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American Idol Gives
Back
On April 24-25, American Idol will host a star-studded
special titled
"Idol Gives Back," a special edition of the show dedicated
to raising awareness about the effects of poverty on children in
the U.S. and around the world. During the telecast, Idol
contestants will perform a selection of inspirational songs
(written by Quincy Jones), and sponsors will make a
donation to various charitable organizations for every vote cast
that week—usually somewhere between 30-50 million. Viewers will
also be encouraged to make donations of their own. Bono, Josh
Groban, Pink, Annie Lenox, and Gwen Stefani are among
the numerous special guests confirmed to appear at the
charitable special.
By the way, some of the remaining favorites on this year's show
are outspoken Christians.
Melinda Doolittle, Chris Sligh and Phil Stacey have features on
our new Christians On American Idol Page.
Click Here
MercyMe to Play National Anthem
at Samsung 500
Amongst sold out tour dates on the spring leg
of their "Coming Up to Breathe" national tour,
multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated band MercyMe will
sing the National Anthem at the Samsung 500 in their hometown of
Dallas at the Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 15th.
The performance will be nationally televised on FOX live at
1:30pm EST. Currently mid-way through the tour, MercyMe has seen
72% of their shows sell out, including Portland, Spokane, Santa
Barbara, Fresno (2 shows), Albuquerque, Dallas, and Milwaukee.
"Hold Fast" remains in the Top 5 at Christian AC radio after
giving the band its 8th consecutive #1. "Bring The Rain"
will be the band's 3rd single from their hit COMING UP TO
BREATHE project.
Atlanta-based Gospel Music Channel Gaining Big Momentum on Cable
Click Here For Story
Selah Goes Gold
Hiding Place, the fourth album from inspirational trio
Selah, was certified Gold by the Recording Industry
Association of America. The album's success was fueled in part
by "You Raise Me Up," a song first popularized by Josh
Groban that later became a hit at Christian radio and a
signature track for the group. This year, Selah also garnered
multiple Dove Award nominations, including the Song of the Year
and Inspirational Album of the Year categories.
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New Keith Green
CD?
What's this—new Keith Green music on the way? In a recent
email blast, Sparrow Records asked newsletter subscribers to fill
out a survey about the late singer/songwriter and his music, gauging
whether they were interested in the prospect of new and exclusive
products. "
A leading Christian music company has unearthed a wide range of
previously unreleased Keith Green material," the email said. Among
the items discovered are never-before-issued music, videos, and
photos, as well as sermons and bible studies.
Free Switchfoot
Switchfoot is not only selling live bootlegs after every show
on their current Oh! Gravity Tour; they also want fans to
share and download them for free. Scores of fans are flocking to
www.switchfootbootlegs.com, a user-run website that came about after
the band began encouraging fans to digitally distribute the live
material.
"We think it's pretty fantastic," said the band of the effort. So
with their blessing, check it out, since only 100 "official"
bootlegs are commercially available after each show.
Delirious Tour
Following their recent tour of India, British rockers Delirious
are set to return to the U.S. for the 20-city Worship Revolution
Tour. The headlining trek will support the band's latest CD/DVD
bundle, Now Is the Time: Live at Willow Creek, and will hit
several markets from coast to coast. Special guests Rebecca St.
James and Vicky Beeching are also be on the bill.
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Superchic{k} Tour
Pop/rock group Superchic[k] is gearing up for the
Generation Rising Tour, a youth-oriented concert series they
hope will encourage youth to take a stand
and make a difference.
"It is definitely a life-changing tour for us, and we hope it will
have the same impact on all those we encounter along the way," said
founding member Matt Dally. The tour will also feature
up-and-comers Krystal Meyers, Nevertheless, DecembeRadio, and
Group 1 Crew.
Lincoln Brewster's
Biggest Hit
Worship leader Lincoln Brewster logged his highest-charting
song last week when "Everlasting God" hit the No. 2 spot on
several Christian AC charts across the nation. The milestone is also
a first for Brewster's label, Integrity Music, which had yet to
chart that high in the popular format. The song, originally penned
and recorded by worship artist Brenton Brown ("Lord Reign
in Me"), is the first single off Brewster's newest greatest-hits
collection Let the Praises Ring: The Best of Lincoln Brewster,
released late last year.
New Hillsong Album
Hillsong United, the modern-worship arm of Hillsong Australia, is
set to release All of the Above, their eighth and first-ever
studio album. The May 22 release will be supported by a North
American tour between April and August, playing before an estimated
150,000 people. In addition, on April 22 the team will lead the
Sunday night worship service at the annual Gospel Music Week in
Nashville. |
