This week, artists spent time looking forward to the upcoming busy season of Fall releases as well as sharing some of the more unusual adventures they encountered while traveling to festivals. They also invited some fan response on issues that arose (as serious as how to treat your neighbor, and as lighthearted as pickles and popcorn).

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.

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

@FamilyForce5: Please watch our new song & video "Get on Outta here" if you haven't seen it! bit.ly/qD4Ix6 (July 25)

Family Force 5 released a new song and video from their upcoming album, III. They've been tweeting about it and gathering fan responses using the hashtag #GOOH. If you haven't watched it yet, it's a fun song, but be advised: you'll have trouble getting the infectious tune out of your head.

@philwickham: If you missed it, my new CD "Response" (and the acoustic version) is on sale for download right now at t.co/LaFHqfJ! #Response (July 28)

Phil Wickham has his new worship project, Response, available for pre-order, and if you pre-order you will receive an instant digital download. The most expensive option also includes acoustic versions of all of the songs on the record.

@jjheller: Take a look at the beautiful album art for my next record. My designer, Luke Flowers, really did an amazing job....http://fb.me/16raNK1O4 (July 28)

J.J. Heller released the album artwork and more information on her upcoming acoustic release, Deeper. The album is slated for release on Oct. 11.

@switchfoot: Wow. Just found out that the #darkhorses ringtone is already avail on iTunes. Sweet! #itsallhappening (July 29)

If you've heard and enjoyed the new Switchfoot tune (if not, check it out at switchfoot.com), you can now ensure that your family and friends enjoy it too by setting it as your ringtone.

@adamagee: Yep. http://on.fb.me/pJ4NMw @BartMillard: A whole new world...Don't you dare close your eyes!! (July 29)

Whether or not the MercyMe frontman intended to advertise Stellar Kart's latest project, Adam Agee took advantage of the tweet. You can hear Stellar Kart's Disney cover album on their Facebook band page.

@TFKTrevor: Working on record prep for the new TFK album, stoked!!! (July 30)

Thousand Foot Krutch is getting ready to head into the studio for the follow-up to 2009's Welcome to the Masquerade.

MORNING COMMUTES

@b_reith: How come every time i fly an airline besides Southwest nothing makes sense & everything feels wrong?? Goodbye Houston! (July 27)

Southwest has long been the preferred airline of touring bands, so much so that anything else proves unsettling, apparently.

@ChapStique: Yo, we just got a George Foreman grill for the bus, & I think this is the happiest I've ever seen @soulglowactivtr. (July 28)

Atlanta-based krunk rock band Family Force 5 stays true to their Southern roots. Their bus now contains a classic fixture of Southern hospitality, and the band couldn't be more excited. The question now is: What will they cook?

@mandisaofficial: We rent our tour buses each wknd. Flipped over the comforter n my bunk & saw this: http://twitpic.com/5xovd6 U think we have the Cyrus' bus? (July 29)

This picture definitely raises some interesting questions about the last group to use that bus.

@BartMillard: Performing at the Reds game tomorrow. Not many do hospitality better than the Cincinnati Reds. Can't wait. (July 30)

MercyMe was a long way from their beloved Texas Rangers, but it doesn't seem like they were at all upset about it.

@adamagee: I love that the most often used alarm in my phone is 4:45am. By love I mean loathe. (July 29)

Early bus calls are the bane of many band members' touring existence.

@thejasondunn: Did I really just sleep in till 3:00 pm? Being in a band is really tough;) (July 30)

It's not all about hard work and getting up early when you're in a band. Jason Dunn provided some balance to Adam Agee's early-morning tweet.

CLARIFICATION AND CONVERSATION

@joshwilson: "Josh Wilson" trending on Twitter. The one who signed a $13.5M football contract. Not the musician who uses coupons at Taco Bell :) (July 27)

Just in case there was any doubt about which Josh Wilson was trending... Josh Wilson (the musician) provided some succinct definitions for clarification purposes.

@laurenabarlow: So many birthday wishes already and the day is just getting started! Time to go to the zoo with the fam. I may be 26 but I'm 12 at heart (July 29)

The youngest of the Barlow girls turned 26 this week. She enjoyed a day with her family and reading fans' birthday wishes over Twitter.

@robbieseay: Date night. Movies. Ordered popcorn. Guy asks "want a pickle with that?" Huh? Who among you eats pickles at the movies? Identify yourselves (July 29)

Pickles and popcorn? Although it is not specified the location of this particular theater, it definitely makes you wonder if it's localized or some lesser-known trend. He received some very mixed responses to the question when asking for input.

@jonnydiaz: Don't you think it's about time we all adjusted for inflation on our "if I had a nickel..." statements? (July 30)

If I had a nickel for every time Jonny Diaz made a clever point on Twitter... I could probably trade them in for a stack of quarters, thus adjusting to be more efficient in light of inflation.

@matthammitt: So while I was going through security at the Denver airport I MISSED A CALL FROM OUTER SPACE! I'm not joking.

@matthammitt: Seriously, astronaut Ron Garan just left me a message from the International Space Station! Wants to hear more about @WholeHearts Foundation (July 30)

Matt Hammitt of Sanctus Real received a serious long-distance phone call this week. In the aftermath of his experiences with his son, Bowen, Matt Hammitt has started a foundation to aid other families in similar situations. You can find out more about it here. 

@TheAndrewSchwab: What would you do if your neighbor keyed your car? Would love to hear your spiritual insights/reactions. (July 30)

Andrew Schwab of Project 86 posted this question, presumably with some basis in reality. It definitely provokes some interesting thoughts regarding how we respond to ordinary (or less than ordinary) problems as Christians.