Exclusive Q/A with Francesca Battistelli
A few weeks ago we introduced you to new Fervent Records artist Francesca Battistelli. She is in no way a stranger to the stage. Raised by parents immersed in the arts and Broadway, she developed a love of music, theater, and performance at a young age. Instead of using these talents for applause and accolades, Francesca prefers to point people to something beyond herself–towards hope in Christ.
Her soulful piano-pop sound resembles a blend of her music interests–jazz, rock, gospel and R&B woven beautifully together with themes of trust and risk-taking. In a noisy world filled with sounds and images, we cry out for an authentic voice–one who is not afraid to speak truth and purpose to a generation.
Well, last week during GMA week our good friend Andrea at Word Records scored us this exclusive interview with this artist on the rise in Christian radio…. Read more
Last day to enter a comment and win
Hey everyone! This is the last day to leave a comment on any post to be entered into this month’s prize pack drawing.
Our good friends at C28.com have donated a $50.00 gift card for this month’s winner! In addition to that, you will receive a prize pack of CDs, including the new P.O.D. disc, When Angels and Serpents Dance.
So get to commenting, and maybe you’ll be getting an e-mail from us on tomorrow morning letting you know you’re the winner!
Jeremy Camp heads back into the studio
Jeremy Camp was the first Christian artist I ever met after all of my years in mainstream radio. He stopped by the radio station just over 5 years ago and to this day he hasn’t let any of his success change him in any way. Well, now it’s time for him to get back to work by jumping back into the studio. Before he goes into his cave till winter he was kind enough to send us this quick e-mail on when we can expect it, what’s happening now at radio and a video diary of GMA week.
Hey Guys!! Wanted to let you know that I am preparing to go back in the studio!! We are going to be recording my new album “Speaking Louder Than Before” which will be in stores everywhere this coming Thanksgiving! We will keep you updated on all that goes on…so stay tuned! AND you should also be checking out… Read more
Recap American Idol 7: Top 5 performances
Neil Diamond is the last of this year’s mentors to step up and help the American Idol Top 5 this week. Amazingly, he has sold over 120 million records worldwide, written and recorded more songs than one can count and, at the age of 67, is still going strong, selling out arenas around the world. I just wonder if David Archuleta will have such an illustrious career? Not that I’m picking him to win this year or anything, just a thought.
As if one Neil Diamond song wasn’t bad enough, everyone last night had to sing two Neil Diamond classic tracks. Let’s get to the song performance breakdown… Read more
Video Tuesday: Flyleaf interview with Blender Magazine
Simply amazing is all I have to say about what Flyleaf is doing for His purposes through their music. I found this amazing video interview from Blender Magazine at last month’s SWSX in Austin, TX. They perform an acoustic song and talk about their recent trip to Africa and how honest their music is, and they hope the fans get that message.
Exclusive Q/A with Phil Stacey
April 29, 2008 · Filed Under Artist News, Hollywood, Interview, Mainstream News, Ministry News, Touring · 1 Comment
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Last week we blogged about Phil Stacey who finished in the top 5 during last year’s American Idol. His self-titled project hit stores shelves today and the general message on the album is positive. There is so much we can worry about in our lives, but in the end - a lot of it is superficial. What is important are the people around us; our family, our friends, and others in our community. Please don’t just listen to the music, let the message sink in. If we learn to love each other, everything else will fall into place.
So many of you wanted to know more about Phil and his new music that we reached out to him. He was kind enough to take a few minutes yesterday in New York City to answer a few questions… Read more
Lifest ‘08 wants your band to win their talent search
For the last couple of months we’ve been getting you plugged into Lifest 2008. It kicks off in Oshkosh, WI on July 9th for 5 crazy days and includes a boat-load of bands that I’m sure you’re going to want to see. Now they’re searching for more bands to perform in their New Artist Talent Search. Here’s the e-mail with all the info…
Everyone,
We need your votes!!!
Bands are trying to get into Lifest through our New Artist Talent Search. The winner from Lifest gets to go to Nashville to square off with 15 other bands to get a record deal with Essential Record.If you have a band and think you have what it takes…sign up
Introducing: Hello Kelly
Hello Kelly is making so much noise, with their hyper-charged show and supersonic sound, that it’s hard to ignore this little band that could. But why would you want to do that? Their debute project “Hello Kelly” is in stores now.
Hello Kelly is a pop-rock band. Whether they’re blasting through an upbeat riff-rock power tune, or moving gently through one of their stirring ballads, this band will put a smile on your face and keep it there. From the vibrant and colorful guitar-work, to the tingling synth leads that never get old, these Canadian rockers have constructed a sound that is teeming with fresh melodies, creative arrangements and lyrical confidence.
I got a chance to sit down with Francois Goudreault to learn more about them… Read more
The David Cook saga: My theory
Last week we reported that David Cook had the #1 cd on Amazon.com, outshining even Mariah Carey for a while. Then, mysteriously, it was pulled from Amazon and nobody could figure out why. Amazon, Fox, Sony and David Himself were all silent as to why the album was pulled. Now it appears the album was yanked from another music site, Fuzz.com. According to fuzz.com, someone from David’s band pulled the songs from the site and they are now gone.
This all but confirms my theory that David himself pulled the songs from Amazon. My guess is that some exec’s at Sony requested that he do it in order to not outshine Mariah Carey during her big week. Kind of like the way bicycle riders on a road race will draft and push their one best bet into the number one position.
I base this theory on the fact that even if someone had decided that they wanted the disc pulled, the fastest way to do it would be to have Mr. Cook himself do the removing. This points the finger squarely at Sony. My guess is that someone from Sony called someone at Idol and said “We don’t want your guy competing with Mariah, so please ask him to pull it off the net. If he doesn’t, it’ll make things harder if he wins”.
That’s the only thing that makes sense, since nobody but the song’s owner could have done it so fast. If lawyers had gotten involved, they’d still be drafting letters and setting up depositions. Lawyers=slow.
Got a better theory? Let’s hear it!
CD Review: Dizmas - Dizmas
The self titled, third release from Lancaster, CA’s Dizmas hits stores tomorrow. I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a pre-release copy a few days ago and have been listening to it ever since. My first and most lasting impression is that the entire disc fits together really well. If you’re a long-time Dizmas fan, this will act almost as a Greatest Hits compilation and many of the tracks are from previous efforts. If you’re new to the band, however, I can’t think of a better way to introduce yourself to their sound.
I’m a new listener, so I can’t compare it to previous efforts, but knowing that these songs were on other discs is in no way a detraction from the effort. The songs are well crafted and at first glance, there’s just a ton of radio-worthy singles on this release.
