Issue #16
09-07-2003
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 the #1 Q&A area in all of CMCentral.com, Ask CMCentral. Neilson ratings prove our dominance week after week. I apologize for missing the last scheduled issue - I was out of town on a business trip.

I have to admit that the first half of the year really underwhelmed me as far as new albums go. But the second half is starting to finally resonate and I've got a lot of new projects that I'm spinning more frequently these days. Currently on my hot list: Amy Grant's Simple Things, ZOEgirl's Different Kind of Free, Christine Dente's Becoming, Dakona's Perfect Change, and the albums from Jill Paquette, Casting Crowns and Warren Barfield.

Reality television update. Survivor is coming in less than two weeks. Word.

On with the questions. I'm gonna go and clean out the archives a bit and focus on some of my older questions here.

Q: Hey, Mike, thanks for your time! From what Robin has listed, Mark Schultz has a new album due out October 14, 2003, moved up a week from what he had it listed at before. From what I've read on his website, I would guess that he has completed recording for album #3. I know that the excellent Brown Bannister was producing this time, but other than that I know very little. Could you tell me anything about his upcoming album and perhaps something about a first single? I'd really appreciate this.
    Titus

A: I am practically aching to talk about this one, Titus. The album, of those I'm currently listening to, deserves special mention. Actually, one song. Mark Schultz's forthcoming Stories and Songs is great; easily the best thing he's yet recorded. It is solid, through and through, but you'll here more from Robin on that soon. There is one song that I absolutely love, though: "Running Just To Catch Myself." It's a semi-autobiographical tune that talks about his pre-recording contract days, and it's the funniest thing I've heard since Weird Al's "Amish Paradise." Part rock-opera, part Sgt. Pepper, part Meat Loaf, part Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" - all genius. I don't know if there's a place on radio for a song like this right now but I do know that I'm going to listen to it about 300 times before this year is over. Stories and Songs, coming 10/14, is worth the purchase for this song alone. As for the rest of the album, it's got a good five or six singles on it - it's that good. I haven't heard about a first single but I would guess that it will be "You Are A Child of Mine."

Q: I've sent this in to Gregg, the dude who runs the countdown on the site, but I never got a response. You guys have got to start spelling Daniel Bedingfield's name right!! He's way too cool to have a misspelled name. This coming from a guy who's just as cool and has an often misspelled last name too. And he's definitely a believer. His CD has a couple of really hardcore songs about his faith, one being called "Honest Questions" in which he quotes scripture.
    JD

A: This letter was from one of my old pals in regards to a Daniel Bedingfield question from awhile back. I just found it again so I thought I'd print it here just because JD's cool - and it also gives you a little more info on Mr. Bedingfield.

Q: just an FYI . . . Dust actually released 3 years ago. Besides numerous guest spots, Chris, a.k.a. Soup the Chemist, has added the "o" to his moniker and released a new project, Eargasmic Arrangements, this year on his own BeeSyde Records. This is rumored to be his last release. Also, SFC's debut Listen Up dropped in 1989, just before the 90's . . . the other three major releases (A Saved Man in the Jungle, Phase III, and Illumintation) were all released in the 90's. Not a huge deal, but I'm a hip-hop head from way back.
    bdg

A: Another letter relating to a previous answer of mine. bdg is a long-time user of our Forum. Thanks, man.

Q: So I just took a trip down memory lane, and revealed the first three albums that I bought in the "First CD you bought" thread. And I realized that we haven't seen an album from Billy Sprague in a very, very long time. He'd be a great candidate for the "Missing Artists" feature. The Wind & The Wave was probably the first more "artistic" album that I was exposed to. Do you have any info on what he's up to these days?
    David

A: Another long-time Forum member writes in. Sprague did some work for the Rocketown writer's album, Coming From Somewhere Else, in 2000: "Via Dolorosa" and "Man After Your Own Heart." He recently wrote a book, Ice Cream as a Clue to the Meaning of the Universe. I'm not sure if anything else is coming from him in the immediate future.

Q: I'm trying to find the sheet music or a music book for Everybodyducks' Seized by the Power. Any ideas?
    Sara

A: I don't believe that any such print music is available. I looked around a bit to be sure and couldn't find any, either. If anyone out there knows differently, please write in and I'll post the information in a future issue.

Q: I haven't seen anything on the site concerning the amazing band Denison Marrs. Why is this so? I'd love to read an album review or band interview... or just whatever you guys can come up with! Just so I can know more about who they are and how they interpret their music. I really think you need to consider giving this band the attention they deserve. Or am I just blind and overlooking some material you've already done on them? If so, my apologies.
    Amanda

A: Amanda, go here.

Q: In 1993, REX released an album by a band named Hot Pink Turtle called Ticklewigglejigglepickle. They toured the festival scene that summer, but seemed to disappear after that. They also had a single, "Principled Man," on the Steve Taylor tribute album, I Predict a Clone. Does anyone know where this band went, why they disbanded or were not resigned? Did any of the members end up in other bands? Any information would be appreciated.
    Matt

A: I remember this album. Hot Pink Turtle only recorded that one album. The band consisted of Jamin Rathbun, Dion and Jay. They had a clean psychedelic/grunge sound that was pretty cool and unique. But I do not know what happened to the band. If anyone has any information please send it in.

Q: Hey, why doesn't CMCentral ever cover Joy Electric? No interviews, no album reviews, nothing except an occasional quick blurb in the "upcoming releases". JE is cool, and what's more, unique. Can you do some sort of article on them? Please? Pretty Please?
    Philip

A: Philip, I agree that Joy Electric is a cool band. Therefore, consider this a public plea for you to the super-secret higher powers that run this site. Perhaps, from their undisclosed location (probably the same place that Dick Cheney was put for awhile), they will hear your plea and you will see some Joy Electric stories sometime in the future.

Q: I heard a rumor on the net that Steven Curtis Chapman was in the studio and would have new music out by the end of the year. Can either confirm or deny that? Thanks!
    Tim

A: Tim, I think I can pretty much confirm that rumor is not true. I've heard nothing to support that news. I wouldn't expect anything new from Mr. Chapman until 2004.

Q: Hey, whatever happened to Seven Day Jesus? I know they're not together anymore, but why did they quite? They were awesome. I know they broke up a long time ago.
    jezusfreak

A: Well, that's a tough question. I'm sure someone out there knows more than I do. From what I understand, though, the guys soured on the Christian music industry. They formed the group Lackluster but that was short-lived; they now are a part of a band called Matthew. Their debut album is entitled Everybody Down.

Q: What happened to Church of Rhythm? I know that Max Hsu is busy with Superchic(k). But does he have plans to form a new line-up for the band?
    David

A: I believe I recall reading that Max does consider re-forming CoR from time to time. As for when, that's something only he could tell you.

Q: What's in the news with Out of the Grey and Rocketown Records? Are there any new records in the future?
    Ross

A: The short answer is no, but yes, sort of. Christine Dente is releasing her first solo project on October 7. Scott produced it, but the album, Becoming, should not be confused with an OOTG record. Musically it is more piano-driven - as well as falling more into the pop/AC category, a la Along the Road or Diamond Days - and lyrically it reflects life from Christine's perspective as a mom, a wife, and a woman. In spite of those female roots, I still love the album and think it's the best thing I've heard from her in years.

Stumper of the Week

Q: Hi! I'm just wondering what happened to that former Miss Florida, Kim Boyce. I don't hear anything about her since her last album, As I Am, was released. Thanks!
    Fidelia

A: Man, Kim Boyce was a huge part of my teen years. It's funny to recall that as far as dance-pop used to go, she was it in Christian music in her time - there was no one else. I don't know what she's up to these days. iTickets still has her listed but as for any actual news I'm stumped. If anyone out there can help us out, please write 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 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. If your e-mail subject is descriptive it has a better chance of catching my attention. All questions are subject to editing. Not all questions can be answered due to editorial and other considerations, and personal replies are not possible.