Issue #25
05-28-2004
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, Kimberley Locke's One Love, Sarah Sadler, and Passion's Hymns, Ancient & Modern.

Last Issue's Stumper: Scott, Mark, Andrew, and Josh wrote in to point out the following about The Waiting, from the Smalltown Poets website: "Many of you have been asking about The Waiting since their website has been down for a while. They are still doing concerts and have material written for a new album. Todd Olsen told me that he hopes to begin recording soon. Also I recently dropped by to see Third Day and producer Paul Ebersold at the studio here in Atlanta where they were recording some new music most likely to be released just before the Smalltown Poets record. Thanks for checking in on the news, Michael Johnston" Also, Todd wrote in to say that he believes they have been dropped by inpop.

Reality TV Update: American Idol has ended since I last wrote. I was extremely - and I emphasize extremely - disappointed in the show when LaToya London was voted off over Jasmine Trias. LaToya had the best, most pure voice that I have heard on AI yet, in all of its three seasons. But AI is proving, more and more, to be just as much about personality and "likeability" than it is about actual vocal talent. The fact that Fantasia won this year just makes me want to let out a really big yawn, since I never cared for her style from the start. Still, at least she won over Jasmine or, God forbid, Jon Stevens. How he lasted as long as he did on the show will forever haunt America's popular culture history. On another note, there's a good chance that two of my friends may be seen on The Apprentice 2, coming this fall. When they were in New York they interacted with the contestants in an ice cream selling venture. Finally, the best show in television, The Amazing Race, returns on July 6th. Mark your calendars now.

One quick note: your letter has a better chance of being published if it comes pre-edited for grammar. Now, on with the questions.

Q: Hi! Have you heard if Nate Sallie is putting out another album? There doesn't seem to be any news on him anywhere.
    Deb

A: Nate is indeed working on a new project. Unfortunately, it may be a while before it releases, since his new hairstyle takes up so much of the day in maintenance. No, just kidding, Nate. Sallie's working on a new project that should be out either by the end of this year or early 2005.

Q: My name is Yvette, and I am in desperate search of a certain CD. The name of the CD is Passion and it has got a blueish purple cover. It is not the other Passion CD - One Day with a guy on the front with a guitar. A friend was given it by another friend and no shop that I have gone to has ever heard of it. I know that Chris Tomlin songs on it and all the second half of the songs on the CD he sings. There is one song on there by Tim Hughes also but he does not sing on the CD The songs on there are "Famous One" - you know the song that goes... "you are the Lord, the Famous one, the Famous one, great is your name in all the earth, the heavens declare..." and so on. Also "Beautiful one I love, beautiful one I adore," but Tim Hughes and also "Lord of all creation" which Chris Tomlin wrote. The last song on the CD is to do with the theme of a river. Please can you try to find out who produced this CD and whom I could contact to get a hold of it. I am a worship leader and this CD is so anointed. It is not from Vineyard because I could not find it on their website.
    Yvette

A: I honestly do not know of any album that fits the description you give. The closest one is the Passion, Our Love Is Loud album. It has "Famous One," as well as "Dance In the River," which closes the album. But it does not have "Beautiful One" on it. It also has "God of Wonders," sung by Chris Tomlin, and I assume that's what you mean by "Lord of All Creation." The cover is silver, not blue/purple. Give that a listen. Hopefully it's the one you're looking for.

Q: There have been many rumors about different release dates for Tobymac's new album. First I heard April, then I heard June. Then I heard August from tobymac.com and then I heard October from EMI CMG. What is the real release date? And is the rumor about the album being called Slam true?
    Hannah

A: Toby's album has been pushed back a few times. October 5th is the current scheduled release date, and I think that will probably be a firm one. As for the title, the rumors are that Slam will be the title, but nothing has been announced officially yet so until that changes it all is hearsay. I also hear he's going to do a cover of "Heavenbound" on it, with Carman as a guest rapper. No. I made up that last part.

Q: I have a question or two. I live in California, "melting pot" of America, and I'm a new believer in Christ. I notice two things about the "ccm" and dove awards: unlike the secular market which I believe showcases a wide diversity of music and cultures, ccm seems to be primarily "anglo american" artists (white) such as Toby Mac, some one named Rachel St. James, audio a, Mercy Me, Amy Grant, Steven Chapman, Avalon, and most of the artists seem to be very similar in style, even a bit on the country tip. Maybe this is related to the fact the industry is in Nashville and not in the larger populated areas such as Los Angeles and New York. To be fair I do notice a few African american artists. My questions are: Why is this? In the secular arena you have artists from Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake, Outkast, Carlos Santana, Britney, Michelle Branch, Christina Aguilera and the list goes on. Question: Why don't we see the same diversity in the ccm/dove awards? Maybe the awards would be better off described as the "Nashville" Country Christian Awards" Or "Southern Christian Awards." I know for certain us Californians would be thrilled if there was a "true" ccm awards here in Cali. Or even New York. I have to be honest, we don't pay too much attention to what goes on in Nashville out here. I realize this topic may not be popular in Nashville and surrounding areas and many of the ccm market would beg to differ, but I hope you can be "bold" enough to respond to my email with a completely honest answer.
    Jonathan

A: That's a big question, Jonathan. I first have to point out that most of the readers here are going to want me to correct some of the names you mentioned, but we'll just leave them be for now.

Q: Has there ever been a christian rap group who produced a worship album? I just think it would be interesting to hear songs like "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever" and others rapped. Thanks.
    Ben

A: Wow, that's one I've never heard asked before. No, to my knowledge there is no such album. At least, not one that has been released and distributed nationally.

Q: The April 1st article headlined "Knapp, Webb, St. James, Max, and Perry Quit Solo Careers To Form CCM Super-group" was a joke, right? While it was pretty well done, the dialogue of each person interviewed just sounds too scripted and I can anticipate no chemistry in the group. Of course the day on which it was posted would also give reason to thinking the article was a good example of lying through the teeth. Joke?
    Timothy

A: To, hopefully, finally put this one to rest, yes, it was a joke. A big, fat, hairy April Fools Joke.

Q: I read the part of the current article concerning about why you cover bands like Evanescence or Chevelle. I myself use to listen to Chevelle thinking that they were a christian band, until I found two interviews with them saying the opposite. Before that I would definitely get depressed listing to them. I know that you say you don't want to judge, but I just don't get it. If you know that they aren't a christian band and that they don't want to put their faith in their music, what's the use of keep covering them if there music is not to get people saved or encourage Christians? Until then it is very clear that Chevelle is not christian, unless you guys have any evidence or interviews telling otherwise. I am not judging I am just concerned. I don't want people to fall in the same trap with Chevelle like I did. I have though been praying that Chevelle will get saved.
    Jonathon

A: Do you realize what you just did, Jonathon? You took a statement from the band that said that they were not a "Christian band" and you extended it to the point where you stated that they weren't Christians, period. There is a huge difference between the two. Chevelle has quite openly shunned the "Christian band" label. That is their right to do so - whether that's wrong or right to do is between them and God. Either way, it has absolutely no bearing on whether they are Christians or not, any more than if I decided that I wanted to be called a "journalist," not a "Christian journalist." We, the church, really need to be careful in making judgments on the eternal salvation, or lack of it, on our brothers and sisters. God knows their hearts, and He also has grace big enough to cover them whether they happen to like or dislike the "Christian band" label. We're saved by grace, through faith, not by the label we choose to attach ourselves to.

Q: My name is Luke Johnson. I'm currently engaged and having some trouble finding a suitable song for my cousin to sing at my wedding in July. He is going to be singing a song of our choice and my fiancée and I are having trouble finding a great wedding song that incorporates our faith in it. I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions or comments for a christian wedding song? More than one suggestion is greatly appreciated.
    Luke

A: Well, Luke, the perennial favorites would be Steven Curtis Chapman's "I Will Be Here" and Twila Paris' "How Beautiful." You also might consider "If You Could See What I See" (Geoff Moore), "Go There With You" (Steven Curtis Chapman), "Made For You" (Watermark), "Butterfly Kisses" (Bob Carlisle), "Cherish the Treasure" (Steve Green), "Cross My Heart" (Michael W. Smith), "Household of Faith" (Steve Green), "One of Two" (Gary Chapman), "The Other Side of Me" (Michael W. Smith), "Perfect Union" (Matthew Ward), and "Wedding Song (There Is Love)" (Noel Paul Stookey). Just as a warning, those songs are all on the traditional side; if you're looking for something more adventurous look elsewhere.

 Q: We've been talking about this at the station where I work, and none of us is quite sure about this: who recorded "You Raise Me Up" first? I know Josh Groban released it first, and it was featured on the animated film Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron (don't know if I spelled that right), but we have information to suggest that Selah recorded it first or had it in progress first. Any light you can shed on the subject is much appreciated!
    Daniel

A: For an in-depth answer to this question, see this week's interview with Selah.

That wraps up this issue. Keep the questions coming, to ask@cmcentral.com. I'll be back in a few weeks with a new AskCMC for your reading pleasure.
          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.