Tuesday, January 31, 2012

NEW RELEASE TUESDAY

Matins Vespers
by Parachute Band | Genre: Praise & Worship

Angel Band: The Hymn Sessions
by Andrew Greer | Genre: Americana/Folk

The Kingdom
by Starfield | Genre: Pop/Rock

God, Love & Romance - 2 Discs
by Fred Hammond | Genre: Gospel

King Kulture
by Rapzilla.com | Genre: Rap

WANT MORE? CLICK HERE

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Anadara

Music was Anadara's life from an early age.  At 8 she caught the musical theater bug.  It was while she was in college at Syracuse University that she picked up the guitar and discovered it was songwriting that fulfilled the purpose in her life.  She used her new-found passion to nurse her homesickness.  Anadara was born and raised in Carlsbad, CA - so going to college in New York was culture shock.

After school, Anadara moved to the Big Apple where she played music, worked side jobs and was the quintessential starving artist.  She was in NYC on September 11, 2001 and remembers the fear and patriotism that swept her community in the years that followed.  Shortly after, Anadara met and married her husband Rocky and they moved to Nashville to pursue their musical dream.

This past year has been a year of adaptation as Anadara and husband Rocky welcomed a son into their family, Brooks Gerald Arnold!  He was born February 2nd 2010 - so they are probably busy planning a 1 year old's birthday party right now!

Album: A Little Closer

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: Anadara leading worship.



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: Who were Noah's three sons?

A: Shem, Ham & Japheth (Genesis 6:10)

Way to go Alison in Cambridge!

Monday, January 30, 2012

A new week - a new beginning!

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Phil Wickham

Phil Wickham is originally from and now serves at Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego, CA with his wife Mallory. Phil was raised in a Christian home, the second of three children (brother Evan, sister Jillian), and after feeling the need to "make his faith his own" he began leading worship for his youth group at 12 years old.

Phil and his wife Mallory are adjusting to being new parents.  Their daughter Penelope was born this past Fall.  They live and lead worship at their local church just outside of San Diego, CA. 

Fun Fact: Wickham's father is currently a worship leader and both of his parents were at one time members of Jesus movement band Parable.

A couple of years ago Phil Wickham recorded a live worship album called Singalong - which he then gave away for free through his website.  This March, Phil will record Singalong 2 in Costa Mesa, CA and he is inviting everyone out to the concert!



Album: Response

Twitter: @philwickham

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: Divine Romance (live)

Friday, January 27, 2012

Rev your weekend engines!

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Aaron Shust

Aaron Shust is first and foremost a worship leader. In fact, he wrote his first hit songs for his church. My Savior, My God was destined to be more than just a local favorite on Sundays. That song topped six different charts at once on its way to becoming the most played song of 2006 on Christian radio!

My Savior, My God earned Aaron Shust a trio of Dove Awards for “Song of the Year,” “Songwriter of the Year,” and “New Artist of the Year.” In no time, the Georgia-based songwriter was sharing the stage with the likes of superstars MercyMe, Bebo Norman, Casting Crowns, Michael W. Smith, Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath, and TobyMac, in between his own headline stints!

After living in Atlanta for ten years, in early 2010 he and his wife made the decision to pull up stakes and and move their young family back to Aaron’s Pennsylvania hometown. In less than a year, he was invited to take on the role of worship leader in the church he had grown up in.

“It’s a little church,” says Aaron. “No fancy lights, doesn’t have a great sound system. But it’s a part of the fabric of my life and my family’s life. My grandmother went to that church. My family has generations of roots there. It’s where I first heard the gospel and was baptized. I feel like this is my home, and these are my people."

The support of their local church became critical to Aaron and his wife as they walked through their son’s medical issues. Diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis, a rare and extremely painful condition, two-year-old Nicky was unable to take in any nutrition.  After many failed treatments, Nicky responded to some medication.  It was a mixed blessing because the treatment would require him to be on strong medications and steroids for all of his life.  Then came a miracle.  Their son’s tests came back normal. It was as if he’d never even had the condition. What was considered to be a permanent disease seemed to have disappeared. The doctor could offer no explanation as to why.

Album: This Is What We Believe

Twitter: @aaoronshust

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: My Hope Is In You

Thursday, January 26, 2012

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Todd Agnew

The modern world says that to have a need is a bad thing, but Todd Agnew has discovered that we are all built with needs.  Needs that can only be fulfilled by our creator.  Many of his worship songs are about this void that we try to fill - only to discover there is a perfect fit - Jesus Christ.

Todd's life changes dramatically in 2010 when he got married and became a step-dad to two children! To go from a single, touring worship leader/speaker to a married dad with a mortgage has had a humbling impact in his life - and left his heart wide open for a sense of grace that he had never imagined.

“I’ve always been kind of the hammer – walk in, speak the truth, blow up the town, walk off and let all the pastors apply that truth or pick up the pieces. Now I’m having very similar things in my marriage and in my life, where I’m definitely someone who sees the truth that needs to be spoken, but I’m watching my wife who always see the love that needs to be shared.”

In his upcoming album, Todd expounds on his new found loves - his family and how it mirrors God's love for us.

Album: How To Be Loved (out March 6, 2012)

Twitter: @AgnewsDei

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: In The Middle of Me (fan video)



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: What son of Adam and Eve was regarded as a replacement for Abel?

A: Seth (Genesis 4:25)

Congratulations to Toni of Seaford, DE!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The week is half-way over! 
You can do it!

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Holly Starr

Raised on a farm in the small town of Quincy, Washington, Holly Starr is not afraid of hard work. And that's good, because as an up-and-coming Christian artist she's got a hard path ahead of her! Her second full-length record, Tapestry was produced by Dove award winner Rusty Varenkamp (Tenth Avenue North, Meredith Andrews). She debuted in 2008 and has been putting thousands of miles on various vans, touring the United States and abroad.

Holly Starr is also focused on the global Church. She's worked with Compassion International ever since taking a missions trip to El Salvador.

During a trip to Israel, Holly discovered that she had Jewish ancestors. While leading worship in Israel, Holly met members of her grandmother’s family, whom she had never met and her grandmother hadn’t seen in over 60 years. She was able to reconnect the family members with her grandmother via Skype for a surprise reunion.

She’s often reminded of the artists who have profoundly influenced her, a list including everyone from Superchick and Skillet to Nicole C. Mullen, Chris Tomlin and Mary Mary. She aspires to be that for other girls. As for her greatest influence, Starr says her older brother has had the most impact on her life. His shining example has been a steadfast beacon for Starr’s faith as she’s pursued her musical calling.

Album: Tapestry

Twitter: @hollystarrmusic

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: I Love You Anyway (ILYA)



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: What was Cain's occupation (before God cursed him)?

A:He was a farmer. (Genesis 4:2)

Score for Darlene in Lexington Park, MD!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

NEW RELEASE TUESDAY

Where I Find You
by Kari Jobe | Genre: Praise & Worship

Playlist
by Phil Joel | Genre: Pop/Rock

The Loft Sessions CD/DVD
by Bethel Live | Genre: Praise & Worship

The Beautiful Life EP
by Tidewater | Genre: Pop/Rock

Spirit Break Out
by Worship Central | Genre: Praise & Worship

The Essential Kirk Franklin
by Kirk Franklin | Genre: Gospel

Gaither Homecoming Celebration!
by Gaither Vocal Band | Genre: Gospel

WOW Gospel 2012
by Various Artists - "WOW" Series | Genre: Gospel

Worship
by Myron Butler | Genre: Gospel

Outta Space Love (Bigger Love Edition)
by Group 1 Crew | Genre: Urban

Real Life
by Scotty G | Genre: Rap

Pioneer
by Pioneer | Genre: Rock

Feel The Power
by Blessed by A Broken Heart | Genre: Hard Rock

WANT MORE? CLICK HERE

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Daniel Doss (band)

The Daniel Doss band is just getting started.  Already they have had several radio hits and just released their sophomore album through Mission House Music in Nashville. 

Their motto: Worship leader and Christ-follower first. Chart-topping Christian recording artists second. The Daniel Doss Band seeks to engage people at the spiritual level, and evoke God-sized encounters through worship.

Kind Words: Mark Hall of Casting Crowns says, “I have spent a lot of time with these guys and they are the real deal. Daniel’s writing is sincere, honest, and speaks clearly about God’s love and hope in Christ. Their music will impact anyone who hears it.”

Church: Currently Daniel and family is helping plant a church in Valparaiso, IN.  Daniel is leading worship and his childhood friend Ben Lamb is pastoring.

The Band:
Daniel Doss - Vocals, Guitar, Piano
Kenny Davis- Drums
Will McKelvey - Electric Guitar
Bryan Wolski - BGV, Bass

Album: Beyond My Reach

Twitter: @danieldossmusic

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: The Story Behind Stained Glass Windows



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: What was Abel's occupation?

A: He was a shepherd. (Genesis 4:2)

Score for Stan in Salisbury!

Monday, January 23, 2012

It's a new week!  Are you ready for the adventure?

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Ginny Owens

Ginny Owens is a three-time Dove Award winner, including the Gospel Music Association’s 2000 New Artist of the Year recipient, and multiple ASCAP Award winner. She has sold nearly one million albums and has topped the charts with several hit songs including If you Want Me To and I Wanna Be Moved. Her music has been featured on television shows and her concerts have impacted the lives of tens of thousands.

And Ginny Owens is blind. That has never stopped her from chasing musical perfection, though. When she sits behind a piano, music flows from her soul and the lyrics ring of Truth. Sometimes that Truth is learned through heartache - sometimes through Joy. She's just like everybody else, except she takes our collective life experiences and turns them into art.

Over the past five years Ginny moved to New York City, taught worship seminars, moved to Mississippi to help her mother through cancer treatment and eventually moved back to Nashville to put to song her experiences.  Many of the experiences were heartbreaking - so expect some intense emotions on her new self produced album.

Album: Get In, I'm Driving

Twitter: @GinnyOwens

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: The Story of Get In, I'm Driving



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q:

A: