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Lisa Beamer introduces Christian CD in memory of husband

NEW YORK CITY (BP)–Lisa Beamer, the wife of Sept. 11 hero Todd Beamer, introduced the first single from the “Let’s Roll” benefit CD, “I See You In His Eyes,” with a performance by Nicole C. Mullen. All revenues generated from the sale of the forthcoming CD will go to benefit the Todd M. Beamer Foundation.

The performance by Dove-Award/Song of the Year winning artist Nicole C. Mullen, was preceded by an interview with Lisa Beamer, from her home in New Jersey.

In addition to Mullen, the CD, produced by Tony McAnany, will feature a diverse group of artists including Chaka Kahn, dcTalk, Leann Rimes, Jennifer Knapp, and more. dcTalk performs the patriotic and energetic track “Let’s Roll,” and a group recording (with special guests to be announced soon), of “The Lord’s Prayer,” will also be on the CD.

The Todd M. Beamer Foundation was created in October by the Flight 93 hero’s wife, Lisa, and seeks to help meet the long-term needs of the children who lost a parent in the Sept. 11 attacks and fight future terrorism. The foundation also will work to develop character, faith and courage in youth.

Pre-ordering information is currently set up at www.BeamerFoundation.org.

Michael Card records live album

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Recording artist Michael Card returns March 19 with a 17-song, live collection of his greatest hits.

Featuring a host of respected musical guests that came as friends as well as to sing (Steve Green, Sara Groves, Phil Keaggy, John Catchings, Kirk Whalum, and Phil Naish), the live recording represents what Michael Card calls “creativity coming out of community.”

Taped in an intimate concert for some of Card’s closest friends in Nashville, the evening captured favorite Card-penned songs such as El Shaddai, Poem of Your Life, and Joy in the Journey, as well as two new songs, “Underneath The Door” and “Scribbling in the Sand.”

Card’s plans to support “Scribbling In The Sand” include a 30-city spring tour, as well as launching a new web site in February, which will include Bible studies and monthly chats for site-members.

Beginning in April, Card will re-launch a newer version of his previously successful radio program “Joy in the Journey,” with the new program (yet to be titled) being a weekly, syndicated radio show on the Moody Broadcasting Network. The one-hour program will feature guests and music, all wrapped around the study of the Word.

inpop partners with Smallbone

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)-inpop Records is partnering with David Smallbone and his newly formed label, Elevate Records. inpop Records will handle the day-to-day operations of marketing, while Smallbone will continue to sign and develop artists for the new label. Smallbone, founder and president of Smallbone Management (Rebecca St. James, LaRue, Skillet) is a 25-year industry veteran. Chordant will handle the distribution.

“Ever since we have arrived in the U.S. from Australia we had a dream of encouraging people to worship God with a contemporary and youthful emphasis,” says Elevate founder, Smallbone. “Elevate Records, in conjunction with our friends at inpop, is our attempt to put this dream into action.”

Elevate’s first release will be modern praise and worship band, Fusebox. Having toured this past year with Rebecca St. James as her band, the group is a blend of rock, pop and soul and has been described as a cross between SONICFLOOd and Lenny Kravitz. In addition to great modern worship songs, Lost in Worship features original praise and worship and will include a duet with St. James on a song called “Light the Fire Again.” Fusebox will continue to tour with her in the spring and fall of 2002

Stacie Orrico donates $55,000 to Make-A-Wish Foundation

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)-Fifteen-year-old recording artist Stacie Orrico raised $55,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation during a recent 11-city Christmas Wish Mall Tour.

Make-A-Wish has a special place in Orrico’s heart, she said, after her cousin, Rebecca, was granted a wish by her local Make-A-Wish chapter before she passed away last July. Orrico said she wanted to give back to an organization that has meant so much to her family.

“I am thrilled that I was able to work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation on my ‘Christmas Wish Mall Tour,'” Orrico said. “This organization gave my sweet ten-year-old cousin the priceless gift of making her dream come true and a memory that will last in our family for a lifetime. What an amazing opportunity to change so many lives forever. Being a part of this has truly been one of the greatest things I’ve ever been able to be a part of.”

Jars of Clay plays benefit concert, meets NFL star

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–The Dove Award winning band Jars of Clay recently performed a benefit concert for African Leadership, raising more than $10,000 that will go to help support biblical training for church leaders and meet physical needs of the poor in the same communities where they offer leadership training.

African Leadership currently has over 4,000 church leaders in the training programs in 27 African countries.

During the concert, held at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tenn., Jars of Clay debuted its new hit radio single, “I Need You.”

The song is from the band’s first new album in almost two-and-a-half years, The Eleventh Hour, which releases March 5. The highly anticipated recording marks a return to their roots as Jars of Clay members self-produced the project.

While at the event, Jars of Clay also met with the Bruce Matthews of the Tennessee Titans. Matthews, who owns NFL’s longest active streak of consecutive games played and has been selected to 11-consecutive Pro Bowls, attended the concert only hours after the Titans’ victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at Cincinnati.

Ginny Owens wraps up sophomore release

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (BP)–Ginny Owens recently wrapped the recording of her sophomore release, Something More, with award-winning producer Monroe Jones (Third Day, Chris Rice). The album is the highly anticipated follow-up to her best-selling debut, Without Condition.

Owens said that Something More reflects the growth that can come only from experience and time.

“The songs are very much about a hope and a love that is bigger and stronger than we are, and that this life will not always make sense, but that is OK… The thread from the first record to this is that there is a lot of piano,” said the 26-year old. “Of course, the vocals and the writing style are common threads, as well. But sonically Something More is different. It’s me three years later. It’s not as organic as the first record.”

In 1999, Owens was selected from 300 local entries to represent Nashville during a Music City tour stop for Lilith Fair, Sarah McLachlan’s popular celebration of women in music. In addition, she performed at the 2000 Sundance Film festival, and her songs were placed in high-visibility television programs such as the WB Network’s “Felicity,” “Charmed” and “Roswell.” She also appeared on “Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee” and was featured on CNN’S “Worldbeat.” To date, Without Condition has sold over 250,000 copies.

Third Day impacts secular media

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Three-time GRAMMY nominee and reigning Gospel Music Association “Artist” and “Group” of the year, Third Day, continues to rack up accolades for its critically acclaimed and No. 1 selling recording, Come Together.

For the first time in Third Day’s history, the band has garnered the No. 1 position simultaneously on three major radio formats. The feat also marks the only time in R&R’s chart history for an artist to be No. 1 simultaneously on every Christian chart.

The debut singles from the recording, “Show Me Your Glory” and “Come Together,” jointly captured No. 1 on the Rock, CHR and Adult Contemporary charts marking an incredible 17 career No. 1 songs for the band.

“We couldn’t be more happy for the guys of Third Day to receive this honor,” said Michael Johnson, Essential Records radio promotions manager. “Radio has always been an integral part of Third Day’s success, and radio’s partnership with the band continues to be stronger than ever.”

In addition to its success at radio and retail, Third Day continues to receive widespread acclaim from critics spanning both Christian and mainstream media. Yesterday’s review in USA Today gives the album high marks and says “…Third Day still sets its Southern-fried anthems of faith and doubt to a dirty slide-guitar sound that could have been learned at the feet of Rolling Stones Ron Wood and Mick Taylor.”

In a significant Rock feature in R&R, the writer says that “If bands like U2 and Creed can sing about their faith and enjoy a wide audience, then Third Day deserve their day in the sun as well.” The writer concludes the feature by imploring, “How many of your listeners will be in the audience of a Third Day concert next year?”

Third Day has also been featured this year on the cover of CCM Magazine, All Access, GMA Today, Go! Magazine and more, and have garnered publicity attention and appearances through such major outlets such as CNN, The Today Show and others.

NewSong hits road with Winter Jam 2002

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Reunion recording artist NewSong is slated to bring their “Winter Jam” 2002 Tour to more than 20 U.S. cities beginning January 3, it was recently announced. The Tour, hosted by NewSong and sponsored by World Vision, will feature Sparrow recording artist Newsboys, and on select dates, best-selling author and popular speaker Josh McDowell.

In addition, other performers on the Tour include Sparrow recording artist Michelle Tumes, Ardent recording artist Brother’s Keeper, Word recording artist Paige, flickerrecords.com recording artist Phat Chance and One Voice recording artist Freddie Colloca.

Artists help reach youth through Billy Graham Association

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (BP)–Jaci Velasquez, Rachael Lampa, as well as Point of Grace’s Denise Jones and Shelly Breen, recently shared the gospel in their own words on a CD ROM for the Billy Graham Association. The BGA will distribute the CD ROM to the 200,000 teenagers that attend the Billy Graham outreaches’ Youth Nights through out the next year.

The hope of the project is that the words of the celebrity artists can reinforce the Youth Night’s gospel presentation and continue reaching the youth even after they leave the venue.
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