Issue #26
06-28-2004
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: Hillsong London's Shout God's Fame, The Last Samurai soundtrack, Something Like Silas' Divine Invitation, and Bethany Dillon. That Hillsong London album is fast becoming my favorite worship album in years.

Reality TV Update: The Amazing Race is coming! It's the best reality show on TV, folks, consistently engaging and addictive, without the melodrama that saps the appeal out of so many other genre shows like it. It's all about the competition on The Amazing Race, as eleven teams of two people race around the world, from pit stop to pit stop, slowly being eliminated one by one. The team of Brandon and Nicole is apparently Christian - their quote on the website is "Our relationship is God-centered." Hopefully they have a little more luck together than Millie and Chuck did last season. Nicole is a former Miss Texas. Nice. And Brandon once starred in The Blue Lagoon. No, actually he's Justin Guarini's brother. No, just kidding. He's just got a big, poofy head of hair.

A note from last issue. About a million people wrote in to tell me that there is indeed a praise and worship hip-hop album. It is entitled Sinners Prayer, and was put together by MG! The Visionary, featuring contributions from several different artists. I would list the names of everyone who wrote in, but the text would be longer than War and Peace. So I'll just say thanks.

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: There has been a lot of talk and coverage of Christian bands crossing over to the mainstream market but I'm interested in finding out about some of the artists who have crossed over from mainstream to the Christian market either because of conversion or getting back to their Christian roots. Who are some of the more well known artists who have done this?
    Aaron

A: Quite a few artists over the years have done so - though a lot of them were not really well known. The most famous is probably Bob Dylan. The story behind Dylan could go on for pages; he did record three albums that are considered to be reflective of a Christian faith: Slow Train Coming, Saved, and Shot of Love. Rick Cua was a member of The Outlaws before he hit the Christian music scene. John Schlitt was lead singer of Head East before taking of the front man duties of Petra. Mylon LeFevre had a lot of mainstream success before going gospel full-time. Other names we can mention would include Alice Cooper, Phil Keaggy, Randy Travis, Smokie Robinson, Donna Summer, Debby Boone, Mark Farner, John Elefante, Al Green, Barry McGuire, Michael McDonald, Cliff Richard, and now Brian Littrell, of the Backstreet Boys. The list is much longer than that if you want to do further research for yourself.

Q: What is going on with 38th Parallel? I know they got dropped from their label, but I've also heard that they're breaking up. I need help! Please! Are they going to put out at least one more CD? Thank you so much!
    Reese

A: From what I understand, 38th Parallel is no more. Some of the guys have left the band (Mark is going to college), they are no longer on Squint, and the remaining members are said to be starting up a new band. There's no official announcement, but that is the word on the street as of now. I don't spend a lot of time on the street, myself - I'm more of a stay-at-home kind of guy or maybe Barnes and Noble - so I'm lucky to have heard this one...

Q: My name is Christopher Ray, and I have been listening to pop-Christian music for about two decades (not bad for someone under 30). I listen to everyone from Third Day, to MWS and Rich Mullins, to Keith Green and Larry Norman. Recently, a friend turned me on to Sarah McLachlan and Sting. I'm amazed at the intricacy and poetry of the lyrics penned by these artists. Try as I may, I cannot seem to find Christian artists who can match their secular counterparts in these areas. I've considered three possible reasons for this: 1) Christian artists intentionally keep their lyrics simple for evangelical purposes 2) The artists writing these intricate lyrics are either inherently non-Christian or not attracted to the Christian music industry 3) They are out there and I have just not been able to find them. I'd love your input and recommendations.
    Christopher

A: That's a big question, Christopher. I'm actually going to disagree with you a little bit here - I think there are quite a few songwriters out there who can pen a song at the same level as McLachlan or Sting. However, you are correct when you point out that combining the writing with that style of music we don't see a lot of comparisons in the Christian market. A few recommendations that I might make would be as follows. Gersh (Mark Gersmehl), who put out a solo project a few years back. Excellent stuff with a sound very similar to what you hear from Sting. Trevor Morgan's new album, Wonderlight, is also comparable - please overlook it's terrible cover. Then of course you have artists like Sixpence None the Richer, Nichole Nordeman, and Sara Groves (try her second or third album).

Q: Hi Mike. I was making my usual look over the news headlines and the one about Switchfoot re-releasing the album caught my eye since I am a big fan of theirs. Anyway I could help but notice the little snippet at the bottom: "CMCentral.com will refrain from further comment on this growing (and bothersome) phenomenon," and I was wondering what exactly you are meaning by this.
    Jill

A: Mallory and Brett had this same question, Jill. I guess I won't refrain from further comment now... Let me clarify, first, and say that I was not knocking Switchfoot. What bothers me is the trend, in general, of re-releasing albums with a few "bonus" tid-bits tossed in, at the expectation that not only will new fans buy it but perhaps some people who already bought the original release will as well. That's just insulting, in my humble opinion. Loyal fans are the fans who buy the album right when it releases. They, if anyone, should get the good stuff. But more and more you're seeing albums re-released like this - P.O.D.'s Satellite is another example. How about letting fans who already bought the original release be able to download the new "bonus" material for free? That seems a bit more fair and considerate of your fan base to me.

Q: I was wondering when the 3rd Left Behind Movie would be released. Do you know when?
    Lindsay

A: The third Left Behind film was supposed to release last year. It was pushed back. I do not know an exact date. All I know is that it is indeed being released and a fourth movie is also in the works. My guess is to look for it no earlier than the end of 2004 or early 2005. The Internet Movie Database no longer even has the third film listed, but that is an error on their part.

Q: In your last issue of Ask CMCentral you had talked about rumors of Tobymac's new CD being called Slam, which I had never heard before. Everywhere I've looked says that his new album is being called Phenomenon. I've seen this on WOW 2004, your website, and many other sources so I'm kinda confused as to where this Slam thing is coming from, I thought the title of the album was official already.
    Jonathan

A: Well, plans change, Jonathan. And they've changed again, apparently. The now-official title of Toby's new CD is Welcome To Diverse City, and it is scheduled for an October 5 release. Start saving up your pennies now. I heard a verse from "Slam" at Spirit West Coast (I only was able to hear three artists at the festival, unfortunately, so I could not do a festival review as planned) and it sounded fantastic.

Q: I just read the article and your answer on it. The reason why I said I have been praying that they [Chevelle] will get saved is because the drummer Sam stated in the Entertainment Weekly interview that they were "Recovering Catholics". Shouldn't we as Christians pray that people who don't know Christ will get saved, and also pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ. You can't say that's wrong. Maybe the band members think that there saved by tradition and religion. Maybe a person who is saved should tell them that they are saved by grace through faith. If you had the chance to tell them that would you? Now when I said it is very clear that they are not Christian, I meant it was clear that they are not a Christian band. I agree it is their right to not be a Christian band. And yes God does know their heart, I totally agree with you on that. If you ever got an interview with them, you could ask them about their relationship with Christ, and why they don't put it in their music. I think that would be a very good thing to do. So it could clear the whole thing . Whether you guys at CMCentral do that or not is your choice, but it would be good. Anyway I have no intention of "Judging Them". But What I was saying in my last email was why you guys cover them if they're secular. I thought you guys were supposed to cover bands in the Christian music Industry?
    Jonathan

A: Jonathan, thanks for writing again and clarifying. A few points to make. One, Chevelle stating that they are "recovering Catholics" still does not equate to them not being Christians. There are a lot of recovering Catholics out there who are still firm believers in Christ - because the Catholic church, or any other denomination or branch of Christianity, does not equal Christianity itself. In some ways I'm a recovering charismatic... lol. Because the church is comprised of humans, it means that the parts of the church will often err, and those errors can create problems for the faith of other people. Brennan Manning said, in the quote made famous on Jesus Freak, that the greatest single cause of atheism in the world is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips but then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. Not only does that apply to atheists, but it even causes problems and doubts and hurts for those of us still in the church. I don't know why Sam said what he said, but what he said does not mean that he is not a Christian. But, you're right, yes we should definitely pray for those who are not Christians as well as our brothers and sisters in Christ.

As for your last statement, CMCentral is a site that focuses on Christian music. But more and more today the term "Christian music" is one that cannot simply be defined by music that is sold in Christian stores. There are Christians making music in all sorts of different areas, and CMCentral will not be bound, editorially, by who a Christian record company does or does not happen to sign to its label. I have no interest in that, nor do more and more of our readers feel that way. Christians in the arts should be appreciated whether they take their creativity directly to the church or otherwise.

Q: My nine year old son has recently begun listening to music (all kinds) and while listening to a WOW CD he began asking questions about the Tobymac song "Phenomenon." We both, and his mother, have listened and are wondering if they are singing the word "pissed" at the beginning. If so how is it in the context and is it an acceptable use?
    Rick

A: Set your mind at ease, Rick. The phrase in question is "pit stop" not "pissed off." And, for those of you who still think that P.O.D. said "big ass" on the song "Boom," that phrase in question is "the big S.D.," as in San Diego, California.

Q: I am trying very hard to find a CD by the Christian group named Truth with the song "If You Could See Me Now". I am not having any luck in my search. Can you help?
    Karen

A: You know, I have a friend named Jessica. She used to stalk the group Truth - I think her restraining order was lifted when the group disbanded, though. But I digress... The song "If You Could See Me Now," which was nominated for Song of the Year at the Dove Awards, is from Truth's 1992 album, Something To Hold On To.

Q: Hi my name is Andre Zonta and I have one question. There have been many rumors about different release dates for Point Of Grace's new album. First I heard April, then I heard May and then I heard August. What is the real release date?
    Andre

A: As of today, there is no officially scheduled release date, so the August date is incorrect. The group keeps popping out babies so fast that it must be hard to find time to get to the studio. By the way, a bit of trivia: new Point of Grace member, Leigh Cappillino, used to be a part of the short-lived Integrity music duo, Karen-Leigh.

Q: Hey ! My name is Sharon. I've been hearing the song "I Saw Heaven" by Brother's Keeper. I was wondering if it was an a CD? And if so is it out? Where can I get it? I love the song. Thanks.
    Sharon

A: "I Saw Heaven" is on Brother's Keeper's first (self-titled) album. I believe it is out of print, so you may have to try e-Bay unless you get lucky somewhere. I think my favorite song on that album was "Heart of the Matter." Anyway, it was a pretty good pop record.

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.