Gospel Music Week is April 2nd to the 5th in Nashville, TN. It’s the time when we media folks get a sneak peek at new artists and new projects and have the chance to catch up with veteran artists and old friends. There are interviews, lunches, showcases, seminars and a whole lot of socializing. The week culminates with the Christian Music Awards (a.k.a. The Doves) on Wednesday, April 5th at the Grand Old Opry. The show is taped and then televised in national syndication between April 15th and May 21st, 2006. For a peek behind the scenes of GMA week, visit the What’s Up Entertainment blog at HYPERLINK “http://www.joannebrokaw.com” www.joannebrokaw.com where I’ll be keeping my annual GMA Journal.
The winners of the 14th Annual MOVIEGUIDE® Faith & Values Awards were announced in March at a black-tie gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Top honors went to feature films “Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” and “Pride and Prejudice,” and television programs “7th Heaven,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and “Sue Thomas F.B. Eye.” The MOVIEGUIDE® Faith & Values Awards Gala seeks to recognize the best family-friendly movies and TV shows of the previous year. For a complete list of winners, visit www.movieguide.org.
American Film Renaissance (AFR) voters selected “Cinderella Man” as the best movie of 2005, with “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” coming in a close second. AFR “champions films that reflect the principles that made America great, such as free speech, free enterprise, freedom of religion, rugged individualism, and the triumph of the human spirit.” The voting was conducted among a select group of movie producers, directors, screenwriters, actors and journalists from across the nation who share AFR’s ideals. For more information, visit www.afrfilmfestival.com.
The JC-TV network will launch a reality show based exclusively on Selectric recording artist, Pivitplex. Each week, the network will air a new episode showcasing the trials and triumphs of the band as they learn what it takes to make it. With outside influences ranging from famed Brit-rockers Oasis to American songwriter James Taylor, Pivitplex has grown into a tightly knit band that focuses not only on the technical aspects of creating good music but also the poignant message band members think every song should contain. Their debut record, Under Museum Quality Glass, sold more than 20,000 units and their first single, “You Know,” earned a Top 10 hit on Air 1 Radio. Their latest album, The King in a Rookery (Selectric), will be in stores everywhere June 27. The series can be seen on JC-TV at 3:30pm PST / 6:30pm EST. Viewers will also be able to catch a repeat every Saturday at 3:30pm PST / 6:30pm EST.
Floodgate recording artist Forever Changed is calling it quits. The band finds it challenging to balance time with their growing families and life on the road so they’re bowing out while their single, ““Need to Feel Alive,” is #2 on the R&R Rock charts; the single has been on the charts for the past 14 weeks.
Presenters or performers at Canada’s 35th annual JUNO Awards, which will be broadcast on CTV on Sunday, April 2nd from the Halifax Metro Centre in Halifax, NS, will be receiving a special gift in their Juno goodie bag: a pair of jeans from Canadian jeans manufacturer, UJeans. The clothing company allows customers to design their own pair of jeans using individual body measurements, and UJeans guarantees that the jeans will be a perfect fit. But the gift comes with a catch. Recipients will have the opportunity to donate the cost of the jeans to CARAS’ Music Education Program, MusiCan, Wise Guys, a Niagara Region charity, or a charity of their choice. “Recipients of the Juno Gift Bag will get their UJeans for free,” said Daniel Feuer, president of UJeans, “but we encourage them to pay-it-forward by making a donation to a charity for the greater benefit.”
Greatworshipsongs.com, a new division of Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., was recently launched to allow worshippers and worship leaders to download new worship songs as well as many of the top CCLI worship songs made popular by many of artists like Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Third Day and Selah. Greatworshipsongs.com offers downloadable audio, lead sheets, chord charts and lyrics.
The 5th Annual “I Hear Music In The Air” conference is scheduled for May 19-21st in Cincinnati, OH. The conference is a multifaceted three-day gospel music showcase, conference, concert, and gala. Artists confirmed to appear this year include Israel & New Breed, Tye Tribett, J Moss, Byron Cage, Martha Munizzi, Vicki Winans, Max Siegel, Vicki Mack Lataillade, Bobby Jones and others. Workshops will also educate participants in ministry, purpose for ones life as well as the business of recording, publicizing, and distributing gospel music. Registration information can be found at www.ihearmusicintheair.com.
Platinum-selling singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, offer the third children’s book from their well-known “Shaoey & Dot” picture book series. Shaoey & Dot: A Thunder And Lightning Bug Story shares the story of a little girl named Shaoey, who is the star of the first two books of this series, and her ladybug friend Dot as together they help others conquer their fear of the dark. The book is available from Tommy Nelson publishers.
While in concert in February on the Gaither Homecoming Cruise, pianist Anthony Burger collapsed and died after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 44. Burger is survived by his wife LuAnn, two sons, and a daughter. On April 21st, Gaither Music Group will release The Best of Anthony Burger (EMI CMG) CD and DVD. For more information, visit www.gaither.com.
Billboard Radio Monitor reported in February that more than seven million different people 12 years of age and older tuned in to online radio networks like America Online’s AOL Radio Network; Yahoo! Music; Microsoft’s MSN Radio and WindowsMedia.com; Live365; and Clear Channel Online Music and Radio during an average week in December. In addition, Apple iTunes announced that it celebrated a major milestone when less than three years after launching the online music store it reached the 1 billion download mark.
Buy products from these artists at the CHRISTIAN ACTIVITIES MUSIC & BOOK STORE
Check for concert and tour dates on our CALENDAR.
Swag out with Christian Activities Merchandise!
Visit the CHRISTIAN ACTIVITIES MUSIC & BOOK STORE
