My friend William Lehman, a.k.a. decloned, has agreed to share some thoughts with us when he can. He’s got quite a bit of history in the church and as you may have already read, over 25 years of experience with Christian music.

On top of being a great writer, William is also a very talented artist. Be sure and visit his decloned website to read more of his thoughts and see his artwork.

I’m totally excited to have William on-board and look forward to reading more of his posts.

Call for More Writers

If you love Christian music and would like to share you own thoughts about your favorite artists, concerts or other news in the contemporary Christian music industry, just send me an email and let me know.

It wasn’t too long ago that I wrote about Connersvine and their blog. Now they’ve gone and redesigned their entire website and it’s quite a dramatic improvement.

Go check them out at the new Connersvine website

While I was browsing around I noticed they’re in concert up here around me this weekend. Going to see if I can make it to a show.

There’s a new Christian music website available, but this one has a little bit different spin to it.

AccessChristianMusic.com focuses on covering not only the Christian music industry, but also the technology developments that Christian music artists can use to help promote their work.

The site is full of information that’s already been helpful to me. I assist a number of musicians and artists with their websites as well as help promoting them as artists as well. Having knowledge of what things are happening in the music industry and how it may impact Christian musicians is a nice resource to have at your disposal.

I’ve added a link to their site in our resources list. Let me know what you think.

Visit AccessChristianMusic.com now

Rusty Bova Spins Contemporary Favorites to New Praise Music

I’m a big fan of big band, swing and jazz music. It’s not everyday you hear your favorite standards in those genres with Christian music lyrics added to them. Christian musician Rusty Bova has accomplished the feet that was unexpected.

Rusty is a very talented musician and singer. You can hear some samples yourself at www.gospelthatswings.com.  For his album “Raising the Standards to Praise”, you can hear “So Reliable” to the tune of “Unforgettable”, “Jesus Is the Christ” to “Mack the Knife” and “It Had To Be Him” to the rhythms of “It Had To Be You”. Regretfully, at some points it comes off as a little cheesy and I’m not sure why. I’m very conflicted with the idea for some reason. I wish the best for his ministry and don’t belittle his talent at all.

Hat tip to Mark Webber at ChristianMusicDaily.com for introducing me to this new Christian musician

Dave Pettigrew is another artist I’ve been listening to lately and really enjoying. Sadly I’ve taken far too long to put my thoughts about the album down in type.

The tone of his message and lyrics are a refreshing breath of the basics of our beliefs and how we feel towards the blessings we’ve been given. His music and lyrics strongly remind me of Steven Curtis Chapman. I’m not the only person who thinks that either, as after reading other reviews of his music, others were stating the same thing.

His album “Every Minute Miracles” he weaves a tapestry of the various feelings and meanings behind this Christian life, while reminding us that the Christian life is a 24×7 one. Not something to be pulled out on the weekends and at the places we show it. Each song reminds me in a different way of what God means to me and how He impacts (or should be) every area of my life.

1. Change (Follow Me)
2. Big Enough
3. God’s TV
4. Proof of You
5. The Best That He Can Be
6. With My Faith
7. What Would I Do
8. Something More
9. All I Need Is You
10. Wonderful Maker

Some of my favorite songs on the album are bolded above. But I’ve got to mention the beautiful “All I Need Is You“. It’s such a warm ballad, but on the song there’s an amazing saxophone accompaniment that should be noted is played by Dave as well. The album closes with a familiar chorus of “Wonderful Maker”.

I’m not sure why we haven’t heard more of Dave Pettigrew. These are exactly the artists that I wish more Christian radio stations were bringing to the public’s attention. So, since you can’t rely on K-LOVE to share some new music with you, go visit Dave’s website at www.davepettigrew.net and get more information about him and his music.

Since it doesn’t look like I’m going to be able to swing attending the Dove Awards in person, and I don’t get Gospel Music Channel with U-verse, my only option for live coverage may be XM Radio.

39^TH ANNUAL DOVE AWARDS TO BROADCAST LIVE ON XM APRIL 23

XM to Offer Exclusive Radio Coverage of Gospel Music’s Biggest Night Featuring Casting Crowns, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Switchfoot, Chris Tomlin, Natalie Grant and more

Washington, D.C., April 16, 2008 – XM will offer exclusive coverage of the upcoming Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards on Wednesday, April 23, providing fans with front-row access to gospel music’s biggest night of the year. XM’s Christian pop channel, “The Message” (XM 32), will broadcast the 39^th Annual Dove Awards live and direct from The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, featuring a diverse mix of gospel and Christian music artists.

Casting Crowns, The Clark Sisters, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Marvin Sapp, Switchfoot, Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, Trin-i-tee 5:7, David Crowder*Band, Israel Houghton, Point Of Grace with Cindy Morgan, 19 Recordings/Jive Recording Artist Jordin Sparks, Natalie Grant and country icon Wynonna are among the artists scheduled to appear.

This year’s Dove Awards will also feature “Opry at the Doves,” a special performance showcasing Ricky Skaggs and The Whites, Charlie Daniels with Third Day’s Mac Powell, The Isaacs, Angella Christie, The Hoppers, Jeff and Sheri Easter and Karen Peck and New River.

XM’s broadcast of the 39^th Annual Dove Awards will air live on XM 32 from 8-10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 23.

Now, I just need to get me an XM radio and account. Why is it I just never seem to have exactly what I need? Anyone else out there reading with an XM radio? What are the other Christian music options available to you throughout the year?

The Big Shiny Planet effort seems like a pretty cool idea to me, especially for a youth group. I’m not sure how well it would do out of that age group and demographic, but that’s okay. Focus on something and be excellent at it right?

With artists like Barlow Girl, Building 429 and Stellar Kart, there should be some instant connections between members of the youth group and the artists leading the study.

If you’re looking for a new Bible study for your church and the idea of integrating it with engaging video clips and speaking from some great Christian artists, check out Big Shiny Planet.

As always, let me know what you think as well.

Does a Christian who sings have to be promoted as a “Christian” artist? Are they less of a Christian if they sing in a secular group? Why do we have to have these labels? Do the labels mean anything more than the difference between a blues genre and jazz? Am I less of a Christian because I enjoy listening to music and albums sold in the “New Age” section of music stores? I know my mother didn’t really like me listening to Yanni or Enya because of that.

Be sure and let me know your thoughts in the comments or in the new poll over there to the right.

Here’s some more reading for you to start to get you thinking about the topic

• Church and State: Mute Math fights the machine at Warner Bros
• How to Fix CCM
• Rock Un-Solid: When Christian bands bite the hands that praised them