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


	26.08.04 - 6across in the studio. From 6across. Brisbane band 6across has begun recording its much anticipated debut CD. Featuring 11 original songs, this first offering will showcase the group's fresh blend of acoustic guitar, cello, female lead vocals, bass & drums. The recording will continue through September with an expected October/November release date. The songs themselves are acoustic folk rock and are written by guitarist Geoff Rankin & drummer Anthony Edwards - the lyrics of which can be read at www.6across.com. Previously releasing three CDs between them, this will be the first one since joining forces at the end of 2002. Album tracks 'Pieces That Didn't Fit' & 'Roll On Like A River (Live In Gatton)' are available to download here, although they are being rerecorded for the CD. To pre-order a CD, or just to be kept informed about the CD's release, e-mail cd@6across.com along with your name and contact details.
	25.08.04 - Switchfoot visits Australia for promo tour. From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. Switchfoot is visiting Australia next month for a short promotional tour to support the mainstream release of 'The Beautiful Letdown'. Sony BMG Music label, Columbia, last week released the album here. The group's debut pop hit 'Meant To Live', which is featured on the 'Spiderman 2' soundtrack, is gaining strong national airplay on Austereo and Nova stations.
	25.08.04 - 'The Passion of the Christ' inspires new songs. From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. Mel Gibson's epic film 'The Passion of the Christ' has created huge international interest. To date, the drama is credited with more than $370 million box office receipts in the United States, and more than $600 million worldwide. The latest project inspired by the film is an album of newly recorded songs by a number of Christian artists. Titled 'Passion of the Christ: Songs', the album features former Creed singer Scott Stapp, Lauryn Hill, POD, Third Day, Steven Curtis Chapman and MercyMe. 'Passion of the Christ: Songs' will be released 31 August.
	25.08.04 - Newsboys build 'Devotion'. From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. The Newsboys will release a new album in November. 'Devotion' aims to appeal to the group's long held pop support base plus its more recently acquired praise and worship fans. The album features songs by Steve Taylor and Tim Hughes, vocals from Rebecca St James and some guitar work from Stu G from Delirious?.
	25.08.04 - Carter & Carter US radio success. From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. Aussie duo, Carter & Carter, has secured significant US airplay on Christian Country radio formats this week. The song 'Lead Me Home' debuted this week at #3 on the Christian Music Weekly Top 25 Christian Country Singles chart. This is the first time an Aussie country act has garnered such strong radio support in this genre.
	25.08.04 - Short cuts. From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. Third Day, Audio Adrenaline, Jeff Deyo (x Sonicflood), Shawn McDonald and NZ's Magnify will perform at Sonfest 2005. Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) reports that for the eighth year in a row, Darlene Zschech's 'Shout to the Lord' is the most reproduced song in Australian churches. The report indicates that the song is #1 in New Zealand, the UK, South Africa and Sweden; and #4 in the USA and Canada. Word Entertainment's new urban music division has signed George Huff to his first solo CD. Huff competed on 'American Idol' earlier this year. Rocketown singer songwriter Shaun Groves has become a part-time pastor to post-high school and college young adults at The People's Church in Franklin, Tennessee.
	23.08.04 - Gospel hit still winning awards. From Andy James Court and the Utmost Fish. Perth Gospel Singer/Songwriter and multi-award winner, Andy James Court, recently won the U.K. Gospel Song of the Year for 2004. The winning song, 'Two's Company', which uniquely blends Gospel pop with traditional African sounds, put him at the top of a list of 27 international finalists to become the winner of the Gospel Category, in what Channel 4 Television (UK) describes as "UK's leading songwriting event and one of the world's major international song competitions." This song also won Andy the 1998 Australian Gospel Songwriter of the Year Award, and now, six years later, it is still winning awards and captivating audiences at his concerts. Andy's band, 'The Utmost Fish', features a 10-piece African/American style choir, 'The Supernatural Gospel Choir', which brings the power and exuberance of the 'Two's Company' CD and DVD versions to life, in a concert experience. One concertgoer said, "I loved every moment of it, and I thought the sound was great, the lighting effects absolutely wonderful and the Supernatural Gospel Choir quite the most joyful group I ever had the privilege to watch." 'Two's Company', also the name of Andy's second album, contains an array of songs that have won numerous awards all across Australia, nevertheless, it is his third album, 'Remember', that he feels realises some of his best songwriting to date. "'Remember' contains catchy melodies and insightful lyrics that reflect my life and my walk with the Lord." 'Remember' is due for release later this year. Andy's previous albums, 'Only You' and 'Two's Company' can be purchased from Word Bookstore Australia, or ordered online from at this location.
	20.08.04 - Alabaster Box update. From Naarah, Alabaster Box. Well as many of you know this has been a huge year for us so far. We've released our new album 'Love on the Radio', toured across Australia (not finished just yet), recorded our first ever live DVD, and soon will be taking the tour across to New Zealand. Phew, ok it seems like a lot, but we do love our job! Thanks to everyone who showed up for the live DVD recording in Ipswich. I got to see a little sneak peek of it the other day, and I must say you guys and girls looked awesome. We would really like to thank everyone who has helped support this tour. There have been so many people who have worked so hard and done so much for us. So from me and all the guys a huge big hug goes out to you all. Now many of you may know that I (and a bunch of mega-rock'n chicks) have started up God's Little Rocker. (Sorry fellas but just talking to the girls for a moment...) It's a new online magazine to encourage young girls to stand out from the crowd and rock this world for Jesus. If you haven't checked out the new site then visit www.Godslittlerocker.com there you'll find bible studies, hot topics, news and reviews plus cool God's Little Rocker merchandise. You can also join online to be a part of the GLR team and get a newsletter which comes out every month or so.
	20.08.04 - Scat wins American Gospel Music Award. From Scat. Scat continues to break new ground, receiving an American Gospel Music Award for best jazz album. The American Gospel Music Awards honours up and coming, unknown, professional musicians from around the world. The award is no Emmy, but it is encouraging for the band to gain recognition overseas, and it may lead to further opportunities for Scat in the US.
	16.08.04 - Renowned Irish worship leader Robin Mark to visit Sydney and Toowoomba. From Integrity Media Australasia. Internationally renowned Irish worship leader Robin Mark will be visiting Australia for two concerts in October this year. A native of Northern Ireland, Robin Mark lives in Belfast where he serves as Director of Worship at Christian Fellowship Church. In 1999, Mark signed a recording contract with US-based Integrity Music, with whom he has recorded three live albums. To date, Integrity has sold over 600,000 copies of the first two projects, 'Revival In Belfast' and 'Come Heal This Land'. These albums have introduced numerous new songs, including 'All For Jesus', 'Revival', 'Days Of Elijah', 'There Is No Other Name' and 'You're The Lion Of Judah' to the Church at large. In Sydney, and as part of 'The Harvest - Share The Holy Spirit Conference 2004', Robin will be conducting a seminar at 2:30pm on Friday, October 1st and performing a concert at 2:30pm on Saturday, October 2nd, at St Gregory's College, Badgally Road, Campbelltown. The cost of the seminar is $25 and the concert tickets are $20 each. Further information can be obtained from Julie Norbury: 02 9673 2288 or julie@servantsofjesus.org. Robin is also leading worship in Toowoomba at a Citywide Combined Church Service on Sunday October 3rd from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. This free public concert, sponsored by the Toowoomba Christian Leaders Network, will be held at the Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre in Baker Street, Toowoomba, directly opposite the University Of Southern Queensland. It is expected that many folk from further afield in Queensland will also travel to this event. Jim Watson, General Manager of Toowoomba based Integrity Music Australasia, commented, "Robin's visit to Toowoomba offers its citizens a rare opportunity to experience this gifted and globally influential songwriter and worship leader in a live setting. His Celtic-flavoured bestselling albums are popular with believers from all walks of faith. Churches across the city coming together and sharing a captivating evening with this internationally awarded and acclaimed artist from Belfast, will be a unique event that should not be missed!" Ian Shelton, Coordinator of the Toowoomba Christian Leaders Network, host organization of the Toowoomba concert, said, "The visit of Robin Mark to our city is exciting, not only for the great worship and musical treat that will come our way but also for what he represents. His ministry in Ireland has been in the forefront of bringing reconciliation to a very fractured society. Our prayer for his visit here is that the process of unity among the churches will be advanced as well as our heart to see healing in our wider society. All are welcome to attend this worship event, to be staged at the Rec Centre at our Uni." Integrity Music will release the follow up album to Robin's hugely successful 'Revival In Belfast', entitled 'Revival in Belfast II', in November 2004. The first 'Revival In Belfast' album is expected to reach gold sales status (35 000 units sold) in Australia before the end of 2004.
	15.08.04 - fRETfEST'04 Acoustic Music Festival & music competition. From fRETfEST. Established in 1997, the fRETfEST Acoustic Music Festival has become a platform where unsigned singer songwriters can showcase their skills and where more established artists can demonstrate their talents. This year fRETfEST is incorporating a music competition into the festival where local singer song writers are invited to enter and compete for the chance to become the 'Ovation Guitars fRETfEST’04 Find of the Year'. The winners of the 'Ovation Guitars fRETfEST’04 Find of the Year' will be celebrated at, and have the opportunity to perform at the fRETfEST’04 Acoustic Music Festival on Saturday November, 6 at the Chandler Theatre. The competition begins on Sunday, August 22 and will be held at The MilkBar, 2 Caxton St Petrie Terrace. At these events our panel of judges will be looking for Brisbane's best new singer songwriters. On offer will be the chance to join the on stage line-up at the Chandler Theatre and take home one of two brand new Ovation guitars and packs of DR strings. We invite singer songwriters to come and join the auditions, heats & finals all of which will be held for 3 age-categories: under 18, 18-25 and Open (25 years & over).
	08.08.04 - Black Stump finds the passion in '04. From ACAN. Black Stump is a unique Festival of Christian music, arts 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 Workshop Electives 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 1. Grab a group, arrive anytime after 12 noon to set up your campsite and prepare for Stump 2004.
	08.08.04 - Times change for eleventhour. From ACAN. eleventhour will be taking a new look in 2005 after the resignation of bass player Wes Davis, and lead vocalist Damien Johnson during the last month. The band will be adopting a more metal focus, moving beyond the hard rock style that Davis and Johnson brought to band. Davis will be bidding fans farewell on September 11th when the band performs at Capalaba High Hall along side ADD and Crying Out Loud. Johnson will continue to guitar for the band in the immediate future, but will be joining brother Chris in a new alternative hard rock outfit that will adopt some of eleventhours' current material. Rock fans stay posted.
	08.08.04 - Download a free Sarah single. From ACAN. Speaking of Sarah's first single from the new album 'Seven Hundred Seasons' is now available for free download from their website. Make sure you grab yourself a copy. While you're there, have a listen to samples from the rest of the album, due for release later this month.
	08.08.04 - Revive and change for Me+Ty. From ACAN. After releasing a self titled EP in 2000, and the debut album 'Going Up?' in 2002, Dave Hanbury (vocals) and Tyler Hall (guitar) joined up with Rich Thompson (bass) and Mike TenKate (drums) and amended the name from Me+Ty to Me+Ty Band. With a new album on the way, Dave says, "we wanted a fresh name that reflects who we are as a band, what we stand for, and where we are heading. We want to encourage revival, to see people come to know God, and we seek to support this through our music. Revive is a name that reflects everything we do". Revive recently completed recording their new album 'Where I Belong' with Phil Gaudion (producer and drummer for The Paul Colman Trio). The album has been mastered by John Reuben at Crystal Studios.
	06.08.04 - Crying Out Loud: Sad news and more. From Crying Out Loud. Crying Out Loud are sad to announce that Will Erickson our trumpet player and musical extraordinaire will be leaving the band. We are truly sad to see him go and as we have never parted with a member since the bands line-up was completed in March 2002 we are unsure of the new ground we enter into. He is continuing with his passion for producing and recording. His goodbye show will be Black Stump but he will not be joining us for the September tour. Obviously this leaves a hole in our line-up and we will be looking for a new horn player, either trumpet or trombone, so if you or anyone you know would be keen drop us an e-mail at theband@cryingoutloud.info. As far as the album is concerned Will remains very much a part of it as he has been a part of it's formation for the last two years and we would not want to exclude him from what is as much his as ours. All tracks are finished. After months of recording its finally up to scratch to go into the mixing and mastering process. So start saving your pennies kids! Well, well, well... it wouldn't be good album promotion if we didn't tour wouldn't it. 'East Coast Insight For Sore Eyes Tour' dates can be found here.
	03.08.04 - Paul Colman's new album and Aussie tour set for early 2005. From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. Paul Colman will release a new solo album early next year. He is writing songs in the USA with Newsboys frontman Peter Furler, Tree 63's John Ellis as well as Jason Ingram (best known for songs like 'I'm Rich, I'm Poor') plus Marc Byrd (co-writer of 'God Of Wonders' and Third Day's 'Show Me Your Glory'). Colman is also planning a 'One Voice - One Guitar' tour of Australia early next year. The tour should take him to every state including his first visit to Darwin. More details at www.paulcolman.com.
	03.08.04 - Third Day headlines Sonfest 2005. From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. Australia's Sonfest festival has announced that it has secured Third Day to play at Sonfest 2005. Third Day is the world's leading contemporary Christian music act. The Atlanta-based rockers have accrued four gold albums, a platinum album, a Grammy and 21 GMA Dove Awards. Other acts scheduled to play this year include NZ's Lads, GRITS plus a new Christian rock band, Day of Fire. Day of Fire is led by 27 year old singer-songwriter Josh Brown (not the keyboard player in Alabaster Box) whose previous band, Full Devil Jacket, toured with Creed. More details available soon at www.sonfest.com.
	03.08.04 - Crew cuts. From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia. Paulini Curuenavuli has topped the ARIA's single and album charts this week. 2004 MusicOz Award entries have been extended to 15 August. MusicOz is Australia's premier mainstream awards for unsigned acts. It honours all musical genres including gospel. One of Ireland's most successful female artists, Moya Brennan, has been handed yet another feather for an already crowded hat: the adoption of one of her songs as the main track for the ultimate epic adventure 'King Arthur'. Delirious? will be following the 'eternal flame' to Athens to take part in the opening night of the Olympic Games. Audio Adrenaline has committed to building an orphanage on the island of Haiti. Taking its name from one of the group's most popular songs, the Hands and Feet project is dedicated to building a community of cottages to raise orphans in a land suffering political upheaval and extreme poverty. The National Academy of Arts and Sciences (NARAS) -the body that runs the Grammy Awards - has announced the addition of another award category in the Gospel area. Beginning in 2005, an award will be given for Best Gospel Performance (for singles or tracks with Gospel lyrics). Jaci Velasquez is a Latin Grammy nominee for Best Female Pop Vocal Album for her Sony/Discos release Milagro. The Latin Grammys will be awarded on 1 September. Kevin Max is dreaming new dreams. He's closed his eyes and pulled back the curtain to star in a new Californian production of the Webber/Rice musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. All Star United's lead singer Ian Eskelin has announced his intention to seek the Presidency of the United States in the upcoming November general election. Sounds like a publicity stunt to me.
	01.08.04 - Sunshine Coast singers Trina and Stacey head south. From Trina and Stacey. With the launch of their new albums, local contemporary Christian artists Trina McDougall and Stacey Clark are set to sing the gospel message around the globe starting with a Southern Tour in August. The Tour will include performances in various church events and functions along the East Coast of Australia. The albums titled 'Ocean Deep' and 'Arms of Love' feature 20 brand new songs all written by Trina, who has endeavoured to outline the Gospel message as a result of biblical inspiration. For Trina, 'Ocean Deep' is her second album with her debut album 'Seated in Heaven', released in 2001, being greatly received around Australia and internationally. Local producer, Craig Ross, included rich sounds to complement the uplifting lyrics using various guitar feels and piano accompaniment. The unique voices and easy listening nature makes each album appropriate to all ages. The real life friends met over 5 years ago and find their similar backgrounds provide a common vision. Although they have separate albums, they work as a team to share their music with the community with enthusiasm and a positive outlook. From an early age, Stacey has had a desire to sing. "For as long as I can remember, I've always loved to sing," said Stacey. "It's a huge step to release this album as I find no greater purpose for my life than to sing of Jesus and His love for me." Trina also believes strongly in her purpose to sing. "One thing I have leant from the last couple of years of touring is that it's not about me", said Trina. "But it's about Christ and what He has done for us." With aspirations to reach as many people as possible with their music, Trina and Stacey are looking forward to opportunities the venture will present. For further information on the check out their website at www.trinaandstacey.com.