This week many artists shared some secrets of the trade, whether in terms of inspiration or backstage mishaps. Catch up on this week's dose of Christian musician adventures (and misadventures) below!
As always, if you'd like to keep tabs on over 1,200 Christian artists, check out our
NRTwitter page to read the latest tweets from the Christian music community.
TOP TEN TWEETS
#1 - Starving Artists
@audreyassad: Starving artist--what you do is worth starving for. (April 23)
Audrey Assad posted a series of tweets, beginning with this one, about the value of willingly sacrificing for something that matters.
#2 - Extra Earth Conscious
@jdimmel: That twinge of shame you feel at Whole Foods when you forget your canvas bags on a regular day? Multiply it by a billion when it's Earth Day (April 23)
Jonathan of Satellites & Sirens celebrated Earth Day... by forgetting his canvas bag at health/organic superstore Whole Foods. On the plus side, he'll be more likely to remember it next time around.
#3 - Ambiguous Lingo
@josiahp: Me: "I think I'm gonna be renting a duplex"
@jaseonfiya :"is that like, a new pedal or somethin?" (April 24)
Josiah Prince of Disciple gave us a little glimpse at the way too much time playing music can alter your vocabulary comprehension... much to the amusement of your bandmates.
#4 - Strange Social Media
@jonnydiaz: "Hey, I haven't seen you since high school! How was your burrito for lunch?" -Twitter friend (April 25)
With this tweet Jonny Diaz captured some of the essence of the true weirdness of social media.
#5 - Musician Problems
@macpowell: Anybody else get their frequent flyer mile number mixed up with your SocialSecurity card number? What? Just me? Hhmm. (April 25)
Third Day's frontman's problem may in fact be specifically limited to traveling musicians.
#6 - Over Simplified
@coltondixon: Every book you've ever read is just a different combination of the same 26 letters (April 26)
Colton Dixon provided this mind-blowing way of looking at literature. The trick in writing, of course, is finding exactly the right combination of those 26 letters.
#7 - Dictionary Definitions
@scribblepotemus: Touring: a series of traveling setbacks sprinkled with the occasional performance. (April 26)
Dan Haseltine of Jars of Clay provided this addition to the dictionary of musical vernacular. “Touring” is in fact not all what the fans see.
#8 - Escape Artists
@derekwebb: got locked in a bathroom backstage, only way out was to sneak upstairs & climb through an empty baptism behind kenny. hope no one saw me. (April 26)
Fortunately, Derek Webb's skills include a healthy amount of stealth in addition to singing and songwriting.
#9 - Back At It
Tricia Brock is getting ready for her second solo worship release with her new single, “Enough.” Be listening for it on your favorite Christian radio station!
#10 - Nashville Side Effects
@jasoncastro: I have had entirely too much coffee on this stay in Nashville. #shakyhands #espressohead (April 26)
Warning: visiting Nashville (land of the coffee shops on every corner) may have the side effect of caffeine overdose, as Jason Castro discovered this week.
TOP TEN PICTURES
#1 - Time Management
Just in case you wondered how Hawk Nelson's new lead singer is using his pre-show time... looks like he's using it well (though drummer Justin Benner might not agree).
#2 - Musical Friendships
In case you needed motivation to get Matt Maher's new album, this picture from fellow artist Meredith Andrews should be adequate to convince you.
#3 - Grumpy Laminate
The Rocket Summer's recent tour featured possibly the most awesome tour laminates ever, sporting a message from internet meme Grumpy Cat.
#4 - The Smallest Shust
Aaron Shust's youngest child had a rough week in the hospital due to ongoing health complications. Despite the fact that little Michael Shust is toughing it out well, the Shust family would appreciate continued prayers.
#5 - Unlikely Heroes
Bart Millard of MercyMe posted a picture proving yet again that music teachers are some of the unsung heroes of our world. The impact on a kid's life can run deep and long.
#6 - Misguided Gifts
@nicholenordeman: Because airlines lost @jasongraymusic luggage, he stopped at Walgreens for a few essentials and picked up this snappy bedazzled cap for me. You shouldn't have. Honest. http://instagram.com/p/YiEz_YrH6a/ (April 25)
Jason Gray spent time songwriting with veteran songwriting Nichole Nordeman this week, though apparently his thank you gift skills aren't quite up to the same quality as his songwriting abilities.
#7 - Fan Art
@LOWBROWBASS: Warms my heart to get these little pictures from our fans under 10 years old. #youcanrockatanyage pic.twitter.com/Zult7xrd4x (April 25)
Randy of RED shared a picture proving that sometimes the youngest fans are the hardest rocking... and the most unashamedly generous.
#8 - Creative Techniques
And this is what the genesis of a hit song looks like.
#9 - Adopt an Andy
If anyone's crunk enough to stand in with the Family Force 5 guys, it would probably be Andy Mineo.
#10 - Stryper's Secret Weapons
@michaelhsweet: How do I still hit the "high" notes? What is my secret? My cape, my Y&B jacket circa 1986. Without it I am nothing:-) pic.twitter.com/MgPbDi5kVe (April 26)
Classic glam metal band Stryper is working on yet another album, still going on strong after 30 years. Lead singer Michael Sweet shared a glimpse of the source of his power viaTwitter this week.
