Issue #17
09-22-2003
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. I am your host, answer man, and resident Gilmore Girls fan, Michael Janke. Currently on my hot list: Amy Grant's Simple Things, Petra's Jekyll and Hyde, ZOEgirl's Different Kind of Free, Mark Schultz's Stories and Songs, Hillsongs' Hope, and Casting Crowns.

Some business from last week. First, thanks to everyone who wrote in about the Steven Curtis Chapman question. There were a lot of you. To clarify, Chapman will have a Hallmark Christmas album releasing this fall. It has some new material on it. But it is not a "real" album, in that it will not be sold in regular music or Christian stores, and like other Hallmark albums probably will not be mentioned in his discography in the future. But if you're a Chapman fan I'm sure you'll want to look for it. Chapman will also have a new DVD release on October 21, entitled Steven Curtis Chapman Live.

Last week's Stumper on Kim Boyce also elicited a ton of responses. To sum up all of the great info that I received, Kim is now performing on the Pierce Arrow Show in Branson, MO, twice daily with her husband Gary. She leads worship at her church and still does the occasional concert. Thanks to all who wrote in.

Regarding Everybodyduck. Scott wrote in to say: "The CD originally came packaged with the chords for each song printed with the words in the booklet. Some of the songs are available tabbed and chorded at christianguitar.org."

Reality television update. Survivor has returned for its seventh season and I'm digging the new Pirate spin. All we need now are some puffy shirts... "but I don't wanna be a pirate!" My first impressions are more favorable for the Drake tribe. I really like the scruffy bearded guy a lot. Oh, and congrats to The Amazing Race for winning the Emmy for Best Reality Series. Beating out Survivor and American Idol is no small feat. Word now is that CBS is most likely going to bring the show back for a fifth season, so hopefully this ensures that it happens.

A quick reminder to read through the archives of past AskCMC issues if you have missed a few. They're super-terrific, of course, but you'll also read the answers to many of the questions that I still receive. I don't usually re-answer questions so this is just a heads up.

On with the questions.

Q: Do you know of any LEGAL music download/sharing sites? I would love to download some of my favorite Christian music, but want to do it the right and legal way. I know AOL has one, but I don't want theirs since they are not my provider and I don't want to change. Thank you so much.
    Kathy

A: That's a great question, Kathy. So much is being made these days of illegal downloading and burning, and rightly so. Where does one go to download if they want to do legally? There are quite a few options:

• Apple's itunes
• mp3.com
• hearitfirst.com
• buymusic.com
• Launch
• Lycos
• Listen.com

Q: Since I feel pretty confident that you've already picked up Petra's latest, I was curious to find out what you thought of the album. And I'm also wondering what your favorite Petra albums/songs of all-time are.
    Mark

A: How thoughtful of you to ask! I actually am really enjoying Jekyll and Hyde. Petra has finally returned to the rock sound that they should've never left to begin with. The album sounds modern, but still has a Petra vibe going on, which Peter Furler deserves credit for. The rhythm section sounds fantastic, and imo Bob Hartman has never sounded better - edgy and aggressive - on the guitars. My favorite songs so far are probably the title track, "All About Who You Know," "Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda," and "Test of Time." "Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda" has that classic sing-along chorus, which I dig. But for the most part the project really eschews a lot of the old things that the group used to rely on to craft a hit and simply rocks from a more stripped-down, bare-bones place that they fit into surprisingly well. This is easily the best album the band has released since 1991's Unseen Power.

My favorites of all-time? Favorite three albums: 1) Beyond Belief 2) This Means War! 3) On Fire!. Favorite songs: 1) "Get On Your Knees and Fight Like A Man" 2) "Beyond Belief" 3) "Council of the Holy" 4) "Adonai" 5) "Hey World"

Q: To ask an odd question... rock/pop music has L.A., country has Nashville, Latin has Miami, blues has Chicago, etc. Does CCM have a "hotbed" area?
    Dan

A: Actually, it does. In the early days it was in Los Angeles. But in the 80's things changed and now the vast majority of labels, and even artists, are located in/around Nashville, TN. Why? Who knows. Perhaps they just want to be near Elvis.

Q: Hey, I was just wondering if Jason Perry (formerly from Plus One) has a new CD out. I haven't heard anything on it, but my friend said she thinks she saw his face on a CD at Lemstones Christian Bookstore a few days ago.
    Kristin

A: Kristin, he does not have anything new right now, but a project is in the works. I hear it's supposed to be a country album. No, I made that last part up.

Q: I have prepared a skit to do for teens on sex. The Lord laid it on my heart to do this and two other skits on drugs and alcohol. My skit needs some songs I can incorporated into it. I am looking for Christian songs relating to relationships and a pure heart. Any ideas?
    Lisa

A: You know, that's something that gets discussed a lot in our forums so I'm glad someone wrote in about it here. There's quite a list of songs that deal with purity/abstinence/waiting for sex: "Wait For Me," Rebecca St James, "Everything," Stacie Orrico; "Someday," LaRue; "Old Enough To Know," Michael W Smith; "Young Boy Young Girl," Rick Cua; "True Love Waits," SoulJahz; "I Promise," Jaci Velasquez; "The Ring," Nicole C Mullen; "Maybe Tomorrow," Nouveaux; "Barlow Girls," Superchick; "Give Me One Reason," ZOEgirl; "Pledge To Purity," Al Denson; "My Body," Trin-I-tee 5:7; "I Don't Want It," dc Talk, etc. That should at least get you started. And while I'm at it, let me recommend a few of my favorite books. There are a ton of books out there that deal with these issues, but the best are When God Writes Your Love Story (Eric and Leslie Ludy) and Boundaries In Dating (Cloud/Townsend).

Q: Ok, here's my question. I was reading your response about Jessica Simpson, and while I've never listened to her stuff and therefore don't know how she's changed, it did spark a question. Do you think it's "ok" for an artists lyrics to address more "sexual" issues if they are married? Is it ok for them to address those issues once it's "ok" for them to be having those issues??? Does that make sense.
    Beth

A: Beth, my short answer is: absolutely. Why not? Sex inside of marriage was created by God to be celebrated and enjoyed; it is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. The book of The Song of Solomon, in the Bible, is proof enough of that. Christians more than anyone else should recognize that, though we tend to be labeled with the word "prude" quite a bit. Unfortunately, in the past when done so it hasn't been so warmly received. Charlie Peacock's Love Life contained a song entitled "Kiss Me Like A Woman" that celebrated the love between him and his wife. Though perfectly Biblical it was immediately controversial and he took some heat. Steven Curtis Chapman's new album, All About Love, is an entire project dedicated to his wife and I think it's a wonderful thing, though nothing on it really moves into a more sensual territory. At any rate, from my view it is fine and good, so long as it's done in a healthy, balanced, and Biblical manner. The world today has such a perverted view of sex that the church not only can but also should speak up and celebrate sex in the manner that God intended it. Since you brought up Jessica Simpson, I will add a comment. I do think it's great that she's so in love with her husband - the one thing that does bother me is the explicit nature of her music videos. I've seen the video for her latest single and it's quite gratuitous in the shots of her body, and that's something that I don't think needs to be shown.

Q: I have been wondering if Chevelle is really a Christian band or if the band members are Christian? I have read your responses before in the archives but was curious if you had any other references that they are Christian or not Christian? From the articles from E! it pretty much says no; they are not Christian.
Also another question off the topic, but I use to be into Rage Against the Machine. Was wondering if you knew of any bands that are like Rage; Christian of course. Thanks
    Mike

A: Actually, the article makes it clear that they are not a Christian band. So, yes, they are not a Christian band, to answer your initial question. But they are Christians. There is a big difference there, and we need to be careful when making that distinction. If I work at Wal-Mart I may not be a Christian retailer, but I am still a Christian. As for other bands with a Rage sound, you might check out some of the following: P.O.D., Project 86, rodlaver, Pillar, Pax 217, Thousand Foot Krutch, E.D.L., and Justified.

Q: Do you know where Sixpence None the Richer got their name? I heard it from something C.S. Lewis wrote but that's all I know.
    Anna

A: From Leigh's own mouth: "It's from a book called Mere Christianity and there's a story where a child asks his father for a sixpence to buy his father a gift. The father gives the son the money and is happy with the gift that he gets. But he realizes that he's not any richer, because he gave the child the money in the first place. So C.S. Lewis is comparing that to his belief that God gave us the gift that we have. And that's to serve in the way that we should. We should be humble about it and know where the gifts came from."

Stumper of the Week

Q: Whatever happened to Amy Morriss?
    Danny

A: Ahh, Amy Morriss. I enjoyed her first album from Myrrh; her second album not so much. What happened to her? I'm stumped. Hopefully someone out there can write in with an update.

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.