Concert Review: The Storytellers Tour – Jason Gray & Andrew Peterson

When I imagine the “musician-storyteller”, my mind goes straight to Bruce Springsteen. The 5 vinyl records in my brother’s Live 1975-1985 box set made me feel every bit the rebellious teenager growing up on the streets of Jersey that I was decidedly not. Story has the power to transport, and even transform, and I believe the connection between story and song is literally supernatural. That’s why a gifted musical storyteller who understands that we are all part of a much bigger Story is such a treasure. And why the ten-city “Storytellers” tour, pairing Jason Gray and Andrew Peterson, is doubly valuable.

Peterson and Gray are label-mates on Centricity, and I assumed this tour was the label’s idea. It speaks to the admiration the two artists have for each other that it was actually their idea. I don’t doubt the label was thrilled. I caught the tour stop at a large church in a small town in the north Georgia mountains. A gentle snow fell throughout the evening, befitting the cozy mood among the full house.

The dual headliners took the stage with an announcement that, because it did not seem fair to select one or the other’s song to open the show, they would perform a cover together. And who better to cover than Rich Mullins? (I say that as a universal truth.)  During “Calling out Your Name” I realized how surprisingly complimentary were Peterson’s and Gray’s vocals and guitar playing.

Next, the pair completed their new nightly tradition to decide the order of the solo sets: rock-paper-scissors.

The battle was intense, but through multiple rounds Peterson prevailed. Two 4-song solo sets followed – first Gray, then Peterson – with an effective mix of spoken backstory and musical front-story (I think I just invented that word). In general, the song introductions were not lengthy. In fact, the longest story in the solo part of the show was probably the most familiar to the audience, when Peterson introduced “Holy is the Lord”, a song based on Abraham’s journey to sacrifice Isaac. But that familiarity might be why the story was so effective in setting up the song, as he caused the audience to imagine the story in a more visceral way. Michael Card is a proponent of “Biblical imagination”, and, like Card, these artists are particularly effective at drawing a listener into a scene to enhance the experience and the message.

Following intermission, the pair was again joined by their excellent rhythm section: Spencer Ford on percussion and Matt Pierson (who played with Rich Mullins and was named an “Honorary Muffin”) on upright bass.

For his part, Peterson was frequently seen on piano, which is unusual given that he usually hands the keys over to the brilliant Ben Shive. But Peterson is certainly no slouch, and one of the advantages of playing at a church is the availability of a grand piano. The acoustics were excellent, and the band could convey moods through a range of sounds from dulcet to dramatic.

There was an ease and almost natural order to the ping-pong set list which alternated between the artists’ songs. Thrice was this statement uttered: “This is the same song, but different,” highlighting thematic overlaps in each repertoire that gave fresh perspectives. The set was long, but the pace stayed peppy primarily because the artists made an important choice. Between them, they could have easily filled a 20-song set with story-songs, and they could have introduced each one like The Boss did with his six-minute introduction to “The River”. But audiences can reach a saturation point where each story conveys less meaning. Gray and Peterson were disciplined, mixing the story-songs with radio hits and simpler songs of praise. Consequently, the stories stood out. Two songs with nearly identical titles but totally different subjects were highlights. Gray’s “I Will Find a Way” and Peterson’s “You’ll Find your Way” are exemplars of all that is good about Christian music, and hearing them back to back on a single stage is a moment I won’t soon forget.

The Sound Opinion named Jason Gray’s A Way to See in the Dark our top album of 2011, and had we made a list for 2012, I would have nominated Andrew Peterson’s Light for the Lost Boy. These two are on a brilliant songwriting run, and it’s fitting that they are friends who so admire each other’s work. The warmth of that camaraderie reached a high point as the evening closed with hundreds of voices singing with solemn reverence a blend of choruses from each artist. “I believe He is the Christ, Son of the living God” blended seamlessly in to “Thank You, thank You, Jesus we are grateful. Thank You, oh thank You, Jesus we are Yours.” Funny how those simple declarations emerged from a night of story and celebration, reminding us all of our place in Story and our gratitude to its Author.

Set List

Together: Calling Out Your Name (Rich Mullins)

Jason Gray:

More Like Falling in Love (from Everything Sad is Coming Untrue)
Help Me, Thank You (from Everything Sad is Coming Untrue)
Nothing is Wasted (from A Way to See in the Dark)
Jesus, We are Grateful (from A Way to See in the Dark)

Andrew Peterson:

Invisible God (from Resurrection Letters, Vol. II)
Holy is the Lord (from City on a Hill: The Gathering)
World Traveler (from Counting Stars)
Carry the Fire (from Light for the Lost Boy)

Together:

Good to be Alive (from A Way to See in the Dark)
Dancing in the Minefields (from Counting Stars)
Fear is Easy, Love is Hard (from A Way to See in the Dark)
Rest Easy (from Light for the Lost Boy)
I Will Find a Way (from A Way to See in the Dark)
You’ll Find Your Way (from Light for the Lost Boy)
The Sound of our Breathing (from A Way to See in the Dark)
The Reckoning (How Long) (from Counting Stars)
Remind Me Who I Am (from A Way to See in the Dark)
The Good Confession  (from Resurrection Letters, Vol. II)
Chorus: Jesus, We are Grateful

[All photos (c) 2013 Mark Geil. Stay tuned for our interview from the concert.]

Passion 2013: The Facts

Passion 2013 kicked the New Year off in fine fashion as 60,000 college students flooded the Georgia Dome for four days of worship, prayer, teaching and rallying around the cause of modern-day slavery. Passion continues to grow each year since its inception in 1997. This year saw its largest gathering to date as the packed house of 18-25 year-olds raised a cry (and a lot of money) for freedom January 1-4. Here’s a glimpse inside the Dome…

THE STATS: Although the Passion conference continues to birth some of the biggest worship songs of this decade (think “White Flag,” “Where the Spirit of the Lord Is,” “10,000 Reasons,” “All My Fountains,” etc.), Passion is more than just music, speakers and a time of learning. Passion is a movement uniting a generation of young people passionate about the cause of Christ. Of the 60,000 18-25 year-olds present at this year’s conference, 2,022 different universities from 54 countries were represented. Yep, it’s a global movement.

THE SPEAKERS: In addition to Passion founder Louie Giglio, this year’s roster of speakers included some of the foremost leaders and Bible teachers in the evangelical world today: Beth Moore, Francis Chan, John Piper, Judah Smith and International Justice Mission’s Gary Haugen.

Beth Moore

THE ARTISTS: The majority of the artists who took to the Passion stage have been instrumental in leading the Passion charge since the beginning. Their names have become synonymous with the movement. Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill, David Crowder, Matt Redman, Charlie Hall and newcomer Brett Younker served as the primary worship leaders for the four-day event. Lecrae, Kari Jobe, Colton Dixon and Jesus Culture also performed.

THE ONES TO WATCH:

• Brett Younker: You may not know his name, but you’ve likely seen his face if you’ve kept up with Passion recently. He leads worship at Giglio’s Passion City Church in Atlanta (and also happens to be married to Louie’s niece). He has an EP out titled Come to the Water, and the title track–a song Brett co-wrote with Kristian Stanfill–was sung often during Passion 2013. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Brett become the latest signing to sixstepsrecords in the near future.
• 

  Kim Walker-Smith (Jesus Culture)

  Jesus Culture: Based on their high-octane performance on the second night of Passion 2013, this charismatic group from Redding, Calif., will be one you will no doubt be hearing more from this year. While comparable to Hillsong United, they have more of an edge that youth will definitely gravitate toward.

• Judah Smith: He pastors Seattle’s City Church, a congregation of nearly 6,000. It was his first time speaking at Passion, but his message on community was extremely well-received; and his Justin Bieber hair swoop, hipster glasses and great sense of humor had the audience eating out of his hand.

THE SONGS: Each year, a crop of songs are written solely for Passion. After their debut, many of them find their way into the hearts of churches around the globe. Look for these new songs to make their way into your Sunday morning services this year: “Children of Light,” “Come to the Water,” “We Glorify Your Name,” “Burning in My Soul,” “Once And For All,” “Jesus Only Jesus,” “Lord Our God” and “Shout.” One of the biggest highlights of the entire conference was Chris Tomlin’s rendition of “God’s Great Dance Floor,” now available on his brand-new album, Burning Lights, which released yesterday. Many of these songs will likely be featured on the new Passion album, tentatively slated for release March 12, 2o13. Track listing and album title had not been confirmed at press time.

THE QUOTES:

Louie Giglio

“I believe that God is the God of immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine.” –Louie Giglio

“Sin didn’t make us bad; sin makes us dead… God brings the dead to life.”–Louie Giglio

“When we go through a struggle, He won’t let it pass from us if it is absolutely necessary for what we need to do on this earth.” –Beth Moore

“There is an awesome God of justice who is ready to move in power if you are ready to move in obedience… You may be that generation that manifests God’s heart for justice to the world.”–Gary Haugen

“If you really want to experience God, then go and make disciples.” –Francis Chan

Judah Smith

“How important is community to God? God is a community in Himself… Our God is singular in character but plural in person.”–Judah Smith

“Jesus is the key that unlocks the mystery of history, and He is the center of the story.” –John Piper

“The local church is God’s way of changing the world.”–Louie Giglio

“Collectively, we become a force for justice.”–Louie Giglio

THE CAUSE: There are more slaves today than any other time in history. Today, 27 million women, girls, men and boys are trapped in slavery. The messages of Passion 2013 centered around shining a light on slavery. Stories of real modern-day slaves were told throughout the event. A candlelight vigil took place on Thursday night, and the conference ended with a strong call to action as Passion attendees launched the “In It to END IT” campaign, a movement to end modern-day slavery. Collectively, over 3.1 million dollars was raised over the course of four days. The money will be split between 18 different abolitionist organizations.

THE NEXT STEP: Join the fight for freedom! Shine a light on slavery by:

1. Visiting www.enditmovement.com and signing the pledge to join the fight to end slavery.
2. Follow the END IT movement on Twitter.
3. Like the END IT movement on Facebook.
4. Invite your friends to join, follow and like.
5. Purchase a Passion 2013 Digital All Access Pass (includes main session talks, music, photos, videos and more from Passion 2013).
6. Mark your calendars for next year’s Passion conference. (It was announced since the NFL will host playoffs at the Georgia Dome next year during the normal Passion window, Passion 2014 will be held over the course of an extended weekend in late January/early February. Dates are forthcoming. Stay tuned to www.268generation.com for details.)

TobyMac’s Hits Deep Tour Hits Home

TobyMac‘s “Hits Deep” Tour played to a near-capacity crowd in Nashville, Tenn., Friday night at one of Music City’s largest venues, Bridgestone Arena. Toby’s family, including his father, wife and five kids, were among those in attendance, along with family members of many of the other artists featured on the tour. The hometown show was the largest date of the tour, and the evening proved to be one of the most creative collaborative efforts of the year.

The brainchild of TobyMac and his management company, the “Hits Deep” tour was designed to showcase some of Christian music’s biggest hits in a fast-paced live setting. The award-winning industry veteran invited some of his favorite artists to join him on this unique tour, including Jamie Grace, Group 1 Crew, Chris August, Britt Nicole, Mandisa and Brandon Heath. Collaboration was the name of the game, and the night featured artists joining each other on stage throughout the whole evening. The artists brought some of Christian music’s biggest hits to life on stage–songs that have impacted not only radio but also hearts across the country.

The first half whizzed by in a little over an hour showcasing the talents of all the artists on the tour with everyone but Toby performing 2-3 songs, each backed by Toby’s dynamic band. With no stage sets to tear down in between acts, one artist introduced the next with seamless transitions, keeping the crowd entertained at lighting speed. After a segment talking about child sponsorship through Food for the Hungry, a brief intermission ensued. Fans could watch short videos during the break (and before the concert started) of each artist talking about the character and talent of another artist on the tour, when they first met and how they’ve collaborated in the past. It was a nice addition to the community feel of the evening.

Following intermission, Toby hit the stage and crashed through high-energy hit after hit of his own, calling on his tour mates for appearances on select songs as well. Toby performed a short acoustic set in the middle of the arena, treating fans to stripped down arrangements of a handful of songs and providing a great sing-a-long moment. After incredible renditions of crowd favorites “Me Without You” and “City on Our Knees,” all of the artists came back onstage to sing a couple Christmas tunes. (“O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Winter Wonderland”). The group’s accelerated punk-like rendition of “Winter Wonderland” had the crowd reeling, complete with the the artists’ choregraphed dance moves and spray of snow white confetti.

Mac & Co. could easily make the “Hits Deep” an annual event, becoming a reel of the previous year’s hottest songs. Let’s hope there’s another round of “Hits Deep” dates being planned for 2013! In the meantime, fans can catch TobyMac on Winter Jam during the first quarter of 2013.

“Hits Deep” Tour Set List & Collaborations (Nashville, Tenn., December 14, 2012)

“Lead Me On”-Jamie Grace

“Hold Me”-Jamie Grace (with TobyMac)

“Keys to the Kingdom”-Group 1 Crew

“He Said”-Group 1 Crew (with Chris August)

“Center of It”-Chris August

“Starry Night”-Chris August

“All This Time”-Britt Nicole

“The Lost Get Found”-Britt Nicole

“Gold”-Britt Nicole (with Group 1 Crew)

“Only the World”/”My Deliverer”/”Shackles” Medley-Mandisa

“Stronger”-Mandisa

“Good Morning”-Mandisa (with TobyMac & a host of other artists at the end)

“Your Love”-Brandon Heath

“Jesus in Disguise”-Brandon Heath

“Give Me Your Eyes”-Brandon Heath (with Manwell Reyes from Group 1 Crew)

INTERMISSION

TobyMac Collaborations During His Set*

“Unstoppable” (with Blanca Callahan from Group 1 Crew)

“Eye on It” (with Britt Nicole)

“Steal My Show” (with Brandon Heath–Toby’s new single that he co-wrote with Heath)

“Funky Jesus Music” (with Jamie Grace)

“Get Back Up” (with Chris August)

“Lose My Soul” (with Mandisa)

**An acoustic version of “Forgiveness” from Eye On It also featured Lecrae on a video screen.

*Not full set list

Winter Jam 2013 Artist Line-Up Revealed

TobyMac will headline Winter Jam 2013. This news was announced last night at an invitation-only event at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Joining TobyMac on the 44-city mega-tour will be RED, Matthew West, Jamie Grace, Sidewalk Prophets, Royal Tailor and Winter Jam creators Newsong. In addition, the popular Pre-Jam Party will introduce fans to three brand-new artists: Jason Castro, OBB and Capital Kings. Speaker Nick Hall will also join the line-up as he shares the Gospel message each night.

All 10 artists were in attendance at last night’s event. Newsong, Matthew West and Jamie Grace all performed acoustically for the audience of media, industry personnel, family and friends gathered. Newsong debuted the title track from their forthcoming new studio project, Swallow the Ocean. West performed “Forgiveness,” sharing the moving story behind the song; and Grace performed her radio hit, “Lead Me On.”

One by one, as the artists came onto the stage to comment on their part in Winter Jam, time and again, they reiterated how excited they were to be a part of this family on the road. They also expressed their gratitude for what Winter Jam is doing for Christian music, enabling fans to be exposed to new music and new artists and giving families and youth groups the opportunity to attend an affordable concert. Only $10 at the door, Winter Jam has long been known as the most affordable tour, not to mention the largest tour in the world. Above all, multiple artists–TobyMac included–commented on the huge impact Winter Jam is having on bringing people to Christ. With a clear presentation of the Gospel made at every tour stop, attendees are given the opportunity to make a life-changing decision every night.

Gotee Records co-founder and President Joey Elwood, who founded Gotee along with his cousin TobyMac, perhaps said it best when introducing new Gotee artist Capital Kings: “We’ve always wanted to make Christian music matter. And Winter Jam is doing that. They are making Christian music matter to kids.”

For a complete list of Winter Jam 2013 tour dates and cities, visit www.jamtour.com.

Who are you most excited about seeing at Winter Jam 2013?

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?

Group 1 Crew Celebrates First No. 1 Single, “He Said”

Pictured at Word Entertainment’s celebration on July 25, 2012 for Group 1 Crew and their first No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian CHR chart, “He Said (Feat. Chris August).” (L-R): Chris August and Group 1 Crew’s Blanca Callahan and Manwell Reyes

Group 1 Crew has now officially experienced the view from the top. The duo’s smash single “He Said” (featuring Chris August) rocketed to the peak of Billboard’s Christian CHR chart garnering the pop/hip-hop act’s first No. 1 single. To celebrate their first stint at the top of the charts, Group 1 Crew and Chris August were honored at a reception at Word Entertainment’s Music Row offices in Nashville to accept plaques for the No. 1 single. The duo is putting the finishing touches on a new studio project, Fearless (Word), slated to release in September. The album will feature their No. 1 track. Group 1 Crew will support TobyMac on the “Eye On It Tour” and the “Hits Deep Tour” this fall and winter.

Watch the new video for “He Said” below and visit www.group1crew.com for more info.

TobyMac to Headline Two of the Year’s Biggest Tours

Photo Credit: Lee Steffen

It was recently announced that TobyMac will headline the West Coast leg of Winter Jam 2012. Hitting seven cities in November, in addition to Toby, the line-up is set to include performances by RED, Sidewalk Prophets, Chris August, Group 1 Crew and Jamie Grace. As always, veteran award-winning artist Newsong will host. Nick Hall will speak, and the poplar pre-jam party will feature new artists Dara Maclean, Jason Castro and Capital Kings.

Earlier this year, Winter Jam beat its own record by becoming Pollstar‘s largest tour in the world for the first quarter of 2012 for the second consecutive year. Skillet headlined the 47-city tour which saw an astounding 535,000 fans in attendance. While smaller, the West Coast run promises to be a precursor to what is sure to be a larger-than-life line-up for Winter Jam 2o13.

And for fans who can’t get enough of TobyMac this fall and winter, it seems like collaboration is the name of the game. While the hit maker will be out on the road this fall in support of his highly anticipated brand-new studio album–Eye On It (ForeFront), releasing August 28–with opening acts Chris August and Jamie Grace, he’ll be back at it in December for the “Hits Deep Tour.” The tour will feature a diverse, power-packed line-up of some of today’s brightest artists, including Mandisa, Brandon Heath, Britt Nicole, Chris August, Group 1 Crew and Jamie Grace.

Don’t miss your chance to see one of these huge tours in a city near you!

For more info on Winter Jam, visit www.jamtour.com.

For more info on the Hits Deep Tour, visit www.tobymac.com.

Are you planning on attending Winter Jam or the Hits Deep Tour this year? If so, which show are you going to?

Blue Like Jazz Premieres This Weekend

I attended Nashville’s Blue Like Jazz premiere Thursday night. A few hundred people gathered at a local Regal Cinemas to support author Donald Miller and artist/producer/director Steve Taylor. Miller’s New York Times best-selling book came to life on the silver screen thanks to fans all across the country who funded the film adaptation through the largest crowd-sourcing project in Kickstarter history. The evening was inevitably a long-awaited celebration, since production for the film began back in 2010. Hype has been building for the film for some time, so fans eagerly anticipated being let into the theater.

Miller, Taylor and Marshall Allman (“Prison Break,” “True Blood”), who plays a younger Miller in the film, arrived in an old, beat-up car Allman drives in the movie. With Taylor at the wheel, Miller and Allman greeted fans as they perched on the hood. Following their arrival, attendees were allowed onto the red carpet to head into the theater.

The movie proved to be just as satisfying as the book. For the millions of readers who have been affected by Miller’s thoughts in Blue Like Jazz, the film adaptation is every bit as compelling, thought-provoking and provocative. Like the book, the movie makes you question what you believe and why you believe it. It follows Miller as he questions the existence of God after enrolling in Reed College, an academically challenging school that’s as liberal as they come. Miller, who grew up a conservative southern Baptist, is thrust out of his comfort zone and into a new world of drugs, alcohol and sex, all the while trying to figure out who he is and if God can possibly relate to his life. Ironically, his out-of-the-ordinary experiences at Reed teach him what it really means to be a follower of Jesus. Filmed in Nashville, Tenn., and in Portland, Ore., it’s a coming-of-age story that is insightful and true-to-life. However, it’s as controversial as it is compelling.

Warning: if it’s Courageous you’re wanting, this isn’t it. Blue Like Jazz The Movie is filled with profanity, drug and alcohol use and debauchery of all sorts. But that’s the way Miller and Taylor wanted it. Their goal was to provide a realistic glimpse into the life of the ordinary college student. Miller not only explores college life, but he also tackles a number of taboo topics: infidelity, homosexuality, divorce and drug addiction, among other things. Taylor and Miller have managed  to create a Christian movie that doesn’t sugar coat reality, but instead, accurately portrays life in all it’s ugliness and its beauty. The colorful characters in the story, like the compasionate Penny and the jaded “Pope,” weave the story together intricately, profiling a variety of interesting characters who also make appearances in Miller’s book. While the book mirrors Miller’s life, the movie takes certain liberties and fictionalizes parts of the author’s life.

As Miller journeys toward what he believes and discovers who he is and how God fits in his life, he also realizes he has a lot to apologize for as he has fallen into the hypocritical trap of thinking Christianity is more about religion and less about loving and accepting people. The ending scene is one of true tear-jerking redemption. It doesn’t commence in a neat bow. In fact, the viewer isn’t really sure what happens next for Miller, but the resolve is found in the main character finally coming to terms with the fact that God exists, He believes in Him and He wants to live a life that immulates Christ.

In both production and artistic value, this movie is top-notch for having such a small budget. And all the fans who gave money through Kickstarter? They’re thanked in the credits of the movie. Without the support of passionate readers who appreciate thought-provoking art, this movie never would have been made. And that would have been a tragedy. It may be controversial, but without a doubt, Miller and Taylor will start some conversations. They already have. We need more movies like Blue Like Jazz, ones that portray redemption in the midst of real life.

Go out and see Blue Like Jazz THIS WEEKEND! Opening weekend numbers will determine how many theaters its shown in and how long it stays in theaters. Visit www.bluelikejazzthemovie.com to see if it’s playing in your area.

GRAMMY Nominations Announced

Chris Tomlin

The 54th annual GRAMMY Awards were announced tonight in Los Angeles. Chris Tomlin and Brandon Heath lead the list of Christian/Gospel nominations with three nominations each. Among the impressive list are a host of first-time nominees, including Natalie Grant for her powerful contribution to The Story project and newcomers Jamie Grace and Royal Tailor. Strangely absent are usual heavyweight favorites Casting Crowns, MercyMe, TobyMac and Jeremy Camp. Here’s a complete list of the nominees in the Christian/Gospel categories:

Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance
“Do Everything” – Steven Curtis Chapman
“Alive (Mary Magdalene)” – Natalie Grant
“Your Love” – Brandon Heath
“Jesus” – Le’Andria Johnson
“I Lift My Hands” – Chris Tomlin

Brandon Heath

Best Gospel Song
“Hello Fear” – Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin)
“Sitting With Me” – Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Gerald Haddon & Tammi Haddon, songwriters (Mary Mary)
“Spiritual” – Donald Lawrence, songwriter (Donald Lawrence & Co. Featuring Blanche McAllister-Dykes)
“Trust Me” – Richard Smallwood, songwriter (Richard Smallwood & Vision)
“Window” – Canton Jones, songwriter (Canton Jones)

Best Contemporary Christian Music Song
“Blessings” – Laura Story, songwriter (Laura Story)
“Hold Me” – Jamie Grace Harper, Toby McKeehan & Christopher Stevens, songwriters (Jamie Grace Featuring Tobymac)
“I Lift My Hands” – Louie Giglio, Matt Maher & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin)
“Strong Enough” – Matthew West, songwriter (Matthew West)
“Your Love” – Brandon Heath & Jason Ingram, songwriters (Brandon Heath)

Best Gospel Album
“The Love Album” – Kim Burrell
“The Journey” – Andraé Crouch
“Hello Fear” – Kirk Franklin
“Something Big” – Mary Mary
“Angel & Chanelle Deluxe Edition” – Trin-I-Tee

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
“Ghosts Upon The Earth” – Gungor
“Leaving Eden” – Brandon Heath
“The Great Awakening” – Leeland
“What If We Were Real” – Mandisa
“Black & White” – Royal Tailor
“And If Our God Is For Us…” – Chris Tomlin

The Civil Wars scored two nominations in the Country/Folk categories, while Dave Barnes and Amy Grant both garnered nods for their songwriting efforts.

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
“Don’t You Wanna Stay” – Jason Aldean With Kelly Clarkson
“You And Tequila” – Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter
“Barton Hollow” - The Civil Wars
“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” – Thompson Square

The Civil Wars at tonight's GRAMMY nomination ceremony.

Best Folk Album
“Barton Hollow” - The Civil Wars
“I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive” – Steve Earle
“Helplessness Blues” – Fleet Foxes
“Ukulele Songs” – Eddie Vedder
“The Harrow & The Harvest” – Gillian Welch

Best Country Song
“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” – Jim Collins & David Lee Murphy, songwriters (Thompson Square)
“God Gave Me You” – Dave Barnes, songwriter (Blake Shelton)
“Just Fishin’” – Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell & Ed Hill, songwriters (Trace Adkins)
“Mean” – Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)
“Threaten Me With Heaven” – Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Will Owsley & Dillon O’Brian, songwriters (Vince Gill)
“You And Tequila” – Matraca Berg & Deana Carter, songwriters (Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter)

The GRAMMY Awards will be held February 12, 2012, in LA. Fans can watch the awards show live on CBS. For a complete list of nominees, click here.

Who do you think should have been nominated for a GRAMMY this year?

Winter Jam 2012 Line-Up UnVeiled

The 2012 Winter Jam line-up was announced tonight at an exclusive VIP event held at Nashville’s Visitor’s Center right outside of Bridgestone Arena. Skillet will headline Christian music’s largest tour in 2012. Additional artists on the bill include Sanctus Real, Peter Furler (his first touring outing in three years and his first since leaving newsboys), Kari Jobe, Building 429, Group 1 Crew and hosts Newsong. The One Verse Pre-Jam Party will feature new Word artists Dara Maclean and For King & Country as well as new hard rock outfit We As Human, currently on tour with Skillet and discovered by front man John Cooper himself.

In addition to a stellar, all-star line-up of some of the hottest acts in Christian music, speaker Nick Hall will bring the gospel message each night, while illusionist Brock Gill will provide additional entertainment.

Skillet

Tonight’s launch party included appearances by numerous artists as the line-up was announced as well as special acoustic performances by Newsong (“One True God”), Peter Furler (“Reach”) and Kari Jobe, who sang her brand-new song “We Are” from her forthcoming Sparrow Records debut.

Voted Pollstar’s No. 1 tour in attendance for the first quarter of this year, Winter Jam outpaced mega tours from Bon Jovi and U2. Now in its 17th year, Winter Jam has proven to be the launching grounds for numerous acts through the years, as well as the catalyst that has taken the careers of multiple artists to a whole new level with the exposure and prominence that such a high-profile tour provides.

Dara Maclean

Newcomer Dara Maclean is excited about introducing her music to fans each night and more importantly sharing her heart behind the songs found on her debut album. “I am so excited to be on Winter Jam because of the opportunity to reach as many people as possible,” Maclean told The Sound Opinion at tonight’s launch event. “We’re in it for the people. We don’t do what we do apart from getting to reach people, and Winter Jam is a ministry on a nightly basis…to be able to talk with thousands of kids at one time and to get to use what we do as a platform. I’m ready to just dive in and hang out with people I love. It’s a huge platform, and it’s an honor. “

Winter Jam will kick off January 6, 2012, in Charleston, W.V. and hit 47 cities through the beginning of April. As usual, no tickets are required, and admission is only $10 at the door. For a full list of tour dates, visit www.jamtour.com.

Who are you most excited about seeing on Winter Jam this year?