Thursday, February 9, 2012

Thursday may be the second most dreaded day of the week (after Monday).
Think about it.
It's the day before Friday.  That's the day we all are gunning for.  Thursday's job is to keep us from the end of the week.
But it's still a day that the Lord has made - so lets make it awesome!

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Britt Nicole

A native of Salisbury, NC, Britt has always had a heart for reaching people and has long used music as the vehicle to change lives. She began singing in church at age three and by the time she was in high school, was appearing on her church’s daily television program and logged a performance at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall with her school’s advanced chorus.

Those early pursuits paved the way for her to sign with Sparrow Records in 2006. She burst on the charts a year later with her label debut, “Say It.” It was a super-fun album with surprising lyrical depth - and it earned her a slot on the Winter Jam tour that year with Steven Curtis Chapman, Jeremy Camp, NewSong and Hawk Nelson where she developed a reputation as a compelling live performer.

Aside for making a name for herself in the states - Britt's pop-electronica stuff has been charting solidly in the UK. Expect a lot more from her in the future. Even in her early 20s, she's already a veteran in the new world order of Christian music.

Nomination: Last year Britt Nicole was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year.  She did not win, but as they say - it's an honor just to be nominated.  And honor that gives you nothing to put on your fireplace mantle - but an honor.

Album: Britt Nicole Acoustic EP

Upcoming Album: Gold (Due out March 27th)

Twitter: @itsbrittnicole

Tour: Girls Night Live Tour (Mandisa, Laura Story & Britt Nicole)

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: Walk on the Water - The Story & Africa trip



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: What was new name given to Jacob after he wrestled with an angel at Jabbok?

A: Israel (Genesis 32:27-28)

Score for Tammy in Hurlock!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...
(Because rain in the middle of Winter is such a letdown)

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Jessa Anderson

Jessa Anderson is a twenty-something married mom from Michigan who is living a dream right now. To be a working singer/songwriter releasing her second label offering is an overwhelming blessing. Drawing from an influential pool of strong female songwriters such as Sara Groves, Nichole Nordeman and Ginny Owens, Anderson’s music reflects a constant wrestling with the unknown and the darkest parts of humanity right alongside the gritty, everyday things that make up the human life.

Things Jessa Loves: her adorable daughter Lorelei (whose name was inspired by a “Gilmore Girls” character), Nashville, songwriting, traveling, honest conversations and missions.

Things Jessa Dis-loves: playing sports, going anywhere without her family by her side, bad days, and things out of her control.

Latest Album: Not Myself Anymore

Twitter: @jessaanderson

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: Fireflies (Live at the Irving Theater)



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: Who was Jacob's first wife?

A: Leah (Genesis 29:25)

Way to go Mark in Salisbury!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

NEW RELEASE TUESDAY

Diamond
by Jaci Velasquez | Genre: Adult Contemporary

I Love Your Presence - Live From Phoenix
by Vineyard Music | Genre: Praise & Worship

Live Riot
by Worth Dying For | Genre: Praise & Worship

Here We Are Again
by Ernie Haase and Signature Sound | Genre: Southern Gospel

Scars and Stories
by The Fray | Genre: Pop/Rock

Lay Your Weapons Down
by Kiros | Genre: Rock

Together Again
by The Crabb Family | Genre: Gospel

So Proud
by Brian Courtney Wilson | Genre: Gospel

Diary of Juanita Bynum Part 2
by Juanita Bynum | Genre: Gospel

Skippin'
by $kip | Genre: Pop/Rock

ON DVD

Live From Los Angeles
by Owl City | Genre: Video/DVD

WANT MORE? CLICK HERE

ARTIST OF THE DAY
The Newsboys

The Newsboys have been touring the globe for nearly 25 years! The band originated in Australia, but the current line-up features as many Americans as Aussies.  Two years ago long-time frontman Peter Furler announced he was burnt out on the touring life and wanted to spend time with his family, and producing from his home in Nashville. There were tryouts - rumors - and then blowing the mind of everyone who listened to Christian music in the 90s, former DCTalk vocalist Michael Tait became the new lead singer of The Newsboys. This is what is called a SUPER GROUP!

Facts: The Newsboys were formed in 1985 as "The News" in Queensland, Austrailia. There are no original members performing in the band's current line-up.

Awesome: Singing back-up on the new song God's Not Dead is none other than DC Talk-er Kevin Max - leaving this song just one TobyMac short of a reunion.

Album: God's Not Dead

Twitter: @newsboys

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: God's Not Dead



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: What did Jacob use to purchase Esau's birthright?

A:soup/red stew (Genesis 25:31-34)

Score for Martin in Williards, MD!

Monday, February 6, 2012

If you were routing for the Patriots, don't worry - life goes on.

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Matt Maher

Over the past few years Matt Maher has made the transition from full-time ministry at his home church in Mesa, Arizona to life as a respected worship leader with an international platform.

Leaving behind the comfort and security of home is a scary thing. But by following God's call, Maher has had the chance to write some incredible worship songs and work with other gifted worship leaders such as Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Brenton Brown, Audrey Assad, Jars of Clay and Hawk Nelson.

Matt Maher's challenge to those he worships with is, "In a post Christian society, everybody is called to be a missionary wherever we are. The mission field has changed. The mission field is everywhere."

It's not the first time Matt's faith has been challenged by change. Originally he's from Newfoundland, Canada - so Arizona is a wee-bit different. And Matt's mission field is expanding. Last summer he and his wife welcomed their first child. A son, named Michael Conor.

Album: The Love In Between

Twitter: @mattmahermusic

Tour: CLICK HERE (Matt Maher will be in Frederick, MD this March)

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: Turn Around (lyrics video)



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: What substitute sacrifice did God provide right before Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac?

A: A ram (Genesis 22:12-13)

Score for Jason in Salisbury!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Somewhere in Southern California, Bill Murray woke up today and breathed a sigh of relief...

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Calling Glory

This four piece band started in early 2008 with one goal in mind, to write songs in response to what God has done and is doing in their lives.

"We hope that we can not only encourage the body of Christ, but also challenge them to go deeper in their relationship with Him" - front man Dana Potvin.

Calling Glory has taken Independent Christian Music by storm with over 30,000 likes on Facebook and scheduled tour dates around the east coast. The band has performed with some of the largest names in Christian Music and has played at numerous east coast music festivals, including Riverbend in Chattanooga, TN, and Ichthus Festival in Kentucky.

Want to bring Calling Glory to your church? They ask only for travel expenses and a love offering.
CLICK HERE for more information.

Calling Glory is:
Dana Potvin - Vocals/Accoustic Guitar
Jones Beene - Electric Guitar
Sam Brocato - Drums
Drew Crabtree - Bass

Album: Teach Me To Love 

Twitter: @CallingGlory

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: Teach Me To Love (acoustic)



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: Abraham begged God to spare what city for the benefit of fifty righteous people living there?

A: Sodom (Genesis 18:23-26)

Score! Way to go, Beth in Salisbury!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

It's Groundhog Day! 
Phil saw his shadow, so I guess that means more snow-less Winter ahead.

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Jeremy Camp

For over a decade Jeremy Camp has been ruling the Christian music charts. He debuted back in 2004 shortly after his first wife died of ovarian cancer just five months after they were married. She was 21. The raw reality of a tested faith was evident in every song. Since then, God has blessed Jeremy with a new family, success and opportunities to use his journey to impact lives every day through music.

Jeremy Camp's latest album is called We Cry Out. “The Lord says in Jeremiah 29:13, ‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’ But we live in such a distracted society; we let the world’s noise divide our focus and our hearts. Our generation is in desperate need of crying out to God.”


Jeremy Camp By The Numbers:
Over 3-million records sold
GRAMMY nominated
Multiple Dove wins (even more nominations)


Wife: Adie Camp is Jeremy's wife and mother to their two children.  She used to be the lead singer of Christian rock band The Benjamin Gate - and now does solo projects as well as co-writes songs with her husband and sings back-up for his band.

Progressive: Jeremy Camp has an official iPhone app to keep up with his concerts, videos and more.

Album: We Cry Out: The Worship Project

Book: I Still Believe

Twitter: @jeremycamp

Tour: CLICK HERE


Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: Manila, Philippines Trip (An Inside Look)

SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: What was Abraham's name before God changed it?

A: Abram (Genesis 17:5)

Congratulations, Rick in Salisbury!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Sometimes the middle of the week feels like the middle of the night...
Deep thoughts.

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Meredith Andrews

Just a couple of years ago, Meredith Andrews was a recent college grad working as the worship leader at Chicago's Harvest Bible Chapel. But then Word records released her debut album The Invitation. And her world changed. Fast! Songs like "You're Not Alone" saturated Christian radio and Andrews found herself touring with Michael W. Smith on his A New Hallelujah Tour. Since 2008, Meredith has released two hit albums, garnered Dove nominations, gotten married and had a baby!

A native of Wilson, NC, she began singing in church when she was only six-years-old, and by the time she was in high school, she was writing songs and leading worship. Andrews went on to attend Liberty University (like our own Rodney Baylous!), majoring in family and child development. Meredith originally planned to work at an orphanage. However, during her junior year at Liberty, she felt God calling her into music ministry.

Beneath her youthful exterior and fresh-faced exuberance, Andrews is a focused artist who knows exactly what she wants to say. She creates music that serves as a personal conduit for those seeking to worship God, and she also wants to remind others of God’s desire to reach them.

Fact: Her commitment to the craft of songwriting is evident on both of her releases. Meredith wrote or co-wrote every song featured on her albums.

Album: As Long As It Takes

Twitter: @MereMusic

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: Can Anybody Hear Me - Haiti



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q:A dove released by Noah returned with what in its mouth to indicate it had found dry land?

A: ..an olive leaf/branch (Genesis 8:11)

Score for Linda in Urbanna, VA!