Confessions of a CCM Magazine Reader: Where Has All the Christian Music Media Gone?

One of the first CCM Magazine covers I remember reading. Now, this issue is on ebay. (That’s where I found the photo!)

I have a confession to make. I miss CCM Magazine.

I know, I know, it’s still around in a digital format; but, call me old-school, I miss the print version of the magazine. Since I used to work there, I might have a bit of a biased attachment to the publication, but my love affair with CCM Magazine began way before I became an employee of its parent company and subsequent managing editor of the magazine. I started subscribing to the magazine when I was in middle school when my love of Christian music was just beginning to blossom. I eagerly waited for each month’s colorful issue to arrive in our mailbox, and as soon as I received it, I would spend the next month devouring every word from cover to cover. I loved seeing photos of my favorite artists that you couldn’t find any where else and reading the in-depth stories that represented solid journalism and descriptive storytelling. Granted, when I was in middle school, computers and the Internet were still relatively new, and we weren’t dependent on smartphones with 24/7 Internet access, which meant I spent less time in front of a screen and more time reading.

CCM was the primary way I found out about new music and new artists, plus it was my lifeline to all of the artists I already loved. Back then, artists had their own websites, but technology didn’t allow them to be as elaborate or as informative as they are today. To hear new music, I had to tune into my local Christian radio station. And to hear samples of an album, I actually had to wait till an album released. Then, I had to leave my house and go to a local Christian bookstore, put on some rather large earphones and patiently plug my way through the songs, all the while standing at an endcap in the middle of a store. It’s incredible how far we’ve come and how much things have changed.

Today, we have Facebook and Twitter and Spotify and NoiseTrade and iTunes and iPhones and Web 2.0. And these things have revolutionized the way we interact with artists, discover new albums and listen to and purchase music. But whether you still buy physical CDs at a local retailer, kick it old-school and prefer vinyl or download one song at a time, you are still finding out about your favorite artists and discovering new ones some way.

I’ll admit that I follow the careers of my favorite artists and discover others through a variety of means. Facebook has become one of the most consistent sources of info for me, possibly because it’s so convenient. Spotify aids in my purchasing decisions, giving me the opportunity to listen to an album in its entirety before I make a purchase, and oftentimes, a full preview makes my purchasing decision for me. I rarely download single songs, much preferring to download full albums I can enjoy from front to back on “repeat,” but I find myself enjoying the ease and price of iTunes more and more. Local concerts, NoiseTrade and organic word-of-mouth continue to introduce me to new music. I also find myself finding new artists by way of recommendations of artists I’ve loved and respected for years. One of the things I find most refreshing is the current trend of established artists using their platform to champion newer artists. (Thanks, Taylor Swift, for introducing a whole legion of teeny boppers to NEEDTOBREATHE.) There’s a lot of cheerleading going on, and I fully support this pay-it-forward mentality.

Notice what’s obviously absent form my list of ways I learn about artists, both new and old: traditional forms of media. With the evolution of publishing and the decline in music sales in recent years, Christian media has gone by the wayside, especially all of the usual sources of information specifically focused on Christian music. The handful of Christian print publications that are still around, are covering less and less faith-based music. They have less advertising dollars and, in turn, less editorial space to work with. None are dedicated exclusively to Christian music, sadly.

The cover of the last print issue of CCM Magazine in April 2008.

That leaves Christian music marketing departments and publicists working harder and more creatively than ever; meanwhile Christian music consumers are left wanting for info and Christian media outlets are trying to meet consumers where they’re already at, namely online. Websites like www.newreleasetuesday.com, www.hearitfirst.com, www.jesusfreakhideout.com, www.breathecast.com, www.christianitytoday.com, www.watchgmctv.com, www.crosswalk.com and the digital versions of CCM Magazine and HM Magazine, among a few others, do a phenomenal job of telling the stories of the artists defining the “ccm” genre today. And the best news of all? Christian artists are finally making headway in mainstream media, finding their stories side-by-side their secular counterparts.

CNN, USA Today, Billboard, and Fox News have covered TobyMac and Chris Tomlin’s recent stints at the top of the all-genre Billboard chart. Late-night TV has hosted NEEDTOBREATHE, Third Day, Switchfoot and For King & Country. “Good Morning America” recently invited Mandisa back to perform her hit “Stronger” for Robin Roberts’ return. Britt Nicole’s “Gold” has popped up everywhere from Radio Disney to Ryan Seacrest’s “American Top 40.” I love it when the lines get blurred between the sacred and the secular. So, in that respect, is there even a need for “Christian” media anymore? Should it be segregated? Christian media is slowly disappearing. I feel the loss most tangibly backstage in the press room at the Dove Awards or at industry gatherings, which seem to grow increasingly smaller each year.

I’ve made my living in Christian publishing for the past seven-plus years, and I’ve been a consumer of Christian music for a lot longer than that. I continue to be incredibly grateful for the media outlets, editors and writers who tell the stories of the talented artists in this genre, the ones who dedicate themselves to passionately telling a much bigger story. Is there still a place for “Christian” media? I think so. I think we need people who are laser-focused on telling the larger story God is writing and helping us as readers, viewers and listeners figure out where we fit in the narrative. The mediums look drastically different. (I might be reading CCM Magazine on my iPad!) But the stories are still waiting to be told.

So, tell me…Where do you find out about the Christian artists you love? What is your primary source for music discovery? How do you prefer to interact with music?

Do you miss the print days of CCM Magazine, or is it just me? Tell me I’m not alone.

RYFO NETWORK Founder Nick Greenwood Guest Blogs

Nick Greenwood became a fan of Christian music as a teen. Today, he’s realizing a life-long dream of ministering to musicians through RYFO (Rock Your Face Off) NETWORK, a movement he founded which provides touring artists with host homes where they can sleep, do laundry and eat a healthy meal. Nick guest blogs for us today and shares more about his vision for the organization and how you, as a fan, can get involved. 

ROCK YOUR FACE OFF

by Nick Greenwood, founder of RYFO

I was brought up in a Fundamental Baptist church in the midwest. Music in which the driving beat was on 2 & 4 was “the devil’s music.” At one point, I was even told by my youth pastor that the old southern gospel group “Acappella” was bad to listen to because of the rhythm and syncopation they used. My family left the midwest for southern California when I was 15, and it was then that I was introduced through our new church to what many call Contemporary Christian Music. My world was blown open. Following high school, I led worship at churches, interned in a recording studio and played in a local rock band. I eventually headed off to Greenville College in southern Illinois to study guitar. A year later, I transfered to a Bible school in Chicago to pursue ministry studies. It was there that I wrote my senior thesis on ministry to musicians.

At some point years ago, God impressed a compassion on my heart for the spiritual lives of musicians. They are an overlooked mission field. Traditionally, believers within the Church have embraced artists in a combination of three ways. We’ve used artists like resources, shunned them for their questions and/or art or worshipped them for their talents. Little has been done over the years by the Church to uniquely meet them where they are at as people in need of the Gospel. My experience was no different. My friend’s experiences were no different. And as I began to ask more and more musicians questions around their experiences with the Church, an unbelievable amount of hurt was uncovered. This broke my heart. Why has the Church so often seen musicians as idols, commodities or things to avoid? Why have we confused the art they produce with the fact that they are people on a journey just like the rest of us? Guarding our children from heretical or sin-glorifying lines in songs has sadly resulted in us ignoring the fact that artists need the Gospel just as much as we do.  And we, God’s Church, are the means by which that artist will hear the Good News, if we are willing.

Granted, most of us take the easy way out and avoid the artist and their art because we have no idea how to share the Gospel with them. There is a natural barrier between music listeners and the stage. It’s almost designed that way to keep the allure. And if we are honest, we like that. It feeds our idolatrous tendencies to worship attractive things other than God…things we truly know very little about. So we end up making no effort to build a bridge of love from our seats to the stage. RYFO provides people who like music and love Jesus opportunities to serve and share the Gospel with musicians. Since 2009, RYFO has offered a network of approved host homes that artists can access while they tour. In these homes, they are loved on, encouraged and practically served with laundry facilities, meals and beds to sleep in. Nothing is forced on them, but intentional conversation is often had around the dinner table. For many artists who hate God, or who have become disenfranchised with the Church, these conversations are the building blocks of reconciliation to the Father. And it’s the sacrificial service of our host homes that supports and models the genuine love that is driving the conversation.

RYFO has been blessed to serve over 1,000 touring bands in the last four years. The response has been amazing. Bands tell bands, and it has spread entirely by word-of-mouth. There are stories of host homes attending musician’s weddings because of the love relationship that has been built. Band’s vans break down, and host homes have jumped to their rescue, often driving hours to pick them up and then housing them for weeks while their van is fixed. And because our host homes approach these opportunities as if they are momentary missionaries, the times spent together become key opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus in word and deed.

Host home resources are generally attractive to a niche group of musicians. Most often, we cater to low-income musicians because of their basic need to find affordable lodging night after night. But we’ve realized that in order to take the RYFO vision seriously (to make the Good News of Jesus’ love unavoidable in the music community), we have to invite followers of Jesus in to other service/outreach opportunities that can broaden our reach to both local and touring artists. So we are seeking to expand the RYFO NETWORK to include service professionals like chiropractors, mechanics, venue chaplains, and what we like to call “Road Bros” (roadies).  Each role will offer a free/discounted service at no obligation to the artist, and by doing so, place intentional followers of Jesus in every space artists exist within the music community. If our aim is to make the Good News of Jesus’ love unavoidable in the music community, we have to help followers of Jesus show and share his love with musicians in many different ways.

To join the RYFO NETWORK and learn more about how you can get involved or to apply to become a host home, click here.

6 Brand-New Songs You Have to Hear

There are a plethora of new singles going for adds at Christian radio right now, and several of them have piqued my interest. I’ve discovered some of them by way of the countless pre-releases that come across my desk. Some I’ve learned about in my Facebook feed; while others I’ve simply heard when I turn on my local Christian radio station. Kudos to all of the stations already spinning these gems. If you haven’t heard them yet, here are six brand-new songs you have to hear:

1. “Every Good Thing” from The Afters*

The Afters are currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on their brand-new project. With the release of feature-film October Baby, last year fans were treated to a tease of a new song when “Life As Beautiful” provided the soundtrack to the ending credits. Now, the first official single from their forthcoming album, “Every Good Thing,” is officially at radio pointing listeners to the Source of all the good things we enjoy in life. The fun and infectious chorus will have you hitting “repeat” on this song in no time.

*”Every Good Thing” is so new it’s not even available for download at iTunes yet! Watch a live acoustic performance of the song here.

2. “Strangely Dim” from Francesca Battistelli

Although it will be a while before we get a new studio album from Franny, she’s tiding fans over with a deluxe edition of Hundred More Years releasing March 12. The album will feature five new songs, including the single currently popping up on radio, “Strangely Dim.” The singer-songwriter and young mom points out that the most important things in life come into focus when we fix our eyes on Jesus.

3. “Worn” from Tenth Avenue North

Lead singer Mike Donehey says he wrote this song after his wife told him she was worn out. The young parents hadn’t slept in months since the birth of their second daughter, and he poured the weariness he and his wife felt at the time into “Worn,” found on the band’s current album, The Struggle (Reunion). But you don’t have to experience the depth of a parent’s exhaustion to relate to the prolific lyrics of this song. If you find yourself in a restless, tired season, feeling like you have no fight left, this song is for you.

4. “Restore” from Chris August

This is hands-down my favorite song from Chris August’s sophomore album, The Upside of Down (Word). August beautifully captures the miraculous healing that comes to a marriage when the broken pieces are surrendered to the Lord. Ironically, August has never been married, yet this song perfectly encapsulates all that Christ can bring to a marriage in desperate need of healing and redemption.

5. “Words” from Hawk Nelson

“Words” is the first single from Hawk Nelson since Jon Steingard took the lead after Jason Dunn’s departure. If the single is any indication, look for the upcoming album to be a more mature effort. “Words” is surprisingly grown-up and as accessible and poignant as anything else at radio right now. Now signed to Fairtrade Services, their labelmate Bart Millard (MercyMe) joins them on the song, propelling this tune into “top of the chart” territory. Expect it to head that way.

6. “One Drop” from Plumb

Plumb’s brand-new studio album drops later this month, and she’s already on her second single. “One Drop” is the follow-up to the powerful “Need You Now.” Don’t be fooled by the song’s colorful musicality and sunny delivery. The song was written out of a place of despair, yet remains eternally hopeful. The songstress found herself at the end of her rope, needing only one drop of hope to save her crumbling marriage. The song takes on a whole new meaning as Plumb recently partnered with Blood:Water Mission for a creative viral video for “One Drop.”

First TobyMac and Now Chris Tomlin…Christian Music’s On Top

When Chris Tomlin released his highly-anticipated new studio album, Burning Lights (sixstepsrecords), January 8, he made Christian music history when the album debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, scanning more than 72,000 units. The feat marked the award-winning songwriter’s first trip to the top of the Billboard 200 chart and only the fourth time in history that a Christian music album has entered the chart at No. 1.

The exciting news is that this is the second time in less than a year that a Christian album has topped the all-genre Billboard chart. In late August, TobyMac took the coveted top spot with 69,000 sales of his album Eye On It (ForeFront/EMI). Prior to that, Christian music hasn’t visited No. 1 since LeAnn Rimes made it there in 1997.

Rimes’ You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs–which featured mainly inspirational faire but was categorized under “Christian/Gospel” and included covers of “Amazing Grace,” “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” and even “The Star Spangled Banner”–was only the second Christian album in history to top the Billboard 200, following Bob Carlisle’s Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace), thanks to the success of the mega title track. Personally, after researching this info, I found it odd that the success of “I Can Only Imagine” never propelled MercyMe into the top spot.

Tomlin and TobyMac weren’t the only faith-based musicians holding their own among their secular counterparts within the past year. In 2012, new albums from Tenth Avenue North and Lecrae started inside the Top 10 as well. In 2011, industry insiders predicted Casting Crowns‘ Come to the Well (Beach Street/Reunion) would land at No. 1, but the band just narrowly missed the top spot as Adele ended up claiming No. 1 that week.

I don’t know about you, but this news fires me up! Landing on top of the all-genre charts puts Christian music in the spotlight, and people (other artists included) are beginning to take notice. The achievement opened media doors for Toby and seems to be doing the same for Tomlin with his recent appearance on ”Fox and Friends” last week. There are very few artists in Christian music with the momentum it takes to land at No. 1 on the Billboard  200. So what’s the secret? Though not all-inclusive, here are my thoughts behind how Tomlin and Toby landed at the top…

1. Relentless Touring

Chris Tomlin and TobyMac are two of the hardest-working acts in Christian music. They are on the road constantly, and staying in front of people is one of the most powerful tools artists have in their arsenal. And these two keep it large and high-profile. Tomlin kicked off the year performing in front of over 60,000 college students at Passion 2013 for four days. His Burning Lights tour with Kari Jobe and Louie Giglio begins next month and runs through the beginning of May, hitting large churches and mid-size venues across the country. Meanwhile, Toby not only did a string of Eye On It headlining dates soon after the album released last year, but he created the “Hits Deep Tour” that took him to arenas alongside an A-list line-up, not to mention that he’s currently headlining Winter Jam 2013.

2. Powerful Press

In addition to Christian outlets, both artists have received a considerable amount of high-profile coverage in the secular media, and their debuts at No. 1 only fuel that heightened coverage. Press breeds additional press, and high-profile outlets like “Fox & Friends,” The L.A. Times, The New York Times, USA Today and Billboard magazine are taking notice, exposing both artists to a wider, more diverse audience.

3. Radio Play

In preparation for their album releases, both Tomlin and Toby saw their singles rise at radio. Choosing the right first single from a new album to send to radio is key. It can determine the fate of an album. Fortunately, Toby’s “Me Without You” became an instant hit, while Tomlin’s anthem “Whom Shall I Fear? (God of Angel Armies)” is already in the Top 10 on three different charts and poised to land at the top spot. Long known for crafting radio-friendly songs, both artists have a solid history at radio that has laid a great foundation for them.

4. Timing is Everything

As with anything, this is perhaps the most important theory to keep in mind. Everything boils down to release week. It’s all a numbers game. Often, it’s hard to predict when other big albums will be releasing the same week, but it often bodes well for a Christian album if artists can release on weeks secular artists like Taylor Swift aren’t bowing new albums. It’s all about the competition and the buzz that’s been generated for the album prior to release. In Tomlin’s case, the largest Passion gathering in history had taken place the week before, where attendees could purchase the album for only $7 prior to release. It was a brilliant marketing move that likely propelled the success of the album.

Tomlin and Toby’s achievements simply prove that consumers dollars do count. Every Christian album legally purchased is a step in the right direction. 2013 holds a long list of new releases slated to bow. However, few artists already have the ingredients brewing to make it to the top of the Billboard  200. Perhaps Skillet‘s highly-anticipated project releasing this spring has the greatest potential to join their ranks? Only time will tell.

Why do you think these artists landed on top? What new albums slated to release in 2013 do you think have a chance at topping the Billboard 200 chart?

Jeremy Vanderloop Recounts The First Concert He Ever Played…in a Crack House

Jeremy Vanderloop has been writing songs since he was 16. He just released his third worship project titled All Creation Sings. Read the incredible post below written by Jeremy. If you have any doubt that music changes lives, you need to read his powerful account about how he played his very first concert at a crack house. His own music changed the life of his dad, a crack addict.

MUSIC FILLS IN THE CRACKS

by Jeremy Vanderloop

My childhood memories of my father are extremely positive. I vividly remember him reading the Bible to me as I would go to sleep. We would even spend time as a family every month camping around the state of Florida. When I was 16 years old my parents got divorced, and my father began to venture into the biker/party scene, which led him down a path of devastation and addiction. I was unaware of his addiction until he tried to kill himself when I was 19. I asked him why he tried to take his life, and he began to open up saying he was addicted to crack and felt like he could not overcome his addiction. For an entire year I would spend time with my father and try to encourage him to return back to the Godly principles and lifestyle he held to so strongly as I remembered. The man that used to read the Bible to me when I was a kid as I fell asleep was now gone, and the shell of a man I did not recognized sat in his place.

In the summer of 2008, about a month before the Lord called me to music ministry full-time, I was in the middle of a 90-day fast where I dedicated myself to play music solely in my bedroom with Jesus as my only audience. One day, during the fast, I went to the house that my father was staying in. I later found out that my father had turned this house into a crack house and would smoke around $1,000 worth of crack every day. I was spending time with my father and all of the other junkies; it was there that my father began to tell them that I played music and wrote songs. As my father began to talk about me to all of the other junkies, I felt the Lord lay on my heart to go home and get my guitar and keyboard and play a concert for these men. At this point in time the only people who had ever heard my songs were my family and close friends. This was technically the first time I had ever done a concert for people that I wasn’t closely related to.

I began to play my songs and entertain these broken men. After about an hour of singing and sharing, there was a shift in the atmosphere as if Jesus himself walked into the room. Everyone in the house hit their knees and began to weep uncontrollably, and all the men began crying out to God. Christ’s love was overwhelming them, and in that moment they all got a glimpse of how God viewed them and was not angry with them, but was wanting them to be fulfilled in His love for them and not drugs.

A week after this amazing experience, my father checked himself into a recovery program and began to take the proper steps to freedom. There have been up’s and downs over these last four years, but my dad is now living a sober life, free from the addictions of crack.

To learn more about Jeremy and his new album, All Creation Sings, visit www.jeremyvanderloop.com.

How have you seen the transformational power of music unfold in your own life?

5 Organizations Worth Giving Your Money to on Giving Tuesday

Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone. So, today, in this season of giving, we come to “Giving Tuesday.” You’re likely familiar with non-profits such as World Vision, Compassion International and Food for the Hungry. All three are incredible organizations that help provide food, clothing, medical care and, most importantly, Jesus for countless children about the world. Many of your favorite artists support these organizations, and if you’ve ever attended a Christian concert, it’s likely you have been introduced to one or more of these fine non-profits and their life-changing programs. If you don’t know about them, I encourage you to visit the links above. In the meantime, I want to try to introduce you to a few organizations whose work is equally as important, but who you might not have heard about. Here are five organizations worthy of your time and money today.

1. Show Hope

In 2013, Show Hope will celebrate 10 years of caring for orphans. Throughout the past decade, several artists have become adoption advocates thanks to the examples of Show Hope founders Steven and Mary Beth Chapman, including Mark Hall (Casting Crowns) and Mac Powell (Third Day). Show Hope provides forever families for children waiting to be adopted by providing grants to families with the desire and calling to adopt. They also provide much-needed medical care to countless orphans in China thanks to Maria’s Big House of Hope and other satellite facilities in China that provide for orphans until adoption. While Show Hope doesn’t offer individual child sponsorship opportunities, for $35 a month, you can help countless children find forever families and obtain the proper medical care they need. Especially for the holidays, Show Hope offers a “Gifts of Hope” catalog that gives you the opportunity to fund entire specific needs for children. www.showhope.org

2. Blood:Water Mission

The members of Jars of Clay founded Blood:Water Mission as a way to give back. This Christmas, they are providing an opportunity for you to link arms with them and provide latrines for 2,600 people in Northern Rwanda where disease is rampant and clean water is scarce. Many don’t have a safe and sanitary place to use the restroom. In fact, 90% of deaths caused by diarrheal diseases are children under 5 in developing countries. The good news is YOU can help. As part of Blood:Water’s “Deck the Stalls” campaign, a gift of $50 will provide one person with access to sanitation in their community. Don’t have $50? Never fear, donate whatever sum you’re able to give. Whatever the amount, it will go toward giving a little dignity back to someone in Rwanda. www.bloodwatermission.com

3. International Justice Mission

Socially-minded artists such as Sara Groves, Brandon Heath, Natalie Grant and Derek Webb have supported the work of International Justice Mission (IJM) through the years. IJM’s mission is to abolish modern-day slavery. IJM has people on the frontlines in the fight against human trafficking and brings rescue to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials to secure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators and to ensure that public justice systems – police, courts and laws – effectively protect the poor. You can join their fight. They, too, offer a holiday gift catalog to make giving easy. www.ijm.org

4. CURE International

CURE International is the largest provider of reconstructive surgery to disabled children in the emerging world. Since opening the doors of its first surgical teaching hospital in Kijabe, Kenya in 1998, CURE’s focus on bringing healing to developing nations has resulted in more than 1.9 million patient visits and over 138,000 surgeries to correct physically disabling conditions. CURE has also trained more than 6,100 medical professionals raising the standard of care in the countries where it operates. Not only can you easily make a donation to CURE International on their site, but thanks to a partnership with AIR1 and BEC Recordings, you can attend the “Club Awesome Live Tour” this holiday season featuring Manafest, KJ-52, 7eventh Time Down and Air1′s Brant Hansen. All of the events are free, but a donation will be taken each night for CURE International. www.cure.org

5. 31 Bits

31 Bits was founded by several college students following a mission trip to Uganda. Once the girls learned the ladies of Uganda could make jewelry, the girls realized these women were making a product their friends would love. The idea evolved into a dream that became reality. Today, 31 Bits operates out of the O.C., but they provide for the women of Uganda. All of their jewelry is hand-crafted by Ugandan women. In turn, the money from all jewelry purchases funnels back into the communities where the Ugandan women live and work. 31 Bits even has staff on the ground in Uganda. If you’re looking for a great gift for a friend or family member this season, consider buying something through 31 Bits and help someone in Uganda at the same time, or consider having a house party during the holidays to introduce your friends to this awesome jewelry line. It’s a win-win! www.31bits.com

What organization are you supporting today for Giving Tuesday?

5 Things I Loved Most About Night of Joy 2012

This year, Walt Disney World celebrated 30 years of Christian music at the parks at this year’s Night of Joy. In its 30-year history, 330 different artists have performed–all considering it an honor to perform at the beloved landmark, many in front of the nostalgic Cinderella’s Castle. This year, on September 7-8, Night of Joy welcomed 16 diverse artists to three different stages throughout the Magic Kingdom, including NEEDTOBREATHE, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Disciple, Royal Tailor, Francesca Battistelli, Brandon Heath, Red, Lecrae, Third Day, MercyMe, Kutless, Thousand Foot Krutch, Yolanda Adams, Chris August and Dara Maclean. This was my fourth year attending Night of Joy, and as in year’s past, it was filled with unforgettable performances, magical moments and lots of laughter with friends. Here are five of my favorite moments from this year’s Night of Joy:

1. NEEDTOBREATHE’s Encore

If you’ve ever been to Night of Joy, or any festival for that matter, you know that there are no encores. Artists cram as many songs as possible into an allotted time, generally specified by event coordinators. In order to allow fans to see as many artists as possible, it’s imperative that the schedule stays on track. This year, NEEDTOBREATHE defied the schedule, and fans couldn’t have been more delighted! As the event’s opening act on the mainstage in front of Cinderella’s Castle, the band’s set was delayed for a good half hour due to rain. But that didn’t hinder the crowd’s passionate enthusiasm for the band or NEEDTOBREATHE’s spellbinding stage presence once the rain cleared out. The band blew through a host of their biggest hits and ended with the title track of their latest album, The Reckoning (Atlantic). Their set left the audience wanting more and chanting, “One more song” after the band exited the stage. Surprisingly, the members came back out with frontman Bear Rinehart telling the audience that an encore was ill-advised so they were going to sing as fast as they could. The band treated Night of Joy attendees to a never-before-heard song they had written only two days prior. It’s one of the most brilliant songs I’ve heard from them, and that’s saying a lot considering their impressive catalog to date. Watch their incredible encore performance here:

2. Chris Tomlin’s Acoustic Set in the Rain

Inclement weather proved to be a battle Night of Joy attendees fought throughout the entire weekend. It postponed Chris Tomlin’s set indefinitely Friday night. While a sea of fans, dressed in soaking ponchos waited for Tomlin, the local Christian station in Orlando blared over the loudspeakers, and the crowd began singing in unison to the worship songs, despite the downpour. Tomlin, with drummer and guitarist in tow, eventually came out under a tent to play an acoustic set. He simply continued the worship that had already begun. After the first song, he moved his mic stand from beneath the cover and stood in the rain with the rest of us. After playing over half his set acoustically, he began to sing “I Will Rise.” As he sang the powerful lyrics, the rain let up, his drummer and guitarist moved backstage and crew came out to remove the tarps on the rest of the gear. By the end of the song, he was playing with a full band. It was without a doubt one of the most memorable moments of the entire weekend. Here’s a sneak peek at his brand-new single, “Whom Shall I Fear?” from his forthcoming new album slated for early 2013.

3. Francesca Battistelli’s Gold Plaque Presentation

Francesca Battistelli grew up attending Night of Joy, dreaming of one day singing as part of the event. This year the young singer’s dreams came true. It was her third time to perform at Night of Joy, and before her first performance (She performed two sets.), her record label surprised her with a plaque presentation onstage commemorating her first Gold record. Her debut album, My Paper Heart (Word), has sold in excess of 500,000 copies and has been certified Gold. Casting Crowns’ release in 2003 was the last debut album in Christian music to receive RIAA Gold certification. Battistelli’s family was on-hand the next day to celebrate this milestone in her career. Check out the video below of her singing her hit “This Is the Stuff” live at Night of Joy with a beautiful intro of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

4. Dara Maclean’s Midnight Set

New Word artist Dara Maclean treated Night of Joy attendees to a late night concert set in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom on Saturday night. This was the first time I had seen Dara perform live, and I was immediately impressed by her remarkable vocals and enthusiastic stage presence. With a talented backing band that included horns, her funky set was full of flair as colorful as her personality. The songstress wowed with her fun single “Suitcases,” among other lively numbers. But her current single, “Yours Forever,” seeing come encouraging airplay, was the pinnacle of her performance. She played for nearly 60 minutes, and despite the late hour, she had one of the most soulful, enjoyable performances of the event. She sings “Suitcases” in the video below.

5. Lecrae’s Mainstage Performance

While Night of Joy is certainly great for families, it’s a perfect event for youth groups. In fact, there are numerous opportunities for group discounts for pastors who take their youth groups to Night of Joy. Youth pastors are invited to a VIP lounge throughout the event where they can meet artists and grab a snack in the air conditioning. Lecrae’s headlining performance in front of the castle was likely a highlight for many of the youth groups in attendance. During his killer performance, I snuck off to the side of the castle so that I could get a better view of the crowd. As far as the eye could see, teens fist-pumped and jumped from the castle stage all the way down Main Street. Lecrae’s set was red hot, complete with background dancers and a killer backing band. His performance proves why he’s one of the most talked-about artists in Christian music right now, and it was refreshing to see hip-hop on the mainstage this year. The 2012 Night of Joy line-up was a great reflection of the diversity found in Christian music. Watch Lecrae’s opening song below.

Night of Joy will take place next year September 6-7, 2013. For more info, visit www.nightofjoy.com.

Were you at Night of Joy 2012? What was your favorite moment?

A Downhere playlist

With the news that we may have heard the last from Downhere, I immediately recalled a particular interview I had with the band, back in the glory days of GMA Week in Nashville. Record labels would typically arrange for meeting spaces or suites in nearby hotels for interviews with their artists, and I had the good fortune of an extended chat with the band. I found the suite and greeted the band and several other artists, and then I was shown to the adjacent interview room. Oddly enough, it was a regular hotel room, with a pair of beds and everything. I occupied the desk chair, while Jeremy and Glenn claimed one the two beds, leaving Jason and Marc to sit on the floor. Quite casual, to say the least. As always, the guys were honest, insightful, and familial. It seemed like they got along well, and I imagined down time spent in equal parts goofing off and engaging in quite cerebral discussions.

I asked the band about their varying levels of “success” in the industry – I’ve always considered them vastly underrated – and whether or not they wished they were one of those A-list acts. Jeremy’s response indicated that healthy place the band has been in: “I don’t care, honestly. If I can pay my bills, and I’m in the place where God wants me to be, and I have the privilege of playing with great friends and great musicians, I’m not going to crave the next big thing.”

I assume it’s that humble desire to be in the place where God wants them to be that has led the band to cease touring. I certainly hope so. Fortunately, the band leaves us with a solid catalog with plenty of staying power. Here’s my personal Downhere Playlist to mark this sad occasion. If you’re on Spotify, you can listen too. Here’s the link:

The Best of Downhere 7/2012

Here I Am

This is the first Downhere song that got regular airplay on Christian radio in my part of the world, and I still hear it from time to time. It’s a proper introduction to the group, though it came on their penultimate album. It showcases the depth and subtle grit in Jason’s vocals, and then Marc swoops in on that bridge in decidedly un-gritty fashion and practically knocks you over.

Great Are You

And this is the first Downhere song I heard, which prompted me to buy their eponymous 2001 album. These Canadians and I go way back.

Calmer of the Storm

And this is the sort of song I found on that album back in 2001: the powerhouse vocals, the right amount of piano and strings, the electric guitar that hints at the band’s rock underpinnings.

The More

The opening track from Wide-Eyed and Mystified cranks up the beats per minute in a joyous life-story of a faith walk, and a great line: “I pray that You would keep me mystified.”

All at War

This is on the list because, not only because it’s a wise commentary on the human condition spoken of by Paul in Romans 7:15-16, but also because it has the word “dichotomies” in the chorus, and that’s just cool.

Break My Heart

A passionate prayer: “Would You break my heart with the things that break Your heart?” Illustrates the gorgeous vocal layering made possible by having two lead vocalists. From Two at a Time, a set of B sides you definitely won’t find in your local Christian bookstore.

Starspin

Your foot will start tapping, and your head will start bobbing, and you might even start clapping your hands without even realizing it. This band’s not just vocals!

Don’t Miss Now

Why do I keep picking ballads for this list? The band can rock, too! But this beautiful, simple melody always makes me want to go learn how to play piano, and the lyric is an urgent message particularly for anyone in vocational ministry.

Protest to Praise

See, I told you they could rock. There are moments in this song when you hear Marc Martel’s voice and think, “Hmmm, he sounds a lot like Freddy Mercury.”

A Better Way

“’I love you’ could not be said a better way.”

Breakin’ Me Down

Yes, this is Downhere getting’ funky. It’s like their version of the Newsboys’ “Love Liberty Disco”. There’s even the briefest Martel scream here.

How Many Kings

This was a bonus track on Ending is Beginning, and it eventually begat a full-length Christmas album. It’s a Christmas song that deserves to be played year-round, because it’s testimony of the Savior should not be confined to one season.

Let Me Rediscover You

From the band’s latest (and last?) release, On the Altar of Love; this is a stirring ballad with equally stirring Martel vocals. This is a personal “pick-me-up” song during seasons of spiritual complacency.

Only the Beginning

A bittersweet end to this list, given the line: “Press ahead, forget what’s behind”. Here’s to continued blessings and fulfillment for these fine fellows as they each press ahead to a new beginning.

Where are Christian Music’s Next Leaders?

The future of Christian music has been murky at best for the past few years. With the decline of music sales in general, Christian music certainly hasn’t been exempt. But changes in technology, music piracy and overall declining sales shouldn’t shoulder all the blame.

Christian consumers are partly to blame. We don’t mind shelling out $75 or more for a front row seat to see Taylor Swift or U2, but we hesitate to lay down substantially less for a Christian concert.  Justin Bieber sells over 300,000 units the first week his new CD is out. Meanwhile, an unbelievable street week for the average Christian artist is 30,000 in one week, and only the elite top tier established artists see numbers like this. Lack of artistry suddenly becomes a weak argument in light of new music from Switchfoot, NEEDTOBREATHE, Gungor and The Rend Collective, among others. And honesty? We’re finally wearing our hearts on our sleeves, not afraid to share our “junk.” Don’t get me wrong. I like mainstream music, too. And there’s nothing wrong with listening to secular music. I’m just saying that our actions need to match our words. We talk about how noble Christian musicians are and what a service their music provides. If that’s true, then we should be putting our money where our mouth is. We need to support Christian artists with our money by purchasing their music legally.

But lest you think this is a rant about music piracy, let’s take a hard look at our industry. Yes, technology is partly to blame, and consumers share some skin in the game, but the industry is also to blame. There’s some truth in the fact that some Christian music is sub-par when compared to its mainstream contemporaries. However, it’s not true of all Christian music, and I think any one would agree that over the last five years or more Christian artists have stepped up their game. There is more honesty emanating from the Christian music industry today than ever before. Artists are writing songs that are connecting with a broader number of people because listeners finally realize Christian artists are human. Christian artists are singing about all aspects of life. While there’s still plenty of room for improvement where Christian radio is concerned, radio is embracing more and more of these songs and artists committed to true artistry and raw songwriting.

So what’s the root of the problem? The real problem that threatens the future of Christian music is a lack of leadership. We want to build community, but we’ve lost a way to do that. The Gospel Music Association is doing the best they can and working hard to promote gospel music with what little they have, but with a handful of staff members and volunteers and even fewer financial resources, they don’t have a lot to work with. Even they acknowledge they’re hanging on by a thread.

But maybe we shouldn’t have ever depended on an association to bind us together in the first place. It’s time we make community a priority again. Where are all the label execs willing to step up and say that our system is broken? Where are all the Christian artists brave enough to stand up and be the first to lead by the example of their lives and the artistry they create? If Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith, and Kirk Franklin are some of today’s “trailblazers,” artists like Jeremy Camp, Third Day, Casting Crowns, TobyMac, Chris Tomlin, Natalie Grant and MercyMe learned by example and bravely carried their torches with integrity. While all of these artists are still making great music and continuing to carve their unique niche within the industry, the flame is waning. It’s waiting for someone to ignite it. With the exception of a few artists, there isn’t a strong new guard waiting in the wings to take the place of these stalwart leaders. Artists like Tenth Avenue North, Lecrae, Chris August, Brandon Heath, Francesca Battistelli, and Audrey Assad are a few of the young artists who show commitment to the industry. They are more than just flash-in-the-pan talent. They pour their heart into their music. When you listen to their songs, you see their soul. They lead with integrity. But even the brightest of these stars is finding their sales are suffering and radio play is hot and cold at best.

So what’s the answer? I don’t know. But I do know we’ve lost focus. Christ should be at the center of it all, but we need leaders intent on following Him who will step up, admit that there’s a problem and even admit that they can’t fix it. It’s going to take you and me supporting this industry by purchasing Christian music. It’s going to take artists working harder than ever before to make the best music they can possibly make and staying true to their calling, regardless of commercial success. It’s going to take A&R departments signing, not good, but the best new talent. The truth is, if one leader at a time emerged, willing to at least talk about a need for change, we might look up one day to find we had a strong “new guard” there all along. If Christian music wants a future, it’s going to take leaders with enough bravery to lead us there.

What do you think the root of the problem is? Who do you think are Christian music’s future leaders? What artists would you consider to be the “new guard” in Christian music?

Guest Post from Mocha Club Artist Mark Wagner

Soulful singer-songwriter Mark Wagner releases an EP this week. NEEDLOVE is an album devoted to expressing our need for love and the type of love God offers and desires for us. The album is unique in that its available exclusively through the Mocha Club, a non-profit organization designed to help those in need in Africa. Those who partner with Wagner and Mocha Club, supporting Women at Risk in Ethiopia, will receive his album free, along with an exclusive music video, lyrics and chord charts, as well as monthly communication from Wagner and Mocha Club about how their contribution is impacting lives in Africa. Existing Mocha Club members can also receive NEEDLOVE for free simply by inviting friends to join. 

Watch the sweet video below for his song “Gonna Be With You,” with footage from his wedding.

Mark was kind enough to put his thoughts on paper for us as to how his music and Mocha Club intersect. In this week’s guest blog, Mark has a story to tell you…

In 2008, along with some other friends from the Mocha Club, I boarded a plane in Nashville, flew across the Atlantic Ocean to a small town in Northern Uganda called Gulu.  I remember that flight to Gulu.  I remember thinking to myself, “Where in the world are we?  Am I gonna make it out of here alive?”  Gulu is approximately seventy miles south of the southern Sudan border in East Africa.  I knew that for the past thirty years these Ugandan and Sudanese people had been ravaged by the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army), which was led by Joseph Kony, and was most well known for murdering whole villages of people and kidnapping the children into a life of bondage.  These were their stories, and as I listened to them, their message became clearer to me.  These were stories of desperation and stories of hope.

For the first time in my life I saw true desperation.  I met men on the street whose legs and arms had been cut off by rebel soldiers, and who had been left for dead in the burning streets of the villages they grew up in.  I met women who, as young girls, were kidnapped into a life of slavery, continuously raped by young male officers in the rebel army.  I met former boy soldiers who told me that as children they were forced to watch as their parents were murdered, and then they were brainwashed into believing that their mission in life was to do the same to their friends in the neighboring villages.  These people were desperate to tell their stories to the world.

While in Gulu, I visited a men’s Bible study, led by an organization called Action International, called the “Men of Courage.”  They shared their stories.  Theirs were the stories of all who had seen the atrocities of war and had lived to tell about it.  These men were former child soldiers in the LRA, and they had since been rescued from their life of slavery into a new life of going deeper in their relationship with their Creator.  These men were learning the true meaning of redemption, and they had seen, with their own eyes, the face of Christ as they themselves hung on crosses of shame, and they were set free to live a new life, as new creatures.  I was inspired as I listened to the stories of how they escaped, how they found a new home, and how they learned how to live again.  These men had found new life and hope in Jesus Christ, and they longed for their brothers and sisters to experience this same hope.

I returned to Nashville two weeks later and began to re-evaluate some things in my life.  Why do I write songs?  Why do I sing?  I found my answer sitting at a men’s Bible study in Gulu, Uganda.  Those men had found hope in Jesus.  They had experienced new life, and they had lived to tell the story.  Now, my job is to keep telling that story.  My job is to keep telling the story that Jesus Christ lived, He died, and He rose again so that my friends in Gulu, Uganda can experience new life.  Jesus lives so that we can all experience new life.  I must keep telling the story. –Mark Wagner

Click here for more info on Mark Wagner.