ONLINE

CLICK HERE for Joy 102.5! (Christian Hits)
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Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Leeland tickets! Get'cher Leeland TICKETS!

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Life Wide Open

Life Wide Open has spent the last five years leading worship for youth conferences, camps, retreats and revivals throughout the Southeastern United States.  The Knoxville based worship band has been compared to artists Lincoln Brewster, Fee, Chris Tomlin, and Hillsong United.

These five, normal guys will tell you that it is an honor to lead worship at any event, no matter how big or small. According to lead vocalist Mike Hicks, “it is important that everyone sees that it is not about us. It is about God and we are here to worship Him. Through God, we get to meet some wonderful people and we enjoy spending time getting to know them as people and not venues. We want people to know that we are not here for a rock concert, but we are here to worship with them.”

This is one reason that Life Wide Open continues to be asked to lead worship at events such as Lifeway’s Ridgecrest, G3, and the Smokey Mountain Youth Conference just to name a few.

Life Wide Open’s focus is making worship a deep personal experience for those in attendance. “Seeing an audience have that Holy encounter with our Savior makes it all worth it. Hearing stories of how Christ has spoken through our music keeps us going. We want to see God change lives and give people the hunger to live their Life Wide Open for Him.”

Album: Strong

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: This Is How It Feels



What artists would you like to hear featured on The Artist of the Day?

SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q:  Through whom did God tell David he could not build the Temple?
(HINT: He's the same guy who called David out about Bathsheba and Uriah.)

A:  Nathan (1 Chronicles)

Score for Toni in Seaford!

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Joy 102.5 is a listener supported ministry.  You can be a part of this amazing ministry by supporting us financially. CLICK HERE to learn more!

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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Today is my dad's birthday (Happy birthday, Dad!).
He can't win the Birthday/Anniversary Club Blizzard Cake on Friday because I work here...
But you can! CLICK HERE to sign up!

NEW RELEASE TUESDAY

The Bible Original Score
by Various Artists - Soundtracks | Genre: Instrumental
*The Official score of History Channel's epic mini-series

iWorship NOW/NEXT 2013
by Various Artists - iWorship Series | Genre: Praise & Worship

The Ultimate Collection
by Don Moen | Genre: Praise & Worship

Ten
by Various Artists | Genre: Pop/Rock

Without Words
by Bethel Live | Genre: Instrumental

WANT MORE? CLICK HERE

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Chris August

Chris Augut is a native of Dallas, Texas, and though relatively new to Christian music, is a veteran of the music industry.  Before releasing his Christian debut in 2010, he toured as a keyboardist for Ashlee Simpson and other mainstream artists.

While he is not one to shy away from writing about his faith, Chris isn't afraid to embrace relationships and heartache in his songwriting.  His latest album, The Upside of Down, is more focussed on faith than any previous projects.

Shortly before finishing the project, Chris was in a severe skateboarding accident that nearly killed him.  When he woke up in a hospital, Chris was struck by how quickly life can be taken away and that fuels his passion now, more than ever.

Awards: In 2011, Christ scored 3 Dove Awards: New Artist OTY, Male Vocalist OTY & Pop/Contemporary Recorded Album OTY.  His song Restore is listed as #17 for New Release Tuesday's Top 20 Songs of 2013!

Monicker Fact: August is actually Chris' middle name.

Album: The Upside of Down

Twitter: @ChrisAugust

Instagram: CLICK 4 PICS

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: Not Over You - an A Cappella cover



What artists would you like to hear featured on The Artist of the Day?

SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q:  Where was Nebuchadnezzar king?

A:  Babylon.

Whoop, whoop! Cheri in Laurel, DE!

JOIN THE TEAM!

Joy 102.5 is a listener supported ministry.  You can be a part of this amazing ministry by supporting us financially. CLICK HERE to learn more!

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Monday, March 4, 2013

Leeland in Pocomoke in 5...4...3...2...1...

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Laura Story

Laura Story won a GRAMMY and several Dove Awards for her song Blessings.  Her lyrics remind us that God works in ways that we would prefer He didn't - but that His ways are truly better.  It was a hard learned lesson.  For several years Laura has walked a dark path with her husband Martin Elvington.  Just a year after they married Martin was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  He was kept alive with a breathing machine and surgeons operated multiple times trying to save his life.  Through the process Martin lost much of his vision and continues to suffer severe memory loss.

Yet through this incredible journey of love conquering fear - and hope trumping diagnosis - Laura's faith has only strengthened.  It is from this place of absolute faith that her album Blessings was born.

Like the story of Job, God has poured out tremendous blessing on Laura and her family after a very difficult time.  Laura and Martin welcomed their first child last Summer (daughter, Josie).  She continues to serve at a mega-church in Atlanta where she teaches a new generation how to lead worship.  Accolades and awards have piled up.

Impressed Much?: Laura has penned many wonderful worship songs, including the hit Indescribable, made famous by Chris Tomlin.

Album: Blessings

Twitter: @LauraStoryMusic

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: Bless The Lord tutorial



What artists would you like to hear featured on The Artist of the Day?

SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q:  How old was Josiah when he became king of Judah? (Hint: He was a child.)

A: 8 years old.

Two 3rd Day CD's in just one answer! Pretty nice, Barbara in Lexington Park, MD!

JOIN THE TEAM!

Joy 102.5 is a listener supported ministry.  You can be a part of this amazing ministry by supporting us financially. CLICK HERE to learn more!

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Friday, March 1, 2013

It's already March of 2013.
Come on, scientists - you are running out of time to get us flying cars!

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Jamie Grace

This GRAMMY Award nominee is only 20 years old!  Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Jamie Grace is a college student who aside from her career and touring as a singer-songwriter, is also studying children’s ministry. At age 11, Jamie Grace was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, and has since traveled the country sharing her story and faith through music and speaking.

The Beiber Connection: Jamie was discovered by tobyMac on YouTube.

Singing and songwriting just isn't enough for this new power player in Christian music.  She aspires to act as well (especially in musical comedy).  She has a secret Twitter account (@thegrapejam) where Jamie posts her thoughts on whatever she is watching on TV.

Winning: Jamie Grace won New Artist of the Year at the 2012 Dove Awards and was nominated for several others, too!

Album: One Song At A Time

Twitter: @jamiegraceh

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: With You



AND A BONUS VIDEO (because ... well, you'll see...)


What artists would you like to hear featured on The Artist of the Day?

SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q:  A group of men suffering from WHAT DISEASE discovered that the Syrian camps had been abandoned - leaving all kinds of animals and supplies behind?

A:  Leprosy. (2 Kings)

Way to go, Sherri! That was the last pair of Leeland tickets!

JOIN THE TEAM!

Joy 102.5 is a listener supported ministry.  You can be a part of this amazing ministry by supporting us financially. CLICK HERE to learn more!

LISTEN ONLINE

CLICK HERE for Joy 102.5! (Christian Hits)
CLICK HERE for The Ark on WOLC.org (Southern Gospel)