If you're wondering what's going on in the world of Christian music... we can help with that.
Christian Music/Entertainment News (8)
1. NEEDTOBREATHE is going to have a special guest appear on their brand new single, "Brother," which releases soon. And that guest is singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw, who, not surprisingly is NOT NEEDTOBREATHE's actual brother.
2. They've been doing a number of cover tunes on YouTube lately, but Selah's most recent online performance may be their most dramatic yet. The adult contemporary group tried its hand at Broadway with a passionate portrayal of "On My Own" from Les Miserables. What's next? Casting Crowns doing Phantom of the Opera?
3. Maine-based band Unspoken is enduring "Snowmageddon" along with millions of other people in the Northeast, and they've been posting pictures of the snow. A near-whiteout photo of the snowy conditions prompted the band to say they were going to go ahead and go inside and "Start A Fire"--which of course is the name of their single.
4. Blanca is keeping busy. Between Winter Jam shows she's recording her new full-length album, and as many artists are when they're in-studio, the former Group 1 Crew singer is getting very excited about what's cooking in the lab.
5. Kutless frontman Jon Micah Sumrall is coming out with his first solo album. He announced yesterday that his BEC solo debut, Faith and Family, will come out on February 24. Judging from the cover art, which shows a solitary Jon Micah with just his acoustic guitar, we're probably going to be exchanging our rock fists for our worshipping hands.
6. Walt Disney World's Night of Joy Christian music festivities are some of the biggest and best of the year, and it looks like another great year is coming in 2015, as the Magic Kingdom announced its lineup for this year's event. Performers booked include MercyMe, for KING & COUNTRY, tobyMac,Francesca Battistelli, Skillet, Jeremy Camp, 7eventh Time Down, I Am They and VERIDIA, among others.
7. Be praying for Jonny Diaz. The singer-songwriter is out on the road as part of Unspoken's Start A Fire tour, and, with four shows left, Jonny is, as he put it, "sick as a dog." Pray for him as he ministers, that he'd be healed and have strength to finish strong.
8. It's Super Bowl week, and in a tip of the hat to halftime show performer Katy Perry, the men of Anthem Lights put together a big game-themed mashup that uses Perry's tunes with timely Super Bowl-themed lyrics. The "Katy Parody" video references the Seahawks and Patriots, Pete Carroll's gum-chewing, Bill Bellichick's hoodie, Deflategate and Russell Wilson's Christianity. It's a definite good time. Look out for a cameo by 1 Girl Nation.
Quotes (3)
9. "Remember, leadership is not a hat. You don't put it on and take it off. You wear it every day!" - Pastor Brian Houston of Hillsong Church
"We can celebrate in all circumstances because of the joy set before us. We can dance in the darkness; we can sing in the shadow." - Rend Collective
"Sometimes I look at kids and wish I could be as trusting as they are. I'm sure God wishes that for me too." - Brandon Heath
