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


	25.09.03 - the jive express Queensland tour. From Scope Music. the jive express are in Bris-Vegas again! Funk on down at the following gigs... · Thur 25 Sept - The Press Club, 339 Brunswick St Fortitude Valley. · Fri 26 Sep - Insurrection Festival, Christian City Church Westside, 20 Bailey St West End. More info in Events. · Wed 01 Oct - The Healer, 27 Warner St Fortitude Valley.
	25.09.03 - Alabaster Box news. From Naarah, lead singer of Alabaster Box. What a rush! Three weeks over in the states (for a second time this year) then home for five sleeps and off again for a tour of the great Aussie outback... but even with all our travels, there's still no place like home. Our second trip over to the states was a real success. Something new we discovered on our second trip was Krispy Cream Donuts. And Aussies, if you ever get to America, seriously, these are the best donuts you will ever eat. But remember to buy them when the red light is flashing, "NOW BAKING", and you'll like them so much, they may have to roll you out of there :) They might even give you a freebee for a sample taste. Well, we didn't just eat donuts the whole time (unfortunately), we did play heaps of shows too. And we're even looking to do another USA trip early next year. After getting home, unpacking and then repacking our bags, we were off again on out Outback Tour. We started at the country town of Emerald, then went to Blackwater, Barcaldine, Longreach, Winton, Hughenden, Julia Creek, Cloncurry and then finally Mt Isa. (whew) Lucky I brought my cowboy hat, cos we actually got to play at the Mt Isa Rodeo, which was our first Rodeo experience and, even better, it was the first time they'd ever had a Christian band. Although, in a bizarre twist of fate, some of the media in Mt Isa got confused and promoted us as the latest young fresh faced COUNTRY BAND! I just want to let everyone know, the rumours are not true! We really did have fun though, and met some great people along the way who we'd like to offer a big AB thankyou for all their hard work. You guys rock! Well now that we're home again it's back into the recording studio to record our new album called 'Love on the Radio'. We're excited about the release, so keep your eyes and ears open as to when it will be out, and hey, and you might even see me playing a bit of guitar on our next tour!
	25.09.03 - A look at some of the major Christian festivals... From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. Legendary Christian festival rocks on - Blackstump (NSW). More than 4500 people will head to the Blackstump Christian festival at Cataract Scout Park, Appin next month. The festival program presents Christian music, the performing arts and teaching. The lineup for Blackstump 2003 includes Antiskeptic, the jive express, Thinktank, Alabaster Box, Paperadio, Anna Larsen, Blind, and The Idea of North. Speakers include Mike Pilavachi (the driving force behind the UK Soul Survivor Festivals) and Michael Frost (Director of the Centre for Evangelism and Global Mission at Morling Theological College in Sydney). Blackstump will be held 3-6 October. Details: www.blackstump.org.au. Faith inspires National Gospel Happening (ACT). Vika and Linda Bull, Jimmy Little, Roma Waterman, Kamahl, Rivertribe, Bill Chambers and Francine Bell head the bill for this year's National Gospel Happening. Hailed as the "premier faith-inspired music festival of the year", the National Gospel Happening will be held in Canberra 21-23 November. The event also hosts the annual Australian Gospel Music Industry Awards (see story below) and Musicians Big Breakfast. Full details are available on-line: www.nationalgospelhappening.org. Sonfest 04 (QLD). Jars of Clay, Newsboys and Relient K will headline Sonfest 2004. Sonfest will take place at the Boonah Showgrounds 15-17 January next year. Speakers include Bill Newman, Jason Stevens, and John James (former Newsboys). Full details will be announced soon at www.sonfest.com. Parachute 04 (NZ). Headliners at NZ's Parachute 04 include Newsboys, Relient K, The Tribe (formerly Worldwide Message Tribe, Pillar, Christafari, and United (Hillsong Youth). Parachute 04 moves from Totara Springs, Matamata to Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton from 23-26 January. Mystery Creek is a short distance from Hamilton Airport. Full details at: http://p04.parachutemusic.com.
	25.09.03 - Australian Gospel Music Industry Awards. From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. The Australian Gospel Music Industry Awards will be presented on Saturday 22 November as a highlight event of this year's National Gospel Happening. Featuring a host of celebrity presenters, the awards will provide recognition to this growing sector of the Australian Music Industry. The Awards incorporate the annual Australian Gospel Songwriting Competition, which is promoted and accredited by music industry body the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) and sponsored by Yamaha Music Australia. Awards include Golden Gospel Award, Independent Recording Industry Award, Best New Artist Award, Best Gospel Song, Best Gospel Song Lyrics, Best Gospel Song Music, Judges Encouragement Award, Gospel Composition Youth Award. Presenters at this year's awards include Major-General Michael Jeffery (Governor-General), Hiro Tanaka (Yamaha Music Australia), John Peberdy (EIG-Ansvar), John Cleary (ABC), Martin Fawkes (ACAN), Wes Jay (Woodlands Media), plus performers Jimmy Little and Bill Chambers. The venue for the Australian Gospel Music Industry Awards will be Memorial Hall in Canberra.
	19.09.03 - The end of a distinguished era. From Distinguished Guests (Chris). Distinguished Guests are either dead or dying. No scrap that. DG is dead, kaput, outtahere, goooone. Thanks to anyone who ever came to watch us play, clapped, yelled or whistled, screamed out "I love you, Chris!" or "You guy's rock!" or asked me for my number, or for a hug, or commented how I should get some singing lessons, or gave us advice, or let us play at your gig, and especially a big thankyou to those who actually PAID US for a gig. You guys and gals rock! I'd just like to thank all our families, and everybody who reads this. Mwah. I love you all. sob B.T.W. Merchandise just doubled in value. 'Chicks R Mean' EPs are now $10, and T-shirts $40. Stickers are doubly free. Strictly while stocks last. Email dg@live.com.au for details.
	19.09.03 - Antiskeptic: good crowds, good press. From ACAN. Antiskeptic are two-thirds through their 'Aurora' launch tour and have apparently been packing them out wherever they go. The new album was the sixth most ordered album in Australia last week and debuted at number 4 on the Australian Independent Record Charts. Strong reviews coming in too, with Blunt magazine's Jeremy Shaeffe giving it 9/10 and saying, "One of the best records released by any Australian band this year. No make that any band this year; no matter where they're from." Have a look at the new website and read more at www.antiskeptic.com.au.
	19.09.03 - London calls for Paperadio. From ACAN. Newcastle band Paperadio has announced a big move... to London! The band say it's a long-term relocation, and they are are looking forward to working hard (and freezing their butts off). They are currently negotiating a management deal with a London based company and will be playing lots of shows and showcases (not to mention releasing their long awaited album). Paperadio departs October 20 following a farewell gig the night before at the Manly Boatshed, supported by Chad Mason and his band (ex-Real Food). All this and more at www.paperadio.com.
	19.09.03 - Three weeks until Blackstump! From ACAN. Black Stump is a unique festival of Christian music, art and teaching. People travel from all over Oz to be part of this amazing experience of Christian community for four days. With a huge and diverse selection of music and arts from all over the country and OS, a huge elective program with a great collection of speakers, thinkers, teachers, preachers and communicators, Black Stump is a unique part of the Christian community in Australia. The action starts 8pm on Friday October 3. Grab a group, arrive anytime after 12 noon to set up your campsite and prepare for Stump 2003. Huge info stored at www.blackstump.org.au. Additional info submitted to BCC by Saraph... Saraph is a mesmerising fire-twirling troupe that are taking their debut performances to the Black Stump Festival in NSW (Oct.3-6). They are needing Queensland supporters (preferably from SE Queensland), but are really just looking for other people to go down to Stump with. Are you already going? Or would like to on a group discount price? The more the merrier! Contact Renata on 040404 6031.
	19.09.03 - CCC Youth on the run. From ACAN. CCC Youth take to the road from September 20-28 for a tour of the North Coast. The team from Christian City Church Oxford Falls will be playing at a number of churches and events throughout New South Wales and Queensland, including performances at '24:7 with Soul Survivor (UK)' in Brisbane, the CCC Westside 'Insurrection' Conference and 'Rocking the Suburbs' at the Alstonville Leisure Centre. Details listed here, or visit www.ccc.org.au. CCC Youth are known all over Australia and internationally for a number of popular albums including recent release 'Run With You' and 2002 release 'Walk on Water'.
	12.09.03 - Jive seeks new lead singer. From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. One of Australia's most notable Christian acts is looking for a new lead singer. The current leader, Jonathan McNeil leaves The Jive Express next month to pursue new opportunities. He is working two days a week at Churchlands Christian Fellowship and heavily involved in the Music and Creative Arts Team. Jonathan's final performance will be at The Evelyn in Melbourne on 15 October. Singers interested to join The Jive Express ministry can send a demo and bio to Scope Music in WA.
	12.09.03 - The Sonfest 2004 headliners confirmed. From Dale Bray, Sonfest. It is with great pleasure that we are announcing the 3 headline acts for Sonfest 2004. They are Jars of Clay, Newsboys and Relient K. Sonfest 2004 is going to be by far the biggest yet, and we still have more high-energy international acts close to confirming. I'm also happy to announce that 3 great Aussie bands will make it on to mainstage at night. Rookie, Soulframe and Wishful Thinking will all mix it with the big guns in 2004. As you may be aware, Paul Colman Trio received their break into the USA after playing in front of Third Day at Sonfest 2001, so the opportunity is there for the taking.
	12.09.03 - Sonfest. From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. Jars of Clay, Newsboys and Relient K will headline Sonfest 2004. Sonfest will take place at the Boonah Showgrounds 15-17 January next year. Speakers include Bill Newman, Jason Stevens, and John James (former Newsboys). Full details at www.sonfest.com.
	12.09.03 - VIR Perth tour / Youth Alive > August 2003. From Void If Removed. The Void crew had an awesome time, they played in schools all across Perth and youth groups. Void If Removed made a great impact on the students in the schools and the youth groups they visited. God was awesome, as we saw over 1,500 young people give their hearts to God at the Youth Alive event 'Counter Culture'. Void maybe returning to Perth in February 2004, still to be confirmed. Thanks to all who made it a great experience!! See you westerners some day soon.
	12.09.03 - Bush Christmas. From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. Few Australian Christian artists have recorded Christmas albums. Rebecca St James and Hillsong spring quickly to mind. Now, Rivertribe will release a follow-up to its Dove Award nominated and critically acclaimed 'Did You Hear The Mountains Tremble' CD. 'Rivertribe Christmas' features Christmas carols set to a relaxing instrumental soundscape of didgeridoos, flutes, violins and traditional instruments. Tunes include Silent Night, Holy Night plus one original called Instrumental Christmas. Available in October.
	12.09.03 - Up-coming Hopefest. From Leanne Hurst. I am holding an event on the 4th September next year. I am calling it Hopefest as the inspiration for this came from the suicide rate in this area. The view point I am coming from is that there is hope for life and that hope is Jesus. I have a couple of bands performing and I am putting the invitation out there is anyone is interested in taking part in event please don't hesitate to contact me. The community is getting behind this. It's fantastic.
	12.09.03 - TRAA Song Of The Week - 'Met In The Stairwell'. From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. Where were you when terrorists unleashed an astonishing air assault on America's military and financial power centres, hijacking four commercial jets and crashing them into the World Trade Centre in New York, the Pentagon, and the Pennsylvania countryside? We'll never forget. While many people have quite naturally asked, "where was God?", Bob Holiday (Production Manager at Fish FM Los Angeles) recorded a poem on the Internet written by Stacey Randall which effectively answers that question. After he aired the poem 'Met in the Stairwell' thousands of calls poured into the station. And it wasn't long before hundreds of US stations began airing it too. The monologue hasn't been serviced to radio stations in Australia or New Zealand, but copies can be downloaded from various websites around the world. Sometimes it is titled 'I Was There', 'Met in the Stairwell', and other times 'Silent Night 911'. John Tesh has also recorded a shortened version called 'God in the Stairwell'. If you can imagine Jesus Christ as the speaker, you and your listeners will see the 11 September tragedy from a new perspective. It is worth the search. Certainly the 'song' of the week! The lyrics are available at www.metinthestairwell.com.
	05.09.03 - Toupee Records news. From Toupee Records. Antiskeptic album release and tour... Antiskeptic have finally released their album 'Aurora' and the copies are seling faster than they can ship! The first single 'Nothing To Say' has been kicking goals after debuting at #1 in TripleJ's Net 50. For more visit www.antiskeptic.com.au. Tonjip... Tonjip's new single 'Missile Crisis' is starting to find the airwaves with spins on JJJ and local radio. The band are in the studio working on their second album as we speak. The band are also planning some serious live shows in the near future. Stay tuned! Mayfly and The Waifs... Mayfly have just been announced to support The Waifs at Melbourne's Palais Theatre on Sunday Sept 28th - tickets available at Ticketmaster 7 and the Palais. Mayfly's debut album 'Another Blue Day' has been receiving critical acclaim around the country; Beat Magazine saying 'Another Blue Day' is like turning the pages of a good book that you just can't put down.' Toupee albums looming... Many Toupee artists are planning imminent releases with Leo Nine, The Teapot Dome Scandal, Rhubarb, The Amazing Joel Hockey Experience, Propane, and Soulframe all working on new material. Be sure to check out their band websites for breaking news.
	05.09.03 - 6across rock as Tribe of Judah roll! From 6across. On Saturday morning Kingston was treated to a mighty medley of roaring bikes and soaring cello & vocals as local acoustic rock outfit 6across took the stage signalling the start of a convoy of bikes being ridden to raise money for the Mater Children's Hospital cancer ward. As the roar of the bikes finally faded it was the sounds of 6across that gave those remaining at Tribe of Judah's Spring Carnival more than enough reason to keep cheering and smiling. From opener 'Touching The Sky' to the closing song 'Homely Ghost' the crowd were thoroughly entertained. 30 minutes had hardly gone quicker. Some people were even seen tapping their watches and shaking their heads. "We wanted to give away a CD or two to 'Best Dressed In Show' but all the bikers had left by the time we got round to that part so we decided to run a good old fashioned dancing competition which showed what fine undiscovered talent there is out in Logan. Coincidentally the best dressed person left was an elderly woman who was one of the top two dancers so we had to give her a CD." All in all it was a fine performance and an enjoyable day for all. Tonight - party with the princess... Be part of local Christian music history by joining with lots of others for the first ever 'Live At The Princess' - a new monthly concert held at The Princess Theatre, 8 Annerley Rd Woolloongabba. Rock along from 7pm to the sounds of 6across, Soulframe & Atoned. It's one night not to be missed. It's all about glorifying Jesus through music and it's bound to be a great night. Bring your friends, your friends friends and your friends friends friends. They'll be glad you did. All the details are here in the Gig Guide.
	05.09.03 - Hillsong dominates Australian worship. From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. Music from Hillsong dominates Christian worship throughout Australia. No matter where you attend church, it seems Hillsong's music has an amazing influence. A recent report by Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) shows that seven of the ten most performed worship songs in Australia have been composed by people associated (now, or in the past) with Hillsong. Songs by Darlene Zschech, Marty Sampson, Rueben Morgan, Joel Houston, and Geoff Bullock dominate the Top 10 list. A search of the CCLI website reveals that Darlene Zschech's 'Shout to the Lord' is not only the most performed song in the most recently published reporting period (1 April 2002 and 30 September 2002), but the most performed worship song in Australian churches for the past six years. Guess that makes 'Shout to the Lord' the most popular Christian song of the past decade! Top 10 Most Performed Worship Songs... #1 - 'Shout To The Lord' by Darlene Zschech #2 - 'Lord I Lift Your Name On High' by Rick Founds #3 - 'God Is Great' by Marty Sampson #4 - 'My Redeemer Lives' by Reuben Morgan #5 - 'Everyday' by Joel Houston #6 - 'Ancient Of Days' by Jamie Harvill + Gary Sadler #7 - 'The Power Of Your Love' by Geoff Bullock #8 - 'What The Lord Has Done In Me' by Reuben Morgan #9 - 'Come Now Is The Time To Worship' by Brian Doerksen #10 - 'Worthy Is The Lamb' by Darlene Zschech Source: CCLI Australia.
	05.09.03 - Crew Cuts. From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. Rebecca St James is confirmed to appear at the Australian Gospel Music Festival (AGMF) in 2004. The international artist line-up for both Sonfest 04 and Parachute 04 festivals will be announced very soon. NZ's Parachute Band releases its latest CD 'Glorious' this week. The album features the group's new radio single 'Almighty' written by Brooke Fraser. Talking about Brooke, her song 'Better' is #3 on NZ's mainstream chart this week. Christian City Church Oxford Falls releases its new live album 'Lift' this week too. 'Lift' features new songs 'Blessing and Honor', 'For You Alone' and 'Holy'. Keep an ear open for the 'Lift' radio special featuring FM 103.2 Program Director, John O'Donnell on stations around the country soon! The awards and nominations keep coming for country music's Carter & Carter. The duo is a finalist in the Telstra Country Wide Southern Stars Seventh Australian Independent Country Music Awards. C&C's single 'Lead Me Home' has been nominated in the APRA/AMCOS Independent Country Music Single of the Year and C&C's new album 'Every Minute' has been nominated for Australian Independent Album of the Year. And to top it all off, Carter & Carter has been nominated in the 2003 CMAA Achiever Awards for Independent Entertainers of the Year. Vika and Linda Bull, Jimmy Little, Roma Waterman, Francine Bell and Rivertribe head the bill for this year's National Gospel Happening in Canberra 16-20 November.
	05.09.03 - Aussies take out major ChristianBEATS awards. From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. Australia's Rebecca St James and the Newsboys have garnered several major awards at the second annual ChristianBEATS Awards held in the US recently. Rebecca St James earned two awards for Outstanding Female Artist and Outstanding Female Artist Album for 'Worship God'. (The latter award tied with Nichole Nordeman's 'Woven and Spun'.) The Newsboys earned three awards including top honors for Outstanding Christian Performing Artist and Outstanding Contemporary Hits Artist. The band's record-breaking #1 US single 'He Reigns' earned them the award for Outstanding Duo/Group Artist (Song). The ChristianBEATS Music Awards recognise achievement in all genres of Christian and Gospel music. ChristianBEATS is one of Christian music's foremost publishers of US radio charts and news.
	05.09.03 - TRAA Song Of The Week - 'Help Pour Out the Rain' (Buddy Jewell). From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. Earlier this year, Buddy Jewell's self-titled debut album claimed the #1 spot on Billboard's Top Country Album chart just one week after its release, largely due to the success of the single, "Help Pour Out The Rain (Lacey's Song)". With first week sales of over 51000 units, Jewell's album earned the distinction of being the highest-selling debut album since LeAnn Rimes' 'Blue' in 1996. Jewell, a Christian, says he's humbled and stunned by the instant connection his debut single has had. A conversation with his daughter, now nine, inspired the song. "My daughter asked if she got to heaven, could she could help pour the rain," Jewell says. "I remember thinking I wish I could look at the world through innocent eyes that way. As adults, we lose the ability to look at the world in a really simple way. "There's a scientific explanation for everything or at least we think there is. I didn't have any aspirations of it being a commercial success. It was something I wanted to write about for my kid," he says. Jewell adds that he's touched by the response the song has elicited from listeners. "The thing that I think I cherish the most about it is the letters and emails I'm getting from parents who've lost children to childhood diseases or accidents and things like that, and to see how God's using something that I wrote to minister to people and help 'em heal and kind of give 'em hope," Buddy says. 'Help Pour Out the Rain (Lacey's Song)' is a mainstream (Columbia) release by an artist who openly confesses his Christian faith.