Issue #24
04-19-2004
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: Sara Groves' The Other Side of Something, The Last Samurai soundtrack, and Hillsong London's Shout God's Fame.

Heather kindly pointed out that last issue I should've mentioned Mylon's website, www.mylon.org, for you Mylon and Broken Heart fans who just can't get enough.

Reality TV Update: I thought that The Apprentice finale was pure gold. The show truly has turned the "reality television" genre on its ear and made it into something that is much more than what people tend to think of when they hear that term. I loved it from the start and cannot wait to see a new season. On Survivor, it looks like the Robfather is truly in control - enough to have snowed the rest of his tribe into not realizing they needed to get rid of him while they still have the numbers to pull off a coup. As of now, I think he and Amber are running the show and with so many of my favorites now gone I kind of want to see if they power couple can actually pull it off.

I had my taxes to do and now am preparing for GMA week so this one will be short. On with this week's questions.

Q: I really appreciate your columns and I'd like to pose a question. I got an e-mail from the Paul Colman Trio newsletter saying that they have gone their separate ways. The problem is I was really looking forward to seeing them at Creation and they are still are on the list of artists... is it possible they will come back for Creation?
    Carrie

A: I suppose anything is possible (that's what the Bible says) but the more likely answer is that it is Paul Colman himself, as a solo artist, who will be performing at the event in question. Reunions usually don't happen for at least a few years.

Q: Who will be hosting the birdie awards (Doves)? When do we find out and who will perform?
    Jennifer

A: Deion Sanders and Yolanda Adams have been announced as the hosts. A list of performers has not yet been announced. Look for a comprehensive last-minute Dove Awards feature on CMCentral later this week.

Q: Seems The Chart is a large part of your site draw. Are there any plans on updating it with current listings?
    Todd

A: Todd (and everyone else), The Chart is on its way back. Greg is currently in the process of bringing it up to date. It should be back, current, and in all of its former glory very soon. Thanks for the continued interest; I know Greg also appreciates it.

Q: Michael, I've recently started reading your Q&A section and I gotta tell ya man, I'm a bit perturbed by some of the things being mentioned about Christian artists' witnesses. I know this is a hot topic and I don't want to just add fuel to the fire. However, it seems to me that if an artist (be it a Christian artist or an artist who is a Christian) chooses the music profession, then that person should know that their actions/words are being watched by their fans. If you want people to pay attention to your music, then obviously they are going to pay attention to you as well. Being in the music industry (Christian too) is ALOT about marketing and imagery and fashion and being cool....whether we like to admit it or not. That being said, how can we just flippantly say "aw, that's ok" when a Christian artist curses or is seen drinking or something of that nature. That one slip-up can negatively effect a lot of people. Now, I know that people mess up and that God forgives no matter how big or small. Paul even said he was the worst sinner of them all. But you gotta realize that as Spiderman might say, "with great power comes great responsibility." For myself, I'm no superstar, but I don't drink or smoke or curse. Why? Because I've been a bible study leader, an emcee for a campus group, and a worship leader. If someone who has seen me in one of those roles were to see me at the local club throwing back a Rolling Rock, wouldn't they question my integrity? And yet I hear of Christian artists doing this all of the time. (I have some friends in the business and I've seen it myself). And to hear a Christian artist curse in some interview or article that they know could be published? Why would they curse if they are renewing their minds daily with the word of God and thinking on things of virtue and praise? How do I know the garbage that comes out of their mouth isn't because garbage is being put in?? Jesus said, "Be ye holy because I am holy." So as far as crossover artists, I say great! Let them "Go into all the world and preach the gospel." God didn't say you have to do it a certain way. And yes, we all sin and we aren't supposed to judge. But we cannot be sheep in wolves clothing just to just to appease our own desires or that of the secular crowd. If we are how will our Shepherd recognize us?
    Nathan

A: You bring up some excellent points, Nathan. A few other letters echoed what you've said here. I've been following Christian music for so long that at it is too easy for me to remember instances where artists are practically crucified for small indiscretions - things that are pointed out not for honest discussions about integrity but because some in the church feel that it is their duty to play God, as well as be the prosecutor, judge, and jury for every instance that a Christian artist shows that they are not perfect. That kind of legalistic attitude drives me crazy. I do not condone or excuse it if/when an artist publicly screws up. But I generally don't feel that it is my place to destroy or demean their career (or ministry) because they were spotted drinking a beer one time. If that were the case, we would all have to toss out our C.S. Lewis books, among other things. I do not believe that our faith or our Christianity is measured by what we do or what we do not do.

At the same time, all Christians are called to holiness, as you mention. Whether we're teachers, students, carpenters, pilots, or singers we are called to emulate our Savior and to serve him in all that we do. Our lives should be a witness; preach always, and if necessary use words... There should be accountability in our lives as well and, in the end, Christ in our lives should be making some sort of difference. Otherwise, what is the point? I tend to think that accountability should usually come from people who actually know the person in question - what good does it do to simply chat about everything such-and-such does wrong on a message board? Such talk is more gossip than accountability. Thank you for your letter and for continuing the dialogue on this issue.

Q: I fundamentally disagree with Billy's suggestion that you stop covering bands in the mainstream just because they're dark, and then I noticed that, if anything, there's a lack of reviewed Christian music outside CCM-proper. Sure, you have heavy-hitters Evanescence, Chevelle, and U2 represented, at least in news. I also realize that even covering some of these gives some pause, particularly with comments in the last year by members of Evanescence. I'm not sure if I agree with covering them in particular, but I wanted to suggest covering smaller acts marketed in the mainstream such as Pedro the Lion or Sufjan Stevens that are in a similar situation aside from their relative market impact. A lot of that stuff is much more satisfying to me than the even the best in CCM or the radio-ready mainstream. Is there any plan to diversify and expand?
    Bloop

Q2: I've got a question coming from the opposite end of the ccm/mainstream debate. Why don't you cover more artists like Emmylou Harris or Moby who are Christians but participate almost exclusively in the mainstream music industry?
    Luke

A: Short answer would be yes, covering other Christians who exist outside of the CCM bubble is a goal. Long answer is that news is often hard to come by, there is only so much that can be covered in general, and there's a laundry list of things "to do," so that is definitely something that CMC would like to expand upon though the extent of such expansion is not known right now.

Q: Whatever happened to sister act The Darins? Their website is almost obsolete, and I couldn't find them under the Missing Artists section.
    Anna

A: The Darins were on the Pamplin label, which went under a few years back. I believe that they are still together as a group, but without a label home.

Q: I have a non-Christian friend who is pretty into what he calls instrumental European death metal, bands such as Opeth and the like (my knowledge isn't vast on this topic) anyway I was wondering if you knew of any Christian bands that have a similar sound, but obviously a much more positive message? I'm not sure if its even possible, the music I admit sort of scares me! I'd love to know about any bands that you might think fit into this 'genre'! Thanks for any help you can give me!
    Amy

A: I am, admittedly, not the biggest death metal consumer/listener in the world. Actually, nowhere even close to the biggest. My collection doesn't get much harder than Holy Soldier, Emery, and Evanescence. But you might try a site like www.metalforjesus.org and see if that has anything to your liking. We've also got a few big metal-heads in our Forum so if you start a discussion there you would be sure to get some good feedback.

Stumper of the Week

Q: Hi. I've got a question for you. Do you know what happened between Christian rock group The Waiting and Inpop Records? The band's site suddenly went down last August, and then they mysteriously disappeared from Inpop's artist list. I know the group is still around, and that they're hoping to have a new album out soon, but I haven't been able to find out what happened with them and Inpop. I emailed Inpop several months ago and have yet to hear back from them. I am unhappy with Inpop's lack of response on this, and am hoping maybe you can give me more info. I'm in a Yahoo fan group, and subscribed to their newsletter, but nobody seems to know what happened with Inpop. Any ideas?
    Michael

A: A popular question, also posed by Ashley and Rob. I believe that The Waiting is no longer with Inpop, but anything further I do not know. Anyone out there have some more info on this one?

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.