Faithware Passages

One of my favorite singer/songwriters is Patty Griffin, who just released a new CD. Straying for the first time from her folk/rock/blues side she just released, for the first time, a Gospel CD entitled “Downtown Church.” This is just am amazing CD which features a few guest artists including, Emmy Lou Harris, Shawn Colvin, Buddy & Julie Miller and more. Although Downtown Church covers old hymns she did write two new songs for this CD.  This is another must have CD.

If your not familiar with Patty Griffin, you also need to check out some of her past CD’s especially “Children Running Through” and “1000 Kisses”. She writes and performs with an amazing amount of soul and has a beautiful, haunting voice. I think one of the most unappreciated artists out there.

The nominations for the 41st Dove Awards have been announced, you can see a complete list here.

Here are the Major Categories;

Artist of the Year
Francesca Battistelli
Casting Crowns
Jason Crabb
Jars of Clay
TobyMac
Mary Mary
Skillet

New Artist of the Year
Jonny Diaz
Kari Jobe
Revive
Sidewalk Prophets
Bluetree
Crystal Akin
Brian Courtney Wilson

Group of the Year
Casting Crowns
Gaither Vocal Band
Jars of Clay
NEEDTOBREATHE
Tenth Avenue North
Hezekiah Walker & LFC
Skillet

Female Vocalist of the Year
Francesca Battistelli
Natalie Grant
Mandisa
Dawn Michele
Laura Story
Karen Peck Gooch
Heather Headley

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jeremy Camp
Jason Crabb
Michael English
Brandon Heath
Bebo Norman
Mark Schultz
Donnie McClurkin
Smokie Norful

Song of the Year
“Born To Climb” by Jeff & Sherri Easter, Wayne Haun and Joel Lindsey
“By Your Side” by Tenth Avenue North
“Free To Be Me” by Francesca Battistelli
“God Is There” by Diamond Rio
“I Will Rise” by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio
“Let the Waters Rise” by MIKESCHAIR
“Revelation Song” by Jennie Lee Riddle
“Somebody Like Me” by Neil Thrasher, Michael Boggs
“Two Hands” by Jars of Clay
“Why Can’t All God’s Children Get Along” by Karen Peck & New River

The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards will be shown only on the Gospel Music Channel on Sunday, April 25 at 8 pm et.

My favorite line - “I take it hard each time I fail but God forgives, Dog wags his tail” .

There is a story behind each written line, you can find here.

Another one of my all time favorites. Enjoy!

Click here to read about this incredible story of a dedicated teacher in Staten Island and what he has done with some amazingly talented 5th grade students. Just watch any of the videos at their website and you can see that this teacher has instilled in them confidence, an obvious love of music and a belief that they have been given a gift; and they do love sharing that gift.  As Mr B. mentions in one of his interviews, the confidence they have gained from this classes has helped them in the rest of their classes and I am sure the rest of their lives. What an inspiration!

I do believe there is a movie here, If it’s not already in the works.

Another great rendition of Amazing Grace. The story behind it is just as amazing!

Great version of one of my favorites!

Artist: Josh Wilson

I am not sure why I haven’t heard this promoted at all, I was just lucky to happen upon it on the web. I was floored once I saw what it was about and who was involved. Check out the video and you’ll see what I mean.

Here is their website

The combination cd/dvd was released Jan 27, 2009. it includes 14 new songs from 12 incredible songwriters - Paul Baloche, Steven Curtis Chapman, Stu G (Delirious?), Israel Houghton, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, Matt Redman, Martin Smith (Delirious?), Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin, Darlene Zschech.  If that’s not enough it includes 7 guest vocalists - Kirk Franklin, Amy Grant, Joel Houston, Leeland Mooring, Christy Nockels, tobyMac, CeCe Winans.

The way it works is that everyone involved in these songs (producers, songwriters, managers, etc..) signed over their royalties for these songs to Compassion Art. 1/24 of the royalties will go to each of the songwriters personal charity that they desginated and the other 50 percent goes to 4 of the charities that CompassionArt specified, Hand Of Hope, Watoto, Ray Of Hope and Stop The Traffik.

I am ordering my cd as soon as I am done writing this post.  I’ve listened to the previews and it sounds great to me so far. But even if by some odd chance that these 19 incredible songwriters and singers somehow put out a stinker of a disc, it would still be one of the best things I could have done with that $14.99.

Oh, and don’t forget about their book and coffee!

I happened to be channel surfing and stopped quickly when I found this little jem. The Raconteurs are always interesting and adding Ricky Skaggs on Mandolin and Ashley Monroe was pure genius.

Enjoy!

Just released today is the new U2 album  “No Line On The Horizon”  So far the reviews have been mostly outstanding “And according to a theologian in Alabama, it’s “the most thoroughly Christian thing they’ve done yet.” per The Christian Post.  Fan Reviews at I-tunes have also been very good.  Hard to go wrong when you also have Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois co-producing again.   Bono stated “…I think we’re doing out best work. I think ‘No Line on the Horizon’ is up there with our best-ever work.” Good enough for me, I’ll be picking up my copy soon.

Hear samples here.