Featuring New Music From Jeremy Camp, Sonicflood, Demon Hunter, Dead Poetic And An Audio Interview With Peter Furler From Newsboys! It’s another incredible New Release Tuesday as Peter Furler from the Newsboys (pictured left) stops by to talk about their new album, Go, along with how he invited new member Paul Colman to join the group and upcoming international tour plans. It’s an audio interview and album preview you don’t want to miss.

Jeremy Camp also returns with a new album, Beyond Measure, and we listen to six tracks off the new album including his current single, “Tonight” and one of our favorite tracks, “Give Me Jesus.” Sonicflood, one of the great live acts in Christian music is back with a new album, Glimpse: Live. We preview a number of tracks from that album along with new music from Dead Poetic and Demon Hunter. […listen now]

On marriage, his new album, the art of songwriting, and more. CMT: Until recently, you were Christian music’s quintessential bachelor. What does it feel to not have that title anymore? Bebo Norman: A breath of fresh air. Actually, it was always fun to joke around about it. I don’t take myself too seriously. But there were times when the questions about that became a distraction from the heart of why I play music in the first place. CMT: Besides the obvious, what’s your favorite part of marriage? Norman: So, what’s the obvious? Just kidding … I think the thing I value the most is the consistency of my wife. I have always struggled with my own tendency to spiral from certainty into doubt, from fear into hope, back and forth. The consistency of my wife and of what marriage really is reminds me daily of the fact that there is a beautiful God who is completely consistent. […read more]

If you’re a fan of piano pop a la Coldplay and Five For Fighting, chances are you’ve heard of the Colorado-based band who broke through the charts from out of nowhere. But contrary to what the band’s name suggests, The Fray’s music is anything but chaotic.

The Fray is a breath of fresh air, infusing life into the world-weary pop-rock genre with feel-good, faith-based music and honest lyrics. Its first two singles, “How To Save A Life” and “Over My Head (Cable Car)” have enjoyed immense airplay due to radio requests made by listeners who are looking for something other than angst and raging hormones to populate their playlists with. […read more]

At first glance, it’s doubtful that music fans would mistake artist Red for a run-of-the-mill Christian cover band. But for longtime friends Michael Barnes and twin brothers Randy and Anthony Armstrong, the humorous fact that the hard-edged outfit’s founding members cut their rock ‘n’ roll teeth playing songs by dcTalk, Audio Adrenaline and Jars of Clay will always keep them humble. “Some video will probably surface eventually,” bass player Randy says. “We’re just looking forward to showing it to Toby [of dcTalk] and those guys because it’s hilarious.”

Michael, Randy and Anthony grew up together in Pennsylvania, where they admittedly dipped into a predictable bag of tricks, including acoustic-driven melodies and the occasional dance step. But as the guys got older, their tastes started to change, and a serious shift in musical direction followed. […read more]

Think about your favorite songs: What is it about those tunes that you love? For me, it’s a combination of lyrics I relate to and a sound that gets my blood pumping.

When I listen to Kutless’ latest album, Hearts of the Innocent, I connect with how the band tells the truth about their struggles. I admire how they focus on faith and friendship even in hard times. And I groove on their in-your-face sound. Suffice it to say the Portland, Ore., quintet’s fourth release rocks. […read more]

It’s 2:24 a.m., and I’m sitting in a rental car with bright red and white lights flashing in my rearview mirror. “This can’t be happening to me!” I mumble to myself.

I’m lost—somewhere between Minneapolis and Willmar, Minn. In less than eight hours I’m supposed to interview Sanctus Real at Sonshine Festival, but I’m beginning to wonder if it’s really going to happen. To put it bluntly, I’ve had a really bad day: missed flights, pushy people, crazy weather . . . the list goes on and on. And now bad just got worse! (The speed limit shifted from 65 mph to 35 mph, and I didn’t slow down fast enough.)

A state trooper hands me a tiny slip of paper with two dreaded words printed on it: Speeding Violation. It’s tough to accept, yet the message is clear: “Life is full of hard knocks.” […read more]

“Spiritually, God is first in my life, and the buck stops there. I’m not gonna deny Him.” –Mary J. Blige

ccmBuzz caught up with MercyMe, Audio Adrenaline and Phil Wickham while on the Coming Up to Breathe Tour. Making their way across the Midwest, the guys stopped just outside of St. Louis, Missouri to play to a packed house on Saturday, November 4 at the Family Arena in St. Charles.

The night started out with the sounds of Phil Wickham who had only a 20-minute set but made the most of the time he was given. If people in the crowd didn’t know him before, they definitely know him now. They quickly took notice of Wickham’s smooth vocals and sweet sound as the applause got louder after each song. […read more]

Each year around the Christmas holiday hustle and bustle, one question weighs heavy on generous minds everywhere: “What in the world will I get ______ this year?” Fill in the blank with your hard-to-shop-for friend or family member! Dad couldn’t possibly stuff another tie into his closet; Betty’s daughter has every baby toy ever manufactured; and cousin Doug lost that Gap gift certificate somewhere under a pile of discarded wrapping paper last season. You’ve yet to conquer the quest for that perfect present, and, though you really want to celebrate the real reason for the season right now, the stress of gift shopping is quietly gnawing away at your joy.

Well, relax! Salem Publishing is proud to be the bearer of good news to our over-shopped, under-served gift givers! The annual Christmas Gift Guide has everything you need to see your favorite gift-ee light up like a Christmas tree on the morning of December 25. From entertaining new CD and DVD offerings to insightful, engaging books and other unique items, the Christmas Gift Guide is guaranteed to inspire you with fresh ideas. This holiday giving season, the best new products are all here on these pages. So get ready, set, shop! […view now]

The man who boldly announced his arrival with his debut, Immersed, has produced a stellar sophomore album that shows he is here to stay. Josh Blakesley, winner of the 2004 Unity Award for New Artist of the Year, brings us Waiting, a collection of 12 inventive pop, rock, and funk tracks that demonstrate both his prodigious talent and his commitment to God.

Backing Blakesley’s powerful voice are some of the top musicians in Nashville—and in contemporary Christian music: Dave Cleveland (Steven Curtis Chapman, Twila Paris) and Scott Dente (Watermark) on guitar, Matt Pierson (Michael W. Smith, Rich Mullins) on bass, and Jonathan Smith (Kevin Max) on drums. Other contributors include Matt Maher, who co-wrote four of the songs. […read more]

It wasn’t clear how Selah would carry on without Nicol Sponberg, but the inspirational group has settled on a new vocalist who looks like she’ll fit in just nicely. CMT: Tell us about your musical training and experience growing up. Amy Perry: I started singing when I was very young. I had my first voice lesson just before my 5th birthday. It was supposed to be a piano lesson, but my mom told the teacher I wanted to sing, so she decided to split the lesson into half piano and half voice. After five minutes the teacher came out and told my mom I was a singer! I also did musical theater for about seven years as a teenager, and took voice in college as well. […read more]

Legacy of Love Live as the name implies is David Phelps’ first live CD/DVD project. This collection of greatest hits with a few new tunes was taped in March at the Alabama Theater in Birmingham to a full house of adoring fans. Phelps, formerly of the Gaither Vocal Band, does not disappoint by putting on quite a show. His strong soaring tenor commands attention and his backing musicians are tight.

Opening the set is the riveting “Virtuoso” with an energetic instrumental teaser lead by the violin. Onstage the lights go up and Phelps appears at the top of a staircase causing the crowd below to roar. Following this hit is another from Revelation, “Arms Open Wide” which is only featured on the DVD. Other DVD exclusives include the triumphant song “Behold the Lamb” plus live thoughts and conversations with Phelps, members of his band and friends from back home in Culleoka, Tennessee. […read more]

Sarah Kelly stops at Christrock.com for a private concert to share new music from her latest album that we thought we’d share with our readership. Shhhh, don’t tell anyone! Click here to see the show!

Tricia from Supchick took a few minutes to talk about what’s new with the band. Click here to listen to the full audio interview.

Click here to listen to an audio interview with Derek Webb.

Just moments into an early afternoon interview, Kutless’ Jon Micah Sumrall seems weary. His voice gravelly and sluggish, the 25-year-old lead singer is in the midst of a tour stop in Toledo, Ohio. As his band nears the end of a successful, yet grueling, road stint, a nasty cough has bedeviled Sumrall all week. His 18-month-old son, Caleb, plays nearby and, based on the considerable hubbub, seems to be enjoying himself. “He’s a maniac,” Sumrall says softly with a barely audible laugh.

Despite all these vicissitudes, Sumrall manages to forge ahead with the conversation in a cordial and cogent fashion – just another ordinary day in the music business. […read more]

Imagine sitting next to Steven Segal at the 2005 GRAMMY Awards dressed in a $20,000 Jennifer Nicholson dress flowing in hues of pink, green and orange. Then, as if being there wasn’t enough, imagine being nominated for “Best Rock Gospel Album.”

This dream became a reality for Sarah Kelly with the success of her debut project, “Take Me Away” (Gotee). Kelly reflects on that night with so much excitement that you barely catch all the words, “I was like a Disney princess for a day … I mean I can’t even explain to you what a day that was! It was like a big dream for me.” […read more]

The latest project from The Anointed Pace Sisters, Return, was a process but led to musical growth for all eight sisters. Although gone from the gospel recording scene for 10 years, the sisters have been very busy with commercials as well as movies. Spokesperson Leslie shares that their experience in recording was new and enriching. […read more]

Perhaps no other song on the album So This Is It defines the soul of Kim Dexter more than “Wait (I’m Gonna Get There)” a duet recorded with the superbly talented Bryan Duncan. The upbeat pop melody oozes smooth vocals, great instrumentals and words that come straight from Dexter’s heart.

Today living in Costa Mesa California with husband Paul and five month old daughter Maggie Grace life couldn’t seem more distant from the dark days that once shrouded the life of this immensely talented young woman. So This Is It recalls the faith, the supportive friends and the God that Kim Dexter clung to during the time that Mayfair Laundry (her former ska/punk Christian band) experienced bankruptcies of not one but two record labels. During these years Dexter’s previous marriage also lay shattered. […read more]

When Michael W. Smith was introduced to Leeland Mooring, front man for the Texan rock band Leeland, neither of them had any idea how their future friendship would influence two of this year’s most anticipated albums. …Or did they?

If you were Michael W. Smith and you were looking to release a new album this year, what kind of record would you make? After all, this would be your first album in two years, and the musical landscape has changed significantly. Today’s Christian album sales chart tends to be dominated by rock acts such as Underoath, Flyleaf, Jeremy Camp, Jars of Clay, Third Day and BarlowGirl. And imagine if you’d known that a little over a month before your record came out, the No. 1 selling Christian album would be Redeemer (Solid State) by Norma Jean, a hard core metal band. […read more]