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?

Night of Joy 2011, Part 2 (Saturday)

TobyMac performs on the castle stage at Night of Joy 2011.

Yesterday, we detailed the rain-filled events of Friday night at this year’s Night of Joy. The second evening was equally as fun! While the rain held off, Saturday night’s crowd was considerably thicker, which meant longer lines at popular rides like Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain. The excitement from the clusters of youth groups attending was palpable. Saturday night’s line-up was just as strong as Friday night’s: Jars of Clay, TobyMac, MercyMe, Sanctus Real, Kutless, Marvin Sapp, VaShawn Mitchell and Chris August.

Sanctus Real‘s performance was so packed that only a lucky few made it into the Galaxy Stage area to see their performance, which was sure to be amazing as Matt Hammitt & Co. just keep getting better. Fortunately, for those like me, who weren’t able to get in to catch them, they will be joining Casting Crowns out on the road this fall for their massive “Come to the Well” tour, keeping their visibility high.

For those unable to get in to see Sanctus Real, there was more room in front of the main castle stage, where many migrated to check out Jars of Clay‘s tight set, which included a wealth of hits spanning their long career, as well as selections from their community-driven release, The Shelter (Essential).

Meanwhile, youth leaders were treated to several exclusive acoustic performances in the Youth Leader Lounge sponsored by Word Records. Meredith Andrews belted out a flawless rendition of her hit “You’re Not Alone,” while also sharing a few new songs. Plus, in a surprise appearance, BarlowGirl played a 50-minute set. The sisters have been on a sabbatical from touring, taking time off the road to rest and write for a new album. The acoustic setting allowed their beautiful harmonies to take center stage as they showcased rock selections as well as some of their most popular ballads. The girls gave a huge shout-out of thank-yous to the youth leaders in the room and ended their set with a brand-new, mid-tempo song about patiently waiting for God to fulfill the dreams He places on our hearts.

BarlowGirl makes a surprise appearance in the Youth Leader Lounge at Night of Joy 2011.

Reigning Male Vocalist of the Year Chris August played the Youth Leader Lounge the prior night, but he took to one of the larger stages Saturday. He played two back-to-back sets on the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland. The budding singer/songwriter drew quite a crowd of onlookers as he delivered everything from his mega-hit “Starry Night” and his stirring ballad about forgiveness, “7 x 70″ to his infamous “Candy Wrap.” He did a few cover songs as well and bantered with the audience, proving that his comedic side is definitely more prevalent than his serious side.

Afterwards, fans rushed back to the main castle stage to catch the king of hip-hop do his thing. TobyMac wowed the audience with a packed 60 minutes of high-energy pop, rock, rap and funk complete with the Diverse City Band. Few artists can work a crowd like TobyMac, and he had this audience, filled to capacity with youth groups, eating out of the palm of his hand as he covered everything from “Tonight” and “City on Our Knees” to “Hold On,” “Boomin’” and “Jesus Freak.”

Right before Toby took the stage, this year’s GMA Immerse winner Rachel Barrentine gave a stirring performance. Each year, Night of Joy gives the Immerse winner an all-expense paid trip to Walt Disney World and a high-profile performance slot at Night of Joy–definite incentive to compete at next year’s Immerse event in Nashville!

Perennial Night of Joy favorites MercyMe took the stage to close out the event. While there were no pyrotechnics during their set, the clear sound of thousands of voices singing every word to “All of Creation,” “Word of God Speak” and the legendary “I Can Only Imagine” was infinitely better than all the glitz and awe castle fireworks could inspire.

Even after the last live note had been played and the last performance of the night had ended, Christian music could still be heard all the way down Mainstream U.S.A. as attendees headed back to the Monorail singing along to the strains  of local Christian station Z88.3 playing throughout the park. And that’s perhaps one of the best parts. Long after the lights go down and the last firework has exploded, the music lives on.

The memories and the songs of the weekend will live in our hearts and minds until next year when Disney’s Night of Joy will celebrate 30 years. If year 29 was this fantastic, I can’t wait to see what kind of magic they have up their sleeve for year 30! One thing is for sure…You won’t want to miss it! Next year. Night of Joy 2012. Be there.

Did you attend Night of Joy this year? What was your favorite part? Do you plan to go to Night of Joy next year?

Night of Joy 2011, Part 1 (Friday)

Jeremy Camp performs in front of Cinderella's Castle at Night of Joy 2011.

Nothing is more magical than two nights at Disney’s Magic Kingdom…except two nights at Disney’s Magic Kingdom with your favorite artists. Disney’s Night of Joy–now in its 29th year–is nothing short of spectacular. Back at the Magic Kingdom for a second year in a row after detouring to Hollywood Studios in 2008 and 2009, Night of Joy combines the nostalgia of Walt Disney World with the brightest stars in Christian music. Every year, Disney plays host to some of the biggest names in the industry, and this year’s line-up was no exception.

Celebrating the diversity Christian music has to offer September 9-10, this year’s two-night event featured an array of artists on three stages throughout the park. Plus, a fourth stage highlighted amateur performers. Friday’s line-up included Jeremy Camp, newsboys, Skillet, Francesca Battistelli, Group 1 Crew, Matthew West, Disciple and Sidewalk Prophets.

The evening began with a slight rain delay, but a little precipitation didn’t inhibit the excitement of the crowd lined up in front of Cinderella’s Castle to catch Jeremy Camp. Though he had to play in the rain and his set had to be cut short to keep the evening’s festivities on schedule, Camp made up for it in stage presence and boundless energy in a hyped-up set that breezed through a mix of worship favorites and some of Camp’s biggest hits. He also took time to share a heartfelt glimpse into his personal story of loss and redemption from the death of his first wife to his marriage to Adie Camp and the life they share with their three children.

Matthew West performs on the Galaxy Stage at Night of Joy 2011.

Fans started lining up for Matthew West‘s performance long before the singer/songwriter hit the Galaxy Stage in Tomorrowland at 11:25 p.m. In fact, the standing-room-only outdoor theater space was so full, the overflow of fans crammed in the doorway right outside. Proof of West’s rising notoriety was in the voices of the  fans inside and outside the theater singing along to every word of West’s hits, including “More,” “You Are Everything,” “Next Thing You Know” and “Only Grace,” among others. The second part of his set consisted of the “story” portion of the evening as West played select songs from his latest album, The Story of Your Life (Sparrow). While there wasn’t time to sing the album front to back like he has been doing on his current tour, the impressive set whet the appetites of all those present. It definitely made you want to see the full show as the stories presented are so powerful and poignant.

Skillet rocks the Magic Kingdom at Night of Joy 2011.

Skillet closed the evening with an outstanding set on the castle stage. Their set is normally filled with pyro, but their Night of Joy performance took their live stage production to a new level as fireworks shot out from various levels of the iconic castle itself on more than one song. There wasn’t just pyro and special effects for a big finale…It was non-stop, high-energy rock with unexpected sparks flying at every angle during every song. The crowd LOVED it!

Meanwhile, youth leaders were given much-deserved VIP treatment in Frontierland where Word Records set up its own private stage in a small theater, complete with tables, snacks and air conditioning. Word artists took the stage every half hour exclusively for youth leaders, with newcomer Patrick Ryan Clark acting as emcee. Artists performed acoustic sets in this intimate setting.

Francesca Battistelli performs an acoustic set in the Youth Leader Lounge at Night of Joy 2011.

Artist of the Year Francesca Battistelli performed a stunning set Friday night. While she played the Galaxy Stage earlier in the evening with a full band and full production, the stripped down set in the lounge found a relaxed Battistelli casually perched on a stool taking requests from the audience. She talked about how she grew up in Florida attending Night of Joy each year. There was no clear direction to her set list which made for a loose atmosphere where the spotlight could shine on her pristine vocals. While she played a few obligatory hits (“Beautiful Beautiful” and “Free to be Me”), the highlights were the cuts from her latest album, Hundred More Years (Fervent), especially the nostalgic title track.

Coverage of Saturday night’s festivities will be posted tomorrow. See what people are saying about this year’s event at the Night of Joy Facebook page.

Did you attend this year’s Night of Joy? If so, what was your favorite part?

Switchfoot photos: Celebrate Freedom Atlanta 2011

Switchfoot returned to headline Celebrate Freedom Atlanta 2011, bringing their characteristic spirit, their rock chops, and an unexpected dose of improvisation.

I love the band’s live show, and I’ve written elsewhere about frontman Jon Foreman’s crowd-wandering antics. But this show was special, and as the band works out live versions of their upcoming release Vice Verses they continue to demonstrate their desire to craft the best music possible. That much was evident in their sound check, bright and early that Labor Day Saturday, 14 hours before they were scheduled to hit the stage. This was an hour when rock stars are not supposed to be awake. But there they were, going over and over a section of one of those new tunes, “Afterlife”. More guitar. Less guitar. More keyboard. Less keyboard. They tweaked and fiddled, and the whole thing sounded great to me every time. In the end, they didn’t even play the song during their set.

Later that morning, three members of the band held a mostly-unadvertised “listening session” during which they answered questions and discussed a handful of the new songs.

Finally, that night, the concert was outstanding. The lights and atmosphere were surprisingly effective for a festival stage. There’s something about Jon Foreman awash in red light that speaks rock-and-roll:

 

 

Yellow works too, as guitarist Drew Shirley demonstrates…

 

 

You know what? Forget the colors. Black and white, the Vice Verses motif, suits the band just fine:

 

 

Not unexpectedly, Jon once again found his wanderlust in the middle of the set. First he wandered over in front of the Jumbotron, creating an almost disconcerting image of the real Jon Foreman in front of MEGA JON FOREMAN!!

 

 

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But disconcerting is no good for a concert (Get it? disconcerting! Ha!), so Foreman took off into the crowd. A skilled spotlight operator fortunately kept up with him; otherwise the show would have devolved into a Where’s Waldo game.

 

 

Judging from their demeanor onstage and their chatter afterwards, I think the band had a genuinely good time during the show. Nearing the end, I don’t know if they were pressed for time (festivals impose fairly strict time limits on each band) or if they were just having so much fun, but Foreman made a quick change to the set. He acknowledged, “This is the part where we’re supposed to leave and you’re supposed to cheer and then we come back, but let’s just keep going!”

I had the perfect vantage point for what transpired next, all in a matter of seconds. “Meant to Live”, with its killer opening guitar riff, was schedule to be the encore song. Without a break, Drew realized he wasn’t set up for that song yet. He made a quick glance back to the band’s road manager, who nodded as if to say, “Yes, apparently Jon wants to do that song right now.” In an instant, Drew doffed one guitar, grabbed another from a rack, stomped on his pedals to find the right setting, strummed a single chord to make sure he was all set, and struck his classic rock star pose:

This show will only get better once more of the new album makes it into the rotation, so keep an eye out for a Switchfoot tour stop near you.

Newsboys photos: Celebrate Freedom Atlanta 2011

You’ve got to hand it to the Newsboys. After so many years and so many fundamental lineup changes, they still bring all the intensity, enthusiasm, and – well- props to their live show. Even in a festival setting like Celebrate Freedom Atlanta, they brought their entire stage show, complete with catwalk, elevator, two cranes, and Duncan Phillips’ signature twisting, turning, revolving drum kit. This is no small accomplishment. They played 11th out of 12 acts on an expansive but crowded stage, and they still brought enough equipment to fill a tour bus, a massive trailer behind that bus, and an 18-wheeler semi truck!

The results of all that effort continue to impress me. Here are Jeff Frankenstein and Jody Davis soaring above the capacity crowd, providing front row seats to folks far behind the front row:

And here’s Duncan’s crazy drum kit:

Speaking of Duncan, it’s hard not to look at the guy during the whole show. He’s an aggressive drummer, and his workouts are legendary, but it’s his facial expressions that get me. To wit:

What’s he pointing at? Apparently he’s pointing the way to VICTORY:

Or maybe he was pointing at irrepressible frontman Michael Tait. Which apparently makes him very happy…

I’ve shot the Newsboys twice recently, and Tait’s remains a challenging photograph to get because he just won’t stand still! He barely even slows down during the breaks in the show. In this show in particular, he delivered a powerful little monologue – I suppose we could call it a sermon – that really seemed to minister to the crowd. There is no longer an extended evangelical speaker in the Celebrate Freedom ATL lineup (Luis Palau handled that for years), so Tait’s message was welcome.

And I did manage to get a couple of in-focus shots. I’ve doctored them up just a little to match the iconic nature the subject. Here’s Tait in silhouette, leaning into the music:

And, finally, a closeup.

 

Don’t miss tomorrow’s final installment: Switchfoot.

 

Concert Photos: Celebrate Freedom Atlanta 2011

Labor Day Saturday marked the return of Celebrate Freedom Atlanta, the city’s largest free one-day music festival. I was busy working at the festival most of the day, but I did find time to put on my photographer hat and capture a bit of the day for you. Here is the first of three collections of photos:

 

First, a prized possession for someone post-concert. This was taken mid-day and had been autographed by about half the artist lineup. By the end of the day it was covered in signatures. See if you can spot any familiar names. (It won’t be easy. These rock stars have handwriting worse than doctors!)

 

 

 

Maybe you spotted Echoing Angels. They can actually write legibly. Here’s a glimpse of backstage, where managers from each of the 12 artists in the lineup try hard to keep equipment separate. Personalization helps. (And kudos to Echoing Angels for the In-N-Out Burger sticker. Mmmm.)

The music runs for over 12 hours straight at this marathon festival. Here’s Josh Wilson…

… and Dave Frey from Sidewalk Prophets.

Lots of emotion from the stage all day, but I saw none more emotive than American Idol alum Jason Castro. I took Jason and his band to lunch before their set, and it’s fascinating to see just how recognizable he is in public. He got stopped often for group pictures as the buzz spread around the restaurant. He handled it all with aplomb, and the friendly, laid back guy you saw on Idol is the genuine article.

And then there was this funny exchange at the hotel with Jason was checking in.

“Jason Castro, checking in.”

“All right, it looks like your room is not quite ready yet, Mr. Casper. But I do see that there’s another room in the block for a Mr. Prophets [see above], so I think I’ll just switch your room with Mr. Prophet’s room. Is that okay, Mr. Casper?”

Here’s that Jason Casper-er-Castro emotion from the stage:

And finally, the cutest picture of the day. Montell Jordan holding an adorable baby in an official Victory World Music onesie.

 

Coming tomorrow: a full spread of Newsboys pics, and Thursday, Switchfoot.

Disney Hosts 29th Annual Night Of Joy

Mercy Me returns to the Magic Kingdom for Night of Joy 2011

Walt Disney World once again brings two nights of Christian music to the Magic Kingdom with its 29^th annual Night of Joy on September 9 and 10, 2011. One of the premier events featuring contemporary Christian music, 16 artists will perform on four stages throughout the park, including concerts in front of the ever-popular Cinderella’s Castle.

Performances begin at 7:00 p.m. each night, but Night of Joy ticket holders will be admitted to the park beginning at 4:00 p.m to enjoy the park’s rides and restaurants before the music begins. Concerts will continue until 1:00 am each evening.

Select rides, including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Pirates of the Caribbean, will also be running into the early morning hour.

In keeping with the tradition set over nearly three decades, Disney offers a diverse line-up again this year to accommodate most musical preferences.

Artists slated to appear, and their musical genre, include:

Friday, September 9, 2011

newboys (Praise/Rock)

Jeremy Camp (Praise/Rock)

Skillet (Rock)

Matthew West (Adult Contemporary)

Francesca Battistelli (Pop)

Group 1 Crew (Hip Hop)

Sidewalk Prophets (Adult Contemporary)

Disciple (Rock)

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Mercy Me (Praise/Rock)

TobyMac (Hip Hop)

Jars of Clay (Praise/Rock)

Marvin Sapp (Gospel)

Sanctus Real (Praise/Rock)

Kutless (Rock)

Chris August (Adult Contemporary)

VaShawn Mitchell (Gospel)

Tickets are on sale now. A two-night advance purchase is $92.95 plus tax or one night for $51.95 plus tax. Group tickets are available and can be purchased by calling 877-648-3569 or on the group sales website. One-night tickets, if available, will be $59.95 at the gate. Night of Joy has sold out early in most recent years, so advanced purchase is advised.

5 Things We Learned About Christian Music at ICRS 2011

The International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) took place in Atlanta last week. Over 4,000 retailers, publishers, authors, agents, media, and Christian bookstore buyers descended on the Georgia World Congress Center in the heart of downtown to check out the latest products for Christian bookstores. The music presence at the annual event has grown smaller each year; however, Christian music popped up in various places throughout the week, providing some artist sightings and some insight into what the rest of 2011 holds.

1. CHRISTMAS MUSIC. Both EMI and Word had booths on the exhibit hall floor boasting cover art of some of their upcoming albums. It looks like EMI will be filling stockings this year with lots of yuletide goodies. Holiday offerings are on the way from TobyMac & Diverse City,  Kutless, Matthew West and David Crowder Band (the very last album ever from DC*B).

2. NICHOLE NORDEMAN & THE STORY. For the singer/songwriter diehards who wonder if Nichole Nordeman will ever return to music, you can rest a little easier. While Nordeman is not making a full return to music and touring, she and award-winning producer Bernie Herms have teamed up with pastors/authors Max Lucado and Randy Frazee to write music for the book release of The Story, a narrative retelling of the Bible. Nordeman and Herms were on hand with the authors to talk about the writing process. All 18 songs on the subsequent album, scheduled to release later this year from EMI, are written in first-person as if the specific biblical character is telling the story from their perspective. Casting Crowns‘ Mark Hall and Megan Garret, Francesca Battistelli and Herms’ wife Natalie Grant each performed a selection from the album. Other artists who contributed to the recording include Amy Grant, Chris Tomlin, Brandon Heath and Michael W. Smith, among many others. Look for a tour this December featuring a cast of these authors and artists. Check out www.thestory.com for more info on this remarkable concept album.

3. COURAGEOUS. Casting Crowns front man Mark Hall also made an appearance at the Courageous movie screening. Hall and his band wrote and recorded a song for the movie, which is the next installment in a long line of Christian movies from Provident Films following in the footsteps of Facing the Giants and Fireproof . This movie tells the story of five men who pledge to be better fathers and husbands after one dad experiences the unthinkable tragedy of losing his daughter in a car accident. (Speaking of Christian films…Surfer champ Bethany Hamilton was also at ICRS promoting the DVD release of Soul Surfer.)

4. CHAMPIONS OF THE FAITH AWARDS AND BENEFIT CONCERT. Tenth Avenue North‘s Mike Donehey gave a stirring acoustic performance at Sunday night’s benefit concert and awards show. Donehey sang the band’s biggest hits in a stripped down fashion while an aritst painted a moving portrait on a stretch of canvas on the stage. During the awards ceremony, Newsong‘s Eddie Carswell and Billy Goodwin were honored for their longstanding contribution to the Christian community–20 No. 1 hits, founders of Winter Jam (2010′s largest tour in the world), advocates for Compassion International. Goodwin’s daughter-in-law, Francesca Battistelli, performed hit “It’s Your Life” prior to Newsong taking the stage for several songs to round out the evening. Meanwhile, a silent auction was held in the back of the room where attendees could bid on autograhed guitars from Battistelli, Tenth Avenue North, Jeremy Camp, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, David Crowder Band and more.

5. APPEARANCES. Other artists were on hand to do interviews, perform short sets and sign autographs on the exhibit floor. Peter Furler, new artist Adam Cappa and former Jump 5 member Brittany Hargest were among the artists who performed at the “Heart of the Artist” luncheon as part of ICRS. Nicole C. Mullen performed at a Sunday night worship service. Casting’s Mark Hall signed copies of his new book, The Well: Why Are So Many Still Thirsty? (Zondervan); while Ginny Owens, John Waller and Laura Story were spotted on the exhibit hall floor.

Are you a Christian retailer who attended ICRS this year? If so, what did you learn at this year’s event?