We will be hosting a Movie Night for Relay for Life. We will be showing "What if" and "Tressure Puppies". Admission is $3.00 (You can't see 2 movies anywhere else for that price) Refreshments will be sold during intermission. All proceeds go to Relay for Life. Come out and help us give HOPE.

The groups Mercy's Call and Recogizned will join us sing! The singing is free but we take up a love offering. Everyone is welooe to come and enjoy it. Come as you are leave with Jesus in your heart!

There will be special singing at our homecomming. This year's guest include The Fisherman's Quartet, Lost hope to new life, and Willa Mae Tallent lang. The singing will be followed by a message from our pastor. Dinner to follow. There is no deress code. Come as you are leave with Jwsus in your heart.

A car wash helping the children, helping the community and helping our business. Free food, drinks. Door prizes and Cash prizes!!!

We had a wonderful time with Mandisa co-hosting this morning.  She is such an outstanding outgoing young lady of faith.

I was surprised to learn that the reason she wrote the Good Morning Song is not because she is a morning person but as a way to help her embrace morning because she is not a morning girl!

I hope you enjoy mornings-it's a fresh start to a day full of God's promises!

Mandisa is welcome anytime in our studio!

Pray that many would tune in to J103 or log onto the website and hear the Holy Spirit speaking directly to them.

JFEST was incredible!  God blessed us with the largest confirmed crowd ever!  Close to 9,000 people gathered June 1st to worship and celebrate all that God is doing in our lives.  The fireworks were awesome but the hundreds that made decisions for Christ is where the real excitement is!

Our outreach at Riverbend continues this week.  We are down at the City's largest gathering every night sharing God's love in a practical way.  Pray for the J103 staff as we do this-right after JFEST we are pretty tired!  But it is so cool to be in the center of God's will! There is no safer place.

Speaking of safer place-please pray for our summer intern from Shorter College Haylee.  She and some of her friends from church are right now in Hondurous on a mission trip.  I really miss her....she updates the morning show page for me!  LOL!

Then Carman took the stage. He was a showman with a radical love for Jesus and there was no mistaking that!  He sang one giant hit song after another….from Sunday’s on the Way, to The Champion, to Radically Saved and on and on.  When you attend a Carman show you realize how many hit songs he has had over the years.

He’s sold over 10 million records to be exact, with 15 gold and platinum albums and videos.

He holds the world record for the largest solo Christian concert in history with 80,000 attendees.  That’s not a typo. Eighty Thousand!  For a solo Christian act.  It’s a feat never accomplished by anyone else since.

We aren’t expecting 80,000 at the upcoming Dalton concert….good thing cause they wouldn’t all fit!  But this is your opportunity to be up close and personal in the intimate setting of the Wink Theater in Dalton with a true legend of Contemporary Christian Music.

Rock Bridge Community Church is presenting Carman, Saturday, June 22^nd at 6pm at the Wink Theater in Dalton.  Click this link for your tickets http://www.eventbrite.com/event/6550836729#   and we’ll see you there!

I am heading out to Camp Jordan right now to meet the producer of our first ever JFEST Fireworks Finale!  I have wanted to end JFEST in this way for a number of years.

Why Fireworks?  Everyone loves fireworks!  We hope that the word gets out through our promotion and people who wouldn't come to JFEST or aren't planning on it this year will because everyone loves fireworks!  When they come....they will hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  That's what I'm talking about!

If you haven't already-would you join with us in praying for a beautiful day June 1?

Hi everyone! Haylee here, I am a senior Communication major at Shorter University in Rome GA.  I am a brand new intern here at J103 and I must say, I am thankful that God has placed me at this amazing station for the summer. This internship could not have come at a better time in my life. You see, everyone has academic years that are tougher than others; well for me this past semester was the most challenging for sure from the difficult workload to my spiritual life. I was faced with hard decisions that had to be made fast. I knew I wanted to intern at a non-profit somewhere and maybe do a special event or events but that’s all I really knew. I've worked places before where all I did was answer the phones and file paperwork but I’m the type of person who is always on the go and has to be doing something. I am going on day four of my internship at J103 and I can tell you one thing, this atmosphere is the furthest thing from dull and I absolutely love it! On my very first day I was able to sit in on the teams "more meeting Mondays" or their worship staff meeting. For the first hour of my day we sat around the conference table as a "family" and worshiped the Lord, it was incredible! I knew then I was in the perfect internship! I can't wait to see what The Lord has in store for me this summer as He unfolds His great plan and this breath of fresh air!

Last week the National Cornbread Festival was really wet.  Because of the rain it greatly effected their crowd.  People don't like to get out in the rain!  This week it appears the TN Strawberry Festival in Dayton is facing the same thing.

Please join with me in praying and asking God to provide beautiful weather for JFEST on June 1!!!  Last year was the best weather ever!  God is always good!

Gone are his teen-age years.  That makes two of our three kids who are no longer teenagers and are 21 and 20. (One more to go-he's almost 17).

Do I feel old?  Not really.  I thank God for each and every day of life on earth that He gives me.  I am so amused at people who call in friends and family members birthdays on the morning show and they act as if they are afraid for their life if they reveal how old the Birthday person is.

Be thankful for your life-each and every day God gives you.

It doesn't help that my wife looks like she is still in her twenty's either!  LOL!

Because of my history with iPhones (swimming pools, dropped on asphalt etc) everyone kept telling me "You need to get a case for your phone."

I finally had a little Birthday cash left over and ordered a Lifecase.  While waiting for the case to arrive we left for our J103 staff retreat at Winshape in Rome GA.

My wife, Amy, called me to say I received the case in the mail.  I was to return home the next day.  Someone said, Ted-wouldn't it be awful if you dropped and broke your phone today before you can get it into the water-proof case?

Thanks a lot!  I was now paranoid about my phone, but happy to say, I arrived home with my phone intact and it is now protected.

Of course.....I hope I don't lose it AND the new case!!!!!

We had a good weekend with Chipper going to his first prom.  He looked great in his brown tux that matched his date's dress perfectly.  When he went to pick up his date ( a friend from church) her dad met him at the door with his shotgun!  Hilarious!  (Her dad is one of our church deacons!)  Great family.

They had a great time.  Chipper shared with me at one point that his date asked him if he wouldn't mind dancing with one of her friends who came to the prom without a date.  Chipper said "sure" and went and asked her to dance.  He told me that when the song was over she looked at Chipper and said, "thanks a lot."  He said, "Dad, when whe walked away she was smiling and had a tear in her eyes.  It really made me feel good that I danced with her."

That's my boy!

Thanks you God for great kids!

My family was unscathed in the incliment weather that passed through yesterday afternooon and evening, well except for a "freaked out" chihauha.  Amy's "Tia" does not like storms one bit.  When we got home last night from my free birthday dinner at Provinos-Tia wouldn't stop following me panting very heavy.  She gets really nervous during storms.

This morning when I went outside to make my way to the radio station I noticed that there was no more yellow tint to my Durango and because of the heavy rain there wasn't even that yellow 'sludge' that is usually left after the first rainfall during high pollen days!

So I guess I am grateful for the Thunderstorms we had yesterday.

Our prayers are with those in the country who had real damage.

To Book Bebo Norman
25 Artist Agency
David Breen
615-777-2227
david@25ent.com

My son Trevor, a student at UofL (my alma mater), was able to get student tickets along with some of his friends and they got to see Saturdays and last nights games.  They camped out at our house in between games.

The game against Michigan last night for the Championship really was an exciting game.  My only regret is that it didn't tip off until 9:23pm.  Why?  Don't they know what that does to morning radio guys?

I managed to get to bed by 1am and back up at 4am.  I made it to the studio by 5am and stayed awake for the entire morning show.

Our program director, Justin, came into the studio after the show and asked how I was doing.  My response?  "I am dragging tail, but I'm not complaining-it was all my fault!"

I could have gone to bed on time.........nah.....who am I kidding!

Tonight the Louisville Lady Cardinals are playing in the National Championship too.  They will be playing powerhouse (UCONN).

Fortunately the game starts about an hour sooner.

Might be a good time to start drinking coffee!  They don't call it March Madness for nothing.

How are you new years resolutions going? either they are a forgotten reality or if you're like me your chugging right along... or in my case crawling along... about two weeks ago I told you that 

in my quest to lose weight, I gave up my mid morning snack of a kaski bar 150 calories and moved over to a hard boiled egg which is 70 calories..so this morning i stepped on the scale and... it read 1 8 7... which means no change... and so you like you I’m not giving up... I am now going to be having spinach for dinner twice a week... in the form of a milkshake... i’ve tried it, it taste good and if you want to try it for your self I posted the recipe on my scholar brad at j103.com

I hope to install a "butterfly garden" for my wife, repair and pressure wash our privacy fence, and do some various other yard work.

I'm praying for good weather!  I'll be "on the air" with you next week during the evening show.  Where's Brett going?  He will be filling in for Brad on the "ride home."

It's all my fault!  LOL!

Have a great Easter Weekend!

It was the week of Shareathon and the enemey decided to throw the flu at me.  Awful.  God managed to pull me through the shareathon and then forced me to rest up for a couple of days.

I woke up on Saturday morning (after moving to the couch earlier) and I recognized the healing.  I just felt a ton better.  I remember thanking God for the healing, and then closing my eyes and drifted back off to sleep.

I spent more time laying around this weekend than I can remember (fortunately there was a lot of NCAA Basketball on!)

Thank you for your prayers.

Ted

I have such fond memories of going to Freedom Hall in my hometown of Louisville and seeing the spectacle that has always been the Three Rings of the biggest circus in the world.

UTC Mackenzie arena is much smaller than Freedom Hall or other venues within 2 hours of us so I have been a little disapointed in the "size" of the circus performances I have seen in recent years.  Of course it is so unfair to compare the wide-eyed affection of a young boy for the circus than an almost 46 year old father of three.  Things just appear smaller.  I know because of the venue size it can't be as huge as I remember and has to be scaled back.

Now don't get me wrong!  I am looking forward to going and the circus performers won't disapoint-they are phenomenal.  I especially love watching all of the kids pointing, staring and shocked at what they are seeing.  It is great!

I don't remember the vendors irritating me at all while a child either.  No a days I look at them and instead of thinking "That rainbow snowcone in the souvenier cup looks delicious-Dad can I have one?"  I now think "Wow-they have maybe $1.50 in the whole product and they think I am going to spend $10.00?"

But.......that's circus life and as PT Barnum is famous for saying....."Ther's a sucker born every minute!"

Bring on the Big Top!  (I've always said I would be a great RingMaster!)

Sleep experts say we can never "make up" sleep loss.

I combated the upcoming Loss of sleep by grabbing an hour nap on Saturday-(to get ready for Daylight Savings Time), and just incase that didn't do the trick-I took another 2 hour nap yesterday!!!

I am wide-eyed and bushy tailed and enjoying the extra daylight and longer day!!!!!  Come on Spring (just over a week away!)

In the Fall I forgot to move my clocks back and I got to church an hour early and wondered if I had missed the rapture.

Then, the very next Spring, I got up on Sunday morning, was getting the family up and ready and I got a phone call from one of my volunteer youth staff.......I could tell he was laughing, and soon learned that the entire student ministry was laughing with him at me.....I was late!!!!

I learned two things that year....

1.  I hate being late more than anything!

2.  It is very important to always know when the Time Change is going to occur and set an alarm on your calendar to remind you about it!

Don't forget......this Saturday-Spring Forward......I hate losing an hour of sleep......but I am going to love the longer days!!!!

I wish I could take the entire tax return and pay off Chipper and my mission trip balance (coming this July) and take the family on a cruise.

But you know what?   God is in control!  We trust Him.  We are paying off debt-so we can experience that Financial Freedom!  That is not a good thing......it is a great thing!

Maybe next year we can take that family vacation, or replace the deck, paint the house, etc.  LOL!

I just got back from reading to a 5th grade class at East Ridge Elementary School.  I had a blast, and it appears the kids did too, (even though the book I read they had heard last week!)

Knowing that they had already heard the book made me "spice it up a little."  Come to think of it-that's pretty appropriate for the book I read.

My favorite Dr. Seuss book is "And to think that I saw it on Mulberry Street."  It is a story of a little boy who's father challenges him to look for and remember all of the exciting things he sees as he is walking to and from school.

The little boy tries to see everything he can and the only thing he sees is a horse and cart-definitely not as exciting as it should be he thinks.  He decideds to embellish "a little," and comes up with Zebras pulling sleds, elephants pulling band wagons, police motorcycle escorts, a man with a 3 foot beard and the mayor and elected officials celebraing this parade while an airplane dumps confetti from above.

But once he gets home and his dad sits him down-all he can come up with is "I saw a horse and a cart on Mulberry Street."

God has always gifted me with a good sense of imagination and a sense of wonder.

This weekend-read to your kids!  I can't help but think that I captured the students attention so much because they don't often (if ever) have parents reading to them.  They love it!

For frontman, co-founder and primary songwriter Martin, a 20-something kid at the start and now a husband and father of six children, Delirious? was a big door to close. Martin and Anna, his wife of 18 years, packed up their family and moved to Brighton, a coastal town south of London, submerging themselves once again in worship ministry alongside Matt Redman and others at St. Peter’s, a Holy Trinity Brompton church plant. Getting back to a normal life after decades spent on stages around the world took some getting used to.

“When you enter a transition period, there’s a lot of uncertainty. You’re letting go of a lot of things, bit by bit—the microphone, your finances, even some sense of your identity—but as you find yourself more dependent on God, you begin to really experience his kindness. You see him show up in incredible ways, you see his provision, discover new opportunities and favor. Things you thought were lost start to reappear. Three years on, God has given me some new things to say, and I’m so incredibly grateful...”

With many of the songs written in collaboration with young worship leaders and novice musicians at St. Peter’s, God’s Great Dance Floor, Step 01 is a joyful labor of love for this seasoned songwriter/worship leader. “I see my role as different now,” he says, “I want to invest in the next generation coming through, reminding everyone of what it really is to worship with our lives, serving, keeping your hands clean—I feel the responsibility of those things more and more.”

“Back to the Start,” co-written by Martin and 2013 GRAMMY winner Jonas Myrin (“10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)”), sets the tone for the record, building from a hard reality to a full-on pop dance celebration, complete with brass horns. “It’s a prodigal song about finding my way back to everything that matters most; finding God in it all again,” Martin says. His very personal story is beautifully portrayed in the song’s new concept video to release soon and featuring Martin’s teenage daughter, Elle, in the lead role.  Every nuance of the video is intentional as it unfolds Martin’s story.

The album also features the modern rock anthem “Fire Never Sleeps,” which opens the recent, critically acclaimed Jesus Culture With Martin Smith:  Live From New York album, the contemplative ballad “Catch Every Teardrop,” which was inspired by Psalm 52 and the near fatal car crash that almost claimed Martin’s life -- a pivotal event that led to the formation of Delirious? back in 1997, and “You Carry Me,” a song of comfort for a friend whose husband recently died.  Martin also co-wrote four songs with Chris Tomlin, including “Waiting Here For You” with its message of the fragility of our humanity and how waiting is perhaps the most difficult act of worship.

When Martin Smith and his band Delirious? emerged in the U.S. back in 1997, having already impacted a generation of UK youth with its passionate call for revival, most agree that the modern worship movement officially began. The hope of that movement and the music that came out of it—“I Could Sing of Your Love Forever,” “Deeper,” “Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble?,” “Shout To The North” and a string of other modern worship standards—has irrevocably changed the landscape of Christian music in the U.S. and around the world. Long before 2009’s farewell concert, RIAA certified Gold-selling and GRAMMY nominated band Delirious? had become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Like their song “History Maker” that landed on 1998’s King of Fools, the band became ‘history makers’ themselves.

“I don’t think God is worried about the platform he’s given me in the past,” Martin says of this new season of personal revival feeding into ministry. “He’s worried most about my heart. If that’s in a good place, he’ll use it... at church, in stadiums, wherever he will. All you want to do is be someone of influence, but it doesn’t have to be on a global stage. It never did. Having said that, it’s part of my life, to have that voice. And my prayer is that God will use this new music to remind people of his grace, to remind them of his heart for the poor and broken and of his Kingdom coming on Earth.” 

Still making relevant music, Martin’s God’s Great Dance Floor, Step 01 springs from a man refreshed, revived and reconnected with Jesus and with his Church.  Excited to play a lead role in the ongoing call to worship, he is a passionate model for young worship leaders of today.

http://martinsmith.tv   @MartinSmithTV  www.facebook.com/martinsmithtv

from CMSpin

As I get up and head into work every morning before daybreak I get to see the day dawn every day.  On days it is cloudy and during Daylight Savings Time many times when I leave work it is dark and gloomy.

God really blesses me with a blast of sunshine each day.  I love watching the East Ridge Post Office begin to come into the light each morning (outside the J103 studio window).

Get out and enjoy it!  Spring and Summer are coming.

I normally wait until after February before I am clean-shaven, but with a Bridal Fair I was at and potential Brides and Grooms I met-it had to go.

Feels good too.  And-an added bonus!-My wife looked at me (after taking a full day to realize it was gone) and said "You shaved!  But it does make you look younger!

So there you go!

(Now if I can just do something with this gray hair!)

David Crowder has been embraced for his lyrically powerful and musically elaborate and unpredictable songs that have found themselves being sung everywhere from churches to clubs all across the country. In November 2012, Crowder released his first solo project, Crowder: iTunes® Session which delivered nine stripped down organic tracks to many of Crowder’s most loved originals. As part of the David Crowder*Band, they were named one of the “most thoughtful, progressive and exciting acts in contemporary Christian music” by The New York Times, garnering nine Dove Awards, 22 Dove nominations and two GRAMMY nominations. The band released their final collection of new music with the GRAMMY nominated project, Give Us Rest (A Requiem Mass in C [The Happiest of All Keys]). The record entered the Billboard Top 200 chart at No. 2 and gave the band their highest debut in their 12-year career. Continuing to perform as part of the Passion movement, participating in university student gatherings in the US and around the world, Crowder has also penned two books including his acclaimed release, “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, but Nobody Wants to Die.”

from CMSpin

For its first week out, Run is already at  No. 5 on the Top Christian/Gospel Digital Albums Chart, No. 7 on Billboard Top Contemporary Christian Album Chart and No. 10 on the Overall Billboard Christian/Gospel Album chart. The project was produced by Chris Stevens (TobyMac), Jason Ingram (Brandon Heath), and Seth Mosley (Newsboys), and is the follow-up to their 2010 GRAMMY® nominated Pieces of A Real Heart, which featured their career-breaking hit "Lead Me."
 
Announcing their headlining nationwide tour, “The Promises Tour,” earlier this year, Sanctus Real kicked it off last night in Alabama. Running through May 19, the tour offers a VIP Experience with Sanctus Real, which includes a VIP pre-show entrance and priority check in, an exclusive autograph and Q&A with the band, as well as collector's edition merchandise.
 
Tour dates for “The Promises Tour” are listed below. Be sure to visit www.SanctusReal.com for the most updated tour information, and to view their music video for "Promises".

 
Connect with Sanctus Real:
www.SanctusReal.com | www.Twitter.com/sanctusreal | www.Facebook.com/sanctusrealmusic

from CMSpin

It is so cool to see all of the students enjoying some time out of class and checking out all of the colleges and careers that are displayed.

I ask the kids "So what do you want to be when you grow up" and it is funny that how quick they are to respond with what their future holds.

Chances are and studies show that most people from childhood to adulthood will change their career paths or choices 5-6 times.

When I was little I wanted to be a zoologist, and then a firefighter, and then a youth pastor and now here I am in Christian radio.

I can't wait to get to Heaven and look down at the road map God led me through life.  It is quite curvy I'm sure.

I started asking the students "What does God want you to do when you grow up...."

We have whittled it down, cut all of our credit cards and are real close to finding that financial freedom and peace.

Once our tax return comes back our goal is to pay off the family car which will free up a large chunk of change each month to pay off the few remaining smaller bills.  Once that is done-double-up on our house payments, and put together our emergency fund.

We will even be able to save!

And then......Chipper's 1997 truck breaks down!  Bummer.  Looks like a new motor in his future.  Small setback.

But I will not let it get us down-I will not let it twart our plans.

We are praying that God will protect us from "the devourer."

I was a groomsman/usher/scripture reader and right before it was time for us to "make our entrance" in the front of the beautiful church the bells in the steeple of this over 200 year old church began to toll.

14 times-one for each year our father has been in Heaven.

It was a great memorial.

It really touched all those in attendance-and especially for Dad's namesake-me.  I don't know if God allows those who have gone to Heaven to look and see what goes on in our loved one's lives, but it He does-I know my dad was so proud of his family.

For a one time gift of $68 we can rescue an orphan off the streets and put them into a good Christian home and forever free them from an inevitable death of malnutrition, violence or worse.

Call 888-997-6277 today and rescue one of these hostages!

We rotated between being victims and "bad guys," and actually got to use real weapons with "simunition" (simulated ammunition-think paint balls but in bullet form.)

It was really an exciting day, and we both left amazed at the skill of these brave men and women, not to mention the technical tactics and toys they have.

First scenario, I was a bad guy and I was the first person they encountered on entering the building.  Needless to say, before I know it I was unarmed and in custody!

Those guys and gals are awesome.  

From what I understand, Brett (our evening guy here at J103) and I will be transported, along with several volunteer "hostages", to an undiscolosed building somewhere in Chattanooga.  Once we are briefed and staged the SWAT team will be alerted and they will have to repond to the "hostage situation."

We were told to dress in old clothes and preferably a little thicker (rubber bullets?)

The complete story (with hopefully pictures) will be online later today or tomorrow morning.

This should be fun!

Today I learned that Cloudland Canyon State Park has erected 10 new Yurts for people to stay in.  They are not as rough as a tent, but not as modern as a cottage.  They are basically big tents with hard wood floors, furnished with bedding, chairs and a table.  They are heated with a space heater.  The bathrooms are a short walk away and they have a wooden deck and a fire pit for cooking.

Sounds like a spring weekend outing for me and the Mrs.  Hiking, reading, just spending time together-in a Yurt!

Will let you know how it goes!

"Work-week" Monday-Friday.  For me I think Thursday is what I look forward to, even more than Fridays most weeks.  On Thursday morning at some point in time the thought usually passes through my mind, "You are almost there!  You have made it through the week!  Friday is fun-we like Friday-only one more day and you are there!"

Most workplaces participate in Casual Friday.  I am a "casual" kind of guy!  Bring it on.  If you can make it through Thursday you have made it!

Have a good "Thursday Eve!"

If you are like me....you just feel better when the sun is shining.  I can take cold weather-when it's sunny!

I've caught myself singing that old John Denver song-"Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy!"

Counting down the days till Spring!

With Valentines Day coming to receive the best prices on roses and other items you have to place your order to the wholesalers early.

This involves paying forward and hoping that the business you project does come in so you can put the start up capital back into the family budget.

Then, once you know your raw costs you have to decide what is a fair profit for your product.  You want a price that is going to attract customers but yet one that makes it worth your while to stay in business.

This and many other decisions takes a lot of faith.

Amy and I have had a lot of conversations needless to say every day and night, and some of them we have had to share a bit of frustration with each other.

We just have to keep reminding ourselves that:  God initiated this, and He will provide-we just have to follow His leading.

That's good advice for all of us.

I am ready for some sunshine and more warm weather.....
Together would be nice!

But always trying to be the optomist and finding the good in anything-I know that for dreary days there is nothing better than a bowl of soup.....today I tried a new soup.  One I'd never had before and to be honest had never even thought about it.....Golllywhoppers is where the Air Team at J103 went for lunch today and I saw on their menu board.....Meatloaf Soup!  Always wanting to try new things.....I did....and it was delicious!  It tasted just like meatloaf in a creamy soup.

Try it-you'll like it!

She has admitted on a number of occasions how nervous she is, and that there have been times she was tempted to give up on her dream.

How many times have you been guilty of giving up or in?

Don't do it.  If God guides-He will provide!

Your dream may be just about to Bloom!

Things have changed......for me the most eye-opening experience at UofL was the red tape you had to go through to get registered for classes, pay your tuition, get your parking pass etc.  For Trevor, I am grateful to say, everything has been a breeze.

As I said, he called yesterday to share with me how his first classes went.  They are going well.

I thank God that He has given Trevor a great head on his shoulder and I know is watching out for Him.

God has blessed me and my wife Amy with three awesome kids!  I am so proud of all three of them and can't wait to see all that God does in and through their lives.

I was blessed to have two weeks off over the holidays.

We had a blast, besides all of the Christmas and New Year's activities we were surprised by a Facebook friend with four tickets to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.  Normally we wouldn't pick up and drive to NOLA but it was my alma mater The University of Louisville Cardinals that were playing the Florida Gators.....and my Cardinals upset the SEC heavyweights and won!!!!  Talk about the memories.

Also on our break Trevor left for the Univeristy of Louisville.  He will be living with my mom this semester while he competes for the ROTC scholarship.  I am so proud of him but at the same time I really do miss him, (even though he wasn't home much anyway).

After being off two weeks I was excited to get up at 4am this morning to make my way into the studio to be back with you.

Time away from work is good-but so is routine.  Hope you had a great break!

 

Fair Trade Services announces the signing of Hawk Nelson to their acclaimed roster. Hawk Nelson is set to release their sixth studio album titled Made on April 2. In support of their new single “Words,” which will be going for adds at radio December 26, the band is featuring their lyric video on GodTube today.  Click here to hear the brand new Hawk Nelson song.
 
Earlier this year, Hawk Nelson underwent a line-up change as former front man Jason Dunn left the band to pursue his solo career.  Longtime Hawk Nelson guitarist Jonathan Steingard transitioned into the front man position and now the band is a trio with bassist Daniel Biro and drummer Justin Benner.
 
Daniel Biro, who co-founded the band ten years ago, has grown with Hawk Nelson this last decade and believes all of the change has resulted in an honest and God-breathed product. “This time around,” says Biro, “we’re going through all of this emotional change, physical change, and God breathed some new songs that channeled all those feelings and doubts and emotions into these lyrics.”
 
As much change as Hawk Nelson has undergone in the last year, new lead singer Jonathan Steingard explains the DNA of the band is still the same. "We're still that high energy band that a church or youth group would book if they want to have a fun youth night," says Steingard. We want to take what we've been and not leave it behind, but grow it a little bit and hopefully be a lot more intentional about what we're saying.
 
"This intentionality shines through the two central songs on the album: “Words” and “Made.” Steingard wrote “Words” with Matt Hammitt (Sanctus Real) and Seth Mosley, the producer on the album. The song, and first single, is product of a conversation Steingard had with Hamitt and Mosley. “We were talking about how easy it is to forget how impacting we can be in the lives of the people around us just with our words,” says Steingard. As the lyrics explain, Words can build you up; words can break you down. / Start a fire in your heart or put it out.
 
“Words,” which features vocals by Bart Millard (MercyMe), is a response to “Made”—a building song, layered with fast-tempo strings, that speaks boldly to the listener during the chorus: You’re beautiful, wonderful, perfectly made. “The idea behind that song,” says Steingard, “is that when something is made instead of just happening, everything about it is on purpose and intentional. If we didn’t just happen, if we were created by someone who loves us and cares about us and has a purpose for our lives, then when we look in the mirror, we should be satisfied with what we see.”
 
So “Made” tells us we are on purpose, and “Words” encourages us to live life purposefully.
 
Fan involvement is Hawk Nelson’s specialty. Further proof of this is in how they raised funds for Made. It was a Kickstarter project—an online fundraising tool now often used for producing new records. Biro believes the Kickstarter success proves the power of the relationships this band has built with the industry and with fans over the years. And despite the new chapter of Hawk Nelson, he says, “Real relationships span the test of time, and those relationships have stayed in tact and those people have showed their support.”
 
Hawk Nelson has spent the last few weeks on the road on a radio promotional run sharing their new song and lineup with more than 30 stations across the nation.  Some of the markets and stations the trio visited included Nashville (WAY-FM, Salem Music Network, WFFH), Atlanta (WFSH), Charlotte (WRCM), Chicago (WONU), Grand Rapids (WAYG, WCSG, WJQK) and Minneapolis (KTIS).
 
The band will be announcing a spring tour soon in support of the new album.  Stay tuned for more details.

 

Five-time GRAMMY® winner TobyMac is capping off his whirlwind year with a performance on ABC’s 29th annual Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade. The newly GRAMMY® nominated artist will perform his Christmas song “Christmas This Year” while being featured along with performers including GRAMMY® Award-winning trio Lady Antebellum, international superstars Backstreet Boys, soulful pop songstress Colbie Caillat, CMA Award winner Brad Paisley and American Idol Season 11 champion Phillip Phillips. Hosts Nick Cannon and Mario Lopez, along with co-host Maria Menounos, will lead the two-hour telecast, which is scheduled to air on ABC on Christmas Day beginning at 9:00 AM CST (check local listings).

TobyMac has had quite the year with his latest album, EYE ON IT, debuting at the top of both the Billboard Top 200 charts and iTunes® overall album charts, in addition to garnering his first career American Music Award. He recently celebrated the news of his eighth solo-career GRAMMY® nomination for the 55th Annual GRAMMY® Awards. TobyMac was hailed by Amazon as the “Christian Artist of 2012” and his album EYE ON IT was recently named by iTunes® as the "Best Christian Gospel Album of the Year" and "Top Christian Album of 2012" by Rhapsody.

This year alone TobyMac has garnered features and praises from media with Billboard, Los Angeles Times, People Magazine and Time.com, among others. Additionally, he has made multiple national television appearances in 2012, which include Fox & Friends, Good Morning America and The View. He has headlined sold-out shows this fall on his EYE ON IT and HITS DEEP tours. Beginning in January 2013, TobyMac will headline the Winter Jam East Coast Tour. For more information on his upcoming schedule, visit http://www.tobymac.com/tour/.

Viewers can visit disney.go.com/christmasparade for updates on the parade and join the social media conversation before and during the telecast with the hashtag #DisneyParade.

About TobyMac:
With over 11 million units in career sales, TobyMac's career continues on the fast track, with his most recent project, EYE ON IT, garnering him the highest chart debut of his solo career landing at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200. The album also topped iTunes® Overall and Christian sales charts. TobyMac's previous four solo projects have received RIAA Gold certification and his live DVD, Alive & Transported, is certified platinum by the RIAA and received a GRAMMY® award. In 2012, the much-celebrated and acclaimed artist celebrated his eighth career GRAMMY® nomination. TobyMac has been nominated twice for an American Music Award, winning his first AMA award in the “Favorite Artist in the Contemporary/Inspirational” category this year. His 2009 album, Tonight received GRAMMY® nods for “Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album" and "Best Contemporary Christian Song."
 
Website // http://www.tobymac.com
Twitter // https://twitter.com/therealtobymac
Facebook // http://www.facebook.com/tobymac
YouTube // http://www.youtube.com/tobymacmusic
iTunes // http://toby.cta.gs/02r

Second-look at what you did last week......The Be One of a Thousand Campaign was a huge hit!  Thank you for helping us exceed the budget deficit left after our Fall Friendraiser.

Together, you and J103 we are reaching the world for Christ!

Thank you!

I would like to share some wisdom I picked up from my pastor , Frank Friedmann, of Grace Life Fellowship in Baton Rouge Louisiana...

When you come across someone who has had a tragedy and they are wounded and mourning:

DON"T TRY TO FIX THEM

DON"T GIVE THEM SOME CHRISTIAN CLICHE

(God is in control, God will bring good out of this, It's going to be ok etc.)

You have a good motive. Everything inside you wants to help them feel better, to lift their pain... so you feel like you have to say something, but the problem is you don't know what to say, so all too often you will end up saying the wrong thing, something that hurts instead of helps...

So, may I help you in your desire to minister to those in pain?

Just tell them:

"I love you and I am praying for you"

That is enough...

Today we had the Mark Harris and Friends Christmas Carol Tour at lunchtime at Hamilton Place Mall.

It was great.  It was so nice to see all of the smiling J103 listeners faces and the new people who were introduced to Mark and the new artists.

There was a good crowd, but not to over-bearing.  You could walk and not have 4 other people in your "personal space."

It didn't take that long at Chikfila to get my meal.

And did I mention that music was fantastic!

Now do you think the outlet malls in Pigeon Forge will be that nice next Thursday and Friday?  Probably not.

After church we went to Fazzolis and I had the Robusto Sampler.  It is a lot of food and I did have several bread sticks but haven't eaten anything since then.

I am a little bit hungry but it is 9:30 and since I am getting back to the morning show early tomorrow morning I am debating whether to eat of skip it.

How late is too late for supper?

This afternoon a High School Senior and her mom met us at in downtown Chickamauga to take her senior pics.

I am just the grip.  I carry the step ladder, the camera bag and any props.

I noticed today while Amy was shooting the pictures she had a smile a mile wide.

It is so refreshing to see someone enjoy their hobby and especially my wife.

I'll nevrer forget that smile!  Sent from Heaven.

I guess it is the pride that swells up inside of me when I know the person we are honoring stood up and fought for our country.

Please make sure you vote tomorrow in our Presidential election.  If you have not early voted-please do not let anything get in the way of exercising your God-given right.

I can't believe my baby girl is only one year away from graduating college.

I also thought while sitting there how fast this year has flown by.  it is already November.  Tomorrow we will be in the Hamilton Place Christmas Parade!  Unreal how fast time flies.

Speaking of Christmas.....I am expecting a phone call Monday morning that will change the way you celebrate Christmas this year!

Make sure you are listenig at 7:50.

Normally that wouldn't be a problem for me-except I have a delivery I need to make for some friends at a downtown hotel.

It has messed up my entire planned schedule (and I haven't even been in my vehicle yet).

I learned years ago that traffic backups are a perfect time to sit and worship the Lord.  If you do that I can feel the pressure of being late leaving.

Remember that the next time you are in traffic.  God just may be saying to you..."Slow down-spend this time with me."

I was able to go to the Ketner's Mill Arts Fair with my beautiful wife Amy.  I entertained the crowds from the stage at 2:30 and then we shopped around.  Saw lots of really cool crafts and had some homemade cream soda and rootbeer.  It was a beautiful weather weekend.  God is so good.  Another week or two and the leaves will be at their peak.  It will really be a time God will show off!

Tomorrow morning beginning at 7am.  The fantastic group Calling Glory is going to be with us in studio.  Let's see what kind of trouble we can get into tomorrow.

You may have a variety of talents-several things you can do.  God has gifted me in that way.  I can speak, sing, preach, lead games, DJ weddings, officiate weddings, and the list goes on.

If I were to allow, I could be busy every day of the week and then some doing something somewhere.  You know what that would leave me?  Tired and not really doing anything well.

If the Devil can't make you bad-he'll make you busy!

Focus on what you can do for God and do it well.

we also were able to visit the big, giant boat of a museum after passing it so many times. the Titanic museum! we spent quite a while there learning the many stories behind the most famous ship sinking ever! we saw actual tickets to board the Titanic, one ladies life jacket from the actual sinking and even a key from the ship that a waiter used to open every door in the first class section. one thing that was pretty neat was we were there while a professional Captain Smith actor was also there and heard a great story about the Titanic's "last hero." i won't ruin it for you if you have the chance to hear him yourself, but it involves a preacher that was headed to the Moody Institute in Chicago but never made it.

if you get the chance to check out the museum, it's definitely worth it. you can feel the cold temperature of the water they sank in (it was below freezing!) and everyone that enters is handed a card with a person on it. you can find out at the end if you made it off the Titanic alive or not.

i didn't. Becca did. :P

It reminded me of a great pastor/speaker Wellington Boone.  At the height of the Promise Keeper Days I heard him speak at a convention.  He asked are you a worm or a snake?

Let me explain:  When you step on a snake what does it do?  It bites back.  When you step on a worm it doesn't make a sound.

As Christians how should we respond to those that "step on us?"  We shouldn't bite back like a snake, we need to be like a worm.  Worms get stepped on.  You know what else gets stepped on?  A Bridge.  You see the way we respond to others needs to be like a bridge-bridging the gap and leading people to a relationship with Jesus.

That's what I got to do yesterday afternoon.  We had a large limb split out of one of our Bradford Pear Trees.  Loved the feeling of cutting wood with that saw!

Today.....I'm feeling it!  Back stiff!  LOL!

Oh Well!  It was fun!

I wanted to share a verse with you today.  I have it pinned above the phone and computer in my office.  "This is the confidence we have in approaching God:  that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of Him."  1 John 5:14-15.

all this Best of the Best stuff really got me thinking though on some of my favorite places here in the Chattanooga area, so I present to you without further adieu...

Best Sweet Tea Not Too Far From The Radio Station

There are a lot of places to choose from that offer sweet tea in our area of Ringgold Road. A LOT! Unfortunately, a lot of places (especially when you go through the drive-thru) put WAY too much ice in your cup that the tea is watered down even by the time i get back to the station. All that said, on most days, McDonalds seems to have the healthiest balance of ice and sweet, sweet tea in our area. plus, it's only a $1! McDonalds at East Ridge

Best Place to See A Chattanooga Sunset

Now this is my opinion, Sunset Rock is awesome, but not the best place. I love the view from right down on the water from Coolidge Park just to the east of the Walnut Street Bridge. On a great, clear day the sky AND water are blazing a brilliant, Tennesse orange that would make any Vols fan proud to live in the TN Valley. Chattanooga Parks and Rec

Best Disc Golf Course

The Sinks! Hands down this place has everything: a tough wooded course, concrete tee-pads for pros and amateurs, multiple pin placements, driving range and putting area! The Sinks Disc Golf Course

Best Place at the J103 Studios to Get Away

Most places for some alone time you sneak away to the bathroom, but not at the J103 studios. Here, the best place to get away from people and get work done is in Ted's office after he leaves for the day. Since he comes in so early, he's gone usually by 2:00 which leaves his office at the end of the building very empty! He even has a door to close out everyone else AND a door to the outside balcony area! Someone must be living right! Ted's Blog

Best Co-worker to Antagonize

I love pushing buttons, it's why I'm quite good at video games. Here at the radio station, there's buttons you can push to get people going: Steve (station manager) with classic radio, Joel (sales rep) with classic Christian music artists, etc. The best reactions come from Fatima (sales coordinator) though. You get one of two reactions, the whiny "quit picking on me" one or the death stare "I'm going to KILL you" look. Both of which are even better when her husband Manuel is around to egg it on. Fatima's Twitter

Best Artist to Hang Out With

This one was really close between Rhett Walker and the Sidewalk Prophets, but the guys of Sidewalk Prophets win out just because I've got to hang out with them more often and there's more of them. They just so happen to be some of the most genuinely honest, genuinely funny guys I've been around. You wonder why we seem to have them in concert here so often? It's cause they're amazing guys! Sidewalk Prophets Website

The church, one of the first in the country to start distributing sermons online free of charge, is no stranger to the DIY internet approach, but this album launch has reached a new milestone for the newly formed Mars Hill Music label, which was just founded in the last year. The albums are all sold on Bandcamp and the iTunes store, independently uploaded. Physical copies are also sold in local church bookstores, however those sales aren’t tracked, and are not reflected in the chart position.

With a crowded marketplace in both the indie and Christian music scene, why are people picking up this EP in particular? Because few people are making music that hits at the intersection of those two audiences, says Network Music Manager Jonathan Dunn. “I think there is a market for gospel- and Jesus-centered music done in a modern sound that is largely untapped,” says Dunn, who formerly was the A&R director at Tooth & Nail/Solid State Records before coming to Mars Hill last year.

The theology is inextricable to the music, says band leader Dustin Kensrue, a deacon and elder candidate at the Downtown Bellevue church, where he started leading worship this summer. “There’s a lot of worship music that just focuses on being ‘uplifing’ —but that ignores whole parts of the Bible, especially the laments in books like Psalms. Our goal with this EP, which is based out of Ephesians, is to reflect all of the gospel. The gospel is always uplifing, but there are human experiences and truths that are not, and so the bad news is important to have context for the good news.”

The current trend is encouraging for the young label. Dunn reports they recently finished a full-lenth recording for Citizens (a band out of the U-District church), off the heels of their EP Already/Not Yet, which came out earlier this year. Currently, five more projects are slated for the 2013 release schedule.

All nine of Mars Hill Music’s current releases can be found on Bandcamp and at MarsHill.com/music. For more on the vision for the Mars Hill Music label, you can watch this interview with Pastor Mark and Jon Dunn. For more from Dustin talking about what the EP title “Grace Alone” means, check out this video.
 
www.marshill.com/music

A collaborative effort with friend and producer Brent Milligan, this is Chapman’s third career
Christmas record following The Music of Christmas (1995, RIAA certified Gold), Christmas is All in the Heart (2003, a Hallmark limited, sold-out run of 400,000) and All I Really Want for Christmas (2005, RIAA certified Gold). 

This Christmas CD, however, is particularly meaningful to Chapman: “Many know that the last few years have been a difficult journey for my family and me following the loss of our daughter Maria,” says Chapman.  “So many have prayed for us and encouraged us, and having the opportunity to write, record and share this new music really feels like the beginning of a new season...a season of joy.”

“Even as hard as things have been, it’s like the sweet is starting to outweigh the bitter for us
more and more,” Chapman explains.  “Christmas is becoming a less hard thing for us each year.  It’s not that it’s easier to get through because we are forgetting.  It’s like we can remember now without it just being so painful and the memories can be sweet.”

Among the album’s 13 tracks are six new songs including first single “Christmas Time Again,” “Christmas in Kentucky,” inspired by Chapman’s home state, and “Christmas Kiss,” written for his wife Mary Beth.  Recording Joy also gave Chapman a chance to record some of his longtime favorites like “Joy to the World,” “We Three Kings,” “What Child Is This?” and “Christmas Time Is Here,” from the animated classic “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”  A complete track listing is as follows:

1.  Joy To The World
2.  Christmas Time Again
3.  Christmas In Kentucky
4.  Do You Hear What I Hear?
5.  Christmas Kiss
6.  Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
7.  Christmas Time Is Here
8.  What Child Is This?
9.  In The Bleak Midwinter
10.  Christmas Card
11.  We Three Kings
12.  I Am Joseph (God Is With Us)
13.  Happy New Year

*sequence subject to change
 
In recording Joy, Chapman, Milligan and some of Nashville’s finest musicians traveled to a studio in Lexington, Ky. to allow for total focus on creating the right Christmas vibe.  “We found this great studio in Lexington, Ky. (my birth state!) and gathered together some of my favorite players, slept over in the rooms there, set up a Christmas tree (I wore my favorite Charlie Brown Christmas t-shirts everyday) and went at it.”

Audiences will have the opportunity to hear Chapman perform selections from Joy live on the “12 Gifts of Christmas” tour this November and December.  He joins Laura Story, and speakers including New York Times bestselling author Mary Beth Chapman (his wife), Patsy Clairmont, Luci Swindoll, Marilyn Meberg, comedienne Anita Renfroe and illusionist Harris III.  For full tour information, visit www.12gifts.com.

For more information on Steven, please visit: www.stevencurtischapman.com or www.providentpress.com

For the members of Third Day, it meant joining forces with a new creative partner: veteran producer Brendan O’Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Train, The Killers). Third Day, known for its riveting rock sound, looked toward a new voice to help drive band members to their best offering yet.

The band set up shop in its Atlanta-based recording studio, The Quarry, for sessions that spanned several months.  Together, the band and producer began the focused creative process toward an evolution of sound.  According to bassist Tai Anderson, “Brendan O’Brien brought an incredible element of quality control, and really challenged each member of the band to bring his “A game” to the studio each day.”

What was birthed was Miracle, a 12-track simmering brew of potent rock anthems infused with the substantive, life-affirming lyrics that have always been the bedrock of the Third Day’s music; it’s a place where faith, passion and good old fashioned rock ‘n roll swagger coalesce.

“To have something new to say and to say it in a different way is really exciting,” says lead vocalist Mac Powell.  “It’s reinvigorated us as a band.”  Indeed, Miracle finds the band exploring new sonic and lyrical territory.

In addition to the impactful songwriting listeners have come to expect from Third Day, they will encounter new sonic splashes -- layered guitars and harmonies, sing-along gang vocals, and so on – not heard from the band previously.  The signature rock foundations remain; they’ve just been infused with a modern-day flair.

“We wanted [this record] to have a brightness, a grandness to it, and Mac can certainly do that,”
O’Brien says, “but we wanted to have a little different sound from the lead voice.  I’m a huge fan of ’70s music that has great big background vocals.  I thought this music lent itself to that, so Mac and I did most of that and it was fun.”

Miracle also features plenty of musical bombast, as the album’s opening track “Hit Me Like A Bomb” attests.  Guitars that both growl and jangle, snares that blast in your ears and Powell’s signature from-the-gut vocal style highlight a song about impactful love destined to be a new live show favorite.  “Kicking And Screaming” showcases the band’s versatility, underpinning the track with an up-tempo acoustic pop feel we’ve not heard from them often, but fits perfectly today.
 
The album’s title track was inspired by a conversation the band had with a couple in New Jersey after a concert.  “Their son was in a really depressed place in life.  He drove way into the woods and was going to commit suicide,” Powell recounts.  “He was going to kill himself, but he turned on the radio and he heard ‘Cry Out To Jesus’ (from the band’s 2005 record Wherever You Are). It literally changed his heart and gave him encouragement to keep going.  When you hear a story like that, it just blows you away.”

Powell took the essence of that story and penned the song, “I Need a Miracle,” the new project’s first single, out at radio now.  “This is one of my top five favorite songs that I’ve ever written.  There’s just something powerful about it.  I’m really excited about this song getting out and encouraging people,” Powell says.  “It’s about the power of music and how God can use it to speak to people’s hearts, minds and spirits.  That’s why it’s so important.”

The songs on Miracle cover a rich musical and emotional landscape.  “Your Love is Like a River” is a stirring worship anthem that is one of the band’s favorite new songs, while “You Are My Everything” is a gorgeous mid tempo love song that spotlights the warmth in Powell’s vocals.  And on the opposite end of the vocal range spectrum, check out Powell’s use of falsetto on the choruses on “For The Rest Of My Life.” Yes, we said falsetto.

“As someone who is a natural baritone, I don’t sing falsetto very often.  But sometimes as I’m writing these songs I hear in my head that is what the part should be.  I talked to Brendan and he gave me the confidence to try it.  This is just one example of how Brendan pushed me out of my comfort zone,” shares Powell.

“The Victory,” a bluesy Southern anthem featuring a fantastic “song-within-a-song” breakdown, also features a potent lyric carrying a theme at the heart of the album overall.  “That song is about making a commitment,” says guitarist Mark Lee.  “It’s about saying you’re going to see it through ‘til the end and I think that’s a big theme on this record.”

Miracle wraps up with a reinvention of “Morning Has Broken,” a vintage Methodist hymn that was a pop hit in the ’70s for Cat Stevens.  The song gets a stunning new treatment here, anchored in Mark Lee, Tai Anderson and David Carr’s skilled musicianship and Powell’s earthy vocals.  Scotty Wilbanks, a longtime member of Third Day’s road band, provides the eloquent keyboard intro.

The members of Third Day have been given a platform and it’s a responsibility they take seriously.  Of course, they love to rock out and entertain, but most importantly they want to offer hope and encouragement.  “If there is any overarching theme on the record, it’s about pressing on and holding on to faith in the midst of doubt,” says David Carr.  “We have this unique opportunity once again to speak into people’s lives.  We’re not here to give you all the answers.  We’re here to say ‘Just hang on a little longer.”

“We have toured for so many years and feel like we owe any success we have to the fans that built Third Day.  These songs are engaging musically and lyrically; we worked hard to stretch ourselves for the people who come to our shows and buy our music; we poured so much into this record because we wanted to bring our fans our very best.  We are proud of Miracle and can’t wait for people to hear it.”

Third Day will be back on the road in support of Miracle with a headlining tour starting in spring 2013, followed by appearances at major festivals that summer.
 
Miracle
1. Hit Me Like A Bomb
2. Kicking and Screaming
3. Your Love Is Like A River
4. I Need A Miracle
5. You Are My Everything
6. For The Rest Of My Life
7. I Want To Believe In You
8. The Victory
9. Take Me Back
10. Forever Yours
11. Time's Running Out On Me
12. Morning Has Broken

About Third Day:
During the last decade, Atlanta-based, multi-Platinum rock band Third Day (comprising members Mac Powell, Tai Anderson, David Carr and Mark Lee) has racked up 27 No. 1 radio singles and sold more than seven million albums, including two RIAA Platinum as well as eight Gold certifications.  A Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee (2009), Third Day has garnered 24 career GMA Dove Awards from 42 nominations, four GRAMMY Awards (with 11 career nominations), an American Music Award (with four American Music Award nominations) and multiple ASCAP honors, including its coveted Vanguard Award, for songwriting.  Long known
as Christian music’s premier live band, Third Day has played for audiences reaching into the millions all around the world.  Third Day has been featured by top media outlets including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (NBC), “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” (CBS), “60 Minutes” (CBS), ABC’s “Nightline,” USA Today, the New York Times and even graced the cover of Billboard magazine, which called Third Day “one of the best rock bands.”
 
Third Day will release its 12th Studio album titled Miracle on Nov. 6, 2012.  For more information on Third Day, please visit: www.ThirdDay.com, www.facebook.com/ThirdDay or www.providentpress.com.

Until.....I woke up Monday morning....the pain is not in the center of my heel anymore.......it is now on the back of my achiles......Every step is a pain!

Please pray that it would go away soon.  I don't ever claim to be like the Apostle Paul-but I am beginning to understand what he meant about a thorn in his flesh.

Deluxe Edition Only:
 17. Love Come To Life - Big Daddy Weave
 18. Carry Me To The Cross - Kutless
 19. Free - Dara Maclean
 
 
Disc 2
 1. God's Not Dead (Like A Lion) - Newsboys
 2. Me Without You - TobyMac
 3. Where I Belong - Building 429
 4. All This Time - Britt Nicole
 5. Lift Me Up - The Afters
 6. Busted Heart (Hold On To Me) - for KING & COUNTRY
 7. Hold Me - Jamie Grace (feat. TobyMac)
 8. Strong Enough To Save - Tenth Avenue North
 9. He Said - Group 1 Crew (feat. Chris August)
 10. Center Of It - Chris August
 11. Good Morning - Mandisa (feat. TobyMac)
 12. One Day Too Late - Skillet
 13. The Redeemer - Sanctus Real
 14. The Light In Me - Brandon Heath
 15. Make A Move - Royal Tailor
 16. BONUS: Banner of Love - Luminate
 17. BONUS: When Mercy Found Me - Rhett Walker Band

Deluxe Edition Only:
 18. Let Me Feel You Shine - David Crowder*Band
 19. Down - Mat Kearney
 20. Feel It In Your Heart - Abandon
 

About WOW:
Established in 1995 with collaboration between EMI Christian Music Group, Provident Music Group, and Word Entertainment, the three largest Christian music and entertainment companies; WOW releases multiple compilation albums each year, including WOW Hits, WOW Gospel and WOW Worship.  The marketing and distribution of WOW is shared among the three companies.  The entire WOW branded series (Hits, Worship, Gospel, and specialty releases) tops 28 MILLION units in sales. Visit WOWilovechristianmusic.com for a full product line up.
 
WOW Hits 2013 is marketed and distributed by EMI Christian Music Group.

I'll let you know how it goes.  Wonder if I need a headlamp?

That really means a lot to us!  Our prayer is that now you will be excited and share with all your family and friends that "Your favorite radio station is now #1."  Then we hope they tune in to "see what all the fuss is about" and they will hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

If you don't have a J103 window decal just give us a call at 423-892-1200 and we would be glad to put a couple in the mail for you.  The more people see those the more tempted they will be to give us a try!

God is going to do great things with this recognition!

Thank you!

You are The Best of the Best!!!

The first year I served as Heritage's announcer was really exciting even though we didn't win a game.  It was the first year.  My oldest two children were students there and we had a lot of fun.

Since then we have seen the football team improve as all new schools do.

As I think about tonight I think about how two of my three kids have graduated from HHS and how Chipper is half way through.  I get a little sad.

I love Friday night Football!

Chipper ran tonight, a week later, and he followed his big brother's advice.  It paid off-he looked a lot better.

Proverbs 11:3 says, "The Intregrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them."

Let that challenge us to live our life upright and not crooked.  Run to get the prize!

Chipper, my youngest son, has passed his driving test-on the first try with a 92!

My wife and I have now successfully taught all three of our kids how to drive-and I have the gray hair to prove it.

If you have older kids you know the sense of accomplishment I am feeling.  If your kids are younger-hold on!

You will make it!

He takes his driving test today at 2:30.

Pray for him......and all of us!

I'll update you tomorrow.

Where's my helmet?

As I walked into one of the rooms with my big bag full of backpacks, the teacher had me count them out and put them to the side so she could give them out at the end of the day.

While I was counting them out I felt two small arms try to wrap around me from behind and gave me a big hug.

I turned around and this little Hispanic kindergardener with the cutest eyes looked up at me and said "thank you."

I wish you could have been there-he would have given you a hug too.  You deserve it!  Thanks for donating the crayons, paper and money to purchase 3,600 backpacks and the additional school supplies.  You are making a huge difference in kids lives-especially the little hugger!

How difficult is it for you to keep a secret?  Is it easier when it is good news or bad news.

Sometimes I do have a real problem not letting someone in on a secret.

I really do have a secret, some news we received yesterday that is really exciting!!!!

Can you keep a secret?

So Can I!

(I'll let you know soon)

But, I do have to admit-there are some redeeming values in cooler weather.  I do find it a little romantic when the leaves begin to fall, and the colors are so vibrant.

But, then again, the start of Fall means one thing to me-the end of summer.  I used to joke that I suffered from Seasonal Attitude Disorder or SAD during the winter and I may (a little).  But being married to a "Fall-aholic" I have learned to appreciate the Autumn season.

Even with Fall and then winter coming-we all know that here in the TN Valley it is going to be hot for some time!

(One year I wore shorts outside on the back deck to fry the turkey!  That's the best of both worlds-no grass to mow!)

One of those is tomorrow night.  Scholar Brad from the afternoon show is going to take the reigns of the morning show tomorrow so Amy, Chipper and I can head to Gatlinburg.  I have been asked to come and speak to the regional Kiwanis Convention.

We will get to walk the fun streets of Gatlinburg-watch them make taffy and other sweets, see the artisans at work, but mostly reminesce about all those summer trips I went on with my family there.

Amy is looking forward to the outlet malls and getting Chipper's Back to School shopping done and some more Christmas Shopping.

I am looking forward also to sleeping in a couple days in a row.

Pray for us and for Amy's dogs-our son Trevor is hanging out taking care of them for us!

Have a great weekend!

You see, most days I am in jeans or khakis and a J103 golf shirt.  If I could get away with it I'd have shorts on every day!

But I have to admit, wearing a suit and tie does make me feel more professional and the comments definitely make me feel like a "sharp dressed man."

Now if I could just breathe!

He shook my hand and said "You can call me Walker."  Then it hit me!  He looked just like Walker Texas Ranger (as played by Chuck Norris.)

On my Facebook page there is a debate going on whether or not I officiated Chuck Norris' daughter's wedding.  I may have led people to think one way (ha ha), but I've never said it was Chuck Norris.  I simply said he told me I could call him "Walker."

It was a great wedding.  Sweet young couple and the fun dream that this could be Chuck Norris standing beside me.

You are the only ones, faithful readers of my blog, that I have shared the "whole story" with.  Have fun with it.

If there is one thing I have learned in 22 years of marriage and 20 years of having a daughter-when a woman goes to have her hair done-watch out.  Tread lightly.  Sometimes they come back and everything is wonderful!  They love their hair and the new style.  All is right with the world!

But......there are other times......those times when "too much has been cut off," or things are uneven, or the color is not exactly right.  During those times.....keep quiet, be supportive, and look for ways to make life easier for your females.

Fortunately, this time, all is good.  She loves it, (after tweaking it for a little while).  That's another thing I have noticed.  Women will go and get their hair done by a professional and then come back and "fix it."

Wow!  We men have it so easy.  Jump in the shower, shampoo, jump out, dry, maybe a little gel, and I'm out the door.

Then again-my wife is so beautiful!  She has gorgeous hair!

We are working on an email requesting additional grant money that would make it possible for him to enter UofL this semester.  Once he gets a semester under his belt at UofL he has been practically promised a full scholarship which would lead to a military career as an Army officer.  If the money doesn't come through he will sit out this semester and save all he can from his THREE jobs.

To say I am proud of my son, is an understatement.

Thank you God for three great kids and their beautiful mom/my wife!

It was the woman's turn last night and I saw the dominant team in the world-our very own Misty May Trammel and Kerrie Walsh.  These two haven't lose a single set, yet alone match in all of the Olympics they have competed in.  Great job!

I also got to watch the Olympic platform syncronized divers-that scares me to death!  I remember as a teenage lifeguard watching a young teen split his head open on a diving board.  I also saw American Greg Louganis several Olympics ago do the same thing.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND CONGRATULATIONS TO MISSY BREWER, 16 YEARS OLD IN CLEVELAND.  She is the winner of the DQ Birthday Cake.

Also Happy Birthday to:  Shannon May, 45 in Flat Rock AL, Joe Montgomery, 52 in Rock Spring, Lauren Clowers 18 in Rossville, Kathy Amos, 58 in Rossville, Kelsey Kirk, 21 in Dalton, Shelly Tipton, 26 in Evensville, and Jared Wilson, 16 in Dayton.

Alabama new law against Texting and Driving begins tomorrow.  If a police officer notices you talking on your cell phone while driving-you can be pulled over and given a ticket.

Tax Holidays for Back to School coming:  Tennessee tax-free weekend begins this weekend.  Georgia is August 10-11.

The New Dancing with the Stars cast has been announced:  It will be an All-Star caste featuring past winners and contestants:  kirstie Alley, Pamela Anderson, Helio Castroneves, Joey Fatone, Shawn Johnson, Drew Lachey, Gilles Marini, Apolo Anton Ohno, Kelly Monaco, Bristol Palin, Melissa Rycroft and Emmitt Smith.  The 13th contestant will be up to you-you can go to abc.com and vote for either Carson Kressley, Sabrina Bryan or Kyle Massey.

Here's some of the info covered on the morning show today:

Happy Birthday and Congratulations to Meredith Scott, 15 in Appison-she won the DQ Birthday Cake.

Also celebrating today:  Laura Montgomery, 14 in Ringgold, Nathaniel Jarrell, 15 in Cleveland, Al Scarbrough, 55 in Chattanooga, riley Allman, 9 in Madisonville, Laura Jones, 50 in Chickamauga, Elijah Ainley, 5 in Spring City.  Happy Birthday gang!

INCREDIBLE RECIPE:  REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUP MINI CHEESECAKES.  Check it out at www.momontimeout.com   I made these for Amy for our Anniversary Saturday.  Delicious!

TOMORROW IS ELECTION DAY-DON'T FORGET TO PLAN TO VOTE!

ALSO ANOTHER OLYMPIC UPDATE TOMORROW MORNING.  As of this morning Team USA was in second place in the medal count with 11.  Japan was one ahead of us with 12.  GO TEAM USA!

Click on the link at www.j103.com and give a $22 donation to feed a child for a year and/or $88 to provide an education for that child.

Happy Birthday and congratulations to:  Christian Hardy, 16 of Decatur TN-he is the winner of the DQ Grill and Chill Birthday Cake.

Also Congratulations to David Lane, 54 in Tunnell Hill, Helen Skiles, 58 in Soddy Daisy, Caleb Ferguson, 8 (Tuesday) in Hixson, Lance Estus, 16 in LaFayette, Chasity Gibson, 18 in Stevenson AL, Kody Brewer, 34 in Niota, Tori, 15 in Harrison, and Terry Bolden, 51 in Hixson.

Happy Birthday Monday to  Nolan Kyle Sanders, 22 in Hixson-Nolan won the DQ Grill and Chill Birthday Cake.

Also celebrating birthdays Monday-Miriam Butler, 33 in Ringgold, Chris Butler, 39 in Ringgold, Noah Wallace, 13 in Cleveland, Brannon Siler, 5 in Cleveland, Noah Culberson, 2 in Ooltewah (Sunday), Christine Updike, 35 in Fort Oglethorpe, Haleigh Ellis, 13 in Chattanooga, and Kyle Sanders, 21 in Hixson.

Barbecue Masters in Cleveland:  Thursday Fifty-five Kansas City Barbecue Societ Teams, along with 16 amateur teams will compete in a KCBS-sanctioned Backyard BBQ Bash as a part of the ninth annual Foothills Country Fair at the Tri-State Exhibition Center in Cleveland TN.  The grounds will be open at 9am on Thursday.  Carnival Rides and games, a beauty pageant for ages 5-20 and lots of entertainment and food.  The Fair goes through July 29. There is a charge for admission.

Happy Birthday Today to:  Mark Knox, 43 in Tunnell Hill GA-Mark is the winner of today's DQ Grill and Chill Birthday Cake.

Also celebrating birthdays today are:  Amy Oaks, 25 in Jasper, Dylan Walker, 16 in East Ridge, Susan Farley, 40 in Chattanooga, Stacey Smith, 39 in Chattanooga, and Lilly Anne Parrish, 4 in Red Bank.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
~NIV

Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment.
~ The Message

Matt. 7:1...one of the most overused, misunderstood verses in the Bible IMO. "Judge Not/Don't judge" is not where the period stops, after that simple yet overblown statement the justification of expecting that same judgement if you do judge follows! And what about the next couple of verses? I like how poetically the New King James puts it:

For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Does this mean that our friends and family are allowed to continue in some sort of behaviour or actions that don't line up to God's Biblical instructions? Not in the least bit, 1 Thessalonians 5:14 tells us to admonish and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ that are unruly, fainthearted and weak all with extreme patience on our end.

It's not easy telling someone you love they're out of line or wrong (and we're called to love all our brothers and sisters in Christ), but it's always worse to hear that you, yourself are the one out of line or living in sin. So yes, admonishment ("to caution, advise, or counsel against something especially in a mild and good-willed manner") among believers is something we're called to do but I can't stress enough how important the attitude of love is when it comes to correcting a friend. The heart really does have to be in the right place when approaching a friend with a reprimand.

So does this mean non-Christians are just getting a free pass to do whatever and we can't do anything to stop them? No, but it's definitely not our place to call them out on something that they don't adhere to. Think about it this way, you go out to eat with a friend that's a vegetarian and order a steak. They then sit there and scold you on the evils of red meat, how awful it is for you and how bad a person you are for eating a defenseless cow. You'd come away from that dinner thinking they were a self-righteous, pretentious, pushy JERK! It's the same when we correct a non-Christian that way, we come across as jerks!

Through example, communication and love people will see that we are different if we claim Christ and live it out (John 13:35). Never does it say they will accept the love and grace we owe our lives to by our reprimands and chastisement on their wrongdoings.

Autumn and Alexandra have not only completely taken care of the JFEST guest survey and resulting report, but they have kept my morning show page updated and looking great. (you will probably notice a big difference when it is back in my lap next week!)

I thank God for these two young ladies and the gifts and talents He has given them.  They have such bright futures wherever God leads them.

If you are a college or highschool intern and looking for an intern position with J103 and the Morning Show just email me and let me know.

Ted@j103.com

I'm going to miss you Autumn and Alexandra!  Thank you for all you have done and how you did it with excellence!

Ted

I had kind of dreaded trying it not sure how it would be (just like you are thinking), but it was actually a pleasant surprise!  Think Salty-Sweet.  The taste of the softserve icecream, caramel and hot fudge overpowered most of what you tasted, but every so subtle you could taste the salty pieces of bacon.

Would I eat it again?  Sure.  At 510 calories-you can also add on an hour on the eliptical!  (That's what I did when I got home yesterday!)

Thanks to Brad, Brett and intern Alexandra for trying it with me.

we then spent 10 days in the dominican republic thanks to Becca's parents securing a place for us and loved the country. we went ziplining, horseback riding, rode dune buggies and jumped off waterfalls! we of course stayed indoors a bit too, but duh, it was our honeymoon. it was a beautiful country though (they filmed Jurassic Park there!) and it was amazing how you could drive from beatiful beaches and resorts to fairly extreme poverty in a couple of minutes. we saw beautiful restaraunts on the beach one place and an actual cock-fighting ring with bleachers and ticket takers not too far away. it was definitely interesting seeing these two extremes and definitely gave us thought on our blessings and a lesson on contentment (a good lesson for a radio DJ and a school teacher).

we pulled back into Chattanooga around 4am this past Thursday and crashed for a while (had to go get some fried chicken and sweet tea though) but Becca started getting some pains in her stomach Thursday and Friday. of course, we were already thinking she's pregnant which is not yet what we're really trying for, but after a weekend of cold sweats, high temperatures and unpleasant activities, we spend 6 hours in the Emergency Room to find out she had got a bacterial infection while we had been in the Dominican!

we knew we said "in sickness and in health", we just thought it would be a while before we had to put that into practice! that said, after a lot of fluids and some prescriptions, she's doing better but please keep Becca in your prayers. sickness is never fun, but i know it's driving her crazy on top of all of the sickness to know we still have thank you cards to write, a house to organize and a brother's wedding this weekend!

haha, life goes on after a wedding and honeymoon doesn't it! i look forward to sharing some wedding pictures though eventually when we get them in and thanks for all your prayers and for your continued prayers as well!

She saw a need, prayed about how to meet that need, and with God's help and direction has gotten it done!

We could all learn a lesson from this little girl.

Join us Wednesday morning at 8am and be ready to be inspired.

Mine appears to be isolated to my heel.  In the mornings or after sitting still for a short period of time-it aches and throbs when I stand to walk on it.

After standing for long periods of time it begins to throb and hurt.  It is not a stabbing pain-just an irritating throb.

It is reported to affect two million Americans in a year and 10% of the U.S. population over a lifetime.

Have you suffered through it?  How did you treat it?

I am trying to stretch it every chance I can, and believe it or not-trying to not over-exert it.  (You would not believe how difficult this is for me to do-to try to stay off of it!)

Please pray for me that God heals me quickly.

But on this Day of Independence we need to realize we are so utterly dependent on God.....or we should be.  Jesus Christ gave up His life in the ultimate sacrifice so that we could have eternal life with God.

If you have never given your heart and life to Jesus and cried out your dependence on Him-become free from the life of sin and captivity today and cry out in dependance on Him!

Happy 4th!

"How did this stuff get in the bottom of the refrigerator and how long has it been here?" (While cleaning out the refrigerator-Day one of Vacation).

"So that's what you want me to do first huh Lord?"  (When walking out on front porch on Day one of vacation to see huge branch that had fallen out of Bradford Pear tree)

"God you are soo good" (When my neighbor texted to say he would help me clean up the limb)

"Didn't I just cut this yesterday?"  (While mowing the grass)

"Its actually a little chilly" (When pressure washing the covered porch and feeling the mist from the washer).

"Where did that mist go?"  (When setting up for a wedding reception).

"Holy Heck!  That Hurt!"  (When the little Asian lady pulled the first strip of cloth off when I got talked into getting my eyebrows waxed)

"Aw they are beautiful!"  (When looking at Brett and Becca braiding the cords during their wedding ceremony.)

"My God how you have blessed me." (When seeing my family all eating together the last night of vacation and knowing that all three of my kids would be sleeping under my roof for another night).

 

Debut Single From The Struggle, “Losing,” Receives 73 Adds Its Debut Week

Acclaimed band Tenth Avenue North announces “The Struggle” fall tour, its biggest headlining tour to date, visiting more than 35 cities from mid-September though late November.  The tour, featuring guest artists Audrey Assad and Rend Collective Experiment, will support Tenth Avenue North’s Aug. 21 studio release, The Struggle, whose lead single “Losing” debuted with an incredible 73 adds out-of-the-box that included the KLove, WAY-FM and Air1 networks.

Kicking off Sept. 13 in Sewell, New Jersey (Philadelphia area), “The Struggle” fall tour will hit major markets including New York, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Houston, among others.  Singer-songwriter Audrey Assad and Kingsway artist Rend Collective Experiment will join Tenth Avenue North, who will perform new music from its latest project as well as fan favorites.

The tour is named for Tenth Avenue North’s third label project, The Struggle, available for
pre-order now, with a street date of Aug. 21.  Produced by six-time SESAC Christian Songwriter of the Year, and two-time GRAMMY nominee, Jason Ingram (Chris Tomlin, Sanctus Real), The Struggle is a bold, creative leap forward for the band, reflecting influences ranging from fan insight to the addition of two band members to a new recording process.

Travis Culver, music director and afternoon personality at KTSY-FM in Caldwell, Idaho, an early supporter of the single, comments, “From the very first listen to ‘Losing’ I remember thinking to myself ‘who is this? What a cool song!’  But it’s more than just a great song, it’s a great song with a deep and important message – to be shown grace means we must also show others grace, even if it means we feel like we’re losing.”

Keith Stevens, program director at KTIS-FM in St. Paul, Minn., agrees, “‘Losing’ is a winner with KTIS!  A terrific summer vibe for the Twin Cities with a refreshing message about forgiveness that we all need to hear.”

The band has always done something special for its fans during each tour and this run isn’t any different.  Tenth Avenue North fans were given the opportunity to buy a limited number of “Fan Presale Tickets” the week prior to the national on-sale date through a special first-come-first-served, online offer.  In a majority of the markets, those tickets sold out within the first
few days, creating a wave of excitement for the tour.

A complete tour itinerary follows this release.  For more information on “The Struggle” fall tour and CD, visit: www.TenthAvenueNorth.com / www.thestruggletour.com / http://is.gd/gWeGRt
 
“The Struggle” 2012 Fall Tour Dates
*Dates and cities subject to change without notice
 
9/13 – Sewell, N.J.
9/14 – Middletown, N.J.
9/15 – Marriottsville, Md.
9/16 – Woodbridge, Va.
9/21 – Burlington, N.C.
9/22 – Gaffney, S.C.
9/23 – Cordele, Ga.
9/27 – Beaver Falls, PA
9/28 – Middleburg Heights, Ohio
9/29 – Whitestown, Ind.
9/30 – Cincinnati, Ohio
10/4 – Plymouth, Mich.
10/5 – Holland, Mich.
10/6 – Palos Height, Ill.
10/7 – Maple Grove, Minn.
10/17 – Wheat Ridge, Colo.
10/18 – Layton, Utah
10/19 – Nampa, Idaho
10/20 – Redmond, Wash.
10/21 – Tualatin, Oreg.
10/23 – Santa Rosa, Calif.
10/24 – Sacramento, Calif.
10/25 – Santa Ana, Calif.
10/26 – Redlands, Calif.
10/27 – Phoenix, Ariz.
10/28 – Albuquerque, N.M.
11/1 – San Antonio, Texas
11/2 – Houston, Texas
11/4 – Abilene, Texas
11/8 – Lenexa, Kan.
11/9 – Bellevue, Neb.
11/10 – Davenport, Iowa
11/15 – Jacksonville, Fla.
11/16 – Boca Raton, Fla.
11/18 – Pace, Fla.

 

Underscoring their long-standing popularity and appeal, the seventh studio album from multi-platinum and award-winning band MercyMe, The Hurt & The Healer, has hit the Billboard 200 top albums chart in a big way, landing at No. 7. The album charted at just below Lionel Richie’s newest release and above Sara Bareilles and Norah Jones’ latest. The Hurt & The Healer entered at No. 1 on the Christian SoundScan chart. During its debut week, the album reached No. 10 on iTunes’® Overall Albums Chart and has crowned the iTunes® Christian Albums chart at No. 1 since its release on May 22.
 
In addition to their success at retail and stellar critical acclaim (Christianity Today, New Release Tuesday, Crosswalk /TheFish.com), MercyMe is also currently dominating at radio. The album’s title-track lead single is sitting high at No. 1 this week on two charts: Billboard Christian AC Indicator and Soft AC/Inspo, and rose to No. 2 at AC Monitored. “The Hurt & The Healer” also continues to climb quickly upward at CHR, spending this week at No. 11.
 
As the Grammy-nominated band celebrates their new album, MercyMe will visit markets across the country throughout the summer. More information about tour dates can be found on MercyMe’s official site.
 
For more information on MercyMe and The Hurt & The Healer, please go to www.mercyme.org.

They are really cute and being housed in an acryllic "playpen" on the "Penguin Rock" exhibit.

When it starts to get hot outside-head in and chill out with the penguins.

Just another example of a possible "J103 Staycation" activity.

I have nodded off more than once sitting on our porch swing in the afternoons at home, and I have been sleeping really good!

I have come down with what many tell me is plantar fasciatis-an ongoing ache in my left heel.  I looked it up on the internet and it describes my pain exactly.  There is really nothing you can do for it except try to stay off of it as much as possible.

So that's my strategy.  I am going to take a week off next week and enjoy a little "staycation" but I'm sure it will involve some "honey-do" things at home, (which to be honest-I look forward to).

I hope you get some rest when you need it.

Chris Tomlin, an incredible worship leader, did a fantastic job of bringing us to the throne of Jesus.  I saw people of all ages raising hands and praising our God and King.

I wonder why Faith and Family Night and JFEST are two of my favorite days of the year?

Let's worship like that every day!

Welcome to Jfest! You walk in, buy your Jbucks, take a seat,
enjoy the music and meander around checking out the booths, food, or Kidsworld.
It’s a magical land of funnel cakes, shaved ice, music, and fellowship. That is
what the public gets the chance to experience. On the other side we (the staff)
get to see everyone enjoy the hard work. This is the reason I enjoy event
management. You get to watch your dream of making people happy a reality, even
if it is only for a day. It is seeing all of the puzzle pieces coming together
to form one beautiful picture of completion.

One of the pieces to the puzzle is putting up all the orange
fencing that keeps people from going where they shouldn’t. This task involves
pounding metal bars into the ground and zip tying on the fencing. Sounds easy
enough right? It is as long as you don’t loose control of the pounder. Well,
Justin lost control and the 20 or so pound pounder came and hit him right in
the head sending him to the ER to get his skin glued back together.

Puzzle piece number two is putting up all the signs and
banners around the camp. Two other people and I were put in charge of putting
the J103 banner all the way down the fence. Also a pretty straightforward task
except when all the fire ants decide that is where they want to build their
homes. Needless to say we got a few bites before we learned our lesson to look
where we stepped.

It might sound like it was all work, some injury and no
play, but that is not how the J103 staff operates. We always have a little fun
at the end of the day. During set up week our fun was in the form of a golf
cart race. We lined up in the parking lot and took off. The first five seconds
was the most exciting part because all of our cars had different rates at which
they sped up. Once we all topped out at a certain speed the race wasn’t really
much of race anymore, but it was still fun because we got so competitive about
it.

Once all the set up was complete I was stationed at the main
entrance for ticket sales and will call. This was probably my favorite piece of
the puzzle because the team at the desk is the first impression people get of
Jfest and I think all of us were striving to get everyone’s day started off
right. I got to meet a ton of people and wish them a happy day.

I was then put in the position to pass out surveys to
festivalgoers to get their opinion on Jfest. That was also a lot of fun because
I got to fellowship with some of them and find out their opinion about the
festival.

What I have learned from this whole experience is that it
takes tremendous amount of work to put together a festival of this magnitude
and the aftermath of evaluations and clean up is a tedious process. Surveys had
to be evaluated, tickets had to be counted, vendors had to be paid, and cost-profit
analysis had to be evaluated. Finishing all that work was very rewarding because
I was able to see the impact Jfest has on others along with the impact it has
on the mission of J103. 

What Dad Wants For Father’s Day

Dad’s day is coming up and since I’m not a dad , I really can’t tell you what dads want … but I took a small poll down at the riverfront yesterday and I found that what women want to give the man in their life may not necessarily be what he really wants. The No. 1 present tn valley women think men want for Father’s Day is a day with the home boys. However, the No. 1 gift  TN valley dads actually want is a tablet or smartphone!

We will know some firm numbers in the next couple of days, but for now a good estimate is between 7,000-8,000 people were at Camp Jordan Saturday.

The Best news is that over two dozen decisions for Christ were made public.  We are confident there were hundreds more that "connected" with God.

Our Volunteer army led by Dani and Debbi Hix were phenomenal.  So many people took on lead roles to make JFEST run smooth.

Each one of you is responsible for those people connecting with God.

You are awesome!

And how about the weather!  Wow!  God is so Good!

Everything at Camp Jordan is packed away and cleaned up, now the paperwork, evaluation meetings and planning for next year begins.

Next up?  Pray for us as we man a booth at Riverbend all week long.

Ted

Set up is going great out at Camp Jordan.

The artists are excited and did you see the weather forcast?  It looks like the weather this year may be the best ever!

If you haven't yet-please begin praying for a large harvest of souls.

God is good and He is going to move at JFEST!

See you there!

Ted

If you love treats, especially FREE treats, here’s an event you’ll enjoy. For National Donut Day–or National Doughnut Day as some spell it–some of our favorite doughnut shops are offering freebies or deals. National Donut Day is the first Friday in June, making it June 1 this year. Here’s a round-up of doughnut deals.

• Participating Dunkin Donuts shops are offering a FREE donut with purchase of a Dunkin’ beverage. Offer is valid at participating shops June 1, while supplies are available. Browse local shops.


• Participating Krispy Kreme Doughnut shops are offering a FREE doughnut June 1, with no purchase required. Browse for local shops on the Krispy Kreme website.


• FREE contest–Entenmann’s and The Salvation Army are featuring a Donut Day Sweepstakes for lots of free donuts and other prizes. Enter online for FREE, no purchase necessary.

--Autumn

hmmm...if it is the latter...that guy must be a hilarious genius.

According to the 10 day forecast from The Weather Channel....We are looking good for JFEST-Sunny and 86!!!

Keep praying for beautiful weather.  We want to make sure that no one has an excuse to not come and worship and hear the Gospel of Christ!

I was somewhat unsure about what to expect in an office
environment before I started my internship. Like Alexandra I am a server
therefore I am used to a physically fast paced environment where there is
little time to stop and get to know your co-workers. I have only been here for
a week or two now and yes the week or two before J-fest so things are somewhat
chaotic (which I like). In the few weeks that I have been here I may not have
gotten to know the staff at J103 that well, but I have come to see that the
staff is more like a family than a crew. My first day I had lunch with Ted,
Justin, Brad and Brett and just watching them chat I could see that they know each
other and know what is going on in each others lives.

So I guess what has surprised me the most about my
internship is the vibe. I expected it to be more uptight (for lack of a better
word). Everyone here is more down to earth than I expected, in my mind I guess
I’ve connected professionalism with detached co-worker relations.

--Autumn :)

My brother nearest to me in age, Shawn, celebrated his birthday yesterday.  He is 40, (five years younger than me).

I sent him a text early yesterday morning, posted a Happy Birthday greeting on his Facebook page and then called him yesterday afternoon when I got home.

While I was sitting on my front porch swing and he was driving back to his home in Louisville from somewhere in Indiana, (he drives a flatbed delivery truck for UPS), we had a good 30 minute conversation.  A really good one.  It was two brothers who haven't seen each other in over a year but take every advantage to chat whenever possible.  We caught up, and it was cool.

After I told him I loved him and "Happy Birthday" one last time, I went inside and Amy said she figured I was talking to Shawn.  She and Chipper had already eaten dinner and she had saved me a plate.  She said I looked like I was having a really good time talking to my little brother, and she didn't want to disturb me.  (I have an incredible wife!)

One day when we get to Heaven-we are going to be able to have talks like that and then some with all of our family that knows the Lord!  It is going to be sweet!

I Hope you have the assurance that you are going to spend eternity in Heaven and that your family does too!

Ted

a lady in her flashy suburban combat utility vehicle cuts me off and immediately i jump at the chance of writing her off as a snobby, money-grubbing golddigger in a loveless marriage. the overweight man with an oxygen tank zipping around walmart on an electric scooter is just an out-of-control redneck that probably spends his welfare checks on snack cakes, porn and cigarettes. the young asian man in a collared polo and khakis was probably adopted by white parents, is super smart and works at TVA.

those are just some of the snap-judgements i'll think through in my head sometimes. brutal honesty 'eh? i'm really attempting this week to pull back from those prejudices, and i feel that most of us if we're honest experience these type of rash opinions, but Jesus was a guy that even the pharisees (ya know, the ones that HATED him and wanted him dead) said he loved all people. the only ones Jesus really had a problem with were the overly-religious hypocrites that said one thing at church, did another thing with their lifestyle and critisized the exact thing they were doing that came from others.

this week, i'm going to strive to be more like Jesus when it comes to how i view people, and less like someone that makes snap-judgements and lives like a pharisee.

Hi there! My name is Autumn Johnson. I began my internship with J103 this May. I have a pretty quirky personality
when you get to know me but until them I am fairly quiet. I love music and art
of all kinds. I am from Winter Haven, Florida. I moved to Tennessee after
graduating from Polk State College in 2010 to attend Lee University. I am
currently a senior there; I plan to graduate this July. I am majoring in
communication with emphasis in telecommunications and a minor in advertising. I
love photography! I hope to incorporate photography into my career once I
graduate. I am not really sure what it is I will be doing for a living when I
graduate but I know that God will open the doors for whatever it is he has in
store for my future. I am looking
forward to the experiences and experience this internship holds!
 --Autumn

these days, the USDA estimates that 20% of all food grown in this country is wasted. that doesn't mean packaged and thrown away, i'm talking right from the harvest about 20% isn't even collected or is thrown away, right away! with over 47 million families regularly going without food in this country, the food can be there for them with a little old fashioned "gleaning."

that's where you can come in, coming up May19 (this Saturday) and May 24 you can help bag and separate 42,000 POUNDS (that's 21 TONS) of sweet potatoes here in Chattanooga to be given to those families in need! if this sounds like something you'd be interested in, check out the contact information below or the End Hunger website!

http://www.endhunger.org/

May 19th
Chattanooga Food Bank
off Amnicola Highway at Curtain Pole Road
Contact: Becky Hall, (423) 892-9363

May 24th
Dallas Bay Baptist Hixson Campus
Next to Chuck E Cheese's at Northgate Mall
Contact: Bruce Shoots, (423) 842-9299

Red Light Interpretation? by Scholar Brad!

Peter Furler releases his “I’m Alive” video (http://t.co/DYotPltm) from footage taken during the 2012 Winter Jam Tour Spectacular that wrapped up earlier this month after hitting 47 cities and playing to nearly 535,000 people - the #1 tour in the world (first quarter) for the second consecutive year (Pollstar). “I’m Alive” is the opening track on Furler’s acclaimed solo debut album, On Fire, which also sparked the radio hits “Matter of Faith” and “Reach.”

The idea for “I’m Alive” practically assaulted Peter. “I just felt this overwhelming sense of freedom,” he says of the song. “When we’re born again, our spirit is free to join with God’s Spirit. Then, when we begin reading and doing what Jesus said, and following the promptings of the spirit of God, this leads us to live without being bound or led by anxiety, emotions or the material, to be ‘On Fire’ with the full life of Christ.” 

With Peter’s quintessential pop vocal breaking through, this contagious anthem does just that, building from a place of doubt and imprisonment to an all-out release of gratitude for forgiveness and freedom.

You shed Your tears for me,
and then You took my hand
and raised me high

I’m alive
I’m on fire
and my spirit burns with desire

Peter Furler’s Winter Jam band pictured (l-r):  Jeff Irizarry, Furler, Phil Joel and Dave Ghazarian.
Joining Furler’s band during the Winter Jam tour and featured on the video is fellow artist and former newsboy bassist/vocalist, Phil Joel, as well as guitarist Dave Ghazarian (Superchick) and drummer Jeff Irizarry.

With multiple GRAMMY nominations and Dove awards, “Songwriter of the Year” nods and musical talent that has driven the sales of five RIAA Certified Gold records, over seven million albums sold and 25 No. 1 songs, Peter Furler made his return to music after amicably ending his long tenure in 2009 as the lead singer of newsboys, the band he founded in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia.  Refreshed and reawakened to the joy of music, Furler’s first solo album, on fire, released amidst wide critical acclaim on Sparrow Records.

As one of the most successful, award-winning artists today continues his musical journey, Peter Furler is one of Australia’s biggest exports of any musical genre.

Source CMSpin

Christian music breakout band Tenth Avenue North announces the unveiling of its third studio project, The Struggle (Reunion Records), on Aug. 21.  The 12-track album reflects influences ranging from fan insight from the headlining artists’ past two years on the road, to the addition of two new band members and a new recording process. Produced by six-time SESAC Christian Songwriter of the Year, and two-time GRAMMY nominee, Jason Ingram (Chris Tomlin, Sanctus Real), The Struggle is a bold, creative leap forward.
 
The Struggle acknowledges life-challenges while pointing to the grace that ultimately delivers us from those challenges.  Front man Mike Donehey shares, “The record’s theme implies permission to struggle with life’s challenges but encourages us not to remain in that place of struggle.  Things are going to be hard but we have something greater to look forward to.  We are free to struggle, but because of what Christ did on the cross, we don't need to struggle to be free.”
 
The album’s debut single “Losing” will impact Christian radio, May 25.  The song was inspired by a moving letter sent in to a WAY-FM radio station by a woman struggling with forgiveness; it sums up the idea that we actually lose more than we win when we choose not to extend  forgiveness to someone.  “Withholding our love doesn’t give us an upper hand in any conflict.  ‘Losing’ suggests that we actually end up losing when we don’t offer forgiveness or love,” adds Donehey. 
 
The band has always valued a direct relationship with its fans, and had the idea to bring them into the recording process.  Guitarist, Jeff Owen, shares, “On several dates during our last tour we posted invitations on our facebook and twitter pages inviting our fans to show up and lend their voices to some of our songs. The result? We have songs on The Struggle featuring rich choruses made up of our fans.  It’s pretty special that we got to do this.”
 
New members, Ruben Juarez (bass) and Brendon Shirley (keys) were instrumental in the progression of the band’s sound.  “Ruben and Brendon are more technically knowledgeable than Jason, Jeff and I are,” says Donehey.  “They really added to the musical structure of these songs. Plus, we all get along so well creatively.  I couldn’t see doing this record without them.” 

 
Fresh off the “Rock & Worship Roadshow” tour, which saw attendance exceeding 230,000, Tenth Avenue North made a featured appearance at the GRAMMY block party in Nashville earlier this week.  Known as the event that launches the summer music season, the Block Party gives industry folks a chance to mingle while enjoying a great variety of live music.  Other artists scheduled to appear include Luke Bryan, Wynonna, Elenowen, Keb’ Mo’ and The Mavericks.

Source: CMSpin

You can imagine, (or maybe you have experienced) what it is like when the dryer goes out.  You have a couple of options-hang everything out on the back deck and pray for warm sunny weather, (like our grandparents used to do), or pack the clothes up and head to the inlaws to borrow their dryer.  Either way-it put a major damper on the laundry at our house recently.

Thank God for good neighbors.  One of our neighbors down the street works on dryers/washing machines in his spare time.  He even buys damaged ones, fixes them up and resells them.  (We have one of his washers we bought several years ago-runs like new!)

"Chris" came down and checked out our dryer the other night-and sent us to a parts store to get a new fuse.  We got it, and he then found that our heating element was broke, he patched it, changed the fuse and got us up and running again.

When I tried to pay him for his time and expertise, he refused, so I snuck it in his tool bag.  He found it and said, "Ted, I'm not charging you."  I said, "I know you are not charging me, you are blessing me and I want to bless you."  He left our house with cash, and we now have dry clothes!

He could use the cash and we needed an affordable fix to our dryer.  Those are the blessings orchaestrated from Heaven.

The sad reality is that there are a lot of kids who's dad is the only mother they have ever known.

I know of some great men that are providing both roles in their kids lives.  I pray for them.

I don't know how I would have handled our three all by myself.  My wife Amy is an incredible mother and her job is (a lot of times) thankless.

So to all you mom's (and dad's who are mom's) Happy Mother's Day!

This afternoon I am honored to perform a ceremony of a wonderful couple who live on Lookout Mountain.  The wedding is going to be a real intimate one with just the two of them and two other family members.  It is going to be held in their backyard that has a stunning view of the TN Valley.

I feel God is really shining down on this couple-the weather is gorgeous!

This weekend as we honor our mothers, husbands make sure the mother of your children feel special and loved.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Timothy Hamby I would say he wanted his children to look like him

Tonya Parker Hammontree He
already had servants-his angels. He wanted family. Children who would
take after their Father! He is amazing! I hope I look like my Daddy! I
love You, my dear Abba, Father!

Carla Hixson Hayward God
is love. He created people who can love and reason as He can. Expecting
and wanting us to just show His kind of love to each other and to love
Him back.

Christy Jones God
is perfect, we r perfect in his eyes! So we look like him, so the pic
of him that we associate with him can not b accurate because we r all
different in our own way but yet we r all the same hmmm!?

i love all of these responses and the others that were posted in reply to the FB update. the reason i asked that though, and what got me thinking on it was a part in a book I'm reading called "Is God A Moral Monster" by Paul Copan, a great book to read if you've ever thought about the old testament God as different form the new.

in the book though, Paul talks about how many people call God a self-conceited, full of himself diety for making us in His image, but Paul points out that that's not the case. think about it, if we truly believe that God is indeed perfect in every way and that he loves us more than anything, why would he not want the best for us? especially in our basic design as humans!

God designed human-beings to look like him, not because he's a snob in the sky, but because he's the ultimate perfect being and loves us so much that he wants us to be like Him. it's just a little bit from the book, but something i had never thought about for and loved the realization of! thought I had to share some, but you can check out the book for more!

Check out the video.....Only 25 more days till JFEST!

http://www.highonleconte.com/index.html

When I first began my internship at J103, I was immediately
surprised by how laid back the station was. I guess that I always just assumed
that a radio station would be strict and extremely business-like. While there
is plenty of business going on, it is also an environment where people can have
a good time and enjoy their jobs. It was refreshing to be around that kind of
atmosphere.

Another thing that I didn’t expect was how close everyone was. When
I first noticed this, it was the first “birthday lunch” that I went to. This is
when everyone gathers for lunch once a month to celebrate all of the birthdays
in that month. As I looked around the table at everyone eating their lunches
and making casual conversation, it looked as if I was eating with one, big
family. It was such an amazing sight.

The best part was that I felt like a part
of this family. This was evident when something would happen that would upset
me and everyone (including ALL of the DJs) would talk to me and tell me that
they were there for me if I needed anything. It was so thoughtful of them and so
nice to feel like they were there for me.

I never would have expected to come
here for an internship and leave knowing that I have created relationships with
these people that I will never forget.

Oh and some other things that I didn’t expect:
Ted’s participation in a body building contest, Brett’s obsession with Frisbees,
and the fun, yet extensive and sometimes random projects that I was given to by
Justin.

-Khrista

On Friday I surprised Chipper when I picked him up from school and took him to see The Avengers!  Great movie!  We both loved it!

Spent the entire day Saturday with Amy.  Went to lunch (Welcome to Moes!  $4 burrito day for Cinco de Mayo), found Amy a pair of sandals she was looking for, enjoyed some Sweet Frogs Premium Yogurt! (You have to try some of that!) and then spread mulch in a couple of flower beds!

Sunday had a great Sunday School class, worship service, BBQ lunch for our church's summer mission trip and then just hung out in the yard!

Thank you God for great weekends like this one!

Chris August at JFEST update.......Nothing new-he is still recupperating and planning on being at JFEST.  I will keep you informed right here in the blog if there are any changes or updates!

You may not be aware that in addition to hanging out with you on your ride into work on the morning show, one of my responsibilities here at J103 is Festival Director of JFEST.

I love almost every part of my job-especially this part.

Most people who come to JFEST have no idea of the amount of hours and effort that goes into making sure everyone has an awesome time and that people are able to be exposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

My "To Do" list right now is longer than most people's entire year.  But please know I am not complaining in the least bit.  God has given me a passion for events like this and being busy is just a part of it.

We are deciding on J-Merch designs, Volunteer shirt colors, best pricing on generators, Gofl cars, volunteer training, counselors for the Prayer and Counseling tent, just to name a few.

Can I ask you to add me to your daily prayer list?  Pray for God's wisdom, strength, endurance, vision, and health.

Also keep Chris August in your prayer.  No new news yet-as far as we know he will be fully recovered from his head injury and be here singing all your favorite Chris August tunes.

Thanks and keep coming back for a daily update on the progress of JFEST!

He is improving and yet has had to cancel some of his concert appearances (mostly opening for Mercy Me) the first two weeks of May.  His management said they haven't been informed by his doctors if he should cancel any future events, so we are still on a wait and see game.

As far as right now, yes, Chris August will be at JFEST singing your favorites.

Keep him in your prayers.  Pray for compete healing......and a helmet!!

You may or may not have heard my name from Ted, Brett, or even my own
personal one time experience on the radio, but I am Khrista, the intern
for J103. I began my internship with J103 in July, when I searched for a
Journalism business that I could go to every day after school as a part
of my Youth Apprenticeship Program.

While I am graduating from high school in less than a month, I will
soon be on my way to the University of Georgia to major in Journalism.
Unfortunately, my voice will not be heard on the radio in Athens, for I
am terrified of talking on the radio. And that fear is the reason why I
have decided to write my blogs. Plus, I absolutely love to write, which
makes it a surprise that this is my first blog. 

I have always thought that I will end up writing many books, but
never once thought about attempting any type of blog, until I came to
J103. The guys here thought that it would be a neat idea to get the
interns' perspective of working at the radio station, and I agreed to
this idea.

As I said, I am graduating soon, so I sadly will not be with J103 for
much longer, but while I am still interning here, I will continue to
blog. So don't worry, you will hear all of my honest and certainly
entertaining stories and experiences that I have had at J103.

-Khrista

I don't know what's going to happen if they begin to let women in
baseball. Of course, they will never make good. Why? Because they are
too delicate. It would kill them to play ball every day.

a few days after Jackie Mitchell struck out the Yanks, baseball commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis (yes, thats his name!) voided her contract and declared women unfit to play baseball as the game was "too strenuous for women."

i posted this on my Facebook wall just the other day and someone even found a video on the legend of Jackie Mitchell that tells the story much better than i could!

The Jackie Mitchell Story on Vimeo.

As a JFEST artist (in a month) I will be making a call today to his booking agency to see if he is still planning on coming to our festival June 2, or if they are going to provide an alternate artist.

Check back in to my blog here tomorrow and I will keep you upated.

Ted

There are so many loose ends that have to be tied up before thousands can come and enjoy the great artists at Camp Jordan.

Will you please pray for me and our staff as we make the last month's decisions?

If you haven't gotten your tickets get them today-we still have some of the wristbands for Faith and Family Night to give you!

What does that mean to you?  Love to hear your comments.

Wow.  I’m so thankful for the gift of pets. God gives us animals to bring comfort, joy, laughter, peace and love to our lives.  But it sure is hard to say goodbye.  In 1995, Shelly and I had been married only 4 years when Boots came into our life.  A beautiful black and white long-haired cat with a completely loveable personality. She was just sweet.  17 years is a long time to have a pet.  But we had to say goodbye to her last night.

She developed a problem with seizures back in the summer.  We thought we lost her around labor day, then again at Christmas, then again last week.  Each time, I could tell the toll it was taking on her. Then it happened again this week.  She got sick Friday and never recovered. 

What I’ll miss the most, is coming home from work.  She would hop up from her nap and eagerly follow me to the closet, where I always changed clothes. She’d rub her favorite boxes and wait patiently for me to finish changing.  I’d pick her up and hold her like a baby.  It was an every day routine for as long as I can remember. 

Please pray for Shelly and Luke. Boots, or “booty” or “boo” as we sometimes called her has always been part of Luke’s life.  He’s only 10, she had just turned 17.

Booty….we’ll miss you!

It is "do or die" time with only 4 weeks left to go.  He is taking every free minute he can to study, (weekends, evenings, lunch time, etc).  He is really striving to pass this class.

Do we do the same thing in life?  When faced with tough obstacles or trials do we, through God's help and strength, strive and push forward to win the prize?

If Chipper can pass Biology then surely I can face the tough times that are coming my way.

Go Chipper!  That's my boy!

so without any more verbage, here's my superlative list when it comes to the JFest artists:

Best band to play putt-putt with: Sidewalk Prophets - these guys are just too goofy and fun to not enjoy an ultra-competitive/cutthroat game of mini-golf with!

Best band to go hunting/fishing with: Dara Maclean - the lady grew up in Texas. she must know how to hunt!

Best band to go shopping with: Building 429 - you thought i was going to say Dara didn't you? but have you seen the amount of eyeliner and hair product B429 uses??? not to mention their fashionably hipster grunge rock attire!

Best band to play pickup basketball with: Kutless - not because they're exceptionaly tall or athletic looking, but because their lead singer is bald. bald on the court is intimidating.

Best band to go out to eat with: Chris August - the guy wrote a whole song about candy! need i say more!

haha, sounds bad i know, i always sang along, but never read into them. the band's name is Shaimus, and they're not a Christian band, but you can see who this song is calling out. it's calling out us Christians for making claims and professions with our mouths but living a completely different life through our actions. people know that love is it. they realize that love is why we're all here. they know that we as Christians claim love and grace. we need to strive to truly show the love we so proudly claim in our daily lives to EVERYONE we're around, cause as proof here, everyone is watching for that love!

Shaimus - "Interview"

I woke up this morning to the


interview on the radio.

It was this bitter old lady preaching 'bout

how much she hated the world.


And it hit me like whiplash, oh but I


couldn't get up to turn it off. It was

Like watching a car crash.

Your mouth is open but you can't find a word.

In our lives, how do we perceive?

Do we know whats right or do we just believe?

We can name when it's black or white.

It won't look the same when it's shades of light.

Attacking the people


With the book she molested in the palm of her hand.

How can you take what is based on love

To hate those you don't understand?


And it hit me like whiplash, oh but I


couldn't get up to turn it off. It was

Like watching a car crash.

Your mouth is open but you can't find a word.

In our lives, how do we perceive?

Do we know whats right or do we just believe?

We can name when it's black or white.

It won't look the same when it's shades of light.

Sometimes our lives are a lot like this.   Are you in the midst of the storm right now? Is it one of those “sad” days?  The devil wants you to worry worry worry. He wants you to think of the worst possible outcome.  But here’s the good news: Things usually do not turn out nearly as bad as we are able to imagine they will.  And by God’s grace, the storm usually passes sooner that we expect.

So be encouraged today!  Your “3 days” will be over sooner that you think!

On the other side-I am asking a favor......pray for marriages!  I have two couples that I know that are really struggling keeping their marriage vows.

One couple was on the brink of a divorce after some unfaithfullness.  They were ready to throw in the towel thinking it was to late and to far gone.  But God interceeded and thanks to some good marital counseling and a lot of prayers they are on the road to strengthening their marriage.

Don't take your own marriage for granted either.  Invest time daily to make sure your spouse knows without a shadow of a doubt that you love them just as much now, if not more than the day you said, "I do!"

Kind of a short post tonight but I'm dead dog tired and suffering from a sore throat! This is the worst thing that could happen to a person who makes a living talking on the radio. 

haha, it always seems like when i convince her it won't take long and not to worry about changing or drying her hair or whatever we run into somebody we know and i get berated for the next 48 hours on how it was my fault she didn't look good when we ran into somebody we knew. it was pretty cool last night though, we went grocery shopping and happened across two of our friends in seperate parts of the store who had just come from working out. here we were fresh from dinner and lookin pretty spiffy if i might say so myself. did i get any thanks? not this time. when we look good, i've learned by now i had nothing to do with it. :)

• WBCO/WQEL- Bucyrus, Ohio


• WDIF - Marion, Ohio


• Hit Radio 100 - The Island of Guam


• WFMF- Baton Rouge, Louisiana


• Star 102.1- Little Rock, Arkansas


• KJ-103 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma


• 1075 KZL - Greensboro, North Carolina


• Y-107 Columbia, Missouri


• Island 106 - Panama City, Florida


• 1079 PFM - 
   Panama City, Florida


• Spirit 93.3 Little Rock, Arkansas


• Alice 107.7 Little Rock, Arkansas


• V-103 Atlanta, Georgia
  
  But let me tell ya, I'm done wanderin! I have found the perfect station to call home! 

 

Would you believe that I entered the swinging world of radio at the age of two?

My mom always tells the story on how I wandered away from home in Lompoc California and ended up at the radio station about a mile down the road. When she finally found me I was happliy on top of the radio console telling the disc jockey what record should be played next.

Since then I always pursued being a disc jockey, which actually was a family thing since my mom was a DJ in Morocco and my next door neighbor and CCD sponsor was a disc jockey at the local station.

When most guys were going on dates in high school I and my wacky band of friends would sit out on the driveway and listen to the radio to hear the most distant stations. Being on the coast of California is was a really big deal to hear Ohio stations.

More radio cornicopia in my next rambling!

The Micro Bus Bed and Playhouse

(fixed the above link!)

If you missed it here it is:

 

PASSION: White Flag has debuted to widespread praise and popularity with the highest street week to date for a Passion recording, selling more than 48,000 units, a 61% increase above 2011's PASSION: HERE FOR YOU, while landing at No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200 and No. 1 on Christian SoundScan. In addition, this marks sixstepsrecords' second album this year to debut in the top 5 of the Billboard Top 200, following David Crowder* Band's No. 2 entry this past January.
 
Some of the most celebrated and respected worship leaders of today, including Chris Tomlin, David Crowder*Band, Matt Redman, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill and Charlie Hall, led the generation of tomorrow in collective praise, as captured on PASSION: White Flag, recorded at Passion 2012 earlier this year. This 14-track worship celebration (deluxe edition contains 3 additional tracks, plus extras), live from Atlanta’s Georgia Dome, features the aforementioned sixstepsrecords artists along with the voices of more than 42,000 college students. PASSION: White Flag skyrocketed to No. 4 on iTunes® Top Albums Overall Chart upon its release, with the deluxe version of the project currently No. 1 on the Christian iTunes® chart and the regular version holding the No. 2 position. PASSION: White Flag can be downloaded  here or purchased at retailers and digital outlets nationwide.

PASSION: White Flag is lead by the rallying title-track single, “White Flag,” featuring GRAMMY® winner Chris Tomlin. The song was the most added track at Christian AC radio in its debut week and is currently at No. 17 on the National Audience chart, while being the most added at both AC Monitored and Indicator this week. The album features some familiar songs while also highlighting brand-new music spurred from Passion 2012.
 
Passion 2012 was a four-day gathering, attended by over 42,000 college students, led by Passion founder and pastor, Louie Giglio along with renowned speakers John Piper, Beth Moore and Francis Chan, as well as artists and worship leaders Chris Tomlin, David Crowder* Band, Charlie Hall, Matt Redman, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill, Hillsong United and Lecrae. Passion 2012 helped students representing 31 countries and more than 1,700 campuses learn about the horrific realities faced by the 27 million people worldwide who are enslaved as forced laborers, child laborers or trapped within the all- too prevalent sex trade. In total, $3.3 million was given to support more than 20 projects around the world by organizations that are focusing on prevention, rescue, and restoration for the millions of men, women, and children entrapped in modern day slavery.
 
Media are also taking notice of PASSION:White Flag, saying…
 
“White Flag rises up and delivers a powerful set… Assisted by stellar vocalists like Kristian Stanfill and Chris Tomlin, tracks like “Not Ashamed” and “No Turning Back” ring out with an epic rock swagger that draws heavily from the sound of artists like U2 and Coldplay. David Crowder*Band steps in…adding anthemic fuel to a fire that’s already burning pretty hot.” – iTunes
 
“Featuring modern worship’s usual suspects, sixstepsrecords fills the musical component of its annual Passion conference with bigger anthems, bigger production and all-star roster…the 2012 CD showcases Passion’s best yet tracks... producer Nathan Nockels does a stellar job of sonically placing the listener in the middle of the action. White Flag plainly positions Passion as the leader in new corporate worship.” – CCM
 
"Passion's heart to craft reverent and relevant praise remains the same....this is a tightly performed blend of electronic rock, Brit pop, and booming ballads that work well with a congregation, though the calmer cuts could just as comfortably accompany personal prayer time." – Christianity Today
 
“If you have a time or place to sit alone and spend some time singing praises to a loving Creator, this album is amazing. To close your eyes and sing along with some of these remarkably powerful lyrics, with no other thoughts or distractions, will take you to a true place of worship. Passion has always excelled in this area and they continue to do so, even after 14 years.” – Jesus Freak Hideout
 
“Like previous offerings, this project delivers a set of songs that bring the listener to a fresh sense of gratefulness for God and what He has done for those who belong to Him. It’s no exaggeration to say there is not a single track on this recording not worth downloading and carrying with you.” – Worship.com
 
Alongside the release of Passion: White Flag, Passion founder and recent GRAMMY ® nominee Louie Giglio debuted the latest in the 900,000+ selling Passion Talk Series,   SYMPHONY, I LIFT MY HANDS, last week. As seen by over 200,000 people on Tomlin’s 50-city “And If Our God Is For Us...Tour," SYMPHONY is one of Giglio’s most compelling talks and one that left audiences spellbound. To experience a preview of SYMPHONY, click here.
 
The Passion World Tour will stop in Vancouver this Friday, March 23, and features Giglio, along with Chris Tomlin, David Crowder and Kristian Stanfill with future 2012 dates soon to be announced in Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa.

Source: CMSpin

Celebraing this weekend:

Friday:  Rhonda Killian, 52 in Ringgold

James Sims, 2 in Ringgold

Colin Sapienza, 6 in Dayton

Drew Mullins, 40 in Cleveland

Jr Sitzlar, 45 in Ten Mile

Duane Hope, 40 in Cleveland

Saturday:  Lydia Terrazas. 67 in Dalton

Cheryl Ashworth, 29+ in Valley Head

Sunday:  Lynda Hughes, 47 in Chattanooga

Nathan Sunder, 5 Flintstone

Rebecca Walden, 15 Niota

Ava Robbins, 4 in Chattanooga

Nathan, 5 Flintstone

Herb Landwer, 39 in Ooltewah

Happy Easter Everyone!

She is a local High School student who has (since September) been keeping up with the morning show page among other duties around the station.

With that said, she is on spring break, and I forgot to post yesterdays birthdays.  Sorry.

Congratulations Madison Collier, 13 in Rock Spring-she won the DQ Birthday Cake.

Also celebrating yesterday:

Ashlyn Melton, 15 in Cleveland

Taelor Cash, 12 in Charleston

Courtney Lillian Patterson, 15 in Pikeville

and Nathan Hales, 37 in Dunlap.

Today's Birthday winner was Austin Vandergriff, 16 in Cleveland.  Enjoy that DQ icecream cake Austin!

Happy Birthday to:  Spencer Earls, 16 in Cleveland

Rhyan Dishroom, 28 in Ringgold

Christian Moser, 5 in Cleveland

Mike Mcintyre, 44 in Ringgold

and Brandi Patterson 35 in Epworth!

Can't wait for Khrista to get back Monday!!!

Jimmy Needham’s  new album, Clear The Stage,  is being hailed as his strongest release to date with stellar reviews from media and strong support overall from the Christian music industry.  The project is the first-time collaboration between producer Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Dave Barnes, Aaron Shust) and Needham, with the first single, If I Ever Needed Grace going for adds at radio.  The Fish/LA is one of the stations who is on board with an early add.

Needham’s two-week promo trip covered several cities in six states (Georgia, Illinois, Florida, Indiana, Texas and Michigan) for media appearances and radio interviews/visits.  The music has attracted several mainstream outlets such as the national WGN Midday News, nationally syndicated morning show Daytime, and Great Day Houston.  Other national press outlets include, Moody’s Chris Fabry Live!, watchgmctv.com, Campus Crusade For Christ-Lighthouse and Women Today radio programs, and local outlet, Atlanta Live.   Radio visits included KLTY/Dallas, TX; TheJoyFM/Sarasota, FL; WHPZ/South Bend, IN; The Fish/Atlanta, GA; WJQK, Grand Rapids, MI, and  Shine.FM in Chicago, IL hosted a live acoustic concert by Needham at Olivet Nazarene University.
Early media reviews are raving about Clear The Stage, and the growth of Needham as an artist and songwriter.

Phantom Tollbooth - This may be Needham’s best and most mature recording to date, and the way he sings “Clear The Stage” is worth hearing.

JesusFreakHideout.com - The theme of "Clear The Stage" cannot be missed as it is weaved throughout the entire album. Needham is focused on eternity and drawing closer to God.

Hollywood Jesus - With Clear The Stage, the influences are diverse, but the ten-song disc is cohesive and solid.

Christian Manifesto - He has paved for himself a unique path with his distinctive voice,
brilliant  songwriting, and mixture of various music styles.  And it works.

Also upcoming for Needham will be an interview about Clear The Stage with Rhapsody.com’s, “On The Record” and “The Box,” that will be online in May, along with a busy touring schedule this spring and summer.  For more information about Needham please visit online at www.jimmyneedham.com.

Source: CMSpin

 

After receiving five GRAMMY® awards, countless other accolades, and with album sales in excess of 10 million, it’s no surprise that critics and fans alike bravoed superstar TobyMac upon the release of Dubbed & Freq’d: A Remix Project, his first remix album in seven years. Fusing his signature rock-pop, hip-hop and urban styles with a treatment of today’s electronic music uprising, the album offers an outstanding new interpretation of 12 of Toby’s classics to an incredibly wide audience. Immediately upon release, the album made its debut at No. 2 on the iTunes® Christian & Gospel Albums chart.
 
To give fans a chance to build their own remixes, Toby has launched an interactive app on his Facebook page where visitors can create their own remix of his hit song “Showstopper”. After creating it, fans can share their unique remix via Facebook and Twitter. To check it out, please click here.

“For remix records, an artist can be very involved or back off, and for me it’s the latter,” Toby explains. “For all of my remix records, I choose the producers and remixers and let them do their thing. Then I either say ‘yes’ or push back with ‘what if you did this or that?’ The way I see it, I’ve already taken my shot at the songs and put the recipe together.”
 
Media have been eager to praise TobyMac for his adventurous new project, and here is just a sampling of what people are saying about Dubbed & Freq’d:
 
"...if you’re familiar with [TobyMac's] music and are interested in hearing it in a fresh new way, look no further… and prepare to be freaked." - New Release Tuesday
 
“Such a crisp creative project could only come from one of the industry’s best. TobyMac puts together another great release… no surprise there.” – CMAddict.com
 
"‘Lose My Soul’ and ‘Ignition’ are both simply amazing, with the former carrying hot piano (yes piano) keys while the latter has dramatic production throughout. McKeehan takes two already great songs and re-mixes them into pure creative awesomeness... this will be spinning in my player for a while." – Jesus Freak Hideout
 
“TobyMac not only makes great music with amazing production value, he makes essential music, and getting Dubbed & Freq’d is just a natural choice for any fan.” – Christian Music Zine
 
In addition to the release of Dubbed & Freq’d, TobyMac has concert plans as well, having announced the expansion of his unplugged “A Night of Stories and Songs” tour through April 21. He has also confirmed appearances at high-profile festivals including Spirit West Coast, Creation East and AtlantaFest, in additional to many more. See the cities and dates here.
 
About TobyMac: 
With over 10 million in career sales, TobyMac’s first three solo projects received RIAA Gold status and GRAMMY® nominations, his live CD/DVD took home a GRAMMY® award in 2009, and this year the much-celebrated and acclaimed artist celebrated his eighth consecutive GRAMMY® nomination, this time for his songwriting contribution to rising star (and recording artist on his label, Gotee Records) Jamie Grace’s No. 1 hit “Hold Me.” His latest album TONIGHT that received a nod for “Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.”  The GRAMMY ® nominated single from the hit record “City On Our Knees” track topped the sales and radio charts faster than any of his previous singles, spending 8 weeks at #1 on the Christian Audience Chart.  TONIGHT also garnered him the highest sales debut of his solo career with over 78,000 units and a No. 6 Billboard Top 200 debut. The album was also named as iTunes® Best Christian Album of 2010 and recently took home the Dove Award for “Best Rock Contemporary Album of the Year.”
 
Along with sold out tour dates, back-to-back radio hits and being named the GMA Dove Award’s 2008 “Artist of the Year,” he was also nominated for “Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist” at the 2010 American Music Awards and was up for three Billboard Music Awards this year including “Top Christian Artist.” The hit song “Tonight” was also chosen as the theme song for MLB’s 30 Clubs in 30 Days Spring Training Series and featured on the Golf Channel.  Additionally, his music has been heard in major motion pictures such as “Hancock,” “TRANSPORTER 2,” while also being featured on Fox sports, The NFL network, being selected as the theme song for Fox College Football and WWE’s Fatal 4-Way Pay-Per-View. “Showstopper,” from the chart-topping album TONIGHT, was featured in ESPN’s ESPY Award Show and used to launch the last season of CBS hit television show CSI: NY. His latest album, Dubbed & Freq'd: A Remix Project, released on March 26, 2012. For more information on TobyMac, go to:  www.tobymac.com

Source: CMSpin

Aaron Shust Voted By Fans Best Inspirational Artist On About.com 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards

The accolades continue to grow for Aaron Shust and his incredible career, as he was just fan-voted as Best Inspirational Artist on the About.com 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards.  Voting began on the popular website February 22 with fans nominating twenty artists, and the top five artists who garnered the most votes became the finalists.  Voting ended March 21 with Shust winning the category.

“I am so honored by this award and the support of my wonderful fans,” says Shust.  “It means so much to me that people took the time to vote and I want to thank each and every one of you.  And thank you to About.com for providing this opportunity for the fans’ voices to be heard.”

Shust just ended an incredible fourteen-week run on five Christian music charts at #1 with his last single, My Hope Is In You.  His second single, RisenToday, is currently going for adds at radio.  Both songs are from Shust’s current CD, This Is What We Believe on Centricity Music. 

For more information on Shust and his touring schedule, which includes dates for the Called To Love Tour, please visit online at www.aaronshust.com.

Source: CMSpin

Chris August joins the Morning Show with Ted 4-5-12 by The Morning Show with Ted

 

NewReleaseTuesday.com (NRT), the largest Christian music site online, continues to push forward in mobile app development with the announcement of the site's third application, “NRT Weekly,” designed for Apple’s industry leading mobile iOS platform. The app is available now as a free download through Apple’s iTunes Store and is optimized for the iPad as well as available for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. The app was developed in partnership with Word Entertainment—an entertainment company that represents some of the top names and brands in Christian music—and will feature exclusive ads throughout NRT Weekly, highlighting the latest projects and messages from Word Entertainment, as well as various national awareness campaigns throughout the year.
 
“NRT Weekly is the culmination of the hard work our entire team has done over the past five years as we've sought to build the best Christian music site online,” states NRT founder, Kevin McNeese. “Our previous app, NRT Mobile, is more informative and static, connecting to our massive Christian artist and album databases, whereas NRT Weekly is a content rich app, updating every Tuesday with new content to explore. It is a natural progression of what we do and a great way for the casual, or even hardcore, Christian music fan to quickly digest the latest that NRT and the world of Christian music has to offer each week."
 
Adam Zinke, Director of Online Marketing at Word Entertainment, said, “As an entertainment company, we are always looking for ways to expand our reach through new and innovative technologies. NewReleaseTuesday.com has once again delivered a well-designed mobile experience for the Christian music fan. We are honored to be a part of this vision and help drive it forward."
 
Released almost three years to the date since NRT Mobile’s launch—which has since been downloaded more than 85,000 times—NRT Weekly seeks to dynamically share with fans what's new in Christian music each week. Through exclusive content, special features and rich media, Christian music fans will be able to explore new releases, watch the latest music videos, connect with their favorite artists and read interviews and other exclusive content found nowhere else.
 
In addition to the latest information on new releases, NRT Weekly will give users mobile access to the site’s popular new release schedule promoting what's releasing in future weeks as well as connecting fans to NRT Radio, a 24/7 Christian Music radio station that plays over 8 hours of new music with zero repeats.
 
“It's been my experience that God will bring together the right team in His timing,” says McNeese. “We feel that NRT Weekly aligns perfectly with Word Entertainment's mission to reach music fans in a dynamic and innovative way. One of NRT’s main objectives is to introduce people to music that changes lives and NRT Weekly will be a true extension of that vision for both companies. With over 25 billion applications downloaded through iTunes, and the recent release of the third generation iPad, there is huge potential to bring positive music to this platform, and I can’t think of a better partner than Word Entertainment to help us bring this application to market.”
 
"We are truly approaching this as an evolution of the digital magazine," continues McNeese. "NRT Weekly is designed for quick consumption and updated for free every single Tuesday with content you can't get anywhere else. We can't wait to connect with Christian Music fans in this way.”
 
More information about NRT Weekly, along with the long-awaited launch of NRT Mobile for the Android platform, can be found at http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/nrtmobile.
 
About NewReleaseTuesday.com
NewReleaseTuesday.com (http://www.NewReleaseTuesday.com) was launched in August of 2002 and offers the most complete and up-to-date listing of upcoming releases online, exclusive artist interviews, commentary from a variety of columnists, New Christian Music PodCasts and the latest in Christian music news. It is also the home to the NRTeam, an online music community that maintains one of the largest online databases of Christian artist profiles, album reviews and song lyrics. NewReleaseTuesday.com is part of the FrontGate Media group.

About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry for more than 60 years, Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, is a unique, comprehensive entertainment company comprised of multi-faceted artist service departments including publishing, merchandising, booking, and online initiatives. Word Entertainment represents some of the top names and brands in Christian music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, BarlowGirl, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, For King and Country, Group 1 Crew, Dara Maclean, Point Of Grace and Sidewalk Prophets, and is home to 25 Entertainment, Word Distribution (representing Curb Records and Big Idea/VeggieTales among others), Word Print, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records and Fervent Records.

Source: CMSpin

Happy B-Day to Hannah Williams who is 12 years old today in Chatsworth Georgia.  She won the DQ Grill and Chill Birthday Cake.

Others having birthdays today are:

Judy Walker, 63 in Soddy Daisy

Ronnie Vandergriff, 55 in Cleveland

Marty McCarver 64 in Ringgold

Mildred Green, 71 in Dalton

and Pastor Lee Ingram, 67 from Fairview Baptist Church in Benton TN.

Hurry Back Khrista!!!!!!

Happy Birthday and Congratulations to today's DQ Grill and Chill B-Day cake:  Constance Ensley, 7 from Ooltewah.

Also Happy B-Day to:

katy kennedy 10 in Ringgold

Ashley Ingram 25 (Sat) in Ider Al

Lance is 9 in Chatsworth

Mark Ware, 50's in Calhoun.

How Much is $540 Million?

if you walked down the street and found a dollar bill on the ground every 10 feet, you'd have to walk the circumference of the Earth 41 times to pick up all 540 million of those bills.

it's yoru salary for 5,400 years if you earn $100,000 a year.

You could buy a thousand $500,000 homes

You could buy over 98 million $5-plus drinks at Starbucks-or one for everyone in the state of California, New York and TExas and still have enough to buy two of them for all your friends in Washington state plus if you were feeling generous, one for everyone in Oregon too.

In fact, you could buy 1.3% of Starbucks, the company.

Here is this mornings Monday Morning Chuckle-Christian Comediane Anita Renfroe talks about how difficult it is to get the entire family to sit down for dinner.

Wendy Steele: "does this call for a new bumper sticker?"

Dave Poe: "lol ... only in America is Haz-mat eco friendly!! .. smh"

Melissa Shelton: "April Fools? That is ugly."

Perk Evans: "I just threw up in my mouth... A little."

Robin Swanson: "The light bulb is ok but the j103 part is way "60-70"s not so crazy about that part. But it you change it I would still sport proudly on my car so get ready to send two my way."

Jessica Churches: "Love it!! Made me laugh!!!"

Rebekah Staats: "Hey guys, they posted this a
while back, then confirmed it's a JOKE. They aren't really changing the
logo. Remember: today is April Fool's Day.... so don't worry!!"

This morning we talked about Christina Verrelli's Pillsbury Bake-Off award winning recipe.  She created a Pumpkin Ravioli with Salted Caramel Whipped Cream from Pillsbury Crescent dough sheets, canned pumpkin and cream cheese.  Sounds delicious!

Apparently the judges thought it was and they awarded her $1 million and a $10,000 kitchen makeover with GE kitchen appliances.

Here is the recipe:

Create a sweet new twist on pumpkin ravioli with flaky crescent dough, cream cheese and caramel sauce.  Mmmmm.

Prep Time:  1 Hr 10 Min

Total time: 1 Hr 10 Min

Makes 12 (2 ravioli each) servings

Ingredients:

4 Tbls LAND O LAKES Butter, melted

2 pkgs (3 oz each) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1 LAND O LAKES Egg Yolk

1/2 tsp McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract

1/4 cup sugar

5 tbls Pillsbury Best All Purpose Flour

1/2 tsp McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/3 cup Fisher Chef's Naturals Chopped Pecans, finelly chopped

2 cans Pillsbury Crescent Recipe Creations refrigerated seamless dough sheets

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/8 tsp sale

5 tbls Hershey's caramel syrup

4 tlbs McCormick Cinnamon Sugar

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Heat oven to 375.  Brush 2 large cookie sheets with 2 tbls of the melted butter.  In large bowl, beat cream cheese and pumpkin with electric mixer on medium speed about 1 minute or until smooth.  Add egg yolk, vanilla, sugar, 3 tbls of the flour and pumpkin pie spice; beat on low speed until blended.  Reserve 4 tsps of the pecans; set aside.  Stir remaining pecans into pumpkin mixture.

2.  Lightly sprinkle work surface with 1 tbls of the flour.  Unroll 1 can of the dough on floured surface with 1 short side facing you.  Press dough into 14x12-inch rectangle.  With paring knife, lightly score the dough in half horizontally.  Lightly score bottom half of dough into 12 squares (3x2 1/4-inch each).  Spoon heaping tablespoon of the pumpkin filling onto center of each square.  Gently lift and position unscored half of dough over filling. Starting at the top folded edge, press handle of wooden spoon firmly between mounds and along edges of pumpkin filling to seal.  Using toothpick poke small hole in top of each raviolli.  Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut between each ravioli; place 1 inch apart on cookie sheets.  Repeat with reamining 1 tbls flour, dough sheet and filling.  Brush ravioli with remaining 2 tbls melted butter.

3.  Bake 9 to 14 minutes or until golden brown.

4.  Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat whipping cream and salt with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form.  Beat in 2 tbls of the caramel syrup until stiff peaks form.  Transfer to serving bowl, cover and refrigerate.

5.  Remove ravioli from overn.  Sprinkle ravioli with 2 tbls cinnamon sugar; turn.  Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar.

6.  To serve, place 2 ravioli on each of 12 dessert plates.  Drizzle each serving with scant tsp of the caramel syrup; sprinkle with reserved chopped pecans.  With spoon, swirl remaining 1 tbls caramel syrup into bowl of whipped cream.  SErve warm ravioli with whipped cream.

At lunch today we were talking and he mentioned at how bad our gang problem must be here in Chattanooga.  That struck me.  I know we have some unruly teens and young adults, and yes there is some gang activity, but knowing the size of the city and the gang problems there I spoke up and reassured him that Chattanooga and Atlanta are far different in that regard.

It is easy to talk negatively about our city.  We see things in the newspaper, see on TV and hear about it on the radio, but because only the negative things take the forefront all of the positive things seem to go ignored.

Chattanooga and our surrounding areas is a great place to live.  We do have our issues, but by far I feel safe allowing my family to call this home.

Kentucky basketball is known world-wide because of two rivals-The University of Louisville and The University of Kentucky.

These two teams meet once a year during the season for the Dream Game.  Louisville (my almamater) is mostly an urban school.  Kentucky just 60 miles away in Lexington is not.  In the city of Louisville there are probably just as many KY Wildcat fans as Lousiville Cardinals.

Saturday the two teams will face off in NCAA's Final Four.  The winner will advance to the Championship game!  This game means a lot more than bragging rights!

I will be on pins and needles Saturday watching my Cardinals, the underdogs, take on the #1 ranked KY Wildcats.

This week being from KY (mostly Louisville) makes me proud!!!!

He is 15 and a sophomore.  He will not get his drivers license until after the end of May, so any job he gets-guess who gets to transport?  Yup!  Mom and Dad.

I can remember the nights my mom and dad would have to come pick me up at Druthers (formerly Burger Queen), when I was flipping burgers.

I am so old!!!!

Everytime I would get into my truck I would pray, "God, please protect me as I drive and allow these tires to last until we can afford new ones."

God protected and provided.  I drove down to Summerville GA, to Reese tires and purchased a full set of tires.  They took the best of the old tires to use as my spare, and I am now ready to go.

God will protect and provide for you too!  Have you asked Him to?

"Switchfoot will be at Track 29 (in Chattanooga) on May 11th! Tickets are $20 advance and will go on sale this Friday." You can get more information on Track 29's facebook page.

GRAMMY-winning rock band SWITCHFOOT will launch a North American headlining tour on March 22 in Kahului, HI. (See below for itinerary.) A ticket pre-sale for members of the band’s fan club, Friends of the Foot, is underway at www.switchfoot.com.

Next week SWITCHFOOT heads to Australia and New Zealand, where they will headline the traveling Soundwave Festival. They’ll also be capturing footage for Fading West, the San Diego-based band’s upcoming surf film, which will feature numerous other incredible surfing locations SWITCHFOOT has visited on its world tour.

On March 20, NBC SounDiego + Living Social present “An Evening with Switchfoot at La Jolla Playhouse.”  SWITCHFOOT and producer Neal Avron (Sara Bareilles, Weezer) will discuss the making of their latest album, Vice Verses (Credential Recordings/lowercase people and Atlantic Records). The evening will also feature a Q&A and meet-and-greet session. Tickets will be available on February 22 exclusively through www.livingsocial.com.

On Record Store Day, April 21, SWITCHFOOT will release a limited edition CD entitled Vice Re-Verses. The EP will feature remixes of songs from Vice Verses by Paper Route, Owl City’s Adam Young, Photek and Darren King. A digital version of Vice Re-Verses will be released on May 1 and will include a remix of the band’s new single, “Afterlife,” by the winner of the Switchfoot Remix Contest, which is underway now at http://www.talenthouse.com/remix-for-switchfoot and sponsored by Ultimate Ears.

“Afterlife” is the follow-up to SWITCHFOOT’s Top 5 Modern Rock hit “Dark Horses,” which was the first single from Vice Verses. Billboard praised the record’s “powerful, anthemic rockers” and Relevant Magazine called it SWITCHFOOT’S “most unique” album yet. “[The] gorgeous, swelling ‘Restless’ sounds plucked from U2’s Achtung Baby,” said Alternative Press.

SWITCHFOOT – comprising Jon Foreman (vocals/guitar), Tim Foreman (bass), Chad Butler (drums), Jerome Fontamillas (keys/guitar) and Drew Shirley (guitar) – has begun making plans for the eight annual Switchfoot Bro-Am will be held on Saturday, June 16, at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, CA. The event will feature surfing contests, a live art mural created by local artists and a live concert. It will benefit San Diego area chapters of StandUp for Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of at-risk and homeless youth (www.standupforkids.org). Further details will be announced shortly. The event has raised more than $500,000 to date for San Diego-based children’s charities, including StandUp for Kids.

SWITCHFOOT - UPCOMING NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
WITH SPECIAL GUEST THE ROCKET SUMMER

3/22 Kahului, HI  MACC Castle Theater
3/24 Kahuku, HI  Turtle Bay Hilton
4/12 Norfolk, VA  The Norva
4/13 Buies Creek, NC Campbell University
4/15 Muncie, IN  Ball State
4/18 Madison, WI  Majestic Theatre
4/20 Spring Arbor, MI Spring Arbor University
4/22 Frisco, TX  FC Dallas Stadium
4/25 Fayetteville, AR George’s Majestic Lounge
4/26 Columbia, MO  The Blue Note
4/27 Des Moines, IA Wooly’s
5/3 Birmingham, AL Samford University
5/4 Springfield, MO Gillioz Theatre
5/5 Greenville, IL  Greenville College
5/7 Asheville, NC  The Orange Peel
5/8 Athens, GA  Georgia Theatre
5/10 York, PA  Pullo Family Performing Arts Center
5/18 Gulf Shores, AL Hangout Music Fest
5/20 Naperville, IL  North Central College
5/22 Winnipeg, MB  Garrick Centre
5/24 Saskatoon, SK  Louis’ Pub
5/26 Calgary, AB  MacEwan Ballroom
5/27 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
6/28 King’s Island, OH King’s Island
7/11 Oshkosh, WI  Sunnyview Fairgrounds
7/20 Enumclaw, WA Enumclaw Expo Center
8/2 Gilford, NH  Gunstock Mountain Resort
8/18 Great Falls, MT Centene Stadium

Source: CMSpin

When I get up in the morning, feed Oakley the dog outside and then make my way to the radio station (4-5am) sometimes it is warmer than it is when I get off the air and out of the studio (10am.)

We need to always remember to take what comes our way and be thankful.  Don't like cold weather?  Look at some of the cities facing record snowfall.  I am a "summer boy" but I can appreciate the cold weather (especially this winter) because it makes the spring and summer that much more nice.

Of course with the warm winter they say we will see a lot more bugs and people are going to be fighting a lot more pollen and allergies.

But......it could be worse!

Thank God for whatever you are dealing with today.  Consider the alternatives.

My day in court came this morning.  I took off early from the morning show and appeared in front of Judge Patty.  She saw my current proof of insurance and saw where I have always been insured, and after hearing my account of the accident she dismissed both charges pending a 6 month driving probation and pay of court costs.

I paid my 65.25 and came back to the radio station.

You know, one day I am going to stand before the Ultimate Judge in Heaven, He is going to look at the Lambs Book of Life and Jesus is going to step in and say "Father, I have already paid the penalty for Ted's sin."  God is going to look at me and, because of Jesus, say All Charges Dismissed.

I just hope I am not in another "court room" until then!!!

Oh!  By the way!  Tickets for our J103 Birthday Bash with Big Daddy Weave, Mike's Chair and Kerrie Roberts are on sale now at the J103 studios and online at J103.com.  Only $10.00 in advance!

First WinterJam rolls into the UTC Mackenzie Arena on Sunday, Feb. 12.  Ten artists for only $10 at the door.  Fantastic!

We also have the J103 Birthday Bash at Ridgedale Baptist Church, Thursday March 1 with Big Daddy Weave, Mike's Chair and Kerrie Roberts!  Crazy Good!  Tickets?  $10.00 in advance!

Then there is FFH, Sidewalk Prophets, Casting Crowns with Matthew West, Kutless and Hawk Nelson all appearing in the area before we get to the month of May.

May brings us MooFest is Athens TN with Steven Curtis Chapman.

The Big Kahuna!   JFEST!  Saturday June 2 with Kutless, Building 429, Chris August, Sidewalk Prophets and Dara Maclean is shaping up to be the best JFEST line up yet.....But I'm not done....

Riverbend's Faith and Family Night with Chris Tomlin and The Museum on Tuesday night June 12.

Wow!  Call all your out of town friends and family and tell them to pack up the rental truck and move here because this the place for Christian Concerts!!!  Who will make them all?

You have successfully gone over our 500 child goal!!!!

Over 500 orphans in Mozambique Africa will now be off the streets, in a Christian home, and will be receiving the food, clothing, shelter, education, medical attention and most important the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

You have, once again changed the face of eternity.

I can't wait to get to Heaven and see all those smiling faces!

1.  We are going to be announcing the JFEST line up, (heads up-it will actually be announced on the JFEST Facebook page Thursday).  From the few that know they think this is the best line up ever!

2.  We are going to be talking with Dixie Fuller from the Riverbend Festival about this year's Faith and Family Night Headliner and some of the support acts.  (We are going to give you a sneak peak on the J103 Facebook page.

3.  With the Super Bowl on Sunday we are going to be talking favorite Super Bowl Snacks, go over some of your recipes (check out the Morning show page here at J103.com) and award two listeners a J103 prize pack for their recipes.

4.  Ever wanted to make Chicken Wings for your family but didn't want to spend hours in front of a fryer?  A good friend of mine Todd Hartman (from Grillin Thyme Catering) is going to come in and share with us how to make easy, delicious chicken wings that will make you the talk of the family.  He brought some sweet and hot ones in for us to sample today.......I love "hot/spicy" foods but the ones he brought in for me to try today?     Wow!  That's Hot!

He came in when the ministry was facing a pretty tough financial time and volunteered his incredible talent for our afternoon show.

Mike is going back to truck-driving, a love he has.  He loves the potential of ministering to other truckers, those he comes into contact with at the stops, and anyone he will encounter.

Join me in praying for Mike and God's working in his ministry as he is on the road.  Also pray for his family as they adjust to periods of seperation.

Mike-keep it between the lines, out of the ditches, and under the speed limit!!!

Know that every time I see a big red truck-I'm praying for you and your family!

Love you bro!

Big 10-4!!!

After her parents went home, and we had everything cleaned up, we sat down and began to look at the instruction manuel to see all of the really neat features this new camera had.

To our horror we learned that the first thing you had to do was "format the memory disc."  What that means in "non-computer talk" is that all of the pictures she had taken could not be retrieved.

After we got over the disappointment that all of those images were now lost she began shooting again...(after we formatted the disc!)

It reminds me of many people's lives.  We get so busy doing so many things that we fail to make sure the most important things are taken care of.

The most important thing for anyone is our Salvation in Jesus Christ.  We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this time of year because He had to be born so He could die for our sins.  We must make sure that we have accepted Jesus into our hearts and lives before anything else.  That acceptance of the gift God gave us is the most important thing.  Just like pictures on an unformatted disc if you don't have Jesus Christ in your heart-nothing else will matter.

Format your heart-give it to Jesus!   Then......smile and say "Cheese!"

I loved it when Snoopy and Woodstock would decorate his doghouse and then win the decorating contest.

I loved it when all of the needles would fall off the tree Charlie Brown bought.

But the part I loved the most is when Linus shared the true meaning of Christmas and recited Luke's account of the Birth of Jesus.

I never thought it was odd that they suddenly turned off the lights and cast the spotlight of the auditorium on him as he shared.  Because, you see, as a child, to me Christmas was all about a lot of things-presents, decorations, fun with family and the story of the Birth of Jesus.

Once I gave my life to Jesus, suddenly I knew why the spotlight was shown on Linus.....because that is what the spotlight should shine on each Christmas-the Birth of Jesus Christ.

We have one week left until Christmas Day.  Will you join me in shining the spotlight on the Birth of Jesus?

Twice this week already, my wife and I have looked at each other and said, "Wow, it feels like it is 10 o'clock" when really it was only 5:30 or 6:00.

Oh well......in another couple of weeks the days will begin to get longer again.   Bring on the Spring!!!!

Salvation, my wife-Amy, my three kids-Lauren, Trevor and Chipper, my ministry here at J103, all of the luxuries God provides-a nice house, vehicles to drive, clothes to wear, food to eat, great friends and coworkers, my church family, our pets, (yes-I am thankful for our menagire of animals-just don't tell my wife!), good health, great memories of fun times, a great Christian heritage that was left for me and I am trying to pass on to my kids....I could go on for ever.

Tomorrow before you dive into the turkey and dressing, and before you head out to face the Black Friday/Thursday sales-stop and be thankful.  Write a list-I think you will be surprised at how much you really do have to be thankful and once you begin to be thankful-you will often forget what you don't have.

Happy Thanks-giving!

Ted

Our J103 listeners bless us each and every year and we always hope to surpass the 1000 mark.  We always start off trying to keep an accuate count so we know how many we are taking, but it never ends up that way.

We pull into the LifeCare Center drop off and the volunteers unload and carefully count how many we brought.

This year YOU gave 1,248 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child!!!  You are so awesome.

Keep praying for each one of the over 42,000 kids that will receive a shoebox from the TN Valley.  Pray that God will speak to each of them and they will accept the ultimate gift-Jesus!

Thank you for once again being the best listeners in the world!!!

Everyone was excited and there were several underclassmen playing for RHS (because the football team is still playing in the playoffs and several of the varsity players play both sports.)  The referee brought the two centers in to midcourt for the opening tip-off.

The ball went up, one of the players tipped the ball to their teammate who dribbled down court, around a couple of the opposing players, layed it up (beautifully I might add), and scored two points just like that in less than 5 seconds..........the only problem..........it was in the wrong basket.    Great shot!  Wrong Goal!  The opposing team started with 2 unearned points.

Watching my kids play soccer for years I have seen several "own goals" where inadvertently you score in your own goal for the other team.  It is embarrassing when it happens.

In the gym, everyone laughed (including the player who made the shot).

In life-I have ran the wrong way on the court and then managed to stop and look back to realize I was doing something good, just not what I was supposed to be doing.

A youth ministry friend of mine once said, "If the Devil can't make you bad-he will make you busy."  I have been, to many times, to busy to see what God wanted me to accomplish.

Great Shot!  Wrong Goal!

Since I turned 18 I have missed very few opportunities to vote.  When you look at countries where the public opinion is not respected yet alone allowed to be shared it humbles me to think God has given us these freedoms.

Then there are those who have stood up and given their lives so I can have the freedoms we have because of our democracy.

Yesterday afternoon, after leaving the station and getting home, Amy and I went to vote.   Our polling place was closed.  We went to the downtown Ringgold Courthouse Annex and learned that we had nothing to vote on.  It was only the city of Ringgold and the city of Fort Oglethorpe and not Catoosa County that had an election yesterday.  Since we don't live in either of those cities limits we had nothing to vote on.

If you don't vote.....then you shouldn't criticize the decisions that are made.

This story is really cool for me becasue.....Yuri plays soccer with my daughter Lauren at Bryan College.  She is a little in size but has an incredible smile and heart.

Get your boxes for Operation Christmas Child from us here at J103, take your family and pack them, and then return them to us here at the studio no later than 12 noon on November 21.  There is a Yuri waiting on you!

The way we both feel right now, I believe we are well on our way.  I can barely lift my arms above my shoulders.  I am having a hard time reaching around and grabbing the ink pen out of my back pocket.

After training for and competing in the Body Building Contest 3 years ago, I am familiar with this pain, but it still aches and constantly reminds you that you are crazy for putting your body through that.

Even though we are sore-we don't stop.  Anything that is worth something will always cost you something.  If that means the two of us reaching our fitness goals-bring on the pain.......and the tylenol!

Source: CMSpin

I parked the vehicle, and got out.  Amy took Oakley for a little potty break and I put my iphone in my sweatshirt pocket and hooked my headphones up.

Amy walked back over after Oakley was "finished," and we started walking, with me holding the dogs leash.  Before I could reach into my pocket and turn my music on-Amy reached over and grabbed my hand.  There we were walking along hand in hand, both of us with our earbuds in our ears, only I wasn't listening to any music!

It felt so good holding my wifes hand that I didn't want to let go and turn on my music.  So I just walked for about a mile and a half with my earbuds on and no music....well.....except the music in my heart!

Earlier this week, Fair Trade Services' critically acclaimed artist Sara Groves released her 10th album Invisible Empires. Produced by Steve Hindalong (Sixpence None The Richer, Leeland, The Choir, City On A Hill) the landmark album is following in the acclaimed footsteps of her nine previous recordings, receiving stunning reviews from Christianity Today, Rhapsody.com, NewReleaseTuesday and more:
 
“Groves gives voice to both the struggle of living as a Christian and the unshakeable peace that comes from surrender and trust. In Sara Groves' capable hands, they expand and fill to take in all our lives, and Invisible Empires is another musical triumph.”
-Christianity Today
 
“On her 10th album, Invisible Empires, Sara Groves continues her habit of laying bare her most intimate feelings and fears in hopes that her warts-and-all truth will inspire the rest of us to live more examined, thoughtful lives…this underrated singer/songwriter sifts through the layers of life that pile up on us all to get to what’s really important.” –Rhapsody.com
 
“A collection of songs this deep and resonant are rare in any genre, and are truly ‘art’ in the truest sense of the word. Invisible Empires attempts to speak to that place in the heart that so rarely gets spoken to. Sara Groves has opened up yet another great conversation with the world." -JesusFreakhideout.com
 
“Sara’s excellent songwriting and captivating piano-based singer-songwriter style have made her my favorite female artist in any genre of music. Sara has now once again released her ‘best’ album topping all of her previous excellent work.  Invisible Empires by Sara Groves is the top album of 2011.” -NewReleaseTuesday.com
 
 "Each track on Invisible Empires has a quiet power and conviction.  Sara Groves’ amazing ministry is packed within her exceptional songwriting.  With her smooth folksy voice and warm piano, she proceeds to sweetly convict and convert listeners with each song." -The Fish
  
Featured on what-already-appears to be another hit project for the gifted artist is the first single “Eyes on the Prize,” which was originally adapted during the Civil Rights Movement and also features the young voices of a youth choir based in Jersey City, NJ: the New City Kids. While the message is universal, Groves had International Justice Mission (IJM) specifically in mind when recording this song, knowing that this social-justice organization, like many do, has reached its point of the “long haul.” IJM is currently featuring a unique video of Groves sharing her message behind the song on their website.  Please click here to view. The powerful anthem is being played on major radio networks such as WBSN/New Orleans, WCIE/Tampa, Family Life Network, American Family Radio, and KNLB/Phoenix among others.
 
Additionally, in-depth interviews with Groves can be found on Beliefnet.com  and the November issue of CCM as well as upcoming interviews with USA Radio, American Family Radio, Campus Crusade for Christ Radio and more. Always eloquent and honest, Groves recently took time to film a video where she shares what the album means to her and more here.
 
Groves is currently on the “Reason to Gather” Tour with this year’s GMA Dove Award “Female Vocalist” and “Best New Artist” nominee Audrey Assad and indie singer/songwriter duo Jenny & Tyler.
 
For more information on Sara Groves and Invisible Empires, please visit www.saragroves.com.

Source: CMSpin

 

Legendary Christian recording artist and world-renowned guitar maestro Phil Keaggy is set to release Live From Kegworth Studio through Strobie Records on October 18. The new CD features his most popular live arrangements, including "Salvation Army Band," "The True Believers" and "Here Comes the Sun."

The latest project from the Gospel Music Hall of Famer is in response to fan requests through the years following Keaggy's concerts.

"When I finish a show, people are always asking me if I have a CD with all the songs I played live at the concert. Regrettably, I didn't have one CD with many of the songs I played on a given night. So I took it upon myself to record live in my home studio many of the songs I do in concert," says Keaggy.

"With an audience of one," Keaggy says, "I played and sang my heart out and chose the best takes of each song presented in the collection."

In true Keaggy fashion, the new project features the musician's amazing vocals coupled with his brilliant guitar playing and looping magic, using no overdubs.
Live From Kegworth Studio includes elements of all the musical stylings for which Keaggy is famous. He cuts loose with a wailing rendition of the classic "Salvation Army Band," allows the mood and tempo to take center stage on the Keith Green-penned "Your Love Broke Through," pays homage to George Harrison with a spot-on rendition of the Beatles' hit "Here Comes the Sun," and settles into some intricate and reflective acoustic guitar strumming on the contemplative instrumental "Chalice."

Live From Kegworth Studio is available to pre-order through October 15 at philkeaggy.com. On October 18, the CD will be available to purchase at Keaggy's website, with digital downloads at iTunes and Amazon coming later in October.

About Phil Keaggy:
One of the world's most beloved musicians, Keaggy's solo career has spanned 40+ years and has included more than 50 solo albums, both vocal and instrumental, as well as eight releases with his band, Glass Harp.
Widely recognized for his phenomenal guitar playing as well as his vocal and songwriting prowess, he has received numerous accolades and awards for his music, including seven Dove Awards and a Grammy nomination. Keaggy was inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2007, and was named one of the Top 10 best rock singers in Christian music history by GospelMusicChannel.com in 2009. He has been named one of the "25 Most Underrated Guitarists" by Rolling Stone Magazine alongside Prince, The Beatles' George Harrison, Kurt Cobain, Neil Young and Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham.
An accomplished record producer and one of the most sought-after studio guitarists on the planet, Keaggy also continues to sell out concerts all over the United States with his ever-changing style, ranging from rock & roll to fully-orchestrated instrumental compositions.

The Phil Keaggy Trio's current release, Inter-Dimensional Traveler, is available from Strobie Records. Also available is Numen, Keaggy's new CD with Kyle Jones, a creative collaboration of exotic guitars and percussion. For more information on Keaggy, Inter-Dimensional Traveler, Numen and Live From Kegworth Studio, visit philkeaggy.com.

Source: CMSpin

 

Also Features Building 429 And Levi McGrath

Centricity Music’s high energy pop-rock band, Me In Motion, will be heading to Canada in December to join Peter Furler’s 2011 Christmas Tour.  The 10-day tour launches December 1st and features Building 429 and Levi McGrath along with Me In Motion. 

“I'm really honored for the opportunity to join Peter on the road this December,” says Me In Motion’s frontman, Seth Mosley.  “It’s been a big blessing to get to know him, as the band worked on Peter’s debut solo record.  And now to get the opportunity to share the stage with such an iconic figure in Christian music, who had a big impact on me growing up, is a dream come true.  Peter is 100% genuine and lives what he sings. It's gonna be a good one."

Me In Motion just released their new single to radio, Yes We Can, and already the upbeat, catchy song has received eight radio adds out of the box.  The song’s lyrics are based on the message from Phillipians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  As Mosley describes the single, “It’s difficult to live our faith in this world but when the world says we can’t make it we shout back….yes we can!”

Source: CMSpin

 

Known for such worldwide worship anthems as “Mighty To Save,” “From the Inside Out,” “My Hope,” “Shout To The Lord,” “Hosanna,” “The Stand” and many more, Hillsong returns to the US to launch its “God Is Able” tour November 18 in Minneapolis, MN.  The tour travels to 13 cities for worship nights in churches, theaters and arenas before wrapping up December 6 in San Diego, CA (full tour schedule is listed below).

In addition to its worship favorites, Hillsong will debut songs from God Is Able that were birthed out of a year that has received its fair share of turmoil, both in Australia and around the world, with tsunamis, earthquakes, nuclear disasters, tornadoes and war. The songs are about seeing people connect in a real and personal way with the Living God in control of the universe, encouraging hope, even in the midst of our present circumstances.

“We are continually reminded just how true those words are: God is able - able to save, able to heal, able to rescue from the fiercest storms and highest floods,” says Hillsong’s Reuben Morgan, co-writer of the song “Mighty To Save,” sung by an estimated 40 million people in church each week.  “There are so many times when we are in situations beyond our control, and there’s something revolutionary about being able to say or sing, our God is able, In His name we overcome, for the Lord our God is able.”

Recorded with thousands of worshippers gathered together at Sydney Entertainment Centre in Australia, God Is Able is a global expression of praise and worship from Hillsong Church.  The acclaimed album, which released in July, shares the simple, yet profound message that God’s ability is infinite in capacity and yet entirely intimate in focus.

While on tour in the US, Hillsong will also share new music from its Christmas EP, Born Is The King, releasing November 8.  This studio recording includes two new songs, “Born Is The King (It’s Christmas),” written by Matt Crocker and Scott Ligertwood, and “Emmanuel,” written by Reuben Morgan.  The full track listing follows:
 
1.  The Westward Procession
2. Joy To The World
3. Born Is The King (It’s Christmas)
4.  Emmanuel
5.  We Three Kings
6.  Come Let Us Adore Him
7.  Holy Night
8.  Silent Night

About Hillsong Church:
Based in Sydney, Australia, Hillsong Church is one of the world’s fastest-growing ministries, with a 25,000-plus strong congregation in Australia, as well as one of the largest evangelical churches in London, Cape Town and Kiev. Hillsong also has churches in Stockholm and Paris, and is establishing a new church in New York City.

Hillsong 2011 “God Is Able” US Tour:

NOVEMBER   
 18 Minneapolis, MN
Grace Church
 19 Chicago, IL
Rosemont Theatre
 20 Springfield, MO
James River Assembly
 21 Louisville, KY
Southeast Christian Church
 22 Little Rock, AR
Church at Rock Creek
  26 Orlando, FL
University of Central Florida Arena
 28 Jackson, MS
Pinelake Church - Reservoir Campus
 29 Houston, TX
Berry Center
DECEMBER   
 1 Dallas, TX
Verizon Theatre
 2 El Paso, TX
Abundant Living Faith Center
 3 Tucson, AZ
Casas Church
 5 Los Angeles, CA
Nokia Theatre
 6 San Diego, CA
The Rock
* Dates subject to change

For all the latest information on the tour, and Hillsong, please visit: http://live.hillsong.com/, http://www.facebook.com/HillsongLive, http://twitter.com/hillsonglive.

Source: CMSpin

 

Vice Verses (Credential Recordings/lowercase people and Atlantic Records), the new album from GRAMMY-winning rock band SWITCHFOOT, debuts at No.8 on The Billboard 200.  It also debuted at No.5 at iTunes Album chart and No.3 on iTunes Alternative chart. The band will perform “Dark Horses,” their new Top 15 Modern Rock hit, on “Conan” on October 25th. The track was just added by Clear Channel Alternative Premium Choice, WTCL (Denver), WRFF (Philadelphia), KNDD (Seattle), WRXL (Richmond) and 98.7 (Los Angeles).

SWITCHFOOT’s co-headlining tour with ANBERLIN is currently underway. (See below for itinerary.) After performing for a packed house at New York City’s Best Buy Theatre last week, lead singer/guitarist Jon Foreman took the show outside, performing atop a newspaper stand for thousands of people in Times Square. Along the tour route, local chapters of StandUp for Kids (www.standupforkids.org), a national nonprofit volunteer outreach organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of at-risk, homeless and street kids, will be collecting new and used backpacks at the concerts. The backpacks will be used to distribute food and essentials to kids served by the organization.

“The War Inside,” another track from Vice Verses, can be heard in the trailer for In Time, an upcoming 20th Century Fox film starring Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried. SWITCHFOOT has contributed an exclusive new song, “Out of Control,” to the just-released Hawaii Five-0 soundtrack. The track was heard in this week’s episode of the hit CBS show. You can also check out SWITCHFOOT’S recent performance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” at:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/280337/jimmy-kimmel-live-switchfoot-dark-horses

SWITCHFOOT waged a Game Day takeover of ABC, with Vice Verses tapped as the exclusive music for the Oklahoma vs. Florida State football game. ESPN hosted an exclusive stream of Vice Verses and partnered with the band to give away a trip for two to the 2012 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. Hurley selected SWITCHFOOT as the exclusive music for the Hurley Pro, held last month in Trestles, CA and the band performed at a recent San Diego Padres game.
 
Vice Verses, the eighth studio record from the multi-platinum rock band, explores the polarity of what it means to be human. “Between the dialectic of life and death we are pulled tight, stretched out like the strings of my guitar,” Jon Foreman explains in his latest Huffington Post piece, which you can read at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-foreman/vice-verses-making-art-ou_b_974302.html. “We are the notes dancing from the strings of time, held firm between life and death. This is the polarity of our existence, pulled tight between despair and hope, belief and doubt. We are strung tight between our birth and the grave. Humanity is dancing on the fretboard in-between. Death will one day cut the string. Until then, we live in the tension.”

It’s an adventurous collection that builds on the harder-edged sound of 2009’s Hello Hurricane and puts the rhythm section upfront, with hip-hop influenced tracks like  “Selling the News,” “The Original” and “Blinding Light.”

“[The] gorgeous, swelling ‘Restless’ sounds plucked from U2’s Achtung Baby,” said Alternative Press. “But the real standout is ‘Souvenirs,’ a stunning ballad that, if there’s any justice, will go down as one of the band’s biggest hits to date.” Billboard praised Vice Verses’ “powerful, anthemic rockers” and Relevant Magazine called it SWITCHFOOT’S “most unique” album yet.

SWITCHFOOT – comprising Jon Foreman (vocals/guitar), Tim Foreman (bass), Chad Butler (drums), Jerome Fontamillas (keys/guitar) and Drew Shirley (guitar) – recorded most of Vice Verses in the band’s San Diego, CA home studio, working with producer Neal Avron (Sara Bareilles, Weezer). Mike Elizondo (Eminem, Dr. Dre, Pink) who produced 2009’s Hello Hurricane, served as executive producer. Hello Hurricane entered The Billboard 200 at No. 13 and contained the Modern Rock hits “The Sound (John M. Perkins’ Blues)” and “Mess of Me.”

The band took home “Artist of the Year” honors at the San Diego Music Awards earlier this year and remains very connected to their hometown. Each year they host the Switchfoot Bro-Am Presented By Hurley (http://www.switchfoot.com/c/bro-am), an annual concert/surf contest/silent auction. The event has raised more than $500,000 to date for San Diego-based children’s charities, including StandUp for Kids.

SWITCHFOOT/ANBERLIN FALL 2011 U.S. TOUR

10/5 Bowling Green, OH Bowling Green State University - Stroh Center
10/7 Boulder, CO  Boulder Theatre
10/8 Salt Lake City, UT Gallivan Center – X96 concert
10/10 San Francisco, CA The Warfield Theatre
10/11 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
10/13 Amarillo, TX  Azteca Music Hall
10/14 Siloam Springs, AR John Brown University – Bill George Arena
10/15 Longview, TX  Le Tourneau University – Belcher Center
10/17 Dallas, TX  House of Blues
10/18 Austin, TX  Stubbs Waller Creek
10/20 Albuquerque, NM Kiva Auditorium
10/21 Phoenix, AZ  Grand Canyon University Arena     (SWITCHFOOT ONLY)

More Switchfoot information can be found at www.switchfoot.com, www.facebook.com/switchfoot and  www.twitter.com/switchfoot.

Source: CMSpin

 

Casting Crowns has been nominated for a 2011 American Music Award®, as announced today at the J.W. Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE. The nod sets up a busy season for the best-selling group, who will release its latest studio project, Come to Well, next week, and whose current radio single, “Courageous” is on its way to topping the Christian AC radio charts.
 
Casting Crowns’ sixth career AMA nomination, winning in 2007, the band receives recognition as “Favorite Artist” in the Contemporary Inspirational category. Winners will be determined by online voting from now through Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. Fans can vote at the Coca-Cola AMA voting website, amavote.com, as well as http://is.gd/U2P4uY.  The live broadcast of the 39th annual AMAs will take place at the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on Sunday, Nov. 20 (8:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT) on ABC.
 
Also forthcoming for Casting Crowns is the release of its first new studio album in two years.  Come to the Well, available Oct. 18, draws inspiration from the band’s ministry efforts at its home church, Eagles Landing Baptist Church outside of Atlanta, where frontman Mark Hall
serves as youth pastor.  The band is currently touring new music from Come to the Well on a fall tour visiting 40 cities through early December. Visit www.castingcrowns.com for a list of tour dates.
 
Adding to Casting Crowns’ momentum moving toward street week, the debut single from Come to the Well, “Courageous,” climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard National Christian Audience chart and No. 2 on the AC Indicator chart this week. Featured in the current Sherwood Pictures film Courageous, the song has seen close to 40,000,000 audience impressions to date.
 
For more information on Casting Crowns and Come to the Well, visit: www.castingcrowns.com
or follow Mark Hall’s Twitter at twitter.com/markhallCC.
 
About Casting Crowns:
All of Atlanta-based Casting Crowns’ projects are RIAA certified, with a tally of three RIAA Platinum Albums, two RIAA Platinum DVDs, two RIAA Gold Albums, two Gold DVDs and two Gold singles, holding position as Billboard’s top-selling act in Christian music since 2007. Despite an unprecedented eight-year career with Casting Crowns, the seven band members remain active in student ministry in the Atlanta area and tour part-time around their local church duties. Serving his 18th year in youth ministry, lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall is the student pastor at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta. As a testament to the band’s impact, Casting Crowns performed for a second time in North Korea in April 2009, in partnership with Global Resource Services, as the band continues to forge invaluable relationships with the people in the D.P.R.K.
 
For more information on Casting Crowns and Come to the Well, visit: www.castingcrowns.com
or follow Mark Hall’s  Twitter at twitter.com/markhallCC.

Source: CMSpin

 

Rush Of Fools released their highly anticipated record, We Once Were on September 27th and the project has been embraced by radio, media and retail.  The album debuted at #6 on iTunes Christian/Gospel Chart and #24 on the Christian AC Sales Chart.  The first single from the record, Grace Found Me, is New & Active on the Single Charts.  The project, produced by Dennis Herring (Mute Math, Modest Mouse, Jars of Clay) has delivered what everyone has known all along: that Rush Of Fools is an extremely gifted group whose talent keeps growing and expanding. 

“We’re very excited for Rush Of Fools, as the band has put their heart and soul into this record and it’s a tremendous step for their career,” says Bob Morrison, Vice President, eOne Christian Music.  “This album will become a landmark project for them.”

"We’re so happy that our friends and the music industry are connecting with the self-penned songs that have helped to sustain us over the last three years,” explains Rush Of Fools.  “A lot of energy and effort have gone into the making of this project, and our goal was to present music that delivers God’s truth with lyrics that inspire and move people.  We remain humble and thankful for this wonderful opportunity for our music ministry and look forward to all of the upcoming opportunities to perform the new music live for our fans.”

This long-awaited third studio project reflects the rocky three-year sojourn of the Alabama based band that included their label closing and a resulting lawsuit that Rush Of Fools won in 2010.  During this period, all of the band members continually wrote new songs about God’s grace, staying faithful in their Christian walk no matter what the circumstances, and a message of hope with a restoring of faith.

The songs have resonated with fans and media has hailed We Once Were as Rush Of Fools strongest release to date.  Outstanding reviews have been placed with such outlets as; CCM, On Course Magazine, Cross Point Magazine, and features in Billboard Magazine, Essential Connection and All Access. 

NewReleaseTuesday.com - This is the best overall album by Rush of Fools and is one of my top albums of the year.

JesusFreakHideout.com  - A new sound, new label, good production, and solid lyrical content all spell out a solid third release for this group from Alabama.

CMAddict.com - Their third album is a hit from the get go with driving rhythms and heavy guitars.

Christian Music Review - How can you possibly pick a favorite from a rocking heart-felt album that hits home, addressing the topic of trusting in God and having faith in Him despite feeling like you’re in your lowest valley?

The band is launching We Once Were with an aggressive touring schedule including the recently completed college FreeFall Tour, sold out street week concerts with Christian radio, and upcoming select tour dates on the Rock & Worship Roadshow 2011 and will share the stage with such high-profile artists as MercyMe, Jars of Clay, Hawk Nelson and Matt Maher. 

For updates on Rush Of Fools please visit www.rushoffools.com. 

Source: CMSpin

 

Her Powerful Debut Album, You Got My Attention is Available Everywhere Now

Fervent Records’ soulful new artist Dara Maclean is gearing up for her first ever tour run with Newsong on their “One True God Tour” beginning this Friday, September 30. Dara will join the group along with Kutless and Anthem Lights on the entire tour which runs until the end of October. The new breakout artist will showcase her powerful new music, which includes her Top 20 hit debut “Suitcases,” an up-beat tune written by Dara and producer Ian Eskelin about the daily “baggage” that can easily weigh you down.

Dara grew up outside Fort Worth, Texas, in a family that encouraged her love for music and ministry from her earliest days. She began singing at age 8, then went on to lead worship and actively pursue youth ministry. Dara continues to serve with her family in their local church. Heavily influenced by Lauryn Hill and everything from the Motown era as well by contemporaries like Adele, Natasha Bedingfield, Marc Broussard and Ray LaMontagne, she incorporates the funk and soul she grew up loving into her music, bringing forth a uniquely fresh and pure new sound.

Dara’s Tour Dates on “One True God Tour”:
9/30  Adrian, MI
10/1  Clarks Summit, PA
10/6  McMurray, PA
10/7  Wabash, IN
10/9  Rainsville, AL
10/15  Decaturville, TN
10/16  Branson, MO
10/22  Tabor City, NC
10/23  Gaffney, SC
10/29  Whitesburg, KY
10/30  Port Huron, MI

For additional information on Dara Maclean, please visit DaraMaclean.com.

Facebook: Facebook.com/DaraMaclean
Twitter: Twitter.com/DaraMaclean
YouTube: YouTube.com/DaraMaclean

Source: CMSpin

 

ONE Campaign Announced as Partners of Band’s Final Tour

Highly anticipated, “The 7 Tour” will begin this evening in David Crowder*Band’s home state of Texas in front of a sold out crowd. Nearly half of the shows sold out months before the tour began. Spanning September through November, “The 7 Tour” will hit over 30 clubs and theaters across the U.S. including key markets such as: Dallas, Texas, Los Angeles, Calif., Portland, Ore., Seattle, Wash., Chicago, Ill., New York, N.Y., Atlanta, Ga. and Orlando, Fla.  Joined by Gungor, Chris August and John Mark McMillan, “The 7 Tour” will mark the final nationwide tour for David Crowder*Band. Visit http://www.davidcrowderband.com for the most up to date information.
 
ONE, the anti-poverty advocacy group co-founded by U2’s Bono, will also be on the road with the David Crowder*Band to recruit fans to use their voices in the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease. Volunteers will be signing up ONE members and educating concert-goers about America’s vital work that has saved more than 15 million kids lives and put more than 46 million kids in school over the last decade.
 
David Crowder*Band has announced that they will release their first ever Christmas record on Oct. 4, just months before the GRAMMY ® nominated band will debut their final album. Oh For Joy will include eight Christmas classics such as “Joy To The World,” “O Holy Night,” “Silent Night” and more, presented with the band’s distinct sound and a unique, nutcracker-themed album cover.

www.davidcrowderband.com
www.myspace.com/davidcrowderband
www.twitter.com/crowderband

Source: CMSpin

 

Full Length Debut Sparks Critical Support as “Hold Me” Continues its Reign at No. 1 on the iTunes ®
Christian & Gospel Song Chart
 
Jamie Grace to Tour with Multiple GRAMMY ® Winner tobyMac this Fall
 
The newest signee to Gotee Records, Jamie Grace, is releasing her first, full-length debut today titled One Song At A Time. Critics are praising the unique sound found on the new record.
 
“The production is cutting edge and the songwriting sunny. Overall, Grace has the stuff of stardom, and a compelling back story adds to her appeal.”
– Christianity Today
 
"One of 'Fall's Best & Brightest New Music' releases"
– gmc  
 
"Her musical and lyrical combination is a pleasing one, and one in which many listeners will have little problem engaging.” – Jesus Freak Hideout
 
“One Song At a Time is one of the strongest debut albums of the year and one to which men and women alike will be able to listen and relate. Jamie Grace has a VERY bright career ahead of her in this industry, and it will not only be a treat to watch her grow as a musician and songwriter, but also as someone who has made herself a confidant to her listeners. There is no doubt about it: this album is beautiful start to a very beautiful future. “
– New Release Tuesday
 
“Jamie-Grace’s debut full-length on Gotee Records is certainly a good one! She isn’t afraid to use her creativity on average acoustic pop to turn it into a catchy track with a positive message, all the while making for tracks that will be hard to get out of your head!”
– Christian Music Review
 
 
“Hold Me” has garnered Jamie Grace her first radio and digital mega-hit as the track reached No. 1 across three radio formats, and continues its No. 1 reign on the iTunes ® Christian & Gospel Song chart. Upon its release, One Song At A Time was already ranked in the top 5 on the iTunes ® Christian and Gospel Albums chart.
 
In support of One Song At A Time, Jamie Grace will hit the road this fall with tobyMac in October while he tours Canada, and in November as a special guest on the “tobyMac Unplugged: A Night of Stories & Songs” tour hitting the U.S. Jamie Grace will also take part in “Newsong's Very Merry Christmas Tour” featuring NewSong, Kutless and Chris August. Dates for the tour will be announced soon and available here. Additionally, Jamie Grace has been announced as a performer on the Revolve 2012 tour.
 
About Jamie Grace:
Hailing from outside of Atlanta in Lithonia, Georgia, Jamie Grace is a 19-year-old-college student who aside from her career and touring as a singer-songwriter, is also studying children’s ministry. At age 11, Jamie Grace was diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome, and has since traveled the country sharing her story and faith through music and speaking. Upon signing Jamie Grace, multiple GRAMMY ® winner tobyMac remarked “I have not been this excited to work with an artist in a long, long time.” Though just releasing her first, full length record, Jamie Grace has been a part of the well-known Revolve tour, had a No. 1 radio hit and a highly successful EP.
 
http://www.jamiegrace.com/          
http://www.twitter.com/jamiegraceh/
http://www.gotee.com

Source: CMSpin

Multiple GRAMMY-nominated, Dove Award winning Sanctus Real lead vocalist Matt Hammitt released his first solo album, Every Falling Tear, this week amidst wide acclaim.  This week only, the lead track from the album, “All of Me,” is offered as a free download from iTunes® at http://bit.ly/kkqQrG.  The song was initially heard on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer – see the story at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoeGKOXeO-s. 

This week also coincidentally marked the year anniversary of Matt Hammitt’s son Bowen’s first open heart surgery.  Bowen, “small victorious one,” was born with a severe congenital heart defect, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, and has now gone through two heart surgeries, an infection and other complications since being born.

Bowen, who turned one last Friday, first heard his dad sing “All of Me” in concert at a sold out Sanctus Real event last month at Bowling Green State University’s new Stroh Center.  Matt will continue to sing the song with Sanctus Real on the major market tour with Casting Crowns that begins next week.

Organically sparked by the rich joy and pain of life over the last year that strengthened Hammitt’s faith and solidified his resolve to lead his family well, these new songs on Every Falling Tear are his most deeply personal to date.  Born out of the heart of a father, Hammitt's main impetus for writing the songs on Every Falling Tear was to play them at Bowen’s bedside in the hospital, with the hope that they would be a source of comfort for his family, as well as a reminder of God’s faithfulness in the midst of their uncertainty.  A link to a video of Hammitt reflecting on the journey to Every Falling Tear can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCl9DSgw-JI. 

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Every Falling Tear benefits a new non-profit Matt and Sarah Hammitt set up to help families going through similar challenges as themselves; providing assistance for families of children affected by congenital heart defects. The album can be purchased through iTunes (http://bit.ly/pdjJ8u), Amazon.com (http://amzn.to/pd1X6z) and other digital and physical retail stores.

For all the latest information on Bowen and Every Falling Tear, go to www.bowensheart.com.  For the latest Sanctus Real news and tour dates, go to www.sanctusreal.com, www.myspace.com/sanctusreal, and www.emicmg.com.

Source: CMSpin

Eight-time GMA Dove Award nominee Matt Maher heads out on a coast-to-coast fall headlining tour, visiting more than 25 cities through late October. “The Love In Between” tour is named after Maher’s forthcoming Sept. 20 studio release, whose debut single, “Turn Around,” is currently impacting Christian radio.

Kicking off Sept. 15 in Longview, Texas, the first half of Maher’s tour will be sponsored by his own non-profit, Comm+Unity, and feature guest artists Essential Worship’s One Sonic Society as well as recent Integrity Music signing All Sons & Daughters.  Compassion International will present the remaining tour dates, joined by award-winning singer/songwriter Laura Story and new Essential Records artist, labelmate Andy Cherry.  Information about the tour can be found at http://mattmahermusic.com/tour/.

Among the tour’s key dates are a The Love In Between CD release show in Phoenix on Sept. 20 and a concert at The City National Grove of Anaheim (Anaheim, Calif.), host to several sell-out concerts including Ray Charles, Morrissey, Jill Scott, Cyndi Lauper, George Lopez, Merle Haggard, Jamie Foxx, Dropkick Murphys and Seal, among others, on Sept. 22.

Maher comments, “My hope for this tour is to bring together believers of all ages and denominations and provide a night where we can reconnect with God and each other; that we’d leave with a greater desire to see, in concrete ways, how connected we are meant to be.”

Interconnectedness is also a theme on Maher’s new album, along with the ideas of suffering, grace, redemption and hope.  These concepts are neatly swaddled in a new folk-Americana “blue collar gospel’ sound, fusing rootsy, hook-laden tracks with compelling stories and undeniable truths.  The project’s debut radio single “Turn Around,” is already connecting with listeners nationwide, climbing its way to No. 11 this week on the National Billboard Christian Audience chart and No. 10 on the Billboard AC Indicator chart.  WONU-FM radio listener Jen comments, “The song is awesome.  I think it has potential to reach non-Christians because it is realistic in its lyrics. Definitely play this one on the air.”

Greg Cassidy, JOY-FM music director and morning show host, also comments, “St. Louis is lovin’ the new Matt Maher tune!  It’s hitting real people where they really are.  From the 51-year-old woman in her seventh day of sobriety to the couple that have been pondering divorce...that simple reminder to 'turn around" has made its point! Home run for Matt!”

To sample an audio stream of “Turn Around” and for an up-to-date tour itinerary visit www.mattmahermusic.com.  Also follow Matt on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mattmahermusic.

ESPN and multiplatinum rock band Switchfoot have teamed up to celebrate with millions of college football fans for the debut of five songs from Switchfoot’s new album, Vice Verses.  ESPN will debut the songs from new album during this Saturday’s Oklahoma at Florida State game on ABC’s Saturday Night Football at 8 p.m. ET.  The telecast will also feature Switchfoot’s new video of the first single “Dark Horses.”

In conjunction with the premiere, ESPN will host an exclusive stream for fans to be the first to hear the entire Vice Verses album on ESPN.com, which includes a link to a contest for winners to attend the Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena to watch the game with Switchfoot on January 2, 2012. Check out the stream at the link below:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/thelife/music/news/story?id=6944961

“To have our new album debuted during college football is something we never thought possible.  There’s no greater thrill than to watch a college football game with one of our songs supporting the action.  We’re all honored to partner with the great people at ESPN sharing our combined passion for sports and music,” says Jon Foreman, Switchfoot.

Billboard Magazine Heralds Williams As A “Best Bet of 2011”

Fair Trade Services’ songstress Heather Williams will debut her first, full-length studio album on September 27 titled This Time Around. Early acclaim has followed Williams since the release of her debut EP last fall. In addition to the radio success of "Hallelujah," Williams was named amongst the "Best Bets of 2011" by Billboard Magazine, one of only two Christian artists to receive this title.  

Her songs and her character speak of the strength of a woman well beyond her years. Williams grew up in extreme poverty with her mom and stepfather. Throughout her early childhood, she suffered intense abuse. Her mother gave her away at age 11, and Williams went to live with her grandfather in Michigan and later with her aunt and uncle who eventually adopted her and are now her legal parents. Living with little guidance and the pain of past abuse and rejection, Williams turned to drugs and alcohol as a way to numb the realities of life. As things began to spiral out of control, the young teenager began to have thoughts of suicide and was even homeless at one point. At age 18, however, the dangerous road Williams was on took a U-turn when she gave her life to Christ.

“When I was 18, I was going through a whole series of events where I was really rejecting God and blaming Him for everything that had taken place in my childhood,” says Williams. “I came to this place where it was either, OK, I’m going to give my life to God, or I just don’t know if I’m going to live. So, I walked up that aisle at that church, and I gave my life to God.” Having grown up with a love of music, after becoming a Christian, Williams says she began to write songs from a “perspective of radical change.”Another wave of tragedy struck the budding singer/songwriter when her first child passed away shortly after he was born. This tragedy led to William’s Top 10 AC  and Top 5 INSPO  debut, “Hallelujah.” To hear more of Williams’ story visit, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7cnMDwdm3k.

“God Is Still God” is the second song from Williams to hit radio. “It’s a song that speaks so clearly into an insecurity that we can get when life just comes at us  at full speed,” admits Williams. To hear more about “God Is Still God” from Williams, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLgjuMxV4qk&feature=related. 

For Williams, she describes her songs as “conversations,” sometimes joyful, sometimes angry, sometimes a mix of both. “This album is you getting to peek in on me sometimes having it out with God, sometimes crying to God, sometimes laughing,” she says. “But it’s always going to be a transparent look at what’s going on in my heart, because that’s who I want to be before Him. If I want Him to use me, then I have to be willing to share everything.” 

http://heatherwilliamsmusic.com/
http://www.facebook.com/heatherwilliamsmusic    
http://twitter.com/#!/HWmusictweets

Newsboys' Michael Tait Teams Up With Music Executives Wes Campbell and Bernard Porter for New Venture

Music industry veterans Michael Tait, Wes Campbell and Bernard Porter have formed Contemporary Christian Music Development Institute (CCMDi), an innovative program dedicated to assisting Christian music artists in achieving success in their careers.

"It is no secret that the music industry is a highly competitive market laced with tremendous highs and cavernous lows. The only guarantee that can be made is that it will take hard work and unwavering passion to obtain success in this industry," says Tait, a multi-Grammy winner and lead singer for Newsboys. "However, with the establishment of CCMDi, today's Christian artist will now have a tremendous advantage."

CCMDi's mission is to customize comprehensive plans and a competitive marketing strategy for creative and personal growth in both seasoned performers and beginning artists alike. The program is based on an education curriculum that includes A&R, performance coaching, personal style and media training, as well as a writing mentorship program.

CCMDi was created to provide experienced guidance to today's Christian artists with the goal of helping them become the best they can be at their craft while avoiding common pitfalls, both personally and professionally.

Tait, Campbell and Porter, collectively, have succeeded in every facet of the music industry, including entertainer, manager, producer, A&R executive and booking agent. Musicians who aspire to a career in the Christian music field are encouraged to schedule a consultation to determine if they qualify for CCMDi by contacting the office at 615-815-1414 or via the website at ccmdi.com.

For more information on CCMDi, visit ccmdi.com.

Source: CMspin

 

Matthew West's hit song "More" was played as part of a wake up call for the Atlantis space shuttle crew on the 5th day of their mission. The song was played for Mission Specialist Rex Walheim from NASA’s Mission Control Center who said “(‘More’) is a great description of the beauty of this earth, and a wonderful reminder of God’s love for us." To view the wake up call, visit http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=100925731. Atlantis marks the final mission of America’s 30-year shuttle program.

"I was honored to hear that 'More' was played on space shuttle Atlantis," comments West. "Of all the places my music has traveled in my career, this is both the farthest, AND the coolest!"

West's latest single "Strong Enough" is continuing to do well at radio placing in the top 10 on both the AC-Indicator and National Christian Audience charts as well No. 15 on AC-Monitored.

Up next for West will be a headlining jaunt on "The Story of Your Life" tour this fall along with the release of The Story of Your Life, Inspiring Stories of God at Work in People Just Like You book with Angela Thomas and Harvest House Publishers this September. He is also in the studio working on his first, full length Christmas project due out later this year with Sparrow.

www.matthewwest.com
www.myspace.com/matthewwest
www.facebook.com/matthewwest
www.twitter.com/matthew_west

Source: Cmspin

 

Award-winning singer/songwriter Jeremy Camp’s story has inspired thousands since his debut in 2002. He has now penned this story along with co-writer Phil Newman and will release the book to retail in September 2011. Camp’s book, I Still Believe: Discovering Hope and Healing in the Midst of Life’s Deepest Valleys, is a personal reflection on his story of the passing of his first wife, Melissa, to cancer just months after marrying, and how he has grown in his relationship with God through the past ten years. This touching book portrays a full-circle account of Camp’s story that has impacted his music.

“I’ve wanted to put this story in book form for many years, but it just hasn't been the right time until now,” states Jeremy Camp about the timing of the book. “God was and is still working in my life, but this book is a result of the last ten years of pain, healing, restoration and new beginnings.”

Within each page of I Still Believe, Camp opens his heart and soul as he shares with the reader about responding to life’s most difficult hardships. He tackles how to turn earthly sorrow straight to God when faced with the passing of a loved one.

“As clear as things are now compared to the way I felt during Melissa’s illness and after her passing, I still see only partially, imperfectly, and incompletely,” shares Camp in the book. “I have tasted and seen the goodness of the Lord in the form of one life after another life changed because of the testimony of God’s faithfulness, even in the midst of pain and sadness. There will be a day, however, when everything truly becomes crystal clear.”

Fans have heard Jeremy share his story on stage and in interviews.  Many do not know and will no doubt be touched by the complete story and details of his testimony and his heartbreaking story about his first wife, Melissa.  Readers will also learn more about Jeremy’s modest life growing up in Indiana, his struggles growing into adolescence and how the start of his music ministry began to open more doors than he ever thought possible. The book also shares of his unexpected friendship with Adrienne Liesching, which eventually brought about healing and restoration as well as a new life together.

Camp’s deep heart for ministry and his desire to see the next generation become truly alive is so vivid within the pages of I Still Believe. Here are what others are saying about I Still Believe:

“We have choices when life hits us with tragedy or despair, crisis or loss. That’s the message of Jeremy Camp’s books, and it’s the reason you will find hope and healing by journeying through the pages of his story.”
- Karen Kingsbury, Bestselling author

“Jeremy Camp is an extremely talented artist. But what many do not know is that he has suffered greatly in life.  Out of this suffering many of the songs we have come to love have been born and have brought encouragement and comfort to untold thousands around the world.  Now, for the first time, Jeremy Camp tells his whole story.  I heartily endorse it.” 
- Greg Laurie, Senior Pastor, Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California

“Jeremy’s music has always had a powerful impact on me, and now I know why.  Behind his voice is a heart that’s uniquely connected with God.  Through his pain, grief, sorrow, and loss, his life has become a crucible where the Lord’s love and mercy are real revelations.  Reading Jeremy’s story has reinforced my faith in He who is able and alive!”
– Bob Coy, Senior Pastor, Calvary Chapel in Ft. Lauderdale

JEREMY CAMP: GRAMMY® and two-time American Music Award nominated artist Jeremy Camp marks his inspirational return to worship with the release of his sixth studio project on BEC Recordings, We Cry Out: The Worship Project.  Over his stellar 9 year career, Camp has established himself with these landmark accolades: Four RIAA Gold-selling studio albums including his debut album; One RIAA Multi-Platinum long-form video; 22 No. 1 Radio Hits across all formats; GRAMMY® nominated project for his last studio album Speaking Louder Than Before; Billboard’s No. 3 Christian Artist of the Decade including five songs in the Top 50 Billboard Christian Songs of the Decade; Four ASCAP Songwriter of the Year awards; ASCAP Song of the Year award; Five Dove awards including two-time Male Vocalist of the Year. Jeremy is a Compassion International artist. Jeremy and his wife Adie reside in Franklin, TN with their two daughters and a soon-to-be-born son.  Additional information available at http://www.jeremycamp.com

Source: Cmpin