Issue #18
10-13-2003
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 Joan of Arcadia fan, Michael Janke. Currently on my hot list: ZOEgirl's Different Kind of Free, Mark Schultz's Stories and Songs, Martina McBride's Martina, and Stacie Orrico.

My friend J.D. pointed this out to me, from Radio and Records: "New Asylum/Curb Records recording artists Blue County grab Most Added honors at Country radio this week with 'Good Little Girls,' the first single from the duo of Aaron Benward (l) and Scott Reeves. Benward, a native of Auburn, IN, got his start in the music industry by touring with his father, Jeoffrey, who is a professional gospel singer. Reeves was born in Delight, AR but was raised in Los Angeles; he acted in television shows and commercials while growing up. The two met five years ago during the filming of a music video in Nashville."

Jeremy Dean wrote in with some information on Eric Champion. He says that Champion is now working at a recording college in Orlando called Full Sail and is also the lead singer in a band called The Help - he's never stopped writing and has not retired.

Bryan K. Rose wanted me to mention the band CR33 to the reader who was interested in Rage Against the Machine's sound. Good choice, Bryan.

Reality television update. This pirate-themed Survivor rules the high seas. Way to keep things fresh, CBS. Rupert is the man and right now the one I'm rooting for; hopefully this temporary tribe-switch won't throw things off for him. And in the world of American Idol, check out this awesome article on Clay Aiken. I've tried watching this new The Bachelor season and I just can't do it. The way that the show so severely mis-defines lust/infatuation as love really just sickens me to the point where I have to turn it off.

On with the preguntas.

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: Wait! You're in the right column! This was a question from last issue. But something very cool has happened since then and I wanted to point it out. Rocketown has become the first Christian label to make their entire catalogue available to purchase/download online. Want to pick up some songs from Chris Rice, Christine Dente, Ginny Owens, or Watermark? Wilshire, Taylor, or Ronnie Freeman? Then click here and download away. Way to go Rocketown!

Q: Love your work there at CMCentral. I used to watch a music show here in Australia (swordfish) and I remember a band called Dakota Motor Co. I was wondering if you had an info or knew what this band is or was doing now. I've looked all over the net and basically can't find anything. Any thoughts or are they just another one hit wonder. They have a hit and then everyone wonders where they went. Who knows. Anyway, look forward to your reply.
    Steve

A: Man, I was a huge Dakoda Motor Co fan back in the day. In the early 90's they were one of the first more modern sounding bands that Myrrh (once dominant now defunct) signed. Led by the sunny vocals of Davia Vallesillo, their pop/rock/surf/punk sound scored a big number of fans really quickly. It was fresh, different, and just plain cool. Into the Son had a couple of major hits and it was followed up by Welcome Race Fans, which turned up the volume and the aggression in their sound. Both albums also had cool long-form video releases. Now, if memory serves it was about this time that Peter King, the band's guitarist/vocalist/leader, landed a co-hosting gig on a new show on MTV called Sand Blast - largely in part to the fact that he was a world class surfer. It was a sort of beach game show that had a brief run on the network. It was also around this time when King's infamous CCM cover story was published, where he blasted much of the Christian music industry. Tired of the constraints and perceived shortcomings that he saw and felt in the Christian market he departed from Myrrh and signed with a mainstream label (Holiday). The band lost Davia here and recorded their next album, Railroad, with her friend, Melissa Brewer, on lead. The record largely eschewed the pop sensibilities of their previous projects and landed much more squarely in the alt/punk genre - it was also a commercial flop. Dakoda Motor Co never recorded again. Peter King later played with The Surfers, Chuck Cummings was in Fanmail, and Davia sang on an album from Vector. Of all of the voices from years past, Davia's is probably the one I would like to hear again the most. I didn't like the Railroad album, but if you can get your hands on Welcome Race Fans and Into the Son both are awesome records to own (and on my list of all-time favorites).

Q: I have enjoyed the Ask CMCentral column for quite a while and enjoy using the tidbits of information on my show. I am the afternoon drive DJ for WYLV, the CHR station in Knoxville, TN. I recently heard Susan Ashton's latest song and was wondering if you knew the latest on her. Also, I just read in R&R that Aaron Benward is now part of a country duo called Blue County. It says their song "Good Little Girls" is going for adds the week of Sept. 29. I can't find any info about them online, or on the websites of their labels, reported to be Asylum and Curb. Do you know anything? Thanks so much and keep up the good work!
    Angela

A: Honestly, I don't know anything about Susan. As far as the Christian music industry is concerned - or what I know of it - she's fallen off the face of the planet. Even her hard-core fans that I know seem to be in the dark. I see that you can order her new single on her Capitol site, but other than that I have no news to report. For more on Blue Country, visit here. On a side country note, I was thinking of buying Keith Urban's album today in Wal-Mart, since I really dig his music. But he's such a pretty boy on the cover of it that I was too embarrassed to take it to the register.

Q: I was just wondering what Bebo Norman's real name was. I heard that "Bebo" was a nickname from his little sibling who couldn't say big brother correctly but I've never heard what his real name was. Can you help me out?
    Sarah

A: His real name is Legolas. No, actually his real name is Stephen.

Q: I heard rumors that Relient K might go mainstream?? They are my favorite band and I would hate that!
    James

A: Why would you hate that? RK really isn't too overtly spiritual in their lyrics as it is right now. I imagine that if they had a more serious attempt at a mainstream push that wouldn't change their lyrical direction in any way. Their stuff is poppy punk with a sense of humor, a la Blink 182, and would fit well on a top 40 playlist were they to find the right song, and a bit of luck. In short, mainstream success wouldn't change the band in any foreseeable way, I don't think. The only thing that might change would be an increased fan base. And that's not a bad thing, is it?

Q: Love this concept and don't know how you pull it off. Here's one for you, Is there a site you can check out best-selling christian authors... excluding each individual publishing site. Is there one that encompasses every publishing label?
    Kathy

A: Yes. Visit the Christian Booksellers Association site for a full list.

Q: Hi there! My question is hopefully an easy one. The band that got me started towards Christ was Holy Soldier. Could you tell me if they are still recording and what they have been up to lately. Thanks.
    John

A: Man, Holy Soldier, the album, was a truly awesome metal album. Last Train wasn't bad either. The short answer to your question is yes. Visit their page here.

Q: Hey, I'm tearing my hair out over here trying to answer this question. Can you help? Here it is: from what album did Crystal Lewis's song "The Beauty of the Cross" come from? And was it ever released as a solo track?
    Marty

A: That is off of Beauty For Ashes (Myrrh). And I think that it was available as a track, though it's been so long that even if it was it may well be out of print by now.

Q: Do you know when Rachael Lampa's new album will be released?
    Andre

A: Supposedly she was working on it this summer. I haven't heard any firm release date yet, though. When I do I'll post the information here, unless Robin posts it first :)

Q: I am very upset that there was never much written on the loss of Denny Correll this past Thanksgiving. Denny was one of CCM's big voices during the 80's and there was nothing more than a slight mention of his passing through an internet site. No christian music magazine bothered to do a memorable article on him at all. Why was there nothing mentioned on the death of one of contemporary christian music's pioneers?
    Dan

A: I'll be honest. I didn't even know he passed away. Why was nothing mentioned? I imagine because there was no press release and the man has been out of the public conscience for a long time. I'm sorry you're upset but I assure you that, at least on part of CMCentral, no disrespect was intended.

Stumper of the Week

Q: Who are the artists, in order, on Michael W. Smith's "Friends 2003?"
    Matt

A: LTMS. Nice. I am so not going to sit and figure that one out. But if anyone else would like to, feel free to send me the information.

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.