This week life in the Christian music twitterverse started to pick up again with the release of a few major albums, more studio time, and many artists heading back out on tour (or trying to). Catch the latest stories below.
As always, if you'd like to keep tabs on over 1,200 Christian artists, check out our exclusive NRTwitter page to read the latest tweets from the Christian music community. And if you've discovered some great tweets of your own, feel free to pass them along by using the hashtag #nrtweets.
IMPACTING ITUNES
@crowderband: Number 1 on itunes! Yes! pic.twitter.com/bhBCiQ5t (January 10)
David Crowder*Band’s epic two-disc final album, Give Us Rest, was released this week. The incredibly well-received album sat at the top of the iTunes chart for quite some time.
You can check it out here.
@rendcollective: WE CANNOT BELIEVE HOW KIND YOU ALL ARE! #7 ON ITUNES CHRISTIAN CHART! BLOWN AWAY BY GOD'S GOODNESS!! (January 10)
Ireland’s Rend Collective Experiment also released a new album this week, which saw significant success.
Find it here.
@RachelChanMusic: Today is the day!.... The debut record from @RachelChanMusic is out today! iTunes:... http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/go/id490342032 (January 10)
Rachel Chan (daughter of Francis Chan, well-known author of Crazy Love) released her debut album this week.
BUSINESS AS USUAL
@macpowell: My view right now. 2nd day of recording the new album. twitpic.com/86233f (January 11)
The Third Day guys are back in the studio working on their next release. Mac Powell gave us a glimpse of the world through his eyes via twitter.
@Superchick: Please read this message from @superchickmel1...we are gonna miss her out on the road & i know you all will too :( facebook.com/superchick (January 14)
After many years out on the road, Superchick announced this week that long-time vocalist and guitarist Melissa Brock is stepping down. You can stop by Superchick’s page to show Melissa some support as she moves on to other pursuits.
@aaronkeyes: I just rode a mechanical bull. For 13seconds. So... (January 13)
The life of a touring musician provides a lot of opportunities for unusual experiences, as worship leader Aaron Keyes demonstrated. Maybe he could have a backup career in rodeo if he ever gets tired of music?
TRAVEL TROUBLES
@JFrankenstein: It'd probably work out better for everyone involved if they fixed the plane before we boarded. I can't get enough of airline seats.
@JFrankenstein: Plane took off. Still broken. Did a lap around Nashville then came back in for emergency landing. How's your Friday night going? (January 13)
Jeff Frankenstein of the Newsboys had some trouble getting off the ground in Nashville.
@itschristablack: When the cab driver asks you how to get to the airport, you realize you might have chosen the wrong cab. #truestory (January 14)
Christa Black also had some trouble reaching her destination. Situations like this prove the convenience of a decent GPS.
@b_reith: ..."Well our plane can only turn one way.. Wait... Maybe... Oh, nope, these planes can be finicky sometimes." Thanks for the reassurance! (January 14)
B. Reith’s plane also suffered from the apparently contagious issues. At least the pilot was honest, right?
PRAYER REQUESTS
@francescamusic: Pray for my friends @karijobe and @blancareyes. They are both performing tonight and are both sick. Not easy! (January 15)
Being out on the road for a massive tour like WinterJam has some downsides-- sometimes artists share more than just the stage. Pray for health and healing for artists out on the road.
@aaronshust: Michael Aaron, Our Special Angel. http://aaronshust.blogspot.com/2012/01/michael-aaron-our-special-angel.html ...and the story we find ourselves in. (January 14)
Aaron Shust and his wife Sarah welcomed their third son this week. Michael Shust was born with some complications, and they are asking for prayer as they face this new journey.