Wednesday, February 29, 2012

It's Leap Day! 
Most people born on Leap Day look older than they really are.
WHY DO WE HAVE LEAP YEARS?

ARTIST OF THE DAY
33 Miles

Chris Lockwood and Jason Barton are 33 Miles. After the breakout success of One Life, their first album, founding member Collin Stoddard left the trio to follow God's calling on his life to be a full time worship pastor. Now the duo (Chris and Jason) press on, having created a far richer sophomore album, Today.

While the band happily admits their country music roots, but they worked hard to bring a more distinguishable sound to the new album. What Chris says about Today:

    “Nothing we can accomplish in business, no amount of education—nothing compares to Jesus,” says Chris, “But how our salvation translates to how we live today is the question. To wake up every day and make the choice to live with heaven in mind, to not let the circumstances of this day override that choice. It’s easier said than done, but getting up every day and trying makes it more and more possible.”

Magic:  33 Miles invited their friend Master Illusionist Harris III to be a part of their A Magical Christmas tour this past year.  Because nothing says "Merry Christmas" like an endless scarf being pulled out of one's sleeve...

Guitar Lesson: Learn Thank You on the guit-fiddle.

Album: Acoustic Sessions Vol. 1

Twitter: @33miles

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: There Is A God



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q:  What person from Jericho helped the Israelites?

A: Rahab (Joshua 2)

Congratulations, Lance in Delmar, DE!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

We've now hit the half-way mark of the first half of the week.
If you are keeping track of such things...

NEW RELEASE TUESDAY

Believer
by Kutless | Genre: Pop/Rock

Till The Sunrise
by Matt Brouwer | Genre: Pop/Rock

Love is Making A Way
by Sixteen Cities | Genre: Adult Contemporary

The Alignment
by Samestate | Genre: Pop/Rock

Echo Your Song (Live)
by Aaron Gillespie | Genre: Praise & Worship

All You Gotta Do Is Love
by Carson Parks | Genre: Adult Contemporary

God Shed His Grace – Songs Of Truth And Freedom
by Twila Paris | Genre: Adult Contemporary

37
by Christ For The Nations Worship | Genre: Praise & Worship

Crave
by For King & Country | Genre: Pop/Rock

Izzy Ray
by Izzy Ray | Genre: Pop/Rock

Mean What You Say
by Sent By Ravens | Genre: Rock

Into The Maelstrom
by My Heart To Fear | Genre: Hard Rock

Thrift Store Jesus
by Heath McNease | Genre: Rap

WANT MORE? CLICK HERE

ARTIST OF THE DAY
The Museum

 The Museum took shape when singer Ben Richter and guitarist Geoffrey Ashcraft moved from Texas to Georgia and plugged into a church where drummer/programmer Josh Kirk was the janitor. Soon they were leading local worship services together and then traveling on musical mission trips overseas.

In Romania, Josh was deeply moved to be part of a large Christian gathering in a town square where communism had been overthrown in 1989. A nearby museum containing humble evidence of that revolution also left a remarkable impression. It was that particular museum that led to the band's name. Josh says, “because we hope our music and those we share it with can be the evidence that Christ has done a revolution in our hearts.”

Joined by bassist Chris Brink in 2009, The Museum is continuing its commitment to global outreach while also developing an important bond with churches across the United States. Ben’s passion for staying rooted in a spiritual community brought the group to Briarlake Church near Atlanta where it still leads worship most Sundays. Additionally, the guys have helped out at neighboring North Point Community Church’s partner Atlanta locations and around the country as well as Ben leads at the multi-site Elevation Church in North Carolina on a recurring basis.

For The Museum, reaching out to the world in need was a priority long before it had the platform that a record deal provides. Geoffrey lived in Belize for many years with his missionary family. Josh—who recently earned a commercial pilot’s license—will someday fly mission workers and supplies into remote areas. Together, the band partners with Overlooked, a company that donates proceeds from t-shirt sales to provide clean water to children in Africa, help free young girls from sexual slavery, which is a global issue, and feed victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

Fact: The guys in The Museum love Yahtzee and Basketball.

Album: Let Love Win

Twitter: @TheMuseumMusic

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: My Help Comes From The Lord



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: Who was the successor of Moses as the leader of the Israelites?

A: Joshua (Numbers 27:23)

Hooray for Marisa in Mapsville, VA!

Monday, February 27, 2012

It's a new day.  Make the best of it.

(If you DVR-ed The Academy Awards, just delete the boring 4 hour spectacle.  Just about anything else would be a better investment of your time.)

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Jamie Grace

This Dove Award nominee is only 19 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.

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.

Nominations: Jamie Grace is nominated for New Artist of the Year, Pop Contemporary Album of the Year, and her song "Hold Me" is nominated for Song of the Year and Pop Contemporary Song of the Year at the 2012 GMA Dove Awards!

Free Song: CLICK HERE to download Jamie's song Revolvin' for free!

Album: One Song At A Time

Twitter: @jamiegraceh

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: Hold Me (featuring TobyMac)

SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: Who were the only two spies who gave a favorable report on the land of Canaan?

A: Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14:6-9)

Score for Norm in Lusby, MD!

Friday, February 24, 2012

FRIDAY!  You are welcome.

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Leeland

This GRAMMY and multi-Dove award nominated band is known for powerful songwriting. While the music is modern rock and anthemic - the lyrics show uncommon depth and discernment. With three full length albums and a new worship EP under their belt, the quartet from Baytown, TX shows no signs of slowing down.

Lead singer Leeland Mooring and brother Jack Mooring are joined by 18-year-old new 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 the Mooring’s parents began pastoring six years ago. 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

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: I Wonder (acoustic)



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: How many spies were chosen to explore the land of Canaan?

A: 12 (Numbers 13:2)


Score for Josiah!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

It's kind of awesome to be flirting with 70 degrees in February! 
Does this mean the Groundhog was wrong?

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Big Daddy Weave

Formed at the University of Mobile, the quintet—Mike Weaver, Jay Weaver, Joe Shirk, Jeremy Redmon and Jeff Jones—has earned a reputation both for the musical conviction that has carried their songs to the top of the charts and for the joy and passion that have made their live performances such moving and memorable experiences.

Love Come To Life: The new song is all about not pointing the finger at the church, but being the hands and feet of Christ.  Particularly inspired by James declaring "Faith without works is dead" - and DC Talk's classic "Luv is a Verb."

Big Daddy Weave is:
Mike - Songwriter/Lead Vocals/Guitar
Jeff - Drums
Jay - Bass/Vocals
Joe - Saxophone/Keyboards
Jeremy - Guitars/Vocals

Album: The Ultimate Collection

Twitter: @bdwmusic

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: What Life Would Be Like



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: Who advised Moses to select capable leaders to help him counsel the people and settle disputes?

A: Jethro (Exodus 18)

Way to go Robert of Salisbury, MD!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

The week is half over - or has it only half begun?

The 43rd Annual 

GMA Dove Award Nominees

And the nominees ARE...

ARTIST OF THE DAY
MercyMe

This Greenville, TX band has been cranking out number 1 hits and gold and platinum albums for almost 20 years. In fact, it was 12 years ago that they wrote and recorded a song that transformed Christian music. You might have heard of the tune "I Can Only Imagine."

Funny: The group’s name, “MercyMe”, originated during Bart’s time as a youth ministry intern in Florida. Bart’s grandmother would exclaim, “Well mercy me, why don’t you get a real job?”

Little Known Fact: Bart Millard was a footballer in high school until he sustained an injury to his ankle. He took up choir in school as an elective and never stopped singing.

Sailing: You can join MercyMe for a 7-day cruise to the Caribbean on their first annual Rock & Worship Boatshow!  CLICK HERE to learn more!

Album: The Hurt & The Healer  (Due out May 22nd)

Twitter: @mercyme

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: Beautiful



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: How many years did the Israelites wander the desert before settling in Canaan?

A: 40 (Exodus 16:35)

Way to go Julie from Crisfield, MD!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Being from Southeast Louisiana, I'd be remiss to not wish you a very Happy Mardi Gras!

NEW RELEASE TUESDAY

Fight For Love
by Scott Krippayne | Genre: Adult Contemporary

Live, Life, Loving EP
by The OBB | Genre: Pop/Rock

Some Kind of Cosmonaut
by The Skies Revolt | Genre: Alternative

Growing Pains
by Json | Genre: Rap

DVD

The Mighty Macs DVD

WANT MORE? CLICK HERE

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Rachel Lampa

Rachel Lampa was born in Ann Arbor, MI and grew up in a tightly knit family just outside of Boulder, CO. As a family, they clung to Christ through hard times, including job losses and divorce. Through the hard times, God used Rachel's voice to inspire and bring healing. And it was her voice that landed her a Word Recording contract at the age of 14.

The next 8 years of Rachel's life were filled with recording, touring, promoting - a crazy travel schedule that stretched right through adolescence. Some of her adventures included an appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The View, ET, CNN, the privilege of recording at Abbey Road Studios in London, and a performance for the Pope in Rome in 2000.

After a few years of rest and searching, Rachel Lampa got married, started writing music again, moved to Nashville and has a new album (All We Need) out now!

Fun Fact: Rachel starred as Sally in the Christian DVD Hidden Secrets, co-starring John Schneider (from The Dukes of Hazzard).

Album: All We Need

Twitter: @RachaelLampa

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: When I Fall (acoustic)



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: What was the first of the ten plagues on Egypt?

A: Waters turned to blood (Exodus 7:20-21)

Score for Jeriah in Salisbury, MD!