Issue #23
03-18-2004
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 and answer man, Michael Janke. Currently on my hot list: Jeremy Camp's Carried Me, Sara Groves' The Other Side of Something, and Kelly Clarkson's Thankful.

Some news from Randy Williams: "P.P.S. My band, Big Tent Revival, never "officially" broke up--not that anyone cares, but in the spirit of your column, I'll offer the info. Steve Wiggins is recording his second solo album this spring/summer. Spence Smith is the head of the artist program at Compassion, Int'l. Steve Dale is the high school youth minister at Christ Community Church in Franklin, TN. I was touring with Tait but moved to Los Angeles last summer to write and play with various folks, and David Alan and Rick Heil (original bassist) are playing with Sonicflood. There are occasional conversations about recording again or to play the odd show, but nothing so far." Thanks for writing in, Randy.

Last issue's Stumper was on Sarah Sadler. Terry Weaver said he saw her chilling at a Starbucks. Joe, from Joy 98.3, wrote in with the following: "Hey man. I check your article weekly, and am disappointed, when it's the off-week. You do a great job, and I use your info on the air. We use CMCentral news on our website. I don't know how much of this "on the record" or "off the record", but Sarah Sadler is out of her contract with Essential, and she's actively pursuing a music career, just not in the Christian Music scene. I think all those "oh no, they are crossing over" e-mails/questions are totally funny in one sense, but really sad in another. The best thing to happen to Christian music, and to Christians spreading the Gospel out in the world has been POD, Stacie Orrico, Plumb, Switchfoot, etc. Now, when a secular music fan is flipping the dial and hears "Meant To Life" or "More To Life", which they love so much on their secular station, they might stop on a Christian station who is playing that song at the time, and stay listening, only to hear the Gospel. Praise God!"

Reality TV Update: I was sad to see Colby go last week on Survivor. He's always been one of my favorites. I really don't know who's going to win this one. My gut tells me that it will, again, be someone who relies more on flying under the radar or political skills rather than physical dominance. That does seem to be the way of things as a general rule on the show. So maybe an Amber or Shi-ann or Jenna. Rob is playing awful well though so it really is hard to say. As for The Apprentice? It simply is the best show on TV right now.

On with this week's questions.

Q: The Christian pop group Jump5 has a member after Libby Hodges leaving. I understand a girl by the first name of Natasha is the new member. Can you give me any information about her?
    Chelsea

A: Apparently the big news is that Natasha is a brunette! I hear that she's 18 years old and, of course, quite the dancer. I don't have any more information right now but you can check out a picture of the new member by clicking here.

Q: I've noticed that Aurel M continues to pop up as a producer the Christian music industry. Can you tell me anything about him? Is Aurel M his real name?
    Holly

A: His real name is Robert Marvin. But other than that, I do not know anything about him nor could I find any info on the web.

Q: I would like to know what Switchfoot's song "On Fire" is about. I don't get it.
    Jonathan

A: I think I'll pull the answer to this one off of a review I read. "Similarly, 'On Fire' asks for a second chance around, talking about how there's more to life than what's heard and found in empty conversations, addressing the fire when "He" speaks, reaffirming belief as a means to salvation."

Q: I'm curious as to why you print info about blatantly secular bands like Evanescence or Chevelle who, though their lyrics may be clean, are very dark and despairing, showing no hope which Christians find in Christ. I guess I just don't understand. Weren't their (Evanescence's) records pulled from Christian bookstores because they were falsely labeled as a Christian band? Also, Chevelle was co-hosting Loveline last year and Christian websites promoted people to listen in to this particular show. Turns out, Chevelle doesn't know where everyone got the idea they were a Christian band. They say that their record deal with a Christian label was because it was the best deal for them at the time, not because they are Christians. Obviously a band doesn't have to speak explicitly about God to be labeled a Christian band, but these bands' interviews and lyrics seem to show a lack of positive spirituality or hope in this dark world. What's up with reporting them?
    Billy

A: I get at least one question like this every week. The short answer is as follows. One) CMCentral.com doesn't let what is or isn't sold in Christian bookstores determine who should or shouldn't be covered on the site. Distribution into the Christian retailing industry is not the end-all standard for... anything. Two) Whatever Evanescence or Chevelle or anyone else things of the term "Christian band" or whatever they think of the Christian record industry is also irrelevant. CMCentral chooses to cover artists of Christian faith, whether they are singing and exhorting Christians or playing on a tour opening for a band that wouldn't know Jesus from John Kerry. The methods that the artist uses are not to be determined or judged by myself or any of us - they are between the artist and God. And no artist, in or out of the Christian music industry, is perfect or won't make mistakes or bad choices every now and then. We choose to show some grace, let God be their judge, and report on relevant information concerning the bands and how they are influencing or making their mark in the world. Three) not all music by Christians is required to be positive or spiritually hopeful. Christians struggle with the same things that non-Christians do. It can be encouraging to know that other Christians know what it feels like to be depressed or angry or hopeless at times. And, encouragement aside, an artist should have the freedom to write about whatever is on his or her heart. True art is honest and does not put on a shiny Christian gloss simply because society tells us that Christians should be happy, joyful and always know the right answers.

Q: My cousin owns a worship CD that has Delirious? singing the famous, "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever" song. However, when I hear that song on the radio, it is sung as a duet by Sonicflood and Lisa Kimmy. I attended a Todd Agnew concert and he performed it as well. Who sang the song first? Who was the one who made it into the hit that pretty much every Christian artist has performed?
    Cimarron

A: The song was written by Delirious' Martin Smith (copyright 1994) so its their song. It could be argued that Sonicflood took it to a new level of awareness on their debut album. After that the floodgates were opened and it has been sung and arranged by about 143522 different bands across the world. That's an accurate number. I counted before I wrote this column.

Q: Where in the world is Chuckie Perez (a.k.a. Chuckie P.)? Last I heard he was producing music for TV and film. Is he ever gonna come out with a new CD? He was the first taste I got of Christian hip hop back in 1989 when I became a believer; now I'm a music minister at my church.
    Steven

A: So funny you should write in, Steven. Susan Flowers e-mailed me this information just last week: "Chuckie Perez (a.k.a. Chuckie P.) is back and back in a big way. After taking time out (6 years) to get married, become a father, become a Pastor at his church, Chuckie is returning to the ccm scene. For the past 6 years Chuckie has been writing and producing music for TV and film(One Life To Live, All My Children, CSI Miami, 7th Heaven and a Tupac Shakur movie). Chuckie first came on to the scene in 1990 with his groundbreaking release, Do You Have A Problem With That?,and later went on to release 2 more CD's with Essential Records. While Pastoring a growing church in southern California and after much prayer and consideration he has chosen to write and produce a brand new project set to release July 4th 2004. Respected by his peers as one of the pioneers of holy hip hop/funk, Chuckie's new project promises to "again" blaze the trail."

Q: I read a Jeremy Camp interview ( I think it was him) and he commented on how someone from Mylon LeFevre and Broken Heart encouraged him to play guitar when he was a kid. It got me thinking about whatever happened to the guys in that band, and what about Mylon, he was a unique and interesting guy. Just wondering where they are today?
    Sandy

A: Ahh... the 80's. And earlier. You know, as much as I love 80's Christian rock (Petra, White Heart, Idle Cure, Allies, Barren Cross, Shout, Russ Taff, etc.) I never really got into Mylon and Broken Heart. Ah well. Anyway, the last I heard, Mylon was living in Ft. Worth Texas, preaching and singing on occasion. It looks like he's out of the industry right now.

Q: Hi, I've watched the new 60 second campaign commercial promoting President Bush and Vice President Cheney for re-election in 2004. The music sounds very familiar to me. I was wondering, does anyone know if it was written by Michael W. Smith? The music sounds just like that on his Freedom record.
    Stacy

A: Good ear, Stacy. As we just reported in our News section, the song is "Carol Ann," from the Freedom project.

Q: I don't really have a question. But I do thank you for your response in regards to the fan who was concerned about Switchfoot crossing over and a verbal faux paux. I used to work in the Christian music industry for three years - and more artists than people realize drop the cuss bombs, drink, smoke etc. I think fans need to be realistic about these artists, and artists need to be a bit more sensitive to their fans and how impressionable they can be. And we all need more grace. Thank you for your normalcy.
    Theresa

A: Good letter and advice, Theresa.

Q: How do you pronounce your last name? Is the "e" in Janke silent - like Janke or Jankiee?
    Danny316 (Breakfast)

A: Well, Danny316, it's actually a German name. So in German the pronunciation would be very different. But here in America we generally say it with a hard "e" at the end. Like Jan-key, though the "a" can also be a hard one depending on the person.

Stumper of the Week

Q: Hi, I am a Disc Jockey in south central PA. I am having a very hard time finding a good compilation service for Christian hip-hop / R&B music. I currently receive ERG Nu Life Traxx on a monthly basis but they usually are mostly all AC, CHR & Rock songs. ERG provides me with little urban style music and no gospel or gospel house. I have considered TMC but they are still not covering the urban and gospel real well and they are a bimonthly service that would cost more than my monthly ERG subscription. Promo Only is also very CHR and Rock oriented. I am looking for a good way to buy Christian urban and gospel house music without having to buy full albums. CHR, AC, & Rock are alright but everyone today wants to hear the urban styles. I need to know if there are any resources and who I would contact to purchase this music. Thank You and God bless.
    Travis

A: Travis, since I'm not a big buyer of anything other than CD's, I'll throw this one out to the reading audience.

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.