The new year brought comments and reflections from artists on the past year, but also quite a few tweets looking ahead. Meanwhile, the year kicked off with the massive Passion conference and the equally massive start of the Winter Jam tour... plus a few unexpected cameos by Justin Bieber merch. Catch up on all the latest from the Christian music twitterverse below.
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TOP TEN TWEETS
#1 - Sandwich Skills
@shdronnie: I may not be able to make a lot of good food, but when it comes to grilled ham and cheese sandwiches I am king of kitchen. (December 31)
If you ever happen to be in a situation where the only available cook is the lead singer of Skyhawk Drive... now you know exactly what to request.
#2 - Back to the Future
@BartMillard: Happy new year folks! Now where are those flying cars?!? (January 1)
As the new year dawned, MercyMe’s frontman kept his eyes on the question everyone’s secretly asking-- surely the future should have arrived by now?
#3 - Diversity
@scribblepotemus: I might be becoming the opposite of @macpowell. #Vegantweets #synthsideproject #nofacialhair #collegefootwhat (January 2)
Although the lead singers of Jars of Clay and Third Day both have good music writing skills in common, that might be where the similarities end.
#4 - Group Tunes
The new video from Humble Beast features some fellow hip-hop artist cameos-- if you can find them.
#5 - Unresolved
@johnlcooper: So now that it's january I'm supposed to stop eating cookies? ? Whatever (January 4)
Certain resolutions just aren’t worth it. John Cooper of Skillet unashamedly shared his priorities.
#6 - Undercover Age
@jamiegraceh: announcement is made that kids 12 & under don't have to remove their shoes. TSA asks me how old I am... are you kidding me? #imanadult #fb (January 4)
It would seem that Jamie Grace is either a child prodigy, or else a master of disguising her age.
#7 - Powers of Persuasion
@matkearney: SO I RECORDED A LITTLE VIDEO TONIGHT TO CONVINCE OREGON DUCKS HEAD COACH CHIP KELLY TO STICK AROUND http://youtu.be/3AFXMPQvH_I (January 4)
Mat Kearney seems to have found a way to use his music as a powerful persuasion tool--which seems to have worked. After posting his plea on Twitter, multiple sports news sources picked it up and spread the tune.
#8 - Almost Back
After a few years of silence, The Almost released a new rock and roll tune this week. Check out the riff-heavy debut at the link above.
#9 - Training Mode
@jonmicahsumrall: Taking my kids skiing at Mt. Bachelor. Trying to psych myself up for ski instructor dad mode. Gonna need patience today. :) (January 5)
The lead singer of Kutless took on an alternate role this week on a family ski trip. “Ski instructor” is apparently just one of many subheadings under the title “dad.”
#10 - Curing the Blues
@iamkristenmay: I highly suggest dancing alone when you're sad. Like, full on goofy dance party. Also, smile while you do it. That will make a difference (January 5)
In case you find yourself in need of cheering up this week... Flyleaf’s new lead singer shared some advice.
TOP TEN PICTURES
#1 - End of Year Images
The end of the year invited a lot of looking back. Relient K drummer and music photographer Ethan Luck shared the best of his phone on his tumblr/Twitter to close out 2012.
#2 - Smiling Faces
Mike Barnes of RED spent some of his holiday time off in Ethiopia, and has been steadily sharing snapshots of the experience via instagram and Twitter.
#3 - Trendy Trees
@jasongraymusic: So... Taking down Christmas decorations and just discovered that Tree Topper Ed found a buddy in JBiebs. http://instagr.am/p/T9IXnQk-Rc/ (January 1)
Clearly someone in the Gray household decided to take a slightly different approach to topping the family tree. Maybe their tree will serve as a trend-setter?
#4 - Passionate
For many Christian students, the beginning of the year is highlighted by the massive Passion conference. Twitter served as a source for documenting the event, both for artists and attendees.
#5 - Purposeful
A major focus at Passion this year was the End it Movement (with attitude provided by Lecrae). To learn more, visit
http://enditmovement.com.
#6 - Focusing on the Future
Just in case you doubted that good things are to come from the re-imagined Audio Adrenaline, a look at passion embodied in Kevin Max’s facial expression should help.
#7 - New in the New Year
The start of 2013 also heralds the beginning of the Winter 2013 branch of the Winter Jam tour circuit. For dates and locations, check
http://www.jamtour.com/.
#8 - Contradictory Collaborations
Either hard rock band Love & Death is collaborating with a very unusual artist... or a cardboard cutout. Either way, this is one collaboration that might not work out that well.
#9 - Jamming
Royal Tailor is one of the artists on the 2013 Jam lineup, and they’re documenting the event and keeping in touch with fans post-show with their twitter and instagram accounts.
#10 - Crowded
@jonnydiaz: I'm either on set for an episode of "Hoarders" or I'm about to eat at Cracker Barrel. @ cracker barrel http://instagr.am/p/UHAoSFR4TI/ (January 5)
The third option for Jonny Diaz’s location is a Southern-styled spin-off of Hoarders.