Issue #4
02-13-2003
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!

I live. Welcome back to the fourth edition of the portion of this site known affectionately as Ask CMCentral. I am your host and answer man, Michael Janke. When last you heard from me the year was 2002 and I lived in sunny Orange County, California. Now I live in San Diego and I'm wondering who moved my cheese. I'm also wondering if I'll be able to get a ticket to Daredevil tomorrow.

First off, let's take care of some old business from past columns. I want to thank Dakota for writing in with more information on Earthsuit. According to her: "Right now they are working on a new independent CD that will be out some time in April or May of this year. This comes after the band left Sparrow Records last year. They have said good-bye to bass player Roy Mitchell. Roy has made plans to go back to school. They have also hired a new drummer, Darren King. Guitarist Dave Rumsey was recently married and Adam LaClave (the lead singer) has started a new side project called Macrosick. Which will have some tunes out by the end of 2003. On top of all that, members Paul Meany, Darren King, and Dave Rumsey have started a brand new production company entitled The Digitals, who are doing work on the new Toby Mac solo album. Currently, you can hear samples of three new EARTHSUIT songs though their web site." I have not verified all of this, but for what it's worth there you go.

Harco Ploegman points out that Clay Crosse is now mentioned at the Christian Records website.

I want to thank Mike and Mark for filling in for me with opinion columns the past two weeks. Both did an outstanding job and if you haven't read their columns yet you're missing out. Also, the Roaring Lambs interview series that Robin is running right now is just about the best thing that CMCentral has ever featured.

Survivor: The Amazon starts tonight. Men vs. women? A deaf contestant? This I have to see. So to celebrate that, and the return of AskCMC after such a long hiatus, here's a bigger batch of questions than I normally answer.

Q: Do you guys archive the Ask CMCentral stuff? I would love to read more. Thanks!
    Ginger

A: Ginger, thanks for kissing up. We do indeed archive Ask CMCentral. In fact, we archive everything here. Look to your left and you will see an Ask CMCentral orange button about half way down the page. All old columns can be found there. Or just visit http://www.cmcentral.com/ask.

Q: How does an artist become eligible to be on the list of eligible entries for the Dove Awards?
    Catherine

A: Eligible entries are submitted by the record companies. I was hoping to be nominated in the Dance category this year but my label failed to get my name submitted on time. Needless to say there is a lawsuit in the works. I'll keep you posted.

Q: What would the difference be if you signed with a major label, like Sparrow, as opposed to an independent?
    Omar1iblnd

A: That's a big question with a long answer. The nutshell version is that a major label has a lot of something that an independent does not: money. The money helps with the album itself, allowing more expensive producers, musicians, and songwriters to contribute. The album is also going to receive a greater amount of promotion and be worked at radio more extensively. Videos can be shot and serviced. Major labels have distribution as well, meaning that your project will be available nationwide. The independent, on the other hand, offers you more freedom. Since the major is spending more on you they are more likely to want to have a say in how the album sounds and how you are promoted as an artist. That is not necessarily a bad thing, since they have experience, but in some cases it can cause conflict. Most independent artists are free of those kinds of constraints or obligations. So depending on your perspective or needs as an artist any of the above can be a positive or a negative and you have to make that call for yourself depending on what your goals are.

Q: I happened to notice your comment about The Amazing Race. It is definitely my favorite reality based show - in fact, it's the only one I watch. Anyway...enough about The Amazing Race (although I could go on for hours), here is my question to you. What is up with Burlap to Cashmere? I loved their album but I am totally confused as to who the real group is and whether there will be a future for this group.
    Bowling Mom

A: According to burlaptocashmere.com, John Philippidis, Theodore Pagano, and Mike Ernest now make up the band, which is still together. They are said to be working on a new album due out in the next year.

Q: I was wondering, what's up with one of the guys from Everyday Sunday reading Harry Potter? Is this for real?
    Liz

A: Well, I don't know where heard this information, but I shall assume that it is true and that the real essence of your question is how can or why would a Christian read a Harry Potter book. My answer to you is that there are actually many Christians who read and enjoy Harry Potter. Because they think the series is enjoyable. Some of the most prominent Christian leaders of today would be included on that list, and Christianity Today even did an editorial on why they liked the Harry Potter series. Personally, I am not one of these people, but that's largely due to the fact that I've never had a desire to pick one up in the first place. Everyone who knows about Harry comes at this with pre-conceived notions and they are usually deeply held, so the controversy can be an impassioned one. The first thing to do is to try and look at things fairly, and fully inform yourself. There is a book out entitled What's A Christian To Do With Harry Potter, by Connie Neal. In it, Neal objectively and thoroughly goes through the arguments on both sides of this issue, showing why some Christians believe it is wrong to read and why some see it no differently than enjoying The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings. In the end, she makes a strong case that when the facts are clearly presented and understood, and the emotional rhetoric is torn away, it comes down to a personal choice for each Christian (much like the issue in the early church with eating meat sacrificed to idols). For some it is not okay, and those people should have their boundaries respected. For others, it is okay, and those people should be allowed the freedom to read. This is a very simplistic summary, so if you really want an answer to your question to see how an informed Christian really can read this series in clear conscience, I suggest you pick up her book. It's fair to both sides and extensively researched and backed with Scripture. View it at Amazon.com here. There are a handful of books out there on this subject, but this is the best.

Q: When is Thousand Foot Krutch going to come out with a new album?
    Nick

A: According to information on thousandfootkrutch.com, the band just got out of their contract with their old label and is currently shopping for a new deal. Their next album was due to release this spring but I'm not sure how that will be affected now.

Q: Hey, how come every year at the Doves a live Rich Mullins album is announced but never comes through? I am a huge fan and would love to finally get an official live CD!
    Sean

A: Sean, you will be happy to know that according to my source, the long awaited Rich Mullins live album will be released this spring, on Reunion Records. Hopefully Reunion Records doesn't make me look like a fool now by delaying it until 2004.

Q: I work at a Christian Book Store and a customer came up and asked about Amy Grant's sisters CD. I didn't know that Amy Grant had a sister. I had asked if it was Natalie Grant, and she said, "yes, that's it!" Is it true that Natalie Grant and Amy Grant are indeed sisters?
    Randall

A: Well, Amy does have sisters, but Natalie is not one of them. Nor is Hugh her brother. Mimi, Kathy, and Carol are their names. And as far as I know none of them have a recording contract.

Q: As I was reading your column, I read the remark you make asking who's ready for a new Paul Alan CD. I was just wondering, is he planning a new CD soon or was that just an offhand remark?
    Michelle

A: It was just an off-hand remark, and an audible hint to Aluminum. I was told by a friend at Diamonte that they were still trying to work Falling Awake, with a song included on the Left Behind II soundtrack, before a new project would be recorded. Unfortunately, the Left Behind II soundtrack is not selling well. Hopefully Paul has something new up his sleeve soon. If so, I'll be happy to mention any and all news of it here.

Q: I'm doing a little research on a Christmas album from 1991 on Pakaderm Records, called Rock Power Praise Volume II: Christmas Hymns. Would you happen to know who sings "Joy To The World"?
    Tim

A: The answer is: Ron Goliner. Who's Ron Goliner? Uhh...

Q: Can you tell me where I can find the words for Grits?
    Tracey

A: Try their official homepage: www.grits7.com

Q: I am a youth pastor in Louisville, KY. Several of the guys in my group have been asking me questions about Chevelle. Since "The Red" is being played on the local mainstream rock station, they're curious to know if the members of the band are Christians. I'm familiar with their history with Squint records and Steve Taylor. 'Point #1' was a good album. But a search of both liner notes gave no mention of God or Christ. It's important to me that I only endorse bands whose members have overtly professed Jesus Christ as Lord. I realize that it's not an infallible criterion, but it's the best I've come across so far. Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is, but there's certainly a better chance of finding Truth among those who at least acknowledge the deity of Christ. With the line between mainstream and CCM blurring (and thankfully so), it's all the more crucial to know what message drives these artists. Well, that's a long way to ask a simple question: Are the members of Chevelle professing Christians?
    Mark

A: Mark, thanks for your thoughtful question. The short answer is yes, they are Christians. This article from E! has an interview with the group. Even talking to this mainstream media outlet they openly acknowledge that they are Christian guys. What they disassociate themselves with is the Christian music industry and the "Christian band" label, which is their right, of course. Hope that answers your question. "The Red" was a huge hit. Hopefully "Send the Pain Below" does just as well.

So ends another AskCMC column. And because of my long absence I've still got an overflowing inbox to deal with. But keep the questions coming, to ask@cmcentral.com. I'll be back next week with my opinion column, and AskCMC will return in two weeks with more pseudo-omniscient answers and sarcastic remarks, as well as your bi-weekly reality television comments.
          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.