Should've been me

Great song, great message from Citizen Way...

Just me

Today's featured artist is Sevenglory singing "Just me." They're originally from Indiana and were formed in 2001.

Outrage

Capital Lights is an American pop rock band that originally formed in 2002 and they are today's featured artist.  Here they are singing "Outrage."

An epiphany

Today's featured artist is The Send (an alternative rock project of Falling Up guitarist - Joseph Kisselburgh) singing "An Epiphany."  Enjoy!

Our God's Alive

Today's featured artist delivers a powerful vocal performance as he let's the world know that "Our God's Alive!"  This is Andy Cherry and this man can sing!

Fight another day

Today's featured artist is Addison Road, an alternative pop/rock band from Dallas, Texas.  The group came to the "end of their road" recently, as Jenny Simmons (lead singer) struck out on her own.  During their run they had a few great songs such as the one featured today - "Fight another day."  Enjoy...


Here's a live acoustic version as well...

Me without you

Today's featured artist is TobyMac who just became the first Christian artist in 15 years to hit #1 on the Billboard 200 chart!  In honor of that achievement - here's his hit single "Me Without You" from his "Eye on it" album.

Frontline

It's rock and roll Friday.  Okay, maybe it is; maybe it isn't - but on this blog we are going to rock out a bit with today's featured artist Pillar and their song "Frontline."  It's loud, it's edgy and it's rock and roll.  Enjoy!

Ever lifting

Every now and then I run across an artist who isn't a household name, but whose music is so good that I can't believe I hadn't heard of them sooner.  Such is the case with today's featured artist Christy Nockels; who sings "Ever Lifting."  First up is an acoustic version with a little background about the song; followed by the full studio version.  Enjoy!





I'm betting this will send you on a quest to find more music by Christy!

10,000 Reasons

Every now and then a song comes along that you just want to listen to over and over again. Such is the case with Matt Redman's 10,000 reasons.

Learning to be the light

This (being the light) is simply something we should all aspire to do... and Newworldson is today's featured artist who sings about doing exactly that...

Healing in your arms

Today's featured artist is Luminate playing a live acoustic version of their song "Healing in your arms."  For more about the group - follow the link in their name.

This is from their bio: Luminate aims to show people that they have purpose when they think they have none. Enough said...

Reign in us

I'm sorry for not updating this lately, but I've changed jobs and been extremely busy... In any case, I will do my best to update this blog more regularly.

I thought I'd start back up with a nice worship song from a band called Starfield.  Here's a live version of the song "Reign in us."  Enjoy!

All over me

The Benjamin Gate was a South African Christian band formed in 1998 following the motor vehicle accident and subsequent death of a mutual friend and fellow musician, Benjamin Herbert.[1] Their name, which was also the name of one the entrances into the original city of Jerusalem, was chosen as a tribute to him. Source: Wikipedia. They are today's featured artist singing "All over me."

Can't shut up

Anthem Lights, formerly known as Yellow Cavalier, is an American Christian group originating from Nashville, Tennessee. Okay, so they're the closet thing Christian music has to a "boy band" - but please don't let that comparison stop you from listening to their song "Can't shut up." It's actually quite good.

Jumping the gun

Hyland is an American Christina Pop band from Minneapolis, Minnesota and is today's featured artist. Here they are singing "Jumping the gun."

What is the mind of the God that created me?

38th Parallel was a Christian rock/rapcore band formed in Ames, Iowa. Their song "You are my God" asks the question "What is the mind of the God that created me?" Well...

You Are My God from freakyfriend on GodTube.

Dead man (carry me)

Jars of Clay is a Christian rock band that has been around since the early 90's and they've even enjoyed some cross over success into the mainstream radio scene. They are veterans in a field that has seen a number of artists come and go.

Today, I am featuring an acoustic live version of their song "Dead Man (Carry me) and I hope you enjoy it.

Freedom is here

Esterlyn is a Christian Rock Band from Boise, Idaho and they are Friday's featured artist. Enjoy...

Turn around

I don't have a compelling reason for selecting today's artist and song... it's just the way things turned out. Here's Matt Mahr performing his song "Turn around" live....

As we call out to you

More worship music today. This song is from Reality LA Music. From their web site: "These songs are birthed out of our local church and written as a result of leading our congregation in musical worship each Sunday. With these recordings, we hope to make music that is modern and fresh while lyrically remaining faithful to Scripture."

Here is "As we call out to you:"

Love takes time

If I could sing like anyone, I would want to be able sing like Bryan Duncan. His voice is absolutely amazing and to truly appreciate his talent, you have to see him in a live concert. My wife Cheryl and I have been blessed to do that a few times and we've never been disappointed.

Here he is along with Crystal Lewis and Anointed from the "Big Voice Tour" a few years back singing one of my all-time favorites "Love takes time." The tour was appropriately named, of course.



Here he is again with the studio version of the same song; it's one of those songs that I can just listen to over and over again:

Love has found us

I love it when I come across a band that I've never heard of before that blows me away with their music. Such is the case with Bellarive a band from Orlando, Florida. I don't know much about them, but I have to believe I will in time as their music makes it into the main stream of the Christian music scene. Here's "Love has found us:"

I am free

In churches across the country and around the world - worship leaders are making a "beautiful noise" for their congregations. Many of these worship lteams are incredibly talented and yet remain largely unknown outside of their own churches. Some of the best Christian music around is being played in churches and/or conferences everywhere.

Some worship teams expand their reach by venturing outside of their church and emerge as influential forces in the Christian music world. Thank God for that!

I came across a worship team named "Go Deep" and today's post features them singing the worship song "I am free." Enjoy...

The Great Awakening

Today's featured artist is someone that I only recently discovered... just last week, in fact. If you like great harmonies in vocals, you're going to love the progressive worship band Leeland. This is some very good stuff.

Beautiful

The group MercyMe really doesn't need an introduction. There probably isn't a bigger name in Christian music right now than MercyMe. The story about "Beautiful" and the song itself are simply wonderful. Please give both a listen and enjoy...

I don't want to gain the whole world and lose my soul

Today's post is sort of a three for one deal. One great song - with three great artists: TobyMac, Mandisa, and Kirk Franklin. Enjoy "Lose my soul."

Manifesto

So, I'm watching the Angels baseball game last night and Seth Smith of the Oakland A's comes to bat. In the background I hear a familiar tune... wait... that's a Christian artist I say to myself. I would recognize that tune anywhere! And that's how today's featured song made it to this blog. It's "Manifesto" by City Harmonic - who my wife Cheryl and I saw recently open for the Newsboys. Enjoy!

Crazy Beautiful

Chasen is a Christian rock band from Greenville, South Carolina. The band is composed of Chasen Callahan (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Evan Silver (guitar), Aaron Lord (drums) and bassist Doug Price. Their first album was the independent release Another Way of Life. In 2006 they were signed to OMG Records and recorded a promotional EP for Coca Cola Dasani. The first song from the album, "Crazy Beautiful", charted in the Top 10 on the R&R magazine chart as of January 2008 and it was the 22nd most-played song of 2008 on U.S. Contemporary Christian music radio stations according to R&R magazine's Christian CHR chart. Source: Wikipedia

And here's Crazy Beautiful....

Movin'

As a strive to present something for everyone - I thought it was time to introduce a little hip-hop Christian style. Okay, enough said, let's get "movin'."

People get ready

Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson, Maria Carey; when you think of them, you can't help but think about their amazing voices. They stand apart from the vast majority of female vocalists because their voices are powerful and beautiful. They have a depth and a range that is more pleasing than any musical instrument in the world.

Which brings me to today's featured artist. I have this vision that when Crystal Lewis sings, the Angels gather in mass to listen. Crystal Lewis has the most amazing voice I have ever heard live and in person - and to truly appreciate her talent - that's exactly what you have to do; experience it live.

Hearing on a recording and/or a computer just doesn't do it justice. Never-the-less, I bring you Crystal Lewis singing two of her signature songs; "People get ready" and "Come just as you are." Enjoy.

Grace

Grace is such a beautiful word. When you think about what it means and how it relates to faith, it's even more beautiful. Here's a song about "Grace" from Ed Kowalczyk. Keep the faith and spread the grace...

Come to the river

Parachute Band is a worship band from Auckland, New Zealand, formed out of the New Zealand-based Christian organisation Parachute Music. I don't know much about them and only recently discovered their music. I love their sound and I hope you will too.

I'm with you

The first time I saw and heard Nichole Nordeman sing was at the church Cheryl and I were attending at the time. Nichole was a guest singer. The next time we saw her she was opening for Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith at an arena. Little did we know when we first saw her was that she would become the huge success she is today.

Nichole is a talented song writer as well as a singer and her songs are always thought provoking and inspirational on many levels.

She recently wrote the song "I am with you" - it is based on the scripture Ruth 1:16: But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”

To read more about the song - check out the interview by Ken Davis.

Here is Nichole talking about "The Story" - where you can find the song "I'm with you."



And here is the song itself - which she performs with Amy Grant ( Two of the most distinctive and beautiful voices in music. It doesn't get much better than this):

It's a good day

Ever heard of Cory Lamb? I didn't think so. Well, it's Friday folks and that's a good thing; in fact, it's a good day. Of course, with the right attitude, every day is a good day - just ask Cory:

Awake and alive

I'm at war with the world and they try to pull me into the dark...
That's the opening lyrics from the Song "Awake and Alive" by Skillet.

From Wikipedia: Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996. The band currently consists of husband and wife John (lead vocals, bass) and Korey Cooper (rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), along with Jen Ledger (drums, vocals) and Seth Morrison (lead guitar).

When asked about the meaning of the song by Sterotruth.net, John Cooper (the lead singer of the band) had the following to say: "Tying in with “Hero,” here’s one about feeling like you’re falling under from all the stresses of life. Even though you feel like everyone around you is trying to take your hope away from you, no one has the right to do that and you shouldn’t allow those negative influences to weigh you down. Live what you believe and don’t be afraid to stand up for your faith."

Here they are performing... Prepare yourself. It's time to rock.

Their sound is unmistakable. Their music is inspiring. They are easily one of my favorite bands. They're Kutless and they're today's featured artist. Two videos to follow....

We all need forgiveness

Mat Kearney has a sound that's just compelling on many levels. He's quite the song writer too. The song below is one that I've been playing on my IPod quite a bit. It paints such an image and unfortunately, there isn't an official video to support the song - but this (see below) provides you with the lyrics. Enjoy and don't be surprised if you can't get he song out of your head.  The song is called "Down"... but the lyric that hits home is "we all need forgiveness."

We are one tonight

One of my favorite songs is by a group called Switchfoot. The first time I saw them in concert - they were popping up on a stage at Disneyland where the Harvest Crusade was taking place one year.

This song - "We are one tonight" - found it's way to Anaheim Stadium one year where the Angels great media team used it for a video. I've been hooked on the song ever since (it doesn't hurt that I'm a huge Angels fan).



Bonus track today... This is one of Switchfoot's more recent releases - "Dark Horses"... Might it make its way to an Angels video some day? One can only hope...

Avalanche

If you're wondering what the "typical" Christian song is like - you should know that there's nothing typical about the music itself. Breaking stereotypes is something groups like Manafest does well.

Check out this video - called "Avalanche" and you'll see there's nothing "typical" here.

Do everything

No Christian music blog would be complete without something from Steven Curtis Chapman. He is not only one of the most recognized names in the Christian music world; he's simply one of the best. A fantastic song writer and a wonderful performer. My wife Cheryl and I have seen him a few times in concert and we've never been disappointed. Here's one of his newer songs and one of my all-time favorites. The message is simple - but hits home every time.

Let's rock!

Whenever someone asks me what kind of music I enjoy - I frequently say "Christian Rock." They usually get a confused look on their face or worse yet - they assume they know that that means (even though they really have no idea) Is there such a thing? Do Christians really know how to rock? Well, of course we do.

The music is definitely rock and roll - the message, is most often very different - but the sound and the feel is totally rock and roll.

Here's a band that really knows how to rock... Audio Adrenaline (cool name, right?). The Song... "We're a Band." Yes, you totally are!

Remind me who I am

I love a good old fashioned worship song and this one will stick in your head for days.  The video is well done and serves as a reminder to us all - just who we are to Him.  Thanks to Jason Gray for this great tune.

Best of me

I really don't know why this song from the band - The Letter Black - didn't get more air play on some of the Christian radio stations.  The band really knows how to rock and roll... but this song definitely has a pop feel to it and given the chance would have been a huge hit among the Christian audience in my opinion. In any case... Please listen to and enjoy "Best of me"...

My own little world

Matthew West is an awesome writer and his talent is on full display in this song called "My own little world."



A lot of this song really hits home. I walk past people like those in the song every work day and I probably don't notice them nearly enough.

In the light

One of my all-time favorite songs is "In the light" by DC Talk. The lyrics are powerful and meaningful and it's just an incredible song.

Imagine my surprise when I learned that it was written by a man named Charlie Peacock. Well, Mr. Peacock wrote a heck of a song... Below is his version and DC Talk's version.

Enjoy

Before the morning...

I love music; I always have. Some of my early childhood memories include the music that my parents listened to. People like Bobby Goldsboro and Glen Campbell among others. The first two 45’s I ever purchased were Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the sky” and Santana’s “Evil Ways.”

Those two titles represent quite the contrast in themes when you think about it. Funny how that works.

Needless to say – my musical tastes have evolved over the years and rather than bore you with the details of all that; let’s just say that I have now arrived where the music I listen to most comes from Christian Artists. This blog is dedicated to the Christian music scene.

What does that mean? Well, Christian music isn’t really a genre. There are all kinds of music within the industry – contemporary, worship, alternative, rock, etc.

The goal of this blog is to bring some of this music to your attention (whoever you might be). If you’ve never heard of some of the artists I will be blogging about here – you’re in for a treat. You’re about to experience a whole new world that will surprise you and maybe even inspire you from time to time.

Even if you are familiar with the artists and the music, I hope that you might find a surprise or two when you visit as well.

It’s all about the music and the message and my method of communicating all of that will be through what I find and share here. So… sit back, listen and enjoy..

First up: Josh Wilson’s “Before the morning.” Watch the powerful story and then listen to the song…