Brisbane Christian News @ Brisbane Christian Chat (Queensland, Australia)


	23.01.03 - Sonfest update. From Sonfest. Here are a few last minute bits of information... Firstly, tickets will be available at the gate. Boonah has plenty of room and we want to fill it up. You can get your tickets from Midday on Wednesday @ the Sonfest registration area. They can also still be picked up from Koorong and Pillar bookstores. For the golf nuts, grab your clubs and come out to Royal Boonah Golf Club. A Sonfest golf tournament is being held on Friday, so bring your clubs and golf gear and get ready to win the Sonfest Open. Registration for the Sonfest Open can be done on Thursday at the Sonfest Admin office. The Sonfest Open will cost $10 to enter and play. For more details contact Sonfest’s caddy, Josh Hemelaar on 0416 000 146 or josh@royalfoods.com.au. The touch football comp is returning to Sonfest. Again registrations will be on Thursday at the Sonfest Admin office. The comp will run on Friday and Saturday. It is one competition with your choice of having a 7-a-side mixed team or 5-a-side mens team. Once again thankyou for all of your support and prayers for Sonfest. God has blessed us and taught us heaps in preparation for next week and we hope and pray that this event will impact the lives of many people. See you at there!
	23.01.03 - Geoff Rankin's 'Hello' to cellos. From ACAN. The Geoff Rankin Band has seen its line-up expand with the recent return of cellists Renata & Weide from the UK, and new additions including sister-in-law Gayle on piano/keyboard and singer/songwriter Anthony Edwards on drums. The Geoff Rankin Band play at Sonfest at Boonah, Qld this weekend, and will also appear the Australian Gospel Music Festival in Toowoomba on the Easter weekend. Recording is also planned in the near future.
	23.01.03 - Hottest 100 voting - last chance! From Toupee Records. Voting closes at the end of the week for TripleJ's Hottest 100 songs of 2002 and there are 4 Toupee bands in the list! Please take a few minutes to vote for all of them or at least your favourite tune. We are totally stoked that so many songs have been played and we want to thank you for your support. Voting is simple. Just visit the TripleJ site by clicking here and select: Antiskeptic - Called (#16), Leo Nine - Satisfied (#284), Rhubarb - Caroline, Slow Motion or New York (#409-411), Tonjip - Electromatic (#490). Bonus prizes... Vote for a Rhubarb track in the Hottest 100 and you could win an awesome prize pack including signed posters, CD's, T-shirts and 12 months free entry to any Rhubarb show including major festivals. Just vote for the track and then when TripleJ email you confirming your vote, simply forward the email to hottest100@rhubarbmusic.com to go into the draw for the great prizes. Latest Releases... 2003 looks like being a bumper year for Toupee with many of your favourite artists with new releases looming. Look out for albums from Rhubarb, Antiskeptic, Leo Nine, Tonjip, Paperadio, Mayfly, Propane and Soulframe and EPs from The Teapot Dome Scandal, Squipplepippy and probably more!
	23.01.03 - 211 In Progress news. From 211 In Progress. Well it's 2003 and we are gearing up for a fairly busy year. Sonfest is at the end of this week and we will be playing on both the village stage and the ghetto stage. Sonfest runs from January 23rd to the 25th. You can catch us on the village stage on Friday the 24th at 12:15pm and on the ghetto stage at 11:30am on Saturday the 25th. On February 8th we will be supporting another new hard rock act called Coma at the Lions Den cafe. Void If Removed and Tulsa will also be playing that night so come on out and show some love. Don't forget to stop by the website for dates and times for Australian Gospel Music Festival at www.211inprogress.net. That's about it for now... see you at Sonfest!
	23.01.03 - Lisa returns to grace. From ACAN. Lisa Reynolds had an eventful finish to 2002, with the recording of her new 'Fall Under Grace' CD in September, a tour through regional Victoria in October and the mixing of the album recently taking place in Nashville. Lisa and family move to Adelaide from the Gold Coast early this year, and are looking forward to an eventful 2003: check out www.lisareynolds.org for more info.
	23.01.03 - Squipplepippy news. From Squipplepippy. A big thanks to those who voted for us in the 4ZzZ Hot 100. 'Sleeping Past Your Station' came in at #82. This year is already shaping up to be a big one for us, but we'll fill you in with those boring details after we get back from Melbourne town. Friday 31 January 2003, Squipplepippy Melbourne EP Launch @ The Rob Roy Hotel, 51 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, VIC with The Rebel Astronauts, International Karate & Season, $8. Sat 01 Feb 2003 / Squipplepippy @ The Pony, 68 Lt Collins St, Melbourne, VIC with The Rebel Astronauts, Season & Solaris, $8.
	23.01.03 - Melody's heaven. From ACAN. Melbourne artist Melody Crystal's EP 'Show Me Heaven' will be hitting the stores in February 2003, however it will also be available from live shows during January as Melody tours up the east coast of Australia with The Darlow Show. Melody is a recent signing to new label Humber Records.
	23.01.03 - Forest Edge Festival online. From ACAN. Coming up for it’s fourth year, the ACAN Forest Edge Christian Music Festival has just announced its initial lineup, with artists including crowd pleasers such as Alabaster Box, the jive express, Blind, Sons of Korah, Epidemic and Roma Waterman, Sounds Like Chicken and Jonah, a plethora of well-known and soon-to-be discovered acts and lots more goodies to be announced. To visit the Forest Edge section of the ACAN website, visit www.forestedgefestival.com where you can read up on what’s happening and register online, or email fedgereg@acan.org.au for a brochure/poster or more information.
	23.01.03 - National Gospel Happening news. From Kelvin Fahey, National Gospel Happening. National Gospel Happening 2003 - Performers are invited to participate in the annual 3 day NGH event in Canberra during 21-23 November. With several stages and venues, the event allows for music, dance, theatre, comedy, storytelling, poetry, puppetry, arts and workshops on all related Gospel themes. Visit www.nationalgospelhappening.org for details and on-line registration. Entries close 30 June 2003. Highlights of the event are the Golden Gospel Award by the Governor General (last year's winner was Jimmy Little) and Gospel choirs from Europe, Japan and the United States. Australian Gospel Songwriting Competition 2003 - Entries are open to all Australian citizens and permanent residents. The entrant must be the writer or a co-writer of the song entered. This year APRA accredited awards are sponsored by Yamaha Music for the following levels: Best Gospel Music Composition 2003 Runner up Gospel Song 2003 Outstanding Gospel Lyrics Award 2003 Outstanding Gospel Music Award 2003 Judges' Encouragement Award 2003 Gospel Composition Youth Award (under 18 yrs) Visit here for details and entry form. Entries close 31 July 2003.
	15.01.03 - Vote now! From Toupee Records. TripleJ is collecting votes for the Hottest 100 songs of 2002 and there are 4 Toupee Bands (6 songs) in the list! Antiskeptic - Called (#16) Leo Nine- Satisfied (#284) Rhubarb - Slow Motion (#409) Rhubarb - Caroline (#410) Rhubarb - New York (#411) Tonjip - Electromatic (#490). Click here to vote.
	15.01.03 - 2 weeks till Sonfest 2003. From Sonfest. In less than 2 weeks people from as far away at Perth, Cairns and Adelaide will be converging on Boonah. Boonah’s population will double, sleep will become a vague memory and your socks will be rocked off by the best Christian performers in the World. Here is a little something to make sure we get your Sonfest excitement juices pumping... It is Friday night, you and 4000 other young people are bursting with anticipation, around 6pm you have your world rocked by Pillar, then DJ Andy Hunter takes you on a Praise and Worship dance trip that you will never forget. On come the gals from Out of Eden with some R&B tunes and then Toby Mac from dc Talk bursts onto stage with more energy and dancers than Sonfest has ever seen before. All of a sudden 5 hours have passed, you are exhausted, exhilarated, inspired and know above all else that there is a God that loves YOU. Make sure you don't miss out! Do you have your tickets? If not call Koorong on (07) 3896 8777.
	15.01.03 - The Following is recruiting. From The Following. If you are a committed Christian who wants to be in an alternative pop band based on the Gold Coast QLD then look no further! The Following are looking for a bassist and a guitarist. If you are interested and can play your instrument give Mark a call on 0422 027 555 or email at thefollowing@optusnet.com.au.
	15.01.03 - Paul Colman Trio Grammy nomination. From The Rock Across Australia. The National Academy Of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc has announced the final nominations for the 45th annual Grammy Awards which will be held Feb 23 at Madison Square Garden. Australia's Paul Colman Trio has been nominated for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album. A comprehensive list of nominees is available here.
	15.01.03 - Bands wanted. From River City Christian Church. Any band who could play 2 or 3 songs voluntary for a dinner held monthly at River City CLC, Newfarm for second chance homeless people would be very much appreciated on the first Monday of the month. Please phone Sharlie on 3358 5188 or 0414 291097 (Community Officer, River City Christian Church, Newfarm).
	15.01.03 - Suite 21 CD launch. From Suite 21. Following a huge new years eve gig at the Mooloolaba NYE Beach Party attended by a reported 80,000 people, Suite 21 is set to release their first CD. Titled 'The Mojo Club' this album has 7 tracks which range from slow dirty blues to rock/pop to cruisy-sunday-arvo-on-the-verandah grooves. One track is an instrumental written by guitar virtuoso Heath Cave who is Suite 21's lead guitarist. The other songs are all written by front man and bass player Phil Spence. Drummer Ian Farrington also features on the album with great harmonies. 'The Mojo Club' CD will be launched on Australia Day, Sunday 26th January, at the Cultural Centre at Aussie World as a part of Australia Day Celebrations. Suite 21 and guest artists will perform from 11am to 5pm. A bar will be set up in the venue and copies of 'The Mojo Club' CD will be available at an introductory price of $15. Suite 21 has been pumping out their energetic brand of blues every Thursday night at the Ettamogah Pub and once a month at the Hotel Caloundra. For more information about the CD Launch or to catch Suite 21 at a gig call Phil on 0438 607 162.
	15.01.03 - Eight GMA nominations for Aussie artists. From The Rock Across Australia. The Gospel Music Association has announced the nominees for the 34th Annual Dove Awards. Australians Rebecca St James, Paul Colman Trio, Darlene Zschech, Rivertribe and the Newsboys have garnered a total of eight nominations for these prestigious annual awards recognising the accomplishments of Christian musicians. RSJ and Darlene will go head to head in the P&W category. The Dove Awards will be held in Nashville, USA 10 April 2003. Rebecca St James nominations... Female Vocalist of the Year Praise and Worship Album of the Year ('Worship God') Short Form Video of the Year ('Wait for Me') Paul Colman Trio nominations... New Artist of the Year Pop/Contemporary Artist of the Year ('New Map of the World') Darlene Zschech nominations... Praise and Worship Album of the Year ('Blessed') Rivertribe nomination... Instrumental Album of the Year ('Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble') Newsboys nomination... Long Form Video of the Year ('Thrive From the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum') A full list of nominees is available at www.doveawards.com/categories.
	15.01.03 - National Christian music report names 2002's Artist and Song of the Year. From The Rock Across Australia. Australia's national Christian music charts, The Rock Across Australia, has named American singer-songwriter Michael W Smith Artist of the Year, and his song 'Purified', a soothing poem exploring the greatness of God's forgiveness, as Song of the Year. This is the first time an American has won both awards in the same year. Michael W Smith is one of the most influential figures in Christian music. Smith's album 'Worship' (which includes the song 'Purified') recently gained platinum status for sales in excess of a million copies worldwide since its release on September 11, 2001. The song 'Purified' has remained on TRAA's survey for 38 consecutive weeks this year. Also, TRAA applauded Jars of Clay's achievements on Australian Christian radio. 'I Need You', a song about one's unquenchable lifelong desire for God, gained more airplay than any other Christian song assisting Jars of Clay gain the most airplay of any Christian act during 2002. Grammy Award winning Australian singer Rebecca St James gained the most airplay overall for an Australasian Act with songs like 'Wait For Me', 'Breathe' and 'Song of Love' gaining extensive airplay. The Paul Colman Trio (previously named as Artist of the Year in 2000 and 2001) gained the most airplay for a song by an Australasian artist with 'Save My Soul', which was written after the events of September 11. The Rock Across Australia, referred to as TRAA within Christian music circles, researches national Christian album sales and radio airplay of Christian songs throughout Australia weekly. More than 1500 key leaders in Christian music - international record companies, distributors, artists, radio stations, presenters, promoters, retailers, as well as members of the public receive TRAA online or by email each week. In addition to the weekly reports, The Rock Across Australia publishes a comprehensive suite of ten annual summaries: Top 100 Songs of the Year Top 50 Artists of the Year Top 40 Songs by Australasian Artists Top 20 Australasian Artists Top 20 Most Played Songs Top 20 Most Played Songs by Australasian Artists Most Played Songs for each month Most Played Australasian Songs for each month Most Played Artists Most Played Australasian Artists The Rock Across Australia reports are available on-line at www.therockacrossaustralia.com.
	15.01.03 - Chris Mundy news. From Chris Mundy. Exciting news! Chris and Nerilyn Mundy are stoked to announce the birth of their baby daughter Charlotte Sara Mundy at 4:06am on Sunday 29th December, weighing 8lb 5oz. Chris Mundy's latest single 'Carry Me' is getting good airplay on community stations around the country, with the latest TRAA charts listing the tune as the 5th most played song by an Aussie artist and the 3rd most added song in the past few weeks. Chris' previous single 'Welcome to the World' gained considerable airplay nationally and is also featured on the 'Down Under 2003' compilation CD. 'Welcome to the World' is available from the Top 10 shop at Albany Creek, Koorong Stores nationally, Keswick in Victoria and a variety of other stores around the country. The Australian Gospel Music Festival just keeps getting bigger and better every year! Chris will be road testing new material at this year's festival, doing two stripped back acoustic spots over the weekend. The AGMF happens over the Easter weekend, and 3 day passes for adults are $60, children $50 and $170 for the family. Check out the AGMF 2003 website at www.agmf.com.au.
	15.01.03 - We want you! From Darryl Scarff, LivingLife Ministries. LivingLife Ministries Inc are gearing up for a major outreach initiative in 2003 to the youth of the northern suburbs of the Gold Coast. One strategy is to evangelise youth through the language of their music on various Saturday nights. If your band is into outreach and plays ska, punk, rock or hardcore we need to hear from you ASAP. Ph Darryl 07 55028995 or 0411710780 darryl@livinglifeministries.com.