Issue #7
03-31-2003
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!

Welcome back to Ask CMCentral, located at the home of the lambs that roar, The Chart, and some fresh releases. My name is Michael Janke and I am your resident Christian music answer man and new devoted follower of the TV series 24.

First, some column news. Starting today, Ask CMCentral and my opinion column will be moving from Thursdays to Mondays. The switch should help our ratings, since Thursday has killer competition in CSI, Survivor, Friends, and ER. The columns will still switch off every other week. Please adjust your calendars accordingly.

In response to a previous question, Josh writes in to tell us that Solomon's Wish is indeed still around, unsigned, looking for a record deal, and playing shows around Tennessee. They have a new guitarist named Allen Willis. Thanks, Josh, for sending this in.

Reality television update time: Where is The Amazing Race? CBS is annoying me by holding off on the next season of my favorite show. In the mean time, I watch Survivor and American Idol. Boy, that Kimberly Caldwell sure does wear a lot of mascara...

On to this week's questions.

Q: I used to be able to go to www.squinterland.com and it would provide me with useful facts about Steve Taylor's label, Squint Entertainment. Now it just takes me to knife links! What's going on, and how can I find Steve's label on the net?
    Crystal

A: Crystal, in a nutshell, Squint is no longer Steve's label. It is now an imprint belonging to Word Entertainment, or, rather, Warner Brother's. Mr. Taylor has moved on to other pursuits (as has PFR).

Q: Where's Jennifer Knapp? She came out with an album, went on tour and vanished (at least as far as I know).
    Nate

A: Nate, after asking around the best answer I have is an old answer: Jennifer is still on sabbatical. If anyone out there knows more please write in, but this seems to be the consensus.

Q: Could you tell me where I can find the Christian album charts and the Christian radio charts?
    Jhonny

A: There are many charts dealing with Christian radio but these days the one's that most refer to are the Radio and Records charts. They can be found at http://www.radioandrecords.com. As for album charts, Billboard magazine is the prime source, though you'll have to pick up a copy of Billboard at a news stand to view them.

Q: I heard Superchic[k] is breaking up. Is that true?
    Hyekd

A: Nope. Superchic[k] isn't going anywhere as far as we know. And they just keep getting more exposure: viewers of the Academy Awards may have heard their song "One Girl Revolution" played over a new JCPenny commercial. Very cool stuff.

Q: Could you explain to me what "crossover" music is? I've heard it defined as Christian artists in the mainstream, like Lifehouse and 12 Stones, and I've heard it defined as Christian artists who moved into the mainstream, i.e. Switchfoot and Stacie Orrico.
    Jen

A: That's a great question, Jen. And both of your answers are correct. I'll explain. Basically, one is a crossover artist whenever one's music moves across genres. So Stacie Orrico can now be considered a crossover artist, since she started in Christian music and now is on mainstream pop radio. Amy Grant was one of the original crossover artists. Faith Hill is a crossover artist since she started in country music and is now played on pop and adult contemporary stations. And P.O.D. is a crossover artist in multiple ways: Christian to mainstream and also mainstream rock to mainstream pop. To explain further, it has nothing to do with whether one does or doesn't sing about Jesus. It's simply a term that describes when an artist who has fans of one particular style (or market) develops fans in a new style. In business terms this is highly desirable, since that artist can now sell albums to a whole new group of people who wouldn't have normally listened to them before.

Q: I was wondering if you knew of any older CDs by SoulJahz, besides The Fault is History and where I could buy it from?
    Ryann

A: The Fault Is History (2002) is their debut album on a major label. I know that they also had at least one album before that, self-titled (1999). I'm not sure if/where it's available anymore.

Stumper of the Week

Q: Who is the EH Holden that co-produced Tree63's American debut album? An EH Holden is an Australian vehicle, so I have my little theories as to who EH Holden really is.... but maybe there really is some producer who just so happens to have the name of a car. The only thing is, I've never seen or heard of an EH Holden producing any other musical project. So who is this person?
    Shara

A: Shara, you stumped me. In the immortal words of Chris Farley in Tommy Boy: huh? If anyone out there knows the answer to this please write in.

That wraps up this issue. Keep the questions coming, to ask@cmcentral.com. If your already-submitted question still has not been answered, don't fret because it may still see the light of day. I'll be back next Monday with my opinion column, and AskCMC will return the week after.
          Michael Janke

Please include your name with all submissions. All questions are subject to editing. Not all questions can be answered due to editorial considerations, and personal replies are not possible.