An Introduction By NRT Founder, Kevin McNeese
Twitter has quickly emerged as a powerful social networking tool used by millions around the world, including many Christian music artists. These artists use Twitter as a way to quickly engage and interact with their fans and many post pictures, links, jokes and even make major career and personal announcements that you won't find anywhere else.
For the past year, NRT has been building the largest database of Christian music tweets online. We not only follow over 1,150 Christian artists and bands, but we archive the "tweets" (or posts) that they make and display them on artist detail pages as well as our NRTwitter main page.
There's always been a gold mine of interesting information for the Christian music fan hidden amongst thousands of lesser important posts, and so it's with great excitement and honor that we launch our new column with our latest contributor, Mary Burklin. Mary is a Christian music fan through and through and has gladly stepped into the reigns of digging for Christian music gold through in the thousands of tweets posted every week and sharing them with you.
I think you will really enjoy her column as we get the inside scoop, and a few laughs along the way, directly from the artists who make the music we all love. Please leave a comment and let us know what you think of this new column. Enjoy! -Kevin
This page collects the messages (tweets) posted by Christian music artists and band members and displays them all on one page so you can quickly get a pulse on what Christian artists are doing, thinking and saying to you, their fans.
Grammy Week was just the beginning of a week packed with album news, career transitions, births and even a few pranks.
As always, if you'd like to keep tabs on over 1,000 Christian artists, check out our exclusive
NRTwitter page to read the latest from the Christian music community.
GRAMMYS ON THE BRAIN
@fireflightrock: Walking the red carpet. Right now. This is really happening.
On February 13, several Christian artists attended the Grammys. First-time Grammy nominees (for Best Rock or Rap Gospel album) Fireflight were present and obviously excited about it, even though they didn't take home the award.
@thedrewcast: Grammys tonight!! We are just arriving now. Wish us luck. -d
@jonforeman: Grammy!!? Wow... Thankful
The Switchfoot guys picked up the first Grammy of their long career, taking home the award for Best Rock or Rap Gospel album (for their November 2009 release Hello Hurricane).
@israelnewbreed: So grateful. Just won Grammy #4 for LOVE GOD LOVE PEOPLE. Thanks to everyone for the love and supportive congrats we've gotten. Love u.
Israel Houghton took home the award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album, the fourth Grammy of his career. This continues an unbroken string of taking home a Grammy for each of his albums.
@b_reith: I decided that 2nite I will make a cardboard Grammy & present it 2 myself in my living room. I have already planned my speech.
@owlcity: Sooo... I really hope Legolas wins a Grammy tonight for his great work in "They're Taking the Hobbits To Isengard." #Haha #ButSeriously
A few artists who were not nominated, such as B. Reith and Adam Young of Owl City, took different approaches to the Grammys this year, providing entertaining coverage for fans following along on twitter.
ON NEW PROJECTS
@switchfoot: The Vice Verses song list: http://yfrog.com/hs2jhmhj
It's been a busy week for Switchfoot, who took home a Grammy and continued to work on their upcoming summer 2011 release,
Vice Verses. The track list as shared in a picture on their twitter is "After Life," "The Blinding Light," "Education," "Fading West," "Selling the News," "Restless," "The Original," "Rise Above It," "Against the Voices," "Thrive" and "Vice Verses."
@fallingupband: Just finished tracking 6 songs on bass, the tracks are starting to sound like real songs now!
Falling Up is continuing to put together their fan-funded record after a brief hiatus last year. They're keeping fans updated on their progress through twitter.
@crowderband: We've officially begun recording...
David Crowder*Band is also in the studio right now. They will be continuing to post studio updates on their twitter and YouTube.
@satsandsirens: Be apart of our next record! See how!!!
Satellites & Sirens put out the word this week that they have been dropped by their label and are joining the ranks of indie bands seeking to create albums directly funded by fans. They
started a page on kickstarter, complete with rewards for their backers.
A FEW TRANSITIONS
@BenKasica: Actually... Crazy thing. I joined on Valentine's Day of 2001. Weirrrrrrd!! :)
@BenKasica: my new job... skiesfallstudios.com email if youre interested in recording! also sign up for free music & news
On Valentine's Day, Skillet announced the departure of long-time guitarist Ben Kasica, ten years to the day since he joined. He will be focusing on working with his studio,
Skies Fall. Fans can still keep up with his future projects via his twitter and his studio's website.
@mikedonehey: Well, it's official. Nora Kanene is here! My wife is a superhero. Pictures forthcoming.
@mikedonehey: "I brought children into this dark world because it needed the light that only a child can bring." -Liz Armbruster
Tenth Avenue North frontman, Michael Donehey, and his wife welcomed their second daughter on February 16.
@matthewhoopes: It is looking like Jasper might make an appearance later on today!
@matthewthiessen: Can't wait to meet @matthewhoopes ' brand new boy. Jasper Zelman Hoopes is here.
Matthew Hoopes, guitarist for Relient K, also welcomed a new addition to his family. Relient K frontman Matthew Thiessen shared the news on February 19.
IN OTHER NEWS
@seabirdmusic: Hey everyone, Ryan is still looking to take on a few more students via Skype or in person locally. Email him...
Ryan Morgan of Seabird put out the news that he wants to start teaching guitar lessons, and he's asked people to e-mail him if they're interested. You can find his e-mail address on their facebook page (
facebook.com/seabird).
@mikeredmusic: Thank You God for last night. Leno was amazing. Excited to see you guys in Baton Rouge tonight. Tired but ready to rock.
@Anthonyredtwon: Maybe Jay will give me a motorcycle for getting his blood flowing...
RED recently had the opportunity to support their new release,
Until We Have Faces, by playing on
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Lead singer Mike expressed his gratitude, while guitarist Anthony found another way to reference their performance.
THE WEIRD AND ENTERTAINING
@AndrewDisciple: "they found our dragons." these words were just uttered by @TheAndrewSchwab
That tweet probably couldn't get any more awesome even if we had the context. Apparently, rockers Disciple and Project 86 are enjoying their tour together.
@kj52: Seriously guys..... Follow @jrmeadkutless
@kj52: Me. A great rapper. SO great
KJ-52's oddly egocentric tweets were the result of James Mead (Kutless) stealing his phone. KJ posted a video explaining the event later on.
@BartMillard: There may be nothing greater than watching grown ups try to dance to thousand foot krutch
The frontman of MercyMe is apparently enjoying watching the crowd respond to Thousand Foot Krutch, who is touring with MercyMe on the Rock and Worship Roadshow.
