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


	23.12.03 - Alabaster Box songwriter wins best song at Australia's richest songwriting competition From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. Joshua Brown from Alabaster Box has won Australia's richest songwriting award. The 21-year old won Best Song Award for 'There's Hope' at the prestigious Johnny Dennis Music Awards held at Government House in Sydney. Brown received the award in front of Australia's musical elite including judges Iva Davies (Icehouse), Kamahl and Tommy Tycho. "The significance of the win is still settling in," Joshua says. In receiving the award, Joshua thanked the band for its contribution. The song will be included on Alabaster Box's soon to be released album 'Love on the Radio'. Brown says 'There's Hope' is a reminder to himself that no matter how hard things get, hope can always be found. The Johnny Dennis Music Awards carry prize money of $5000 in each of three categories - Best Song, Best Instrumental and Best Movie Theme.
	23.12.03 - Colman trio readies for national tour From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. Since the release of its first international album 'New Map of the World', the Paul Colman Trio has been criss-crossing the United States and Europe spreading a serious message wrapped up in an infectious blend of power pop and rock music. The masses quickly took notice, propelling pc3's singles 'Turn' and 'Run' to #1 in the US and turning out in droves for its tour appearances with labelmates Third Day and FFH. The music industry responded as well, with Radio & Records magazine naming the band on its annual list of Top 10 Breakthrough Artists, the Recording Academy bestowing a Grammy nomination for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album, and the Gospel Music Association honoring the trio as New Artist of the Year at the 2003 Dove Awards. Back home, Australian media was taking notice too. The trio headlined Channel 7 News (Melbourne), and secured national coverage on ABC TV's 7:30 Report with Kerry O'Brien. Now, pc3 is ready to play its first national tour since relocating overseas. Sponsored by Youth Alive (Victoria), JohnNine.com, plus several radio stations including FM103.2 (Sydney), Light FM (Melbourne) and 96Five (Brisbane), the pc3 One Tour is set to play in major centres across Australia. Dates are: Wednesday 11 Feb Albury (Albury Convention Centre) Thursday 12 Feb North Sydney (North Shore Christian Centre) Friday 13 Feb South West Sydney (Liverpool Christian Life Centre) Saturday 14 Feb Brisbane (Gateway Baptist Church) Thursday 19 Feb Perth (Riverview Church) Friday 20 Feb Melbourne (Camberwell Civic Centre) Saturday 21 Feb Adelaide (Paradise Community Church) Tickets are $25. Available at Word, Koorong, or online at www.youthalivevictoria.com.au. Enquiries: 1300 137 895. pc3 is also playing at Parachute Festival 04 in NZ.
	23.12.03 - Crew cuts From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. In other news, The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has confirmed the platinum certification of Integrity's 'iWORSHIP (Vol. I)' double album, indicating sales of more than 500 000 units. (Platinum is usually awarded for a million sales, but this is a double album.) Tait's latest album 'Lose This Life' features a version of Eddy Grant's 'Electric Avenue'. Aussie bands Antiskeptic and CCC Youth will perform at Sonfest next month. In Tasmania, Relient K and Rookie are confirmed to play the Factory Festival at Launceston's Silverdome 23-24 January 2004. Newsboys and Rebecca St. James are teaming up for one of the biggest US tours of 2004. Newsboys are enjoying a new Grammy nomination and the success of 'Adoration', their fastest selling album to date, and Rebecca is just off the highly successful !HERO tour. Joining them will be special guest Jeremy Camp. Roma Waterman's song 'I Was Carried' is a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition. Winners will be announced next month. Hobart's FM 103 has re-launched itself with a new image and a new name - Ultra106Five.
	19.12.03 - AB Christmas letter from Naarah From Naarah, lead singer of Alabaster Box. Well it's almost the end of a huge and exciting year. We want to thank everyone for their support and prayers over the past year, we couldn't do it without you! I love Christmas, it's the best time of the year! I hope no one has been peeking at their presents, and if you do, I strongly recommend that you make sure the paper doesn't look like it has been pulled at. Not that I'd know anything about that! The next big thing for AB is to finish our new album so we can go on holidays! (whew!) Make sure you keep a look out for our tour dates for next year so you can come and see our brand new show "Love on the radio". The album really is shaping up to be the best one we've ever done... it's the album WE wanted to make, and we're so excited about sharing it with you guys. We can't wait! At this time of year I would also ask you guys not to forget about those who are less fortunate than us. You may have heard us share about Compassion Australia, the child sponsorship programme, but maybe you've never done anything about it. They need your help and it would be the best Christmas present ever for these kids to know that they are loved and to be given a new start in life for next year. If you want to sponsor a child just visit the Compassion website or get in contact with us. I know that sometimes after a long year and a lot of hard work we can become so tired and cranky... we end up becoming frustrated even with Christmas shopping with all the noise and people instead of enjoying it. But guess what, in Matthew 11:28 Jesus said, "Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest". So enjoy your self this Christmas and have a wonderful and rested holiday. Make sure you eat lots, it's the only time of year where we have an excuse to! Hehe. Merry Christmas and God bless.
	19.12.03 - International Songwriting Competition news From Roma Waterman. The International Songwriting Competition has announced its 2003 finalists. ISC received over 11,000 entries this year from 60 countries, and from these entries 116 finalists have been selected. This is a competition based in USA, and is one of the largest songwriting competitions in the world. We are pleased to announce that Roma Waterman is one of these finalists. The latest single 'I was carried' is in the finals for the Gospel category. Entries are currently in the judges' hands, and we will announce the winners in January as soon as the judges have completed this process. Until then, you can help! The People's Voice voting category is ongoing now and will continue through December 31. The winner of this online vote is separate from the regular categories and winners. It is voted by the general public - which is you! If you would like to help Roma’s song along you can by voting for it here. Once you get in they can tell you what you need to do.
	10.12.03 - AGMF Street Team. From Australian Gospel Music Festival (AGMF). The biggest event next year, AGMF 04, is coming - with Rebecca St James, the Lads, Darlene Zschech, eLi and over 100 other of the best Australian and International artists! But... we need your help to promote the festival. If you can distribute material to your friends, church or family please log on to agmf.com.au and visit the "Street Team" section were you can request brochures, posters and even a video!
	09.12.03 - Planet Shaker, Guy Sebastian, shakes Australian sales records. From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. BMG today released Guy Sebastian's first album as a solo recording artist, and the initial response is nothing short of phenomenal for the Australian Idol winner. Stores have ordered more than 260 000 copies of his album 'Just As I Am', meaning the CD is certified four times platinum on street date. Guy's single 'Angels Brought Me Here' has been certified triple platinum. In the first week of release, stores sold more than 128 000 copies (according to ARIAnet data) to become the fastest selling Australian single in ARIAnet chart history, the second highest first week single sales ever (second only to Elton John's Princess Diana tribute 'Candle in The Wind') and the highest first week single sales for a debut artist. Christian market retailers Koorong and Word Bookstores are stocking the album from the Planet Shakers vocalist. Christian radio seems evenly divided on whether to play 'Angels Brought Me Here'. Blended stations have generally added the song, while most Rhema stations are yet to air it. Any position the song and album receives on TRAA's Top 30 will reflect sales and airplay within the Christian retail and broadcasting community. Later this month, the Planet Shakers singer heads to Britain to take on other Idol winners including British winner Will Young and American Idol Kelly Clarkson. Other countries and regions taking part are South Africa, Poland, Netherlands, Germany, Norway, the Middle East, Belgium and Canada. A two-part TV special will be broadcast around the world, the first part airing "in late December". .
	09.12.03 - Australian act nominated for Grammy From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. Australia's Newsboys have secured their fourth nomination for a Grammy Award in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category at the 2004 Grammy Awards for 'Adoration: The Worship Album'. The group gained its previous nominations in 1993 ("Not Ashamed"), 1995 ("Going Public"), and 1997 ("Take Me to Your Leader"). Last year, Paul Colman Trio was nominated for a Grammy in the same category for its album 'New Map of the World'. Other nominees in 2004 for this category are Jars of Clay, Stacie Orrico, Michael W. Smith and Third Day. Rebecca St James is the only Australian to win a Grammy in a gospel category. In 1999, she won the Best Rock Gospel Grammy for her album 'Pray'. Being nominated for a Grammy is a prestigious musical honor as the awards recognise peer acclaim for artistic or technical achievement, not sales or chart positions. The 46th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held in Los Angeles, 8 February 2004. The Rock Across Australia congratulates all nominees in the 2004 gospel categories: Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album . Adoration: The Worship Album - Newsboys [Sparrow] . Furthermore From the Studio: From The Stage - Jars Of Clay [Essential] . Stacie Orrico - Stacie Orrico [ForeFront/Virgin] . Worship Again - Michael W. Smith [Reunion] . Offerings II - Third Day [Essential] Best Rock Gospel Album . Worldwide - Audio Adrenaline [Forefront] . Red Letterz - Fresh I.E. [Soar] . Jekyll & Hyde - Petra [Inpop] . Unclassified - Robert Randolph & The Family Band [Warner Bros/Dare] . Two Lefts Don't Make A Right...But Three Do - Relient K [Gotee] Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album . Rise And Shine - Randy Travis [Word] . Wondrous Love - Blue Highway [Rounder] . The Walk - The Crabb Family [Daywind] . A Cappella - Gaither Vocal Band [Gaither] . Always Hear the Harmony: The Gospel Sessions - Englebert Humperdinck, Blackwood Brothers, Jordanaires & The Light Crust Doughboys [Art Greenhaw] Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album . Believe - Aaron Neville [EMI Gospel] . Shirley Caesar and Friends - Shirley Caesar & Friends [Word] . Gotta Serve Somebody - Various Artists [Columbia/Integrity] . Go Tell It On The Mountain - The Blind Boys Of Alabama [Real World] . It's Your Time - Luther Barnes/Sunset Jubilaires [Atlanta] . Songs to Edify - The Sensational Nightingales [Malaco] Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album . ...Again - Donnie McClurkin [Verity Records] . Follow the Star - T. D. Jakes & Various Artists [EMI] . Make Me Better - Ann Nesby [It's Time Child] . The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter II - Kirk Whalum [Squint] . Bringing It All Together - Vickie Winans [Verity] Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album . Blessed by Association - John P. Kee, choir director; New Life [Verity] . Speak Life - Joe Pace, choir director; Colorado Mass Choir [Integrity Gospel] . CeCe Winans Presents...The Born Again Church Choir - Cedric Sesley & Gavin Sesley, choir directors; Born Again Choir [Puresprings Gospel] . Live In Nashville - Percy Gray, Jr., William Hamilton, Felica Welch & Feranda Williamson, choir directors; Chicago Mass Choir [New Haven] . A Wing And A Prayer Bishop - T.D. Jakes, choir director; The Potter's House Mass Choir [EMI Gospel/Dexterity Sounds] In addition to the Gospel category awards, Jim Brickman's 'Peace' was nominated in the Best Pop Instrumental Album field. This album is distributed in the Christian retail market.
	09.12.03 - Resonate @ The Chardon's Corner Hotel this Friday From Andrew Kennedy. 'Resonate' @ The Chardon's Corner Hotel, Band Room, 688 Ipswich Rd Annerley. $7 Entry. Friday Dec 12th 2003. Band Merchandise available for purchase on the night. Bring your friends and come hear some of Brisbane's best original live music while enjoying the Chardon's Bar and Pool tables as well. 7pm - Mark Blackmore 8pm - Go Rocco 9pm - The Bigger Picture 10pm - Confusion of Faces Resonate is a live music event at which music artists (especially local acts) are showcased to a wider audience in the Brisbane community. Artists are encouraged to use the event as an opportunity to advance their careers through ticket sales, positive self-promotion, marketing and merchandise sales. The event is hosted by participating Brisbane venues with a view to becoming a regular event that strengthens the local music scene. Event Coordinator - Andrew Kennedy email: info@andrewkennedyartist.com website: www.andrewkennedyartist.com/resonate
	05.12.03 - Opening Alabaster's Box. By Lynne Stringer - Editor, The Queensland Baptist. Some friends in a youth group decided to start up a band. Before long they began to write their own songs, and invited a couple of others to join the group, which eventually became a full time ministry. That was how Alabaster Box began. Since then they have recorded three albums, won three Queensland Recording Industry awards, as well as the 96.5 FM Creative Challenge, and toured throughout Australia and overseas. Their fourth CD, Love on the Radio, is due for release in February 2004. "We're so excited about it," says Naarah, the group's lead singer, "It's been two years since our last CD was released, and this one we're producing ourselves. I've written most of the songs on it, which is new for me. Being a singer, it's great, because then it really comes from my heart and I know the story of it." The members of Alabaster Box have grown up in the church, most as pastors' kids. This has given them a heart for serving the church, says Matt, the bass player. "We're getting more and more concerned for the welfare of the church," he says, "[It needs] to stand up and make a difference. It's at the congregational level that people are digging in and having a go. It's those churches that are really impacting; not relying on their leaders to do everything. We're looking to empower Christians. We get a lot of joy out of sharing the message with Christians. It's such an important time for us to stand up and be counted. We're hoping to help the church see the importance of raising the bar." The group is also aware that easily influenced teenagers are watching, and tries to be a positive role model. "A lot of young girls talk to me about different things and how they're coping," says Naarah, "I've a real passion for that, because so many young girls are looking to this world. They're looking to relationships and things like that. I try and encourage them to look to God. If I can be an influence in some way it's an awesome thing. Hopefully just reflecting God at all times. A lot of young girls are looking to Britney Spears. I'm hoping that, [looking at me] they'll see Jesus." Aware of the responsibility that comes with a public profile, the members of Alabaster Box have made a pact to abstain from alcohol completely. "A teenager in church who sees someone they look up to drinking socially, [doesn't] get the difference between one drink being okay and five or six drinks not being okay," says Matt, "It's not that drinking's wrong. It's not a salvation thing, or it might not be for yourself, but it might be for someone else. There were rules made very early on [about] no drinking and you can be expelled from our band for that. We get in front of over 100,000 people a year and we want to set an example for believers and be beyond reproach." "We want to show this world that you don't need alcohol to have a good time," says Naarah, "This whole world and the youth of today has got a problem with alcohol. Even now on TV they're trying to teach kids to be careful, and we just want to say it from a Christian point of view. We've seen so many family and friends where relationships have been broken up or lives hurt because of alcohol. So we just thought, as a band, [we'd] have Diet Coke instead." With the release of their album next year, Alabaster Box will be conducting an Australia-wide tour, and will tour America as well. They will begin in several regional centres, as the group realise that the rural community of Australia often misses out, and is determined not to let that happen. "We just did a three week outback tour, where we ended up in Mount Isa, playing at the Mount Isa Rodeo, which was great," says Naarah, "We play to a lot of the little places, where not a lot of people go. The youth out there don't really see bands or anything. We try and use the full gear and everything so they get a real concert. One school we played to at Julia Creek [had] about 50 kids from year 1 to 8. There was a little boy who was talking to us the whole time and when we left, he was bawling his eyes out, because he didn't want us to go. His teacher was telling me that he had a really hard home life. All we did was come and sing a few songs, and it meant the world to that one little boy." The effect their music and ministry can have on individuals is one of the reasons Alabaster Box began, says Matt. "The joy for us is in changed lives. That's really what it's about, and as long as our focus stays on that we'll be able to keep going, because we do have a great job. There are hard things about it, but when you see real life change and Christians empowered to make a difference in their community, you really can't be anywhere else."
	04.12.03 - Vote for Charlie "The Educator" on Channel V! From "The Educator" (from The Winnie Coopers, was lead singer of Nagasaki). I have been fortunate enough to be chosen as the Gold Coast representative in a national cable TV competition "Jabba's Masked Avenger" on Channel V. Yes, there weren't that many people there in the competition. And yes, they did feel sorry for me for lining up at 4am outside the Quest nightclub 4 hours before the competition started. (A big hello to Stevo the friendly bouncer at the Quest). Anyway, I've flown to Sydney and at "Jabba's Boot Camp" where I basically have to prove myself as a worthy co-host for the show and as Australia's most shameless idiot. For me to stay in the camp for as long as possible, and hopefully win the competition, I need your SMS votes (see below). To know how and when to vote, keep checking the Channel V website www.channelv.com.au (where there is a very average photo of me) and watch the Masked Avenger show on Channel V if you are lucky enough to have cable. Feel free to forward this on to your mates. Thanks to all those people who voted for me to get through. I wont let you down! All praise to God! "The Educator". .............................. SMS "the educator rocks" followed by your name and town/city to 1887477. The Educator is one of the final 3 contestants left out of the 12 that started.
	04.12.03 - Hungry Hill Studios workshops & summer specials. From Hungry Hill Studios. Over the coming weeks and again in January we are conducting a series of workshops in creative techniques including video production, sound engineering, animation (various forms of), web and graphic design, hand painted film and even DJaying and MCing techniques that culminates in production of your own recording. The workshops are 1/2 and full day programs and are not limited to age. Spaces have been filling so let us know if you would like to participate now by replying to this e-mail. A program of events has been attached for your perusal. Muso's: Record at Hungry Hill over summer and save. The studio is offering great packages on all projects over summer and rates have been slashed in celebration of The Teapot Dome Scandal receiving Triple J airplay of their track 'Happy Little Criminal', which was recorded at Hungry Hill Studios in June 2003. Check out the Hungry Hill Studios website for more info.
	04.12.03 - Antiskeptic & CCC Youth added to Sonfest line-up. From Sonfest. We are pleased to announce that joining us for Sonfest 2004 will be Aussie acts, Antiskeptic and CCC Youth from Sydney. These groups will fill the gaps left from Tait's withdrawal. Mystery Artist Tip of the Week... The Mystery Artist is not a last minute add-on. This artist is booked and scheduled to perform on Thursday night after Pillar and before Jars of Clay. Also the mystery artist has requested that he or she remain a mystery until he or she gets on stage that night - and it's not Guy Sebastian... although did you know Christian bookshops will be selling his singles and CDs? Xbox - If you are an Xbox fan and good at playing the multi player game Halo, we are now accepting team nominations for the Xbox tournament at Sonfest. There are two different games to be played. For more info on how to register for the team and/or individual contest please e-mail your info to xbox@sonfest.com - for the team capture the flag comp you will need 4 players in total. There are limited positions available. Tickets for the Jars of Clay Sydney and Melbourne shows are available from Koorong right now. If you purchase these tickets before Christmas Eve you will get a free Jars of Clay 'Eleventh Hour' CD - the same deal as with Sonfest tickets. So get on the phone - Koorong Sydney (02) 98574477, Penrith (02) 4724 4477, Canberra (02) 6280 3477 and Melbourne (03) 9262 7444 - or get into your local Koorong Store. Tickets are flying out the door as people start buying them as Christmas presents. As this years crowd is going to be much bigger than last year I'd like to remind everyone that you can actually arrive and set up at Sonfest on Wednesday the 14th at 12pm. There is little catering and entertainment but you'll be guaranteed a good camp spot and the anticipation on Wednesday is awesome. This week it would be great if we could pray for next years Sonfest speakers, Jason Stevens, John James and Bill Newman. These guys are on the front line all year round and whilst we will appreciate them on the Sonfest weekend it would be great to lift them up in prayer during the year also.