In addition to lots of songwriting, performing, and the usual demands of touring, artists found some time to chill off the road and enjoy some answers to prayer. Catch up on their adventures on and off the road below.
As always, if you'd like to keep tabs on over 1,500 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.
NEW THIS WEEK
This week Stephanie Smith released some long-overdue new music. Check out the lyric video in the link above, then
find it on iTunes.
@JonnyDiaz: Listen to a clip of my brand new song, scars, right now at http://www.jonnydiaz.com. I think it's the best song I've ever done! (February 21)
Jonny Diaz doesn’t have a new album in the works yet, but he does have a special new single releasing soon. You can hear his thoughts on it and catch a clip of the song on his website.
Sometimes the most unexpected collaborations are the most awesome. You can download a free track titled “I Will Find You” by unlikely duo Jimmy Needham and Lecrae.
@redmusiconline: RED has been nominated for 3 Dove Awards for "Rock Album of the Year", "Rock Song of the Year", and "Video of the Year" for UWHF!!! #doves (February 23)
This week the 43rd annual GMA Dove Award nominations were announced (find a quick list of major nominations
here). RED was one of the bands highlighted in multiple categories this year.
AT WORK
@davidmzach: instagr.am/p/HQVmoVHwxw still working hard. Found the drum parts @petekipley @timmyrjones @davemohr (February 20)
Remedy Drive is hard at work in the studio, putting together their first full studio release since major line-up changes a year ago. You can follow @davidmzach, @coreyhorn, @davemohr, and @timmyrjones for plenty of pictures and updates from the studio.
@ChapStique: The older I get, the more I realize that the sound guy is absolutely the most important person in any band. (February 21)
Chapstique of Family Force 5 gave some credit where it’s due this week. If you ever run into a sound guy at a concert, sometimes a simple thank you is well earned.
@Manafest: 5 years ago I played for 5 people. Tonight we played for over 500 in Nashville (February 22)
Manafest’s almost ceaseless touring over the past 5 years has definitely begun to pay off. He demonstrates that there’s a lot of value in perseverance.
@johnlcooper: Me and korey are starting demos early today. Written 40 songs for new album. 20 left to demo (February 23)
Skillet is diving deeper into the process of creating their 8th studio album. As we near three years since their record-breaking Awake, expectations are running high, and husband and wife team John and Korey Cooper are definitely putting in the work to meet and exceed them.
The Switchfoot guys headed over to Australia for Soundwave this week. Jon Foreman shared some of the stunning sights of the land downunder via instagram and twitter.
@sethinmotion: Another castrolicious tune. Been a good week! @jasoncastro (February 24)
Seth Mosley of Me in Motion continues to be an extremely prolific songwriter. This week he wrote with artists including Jason Castro, Phillip Larue, Mark Schultz, and Rapture Ruckus.
AT PLAY
@shaneandshane: Fact: Most American car horns beep in the tone of F. Heading out to a busy intersection with our guitars to test this. (February 21)
Shane and Shane conducted an experiment this week. Let’s hope they stayed safe in the process.
@matkearney: My quality of sleep at night is directly related to the quality of the interstates surface. (February 25)
There are some definite downsides to the mobile lifestyle artists live. Maybe they should campaign for smoother roads...
@mikedonehey: Went with a triple shot Americano. Was gonna try the new @Starbucks roast but felt uncomfortable ordering a tall blonde. Hey oh!!! (February 26)
In honor of Lent, Mike Donehey of Tenth Avenue North has been leading his twitter followers in 40 days of water, designed to support Blood Water Mission (
http://www.bloodwatermission.com). Every Sunday is a Sabbath from the fast, but this weekend Mike Donehey ran into some trouble. With Starbucks’ new light roast titled “blonde,” the puns abound.
GETTING WELL
@jamiegraceh: Still recovering, cant play guitar yet, but honored to sing @ the@GMADoveAwards LIVE stream on @HearItFirst. Thank u for your prayers! #fb (February 22)
This week Jamie Grace and a friend were in a car accident. Jamie is healing up, and was still able to sing at the announcement of the Dove nominees, but she would appreciate prayers as she continues to heal.
@TheCityHarmonic: For all of you praying for Eric, we have great news: While there is still some recovery ahead, he's officially in remission!! (February 23)
If you’ve followed The City Harmonic for a while, you know that their bass player, Eric, was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago. He has officially gone into remission, though continued prayers would still be helpful.
Two years ago, Fatty of Family Force 5 suffered an incredibly dangerous bout with kidney failure while on tour. Family Force 5’s longtime videographer Isaac Deitz has put together a short film on the event, and has put a trailer up on YouTube-- check it out if you’re curious and want to see another side of the Family Force 5 guys.
