Issue #13
06-30-2003
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. Could we be having any more fun than this? I think not. Hey, when does the second season of 24 come out on DVD? Currently in high rotation for me: Sara Groves' All Right Here, Kelly Clarkson's Thankful, Newsboys' Going Public, Kevin Max's "Existence," and Amy Grant's Simple Things. Ahh... Simple Things... talk about a record that was worth the long wait. But more on that in the coming month.

A few people wrote in to add more to my Parkway answer. Josh writes: "Hi Mike, The update on Silage is that after changing their name to Parkway (record company idea), they called it quits after the CD Glad You Made It got little if any push by the record company. Lance Black is the leader of Celebrity (www.iamcelebrity.com) and Damian Horne is President of A&R for Missionary Music Group Records (http://www.mmgartists.com). He has released a worship album through the label, entitled Elemental Worship."

Joe wrote in with more on the PC3 live albums: "I was one of their first US fans (just ask the guys), because I saw them back in 1998 in a small Christian Coffee house in Annapolis, MD, when it was just "Paul Colman" accompanied by Phil. I have his first CD, which was recorded in his kitchen, and it's pretty basic, with a guitar, bongo, and maybe back-up guitar. They also released Serious Fun, which is an absolute fantastic CD. Both of those were only available at Paul's shows, and over in Australia. When they signed with Essential, one of the deals was that they had to stop selling any albums previous to Essential. So now they have New Map of the World in stores in America, and they also have a PC3: Live album that is available at their concerts. One is due out in September."

No one had any answers for last issue's Stumper about Code of Ethics.

Hey, if you want to make a humble web columnist's day, visit my Amazon.com wish list and buy me something. :)

Reality television update. The Amazing Race continues to entertain. But in different ways than last season. There are so many poor racers this year. And the two models are just about the worst of the bunch. I've also lost all affection for Kelly, who acts like a 10-year-old the way she continues to make fun of Millie. Sad to see the old guys leave - they were spirited and I admired their never-give-up attitude. This week's episode in India should be interesting, as the group finally leaves western civilization and heads towards a truly different culture.

On with this week's questions.

Q: What happened to Jamie Slocum?
    Angie

A: I don't know. But if you're wondering about his music career, Jamie has a new album, entitled My Heart Knows, coming August 26. Visit his website here.

Q: Hi. I'm from Australia and I was just wondering about Daniel Bedingfield. I've heard a lot of his songs because he's been going pretty good on the Aussie billboard charts. I never really knew that he was a Christian artist. I just wanted to clear that up.
    Danny

A: Wenet had the same question. According to our man Greg, of The Chart, Daniel is indeed a Christian. It's pretty obvious if you do a little searching around the web, as well. This link, for instance, mentions it explicitly while discussing how he brought that up in one of his concerts. I think people wonder because he's never been apart of "Christian music," per se, here in America. So it's a surprise when they hear about his faith. I find that wonderful, though. The man doesn't hide his faith, and he made it professionally on his own in the mainstream world based upon his talent. It's a trend I think we're going to be seeing more and more of in the coming years, and I find that to be an awesome thing.

Q: What happened with the husband/wife duo Wilshire? I can't stop playing their two CDs, and would love to hear some new stuff from them!
    Kari

A: Wilshire is back. They are signed to Sony and have a new single, "Special," now released to radio, and an album releasing soon. Visit their website here. Congrats to the former Rocketown duo.

Q: Hello, I was reading through some of your old articles, and kept on coming across the phrase "on sabbatical." I was wondering what that meant.
    Ellie

A: Hey, thanks for reading the archives. You are my favorite reader of the week. To answer your question, basically, in its most general of uses, it's a leave of absence for a meaningful reason.

Q: I noticed that Mandy Moore is posted in the pop singers on this website. It say's that she has claimed to be a Christian. Is that true or is she just posted on that page because she played a part as a preacher's daughter in the movie, A Walk to Remember.
    Faith

A: Well, it's not just because of her movie role. Mandy has openly discussed her faith in God on multiple occasions and seems to usually back up that talk w/ her lifestyle. That being said, she is far from perfect and I'm sure she's going to take some flack for some of her upcoming movie roles, such as in How To Deal and Saved. I haven't seen these films but have read about them and seen some of her comments. It seems like she is trying to make right choices in the midst of taking roles which explore real-life aspects of young adult life. As for her being a Christian or not - that is something only God can adequately speak to. It is fair to look for fruit (the fruits of the Spirit) in the lives of people, but at the same time we should be conscience of the fact that many Christians still make bad decisions and/or are still weak or young in their faith so they will not always do the wisest things. My advice? Leave it between her and the Lord but if you are concerned the keep her in your prayers. It can't be easy to try and maintain your faith when you're surrounded by the pressures and expectations of both Hollywood and the music business. On a side note, Mandy has a new album coming out soon, entitled Coverage. Check out details here.

Q: Is East to West the same thing as East West?
    Kevin

A: No. East To West was an early-90's Christian pop group (Benson). It consisted of Neal Coomer and Jay DeMarcos (now of the country group Rascal Flatts). East West is a separate hard music band. Their latest album is Hope In Anguish. It might be fun, though, to see the two of them tour together someday. Who would open?

Q: Where is the rap artist SFC? I have not heard a thing about them?
    Michael

A: SFC, which was one of the pioneering Christian rap groups, released four albums in the early 90's (Phase III being my favorite) before disappearing. Chris Cooper was the driving force behind the group. He recently released an album under the name Sup the Chemist, entitled Dust. Look for it.

Q: What in the world is going on with Plus One? First I heard that Jeremy was leaving and then I heard that Jason was leaving and then I heard that they both were leaving. Their website only has Gabe, Nate ,and Nathan on it so I'm guessing that Jason and Jeremy left. But why and when. How are they expecting to pull it off with only three members? That is going to be weird.
    Bethany

A: Plus One is indeed minus two (Jason and Jeremy). They plan on going on as just the three of them, and with a new, edgier sound. That seems to be the trend for all former boy-band groups these days. At any rate, how they expect to pull it off I don't know, but I'm sure they have a plan. Good luck to them, though. It's hard to change your image; especially when you're coming from a genre that is so pigeonholed. They have been signed to Inpop and their next album is due this fall.

Q: You guys reported on a worship album from Lifehouse a while ago. I was just wondering if you knew how that album was progressing and why they choose to use a different name.
    Mark

A: Mark, visit this thread in our forum for more news and links on the Mr. Tumnus album. As for the name, it was either "Mr. Tumnus" or "Dufflepud." I think they chose correctly, don't you? Okay, I made that last part up.

Q: Do you know if Dave Wilcox or PM Dawn are Christians? I see some very interesting lyrics in their albums, but can not find anything definitive. I come in desperation to you o' wise sage.
    Trevor

A: From what I understand, from multiple sources, David Wilcox is indeed a Christian. As for PM Dawn, I can provide no answers. I have seen a lot of Christian imagery from the group but at the same time I seem to recall much New Age type thinking coming from them - I have no idea if they are Christians or simply "spiritual" and have never heard any comment from the group which clarifies things.

Q: So, awhile back I heard a story that Warner Brothers was going to release an edited version of A Walk To Remember to Christian book stores. What happened? Did the project get cancelled?
    Dan

A: Short answer? Yes, I believe it was never actually released.

Q: Former Avalon member Nikki Hassman left the group to pursue a solo deal with Sony several years back. I don't think the CD was ever officially released (though several singles were released on various projects, i.e. Dawson's Creek, Wedding Planner soundtracks), but I've heard from individuals online that pre-release copies were distributed in various markets. I've been searching for a copy for a long time, but with no luck. Any idea where I can get this recording? Also, I heard she has a new record deal. Any word on a new project anytime soon?
    Ben

A: Months back Sarah Mitchell wrote with a similar question. Nikki's album with Sony/Columbia was never released. Early copies were distributed, though, which is how many people have obtained the songs through the internet. I heard that she signed with a new label upon departing Sony, but my memory fails as to which label that was. And I have heard nothing new since. If anyone has news, feel free to write in with it.

Stumper of the Week

Q: What happened to Idle Cure?
    Jeff

A: Idle Cure was one of my favorite 80's rock bands. "Breakaway" was an awesome single. "Frontline" was the theme song for my youth group around the 9th grade. And 2nd Avenue was just an awesome record. But what happened to them? I don't know. They disappeared after their Eclipse record. If anyone has any news on why the band broke up or what its members are now doing please send it in.

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

There is a brand new section of CMCentral for Missing Artists. It's quite thorough and updated, so please visit there before you send me any new questions on missing bands. I will not answer any question that can be answered by clicking over to that portion of the site unless there is breaking news of some sort.

Please include your name with all submissions. No name, no answer. All questions are subject to editing. Not all questions can be answered due to editorial and other considerations, and personal replies are not possible.