Introducing... Ask CMC
11-18-2002
by Michael Janke

Got a burning question? Trying to understand recent events? Need clarification on a rumor? Want to know how and why things happen the way they do? Ask CMCentral!

Welcome to our very first Ask CMCentral column. I am your host and answer man, Michael Janke, and I accept all forms of gifts, gift cards, and gift certificates. What we'll be doing here is taking your email questions and answering a handful of them every two weeks, in between opinion columns. Here now is the first batch, starting with a good one.

Q: What's the deal with Beaker [partner and co-writer of Rich Mullins]? Is that really his name? Does it have anything to do with the Muppets character? Is he still writing songs after Rich Mullins' death?
          David

A: Beaker's real name is David Strasser. Apparently the nickname is directly related to the Muppets character and was picked up in his younger days. For more information visit this page: geoffhorton.com/faq.htm. And, since you didn't ask, my favorite Muppets were Fozie Bear, Gonzo, and the two old guys up in the balcony.

Q: I've really liked P.O.D. since I was introduced to their music this past May, and I was especially impressed with their Christian stand in the secular market. A friend of mine who felt the same way informed me this weekend that he saw them recently on MTV and they said something to the effect that they weren't really Christians, they just did that to make a positive impact or something. That sounds a little distorted, so I'm wondering what P.O.D. REALLY said and where they really stand?
          Kim

A: Kim, maybe this should be in our F.A.Q... I didn't see the interview in question but I think I can safely answer your question. The guys in P.O.D. are all Christians, and to my knowledge they have never denied that. They have taken issue with the label of "Christian band" as well as aspects of the Christian music industry, but that is a separate thing entirely -- does a truck driver call himself a Christian truck driver and only truck Christian goods? They also take a lot of flack from people in the church over their edgy looks and the way that they prefer to interact with kids who are outside of the typical church circles -- some say that they go too far and don't "act Christian" enough. I believe that their fruits speak for themselves, though, and that they are in fact living their faith in the same way that Jesus would be were he alive and walking the streets of America today. In short, your initial impression was a good one. For more information on P.O.D. please see our Artist Database as well as two of my previous opinion columns (here and here).

Q: At one point of time, Petra had added a girl to their line-up. But, she seemed to have disappeared and no one remembers her. What happened to her? I think she came in around the time God Fixation came out. Maybe a little sooner.
          Kscrub

A: Kscrub, there was never a female member in Petra. What you heard is an urban legend at best and a nasty/humorous rumor at worst. However, certain member of the band in the 80s did have hairstyles that could've caused the confusion. Kidding. I love Petra.

Q: I hear that Third Day is coming out with an Offering 2 album that should be released in March. Is that true and if so what's the street date for the album?
          Blake

Q: Do you have any idea when Skillet is putting out a new album??
          Jeremy Walker

A: Blake and Jeremy, the answers to these and all similar questions can usually be found on the Upcoming Releases page here at CMCentral. It's up-to-the-minute information complied by Robin Parrish and I've not seen a more complete list anywhere on the Internet. Neither Skillet nor Third Day is listed there as of today which means that there is no set date for either band yet, however I believe that both are currently in the process of being planned. Join the discussion in the Forum on Offerings 2 by clicking here.

Q: What is the name of Patty Cabrera's sophomore album and what label did it release on?
          ZOEboy

A: Patty's sophomore project was entitled Always and Forever and was released on Curb Records in 1996. Bonus information: Patty was one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" in the same year.

Q: How many members have the Newsboys had throughout their history? What is John James (former Newsboys lead vocalist) doing these days?
          Richard

A: Alright, lets count them together: Peter Furler, John James, Sean Taylor, George Perdkis, Jonathan Geange, Corey Pryor, Vernon Bishop, Jody Davis, Kevin Mills, Jeff Frankenstein, Duncan Phillips, and Phil Joel (a.k.a., Philip Urry). That's twelve. Some might want to count Steve Taylor, but that's cheating. James currently lives in Australia with his wife, herding sheep. Okay, that last part is fiction. I was unable to discover his current career choice so if anyone out there has more information please let us know.

Thanks for your questions for this inaugural column. Please keep sending them in to ask@cmcentral.com and check back again in two weeks for more answers. If I didn't get to your question this week it may show up later. The opinion column will be back next week. Until then, drive safely and don't forget to watch the Lakers.
          Michael Janke

All questions are subject to editing. Not all questions can be answered due to editorial considerations, and personal replies are not possible due to time constraints.