Issue #9
04-28-2003
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. My name is Michael Janke and I am your answer man and resident Mandy Moore fan. I just read she's got a new album coming out this summer so I'm happy and content for the week.

A special alert for you. Switchfoot will be on Craig Kilborn's late night show (CBS) on May 5. Mark your calendars now.

Apparently I'm not the only one who gets stumped. I've run two Stumpers now (always the last question of column), on EH Holden and Tim Miner, and neither of them got any responses. We'll keep putting them out there, though, and hopefully someone will be able to enlighten us.

Tim Olson wrote in with some helpful information about All Together Separate. He said that on March 22 he caught them in concert at Azusa Pacific University, where they stated it was their last performance together. The band members spoke about following new paths and the possibility of doing other projects musically. Thanks, Tim. And Azusa Pacific University rules. Go Cougars!

Reality television update time. Viewers finally get it right on American Idol, and send Carmen home. Is it just me, or is Kimberly Locke now a major contender for the AI crown? Reuben has a great voice and stage presence, but all of his songs sound the same and I couldn't bear to listen to an album full of his work. As for Survivor, after seeing last week's episode this is officially the best Survivor season ever. It's not my favorite cast by any means (that remains Survivor 2), but with the twists and turns that this season has thrown at us it's never been this interesting this late in the season - save for the first season. Usually we're wading through weeks of predictable votes by now. Unless you're into spoilers on the show you have to have no idea about who's going to win this one, and that's the way it should be. Personally, I'm rooting for Matthew, who is so clueless that it's endearing.

This week we'll do a supersized batch of questions.

Q: What are the top ten selling CCM Albums of all-time?
    Brian

A: That's a great question. Unfortunately, it's one I don't have the best answer for. In 1998 CCM Magazine printed a huge special issue that had the top 100 best-selling Christian albums of all-time. The data has changed since then, though, with some big releases knocking others off of the chart, and some newer albums now categorized in the Christian market. As of mid-1998 the standings were:

1. Heart In Motion, Amy Grant (5.8 million)
2. You Light Up My Life, LeAnn Rimes (4)
3. Home For Christmas, Amy Grant (3.6)
4. Butterfly Kisses, Bob Carlisle (2.7)
5. House of Love, Amy Grant (2.6)
6. God's Property, God's Property (2.0)
7. The Preachers Wife soundtrack (2.0)
8. I Love To Tell the Story, Andy Griffith (1.8)
9. Whatcha Lookin' 4, Kirk Franklin (1.7)
10. Lead Me On, Amy Grant (1.6)

Since that time there have been a lot of platinum Christian certifications. P.O.D's Satellite has sold over 3 million. The O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack, which is considered a Christian album, sold over 6 million. dc Talk's Jesus Freak has hit 2 million. So the list has changed. However, I don't have access to an organized, official tally, so an actual top ten isn't something I can provide. For more information, visit riaa.com . On a personal note, my debut album is working its way towards aluminum certification, and I hope to hit nickel by year's end.

Q: Where has Susan Ashton been since her crossover country album? Is she going to be making anymore CCM?
    Heather

A: Susan has pretty much fallen off the face of the globe, news-wise, in the past couple of years. Even my close friend who was a Susan fanatic knows nothing new about her. She still is on the Capitol Nashville website so it appears she is still signed. I guess she's just taking an extended hiatus. As for returning to the Christian music scene, it's really hard to say at this point. I would hope the answer is yes, since much of Susan's work is some of the most beautiful stuff that Christian music put out in the 1990's.

Q: Where is Pete Stewart? Is he helping out one of the dc Talk guys, is he going to make another solo album, or what?
    Kyle

A: Pete, who did help on the Tait record, is said to be lead vocalist in the new band started by ex-P.O.D. member, Marcos Curiel, called Accident Experiment.

Q: I have heard rumors that The Benjamin Gate is breaking up or that Adrienne is leaving and other ones as well. Is any of this true?
    Elizabeth

A: Greg also wrote in with the same question. To the best of my knowledge, this is just a vicious rumor that probably began because of the announcement of her engagement to one Jeremy Camp. I'm betting we can look forward to a BG/Camp tour in the near future.

Q: When is Kutless coming out with there second CD?
    Ryat17

A: Okay, this is a great example of a question that normally would not get answered, since it was just addressed in a previous issue of Ask CMC. However, since that last issue someone has wrote in with new information. Pinson wrote in to say that Kutless is in the studio this summer to work on their next project, with Aaron Sprinkle again. Thanks, Pinson.

Q: What has happened to Paul Alan and Inside the Outside? They were two of my favorite new artists from last year and they have seemed to disappear!
    Jennifer

A: The Aluminum Records website still has both artists on its roster, and I have heard nothing to the contrary, so to the best of my knowledge they are still alive and kicking. Last I heard (last fall), Diamonte wanted to push Alan's album a little more, so that explains the hiatus with him. Hopefully he will grace the world with a new record soon, though. I count myself as just about the biggest Paul Alan fan on the planet so, Paul, if you're out there... gimme! Or drop me an e-mail or something. Inside the Outside is also great.

Q: What happened to Michelle Tumes? She is no longer on the Sparrow Records website.
    Cliff

A: Tumes is no longer with Sparrow. I'll be honest: I blame Sparrow. Listening to her albums you can clearly see a transformation in sound, as Tumes was moved away from what made her so special on Listen to just another pop artist on Dream. She captivated people for a specific reason, and by her third record most of that was gone. Whoever signs her should let her do what she does best, and that is the new-age-slash-pop piano based sound that made Listen such an amazing debut album.

Q: Hi, I am wondering about birthdays of Christian musicians. Do you know of any site that posts birthdays?
    Kristi

A: I did find one, in a brief search. Check this one out.

Q: Okay, the way I understand it is Kevin Max is no longer with Forefront. Does that mean just as a solo performer? As dc Talk is he still signed? Could you please clarify the music biz for me. Thanks!
    Rosalind

A: That's a great question, Rosalind. Kevin Max, the artist, is no longer with Forefront. But Kevin Max, as part of dc Talk, is with Forefront. They are both different entities, so to speak. So as a solo artist he can be signed to a different label than that of his band.

Q: Why did Jason Perry quit Plus One?
    Allie

A: The CMCentral news reports: "Plus One was a great experience," stated Perry. "I am so thankful for all the opportunities we have had and all the great people we've met and worked with. I do feel like this is just the beginning for me. Plus One has put me in a position to fulfill my destiny in a greater way and I am so thankful for that."

Q: The Newsboys are awesome in everyway, everything they do is awesome. Just because they chose to do things a little different with their worship album why shut them down?! If you're going to tell people, "why should we accept a half hearted effort?" when their worship album is awesome and it's at the top of the charts why should we trust you? I think you've seriously underestimated the Newsboys and done them a wrong. I can hear their album playing in the background and I love it, it's powerful!
    Michelle

A: Michelle. First of all, I did not review the album. Robin reviews all albums for the site. However, let me address your question. It is the job of the music critic to be critical. I believe Robin was fair in his review. He was not bashing the group, nor saying that it was not possible to enjoy the album for what it was. He was not saying that it could not minister to someone. He was simply viewing it with a critical eye and, in this case, stating that he believed the group was capable of better. That is his right as a reviewer. It is your right as a reader to form your own opinion, as you clearly have. I'm sure there are albums out there that you would review poorly if it were your job. In a sense, the low grade is a compliment to the group, since it's stating a belief that the band is capable of truly great things, in Robin's opinion. Think about this: why do you read album reviews? Most people want an honest critique, because $15 is a lot to spend and they want to be sure they are getting their money's worth. If all album reviews were positive and said only good things, giving out A grades, how would you honestly know whether to invest in a CD you were not familiar with already? If one only wants to read positive things about albums then reading album reviews is really pointless for them to do.

Stumper of the Week

Q: A number of years ago (I think like '92) I bought an album by an artist named Karthi. At the time she was signed to Forefront (I think) but the Gotee Bros. produced the album (that's why I bought it, I'll take a chance on anything they produce). One song in particular I just loved was called "The Air You Breathe" in which I believe Todd Collins had a rap verse in it. That's kind of irrelevant, but I was wondering whatever happened to her and what she's up to now. I was also wondering where I might be able to find her CD. Any help you could provide would be much appreciated.
    Brent

A: Ahh, I remember Karthi. But I can't answer your question. Anyone?

That wraps up this issue. Keep the questions coming, to ask@cmcentral.com. 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 and other considerations, and personal replies are not possible.