HM » David Crowder Band

The February issue is done (and being worked on)

Doug Van Pelt — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:49:20 +0000

It feels really awesome to finish a deadline on an issue of HM Magazine. This issue was a peculiar one, because I leaned on my freelance writers more than ever – putting some article decision-making in their hands and assigning out all (or as close to all as possible) the stories to other writers instead of taking some of them on myself. I felt compelled to do that, because I have a bigger deadline looming over me right now.

I’m co-writing an autobiography for Michael Sweet. Talk about a lot of work! Whew! Hours and hours of interviews and then transcribing them. Wow.

Anyway, this deadline has been grueling nonetheless in spite of this. So, it was very exhilarating to wrap it up today and send those 54 pages to the virtual online “printer.” Hopefully they’ll get translated into what you see in the digital magazine browser (along with every link being activated) in a day or two here. I hate that the February issue might not be online until as late as the 10th of the month, but what else can I do? I max myself out in getting it done and that’s the best I could do. Maybe I can get the March issue up by the 7th and the April by the 2nd and then be early or right on time come this May… That’s probably a realistic goal.

So, that’s the cover image above. Do you like the way I have his foot stepping on his name? It felt like a fitting and ironic design choice, seeing how he’s putting an end to his band’s career. There’s a slight change, however. Neal Morse is listed on there and we actually bumped that story to our March issue. Why? Because the dude is in another band (!!!) and has that band’s album coming out at the end of March. This is one busy guy. Most of the other artists covered in our February issue are listed as tags at the bottom of this post. I pulled out a classic “What So & So Says” interview from the vaults (as a cool way to promote the Rock Stars on God, Volume 2 book that’s coming out). I’m also excited to announce that Kemper Crabb has moved on to a new subject in his brilliant ongoing column. This one delves into the “Jesus is my girlfriend” attitude of songwriting. Bravo, Kemper! I hope to one day publish one of his books. The dude is amazing. Oh, and one of the “spinning at HM” artists that I can’t help but talk about is this band Sons. Formerly known as Sons of God, their new album on Slospeak is awesome. I almost gave it a 5 rating, which is hard for me, because a “five” signifies a classic, which means I know I’ll be listening to it in five years. Those are tough calls to make. That’s one reason why you hardly ever see me giving an album the old “5″ rating.

Anyway, so now that the February issue is a thing of the past (at least for me), here is an image of what I’ll be working on next – the March issue #154. I’m excited. A lot of great bands are coming out with albums this spring.

David Crowder wows crowds at radio promo shows

Doug Van Pelt — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:38:10 +0000

David Crowder Teams Up with K-LOVE for

Four Sold Out Shows,

Collecting More Than 53,000 Pounds of Food

for the Souper Bowl of Caring

More than 10,000 People Attend

Four Market Concert Stretch

Just two weeks after his chart-topping final album was released, David Crowder embarked on a promotional trip with K-LOVE Radio supporting the efforts of the Souper Bowl of Caring. Souper Bowl of Caring is a national movement of young people working to fight hunger and poverty in their own communities around the time of the Super Bowl football game. More than 10,000 people were involved in the four-day stretch of sold out shows in multiple cities across the country where over 53,000 pounds of food was given to support the cause.

sixstepsrecords and K-LOVE teamed up to bring Crowder and the new K-LOVE morning show, Craig, Amy and Kankelfritz, to Charlotte, N.C., Knoxville, Tenn., Memphis, Tenn. and Indianapolis, Ind. last week. The purpose was to help fight hunger and poverty by creating awareness and supporting the local food drive efforts of Souper Bowl of Caring. Following a live, network broadcast in each city, with the partnership of local host churches, Crowder performed an evening acoustic concert where admission was a non-perishable food item, donated to a local food pantry connected to the Souper Bowl of Caring.

David Crowder*Band’s final record, Give Us Rest (A Requiem Mass in C [The Happiest of All Keys]) sold over 50,000 copies in its first week making it the No. 2 record in the country behind Adele’s 21, and the No. 1 new album on the charts. With a nearly constant No. 1 hold on the iTunes ® Overall Albums chart, Give Us Rest offered David Crowder*Band the highest chart and sales debut of their over decade-long career.

# # #

About David Crowder*Band:

Named among the “most thoughtful, progressive and exciting acts in contemporary Christian music” by The New York Times, the popular yet unconventional David Crowder*Band unveiled their final collection of new music on January 10 with the release of Give Us Rest or (a requiem mass in c [the happiest of all keys]). As the follow-up to the GRAMMY ® nominated Church Music, Give Us Rest gave the band the highest debut of their career selling over 50,0000 units in one week, landing them in the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Top 200. David Crowder*Band’s music video for “SMS (Shine)” nabbed coverage on NBC’s The Today Show, Fox & Friends, USA Today, Billboard and Paste Magazine online as well as a GMA Dove Award win for “Short Form Video of the Year.” The video was also recognized at the LA Film Festival in 2011. Along with the group’s 9 GMA Dove Awards and 22 nominations, the band was the first Christian artist to be named MSN.com’s Artist of the Year in 2006. The band is part of the Passion Movement, participating in university student gatherings in the US and around the world. The group’s leader David Crowder is further an acclaimed author, having penned two books, including his acclaimed, highly personal, Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, But Nobody Wants to Die: Or (The Eschatology of Bluegrass). David Crowder*Band debuted their first Christmas album, Oh For Joy, in October of 2011.

About sixstepsrecords:

Founded in 2000 by Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords is a worship label and a division of Passion Conferences. sixstepsrecords’ artists include Chris Tomlin (How Great Is Our God: The Essential Collection) David Crowder*Band (Give Us Rest), Charlie Hall (The Rising), Matt Redman (10,000 Reasons), Christy Nockels (Life Light Up), Kristian Stanfill (Mountains Move) and Passion (Passion: White Flag). The label partners with Sparrow Records/EMI CMG Label Group for A&R, marketing, sales and distribution operations.

About EMI CMG Label Group:

Brentwood, Tennessee-based EMI CMG Label Group is comprised of Sparrow Records, Forefront Records, and Credential Recordings, in addition to providing A&R and marketing support for sixstepsrecords via a joint venture and licensing partnership. Balancing freedom, discipline, creativity, profitability and ministry, EMI CMG Label Group strives for excellence in artist development. The Label Group is a division of EMI Christian Music Group. For further information, please visit www.emicmg.com.

David Crowder* Band’s new album #1

Doug Van Pelt — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:00:38 +0000

David Crowder*Band’s Give Us Rest is the

No. 1 New Album in the Country;

Earns No. 2 Spot on the Billboard Top 200

Scanning Over 50,000 Units

GRAMMY ® Nominees Honored with

Highest Debut of 12 Year Career

Critics Echo Support for Ambitious, Final Album

… Give Us Rest (A Requiem Mass in C [The Happiest of All Keys]) sold over 50,000 copies in its first week making it the No. 2 record in the country behind Adele’s 21, and the No. 1 new album on the charts. With a nearly constant No. 1 hold on the iTunes ® Overall Albums chart, Give Us Rest offers David Crowder*Band the highest chart and sales debut of their over decade long career.

“We have been really happy to hear and read the responses to the album,” remarks Crowder. “You make a thing and you hope it will mean something and be useful to someone else and to see such a positive reaction so early, well, we thought we couldn’t be happier about it. But then, when I got a phone call letting me know that we were debuting at number two on Billboard, I think, as far as memory serves, I pointed to the sky, yelled something, then un-ironically, with the purest of heart, totally Tebowed right in the middle of the street I had unknowingly wandered into.”

In what has been hailed an “epic,” “captivating” and “most artistic” final effort from the GRAMMY ® nominees, reviews have applauded the 34 track, double-disc album and full career of David Crowder*Band.

“One of Christian music’s least predictable bands closes out a decade-long career. The group’s final album, patterned after a Requiem Mass, contains nearly two hours of music. Give Us Rest’s 34 tracks encompass raw recordings and elaborately constructed arrangements ranging from U2-like worship songs to pseudo-choral music to bluegrass-y gospel hymns.” – USA Today

“Their most artistic project… Complexity, and simplicity. Deliberately arranging sound, emotion, intellect and vision. Doing more than pulling out a set of songs and putting them on a CD. DC*B’s contribution was also their journey. Give Us Rest is their coup de grace. Well done, David Crowder*Band, it’s time to take your rest.” – Worship Leader

“It’s an honest plea from a man who almost single-handedly redefined modern worship for the 21st century, which certainly was no easy task. But before stepping away from the microphone for good, Crowder showed exactly why he and his bandmates are in need of a rest, by creating an exhaustingly epic, double-disc album…. Give Us Rest sounds exactly as a ‘final album’ should. It is a Mount Everest of worship rock albums, never to be topped. For over a decade, David Crowder created some of the most creatively inspired worship music in the world, and now he deserves his rest.” – ChristianityToday.com

“A captivating offering… the band’s crowning achievement in a career of exuberant, cerebral accomplishments… In the end, joy becomes the lasting note of this album, and perhaps the legacy of the career of this gone-too-soon band.” – Crosswalk.com

“From track one to thirty-four it is nothing short of an amazing experience. 5 Stars” – JesusFreakHideout.com

“an epic blaze of musical glory… a memento of its career” – watchgmctv.com

Give Us Rest contains nearly two hours of music constructed in the outline of a Requiem Mass. The track listing even reads like a liturgy. It begins with The Entrance (or, the introit), a segment of three songs, then segues into The Plea (or, the kyrie), a section of three more songs, and then The Plight (or, the gradual and the tract), a sequence of six songs, and so on, all the way through The Absolution (or, the libere me and the paridisum), a string of six tracks to close out the album—and their 12-year run.

David Crowder*Band gave their final performance at Passion 2012 in front of over 42,000 college students, live at the Georgia Dome in downtown Atlanta. Just months earlier, the band completed a nearly 100% sold out headlining tour. Announced initially to their fans, David Crowder*Band revealed their final plans in early 2011. To read the original statement, click http://www.davidcrowderband.com/letter.html.

# # #

About David Crowder*Band:

Named among the “most thoughtful, progressive and exciting acts in contemporary Christian music” by The New York Times, the popular yet unconventional David Crowder*Band unveiled their final collection of new music on January 10 with the release of Give Us Rest or (a requiem mass in c [the happiest of all keys]). Give Us Rest follows their last GRAMMY ® nominated studio project Church Music which debuted at No. 1 on the Christian retail chart scanning over 35,000 units. This gave David Crowder*Band their largest street week to date ranking in at No. 11 on the Billboard Top 200. David Crowder*Band’s latest music video for “SMS (Shine)” nabbed coverage on NBC’s The Today Show, Fox & Friends, USA Today, Billboard and Paste Magazine online as well as a GMA Dove Award win for “Short Form Video of the Year.” The video was also recognized at the LA Film Festival in 2011. Along with the group’s 9 GMA Dove Awards and 22 nominations, the band was the first Christian artist to be named MSN.com’s Artist of the Year in 2006. The band is part of the Passion Movement, participating in university student gatherings in the US and around the world. The group’s leader David Crowder is further an acclaimed author, having penned two books, including his acclaimed, highly personal, Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, But Nobody Wants to Die: Or (The Eschatology of Bluegrass). David Crowder*Band debuted their first Christmas album, Oh For Joy, in October of 2011.

About sixstepsrecords:

About EMI CMG Label Group:

Passion conference makes huge impact

Doug Van Pelt — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:28:20 +0000

The David Crowder* Band giving their final performance at Passion 2012. Photo: Bobby Russell

PASSION 2012 LEAVES 42,000 STUDENTS WITH A BATTLECRY FOR FREEDOM CALLING THEM TO PUT FAITH INTO ACTION AND TOGETHER BE A FORCE FOR GOOD

Louie Giglio Concludes Passion 2012 Celebrating Students’ Impact For Freedom From Human Slavery

with $3.3 Million Given

Passion 2013 to Return to Georgia Dome

New Passion 2012 LIVE Recording Set to Release March 13

A call to Do Something Now in the name of Jesus rang through the arena at the Georgia Dome in downtown Atlanta on the final day of Passion 2012 this past Thursday. Passion founder Louie Giglio challenged students to not live in anticipation of “what’s next” but to take action today and pursue what makes them come alive … and do it for the glory of God.

Throughout the four-day gathering, 42,000 students representing 31 countries and more than 1,700 campuses learned about the horrific realities faced by the 27 million people worldwide who are enslaved as forced laborers, child laborers or trapped within the all- too prevalent sex trade.

“We believe that this generation of students has the ability to put an end to slavery,” said Bryson Vogeltanz, Chief Steward of Do Something Now for Passion Conferences. “We believe that God receives much glory when worship and justice are wed as one. It’s about doing something in the name of Jesus to free people all over the world who are enslaved.”

Passion’s call to Do Something Now exists to marry worship and justice, empowering each individual to join efforts and together, be a force for good in the world.

In total, students gave $2.5 million toward freedom with an additional $500,000 donation from another couple attending the conference and $300,000 being given online since the closing day, bringing the total amount given to $3.3 million. These monetary gifts will be used to support 20+ projects around the world by organizations that are focusing on prevention, rescue, and restoration for the 27 million men, women, and children entrapped in modern day slavery.

Not only did students give financially to impact people all over the world, but they also provided enough towels and socks to the homeless shelters in Atlanta to supply them for more than a year. More than 36,000 towels and 150,000 socks were donated.

CNN captured the heart of Do Something Now this year in a story profiling the efforts being made by the students and the heart and purpose behind Passion. Click here to watch the story.

At the end of the day, Giglio asked students to live fearlessly and take action in their faith. Many students spend countless hours pondering the question “What am I supposed to do?” Giglio answered that daunting question during Thursday’s closing session, “Well, what are you good at? Do it, and as you do, move to the top of your prayer list, ‘God will you give me the words to fearlessly proclaim the gospel?’”

Students roared Thursday morning when Giglio announced that Passion would yet again be back in the Georgia Dome in 2013, but this time, with the anticipation to take down the curtain and open to seating in the round. Being that the gathering sold out at 42,000 prior to its start, this new possibility would open the experience to nearly 71,000 students next year.

Passion 2012 is a four-day gathering for college students and was led by renowned teachers Louie Giglio, John Piper, Francis Chan, and Beth Moore, among others, as well as lead worshipers Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, Charlie Hall, Matt Redman, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill, and more.

On March 13th sixstepsrecords will release a new LIVE recording featuring Passion 2012 worship leaders Chris Tomlin, David Crowder*Band, Charlie Hall, Matt Redman, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill and more. The album will feature some familiar songs while also highlighting brand new music spurred from Passion 2012. This will be the follow-up record to Passion: Here For You, which debuted at No. 11 on Billboard’s Top 200 when it released in March 2011 selling over 30,000 units and garnering the No. 1 spot on the Christian Albums Chart.

To track along with the Passion movement throughout the year, follow @Passion268 on Twitter, find on Facebook at http://facebook.com/Passion268generation or visit http://268generation.com. To track the freedom efforts visit http://dosomethingnow.com.

###

About Passion: Centered on Passion’s core scripture, Isaiah 26:8, the unique purpose of Passion is to gather college students from campuses and churches across the nation, uniting them across ministry and denominational lines to seek the face of God together in worship and prayer. Affirming and valuing the work of local churches and campus ministries, Passion seeks to foster unity and connectivity among them, encouraging them to draw strength and encouragement from each other, resulting in a louder anthem of God’s renown.

About sixstepsrecords:

Founded in 2000 by Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords is a worship label and a division of Passion Conferences. sixstepsrecords’ artists include Chris Tomlin (How Great Is Our God: The Essential Collection) David Crowder*Band (Give Us Rest), Charlie Hall (The Rising), Matt Redman (10,000 Reasons), Christy Nockels (Life Light Up), Kristian Stanfill (Mountains Move), and Passion (Passion: Here For You). The label partners with Sparrow Records/EMI CMG Label Group for A&R, marketing, sales and distribution operations.

David Crowder Band releasing last album

Doug Van Pelt — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 06:00:41 +0000

GRAMMY ® Nominees David Crowder*Band

to Debut Final, Epic Collection of 34 Songs Titled

Give Us Rest or (a requiem mass in c [the happiest of all keys]) on January 10

Passion 2012 at Georgia Dome Will Mark

Final Live Performance For the Band

After twelve years of making music, including six studio projects, participation in over 21 compilations and additional recordings, two books and over 1.6 million albums sold, the GRAMMY ® recognized David Crowder*Band will unveil their seventh and last record, Give Us Rest or (a requiem mass in c [the happiest of all keys]) on January 10, 2012 (sixstepsrecords).

Announced initially to their fans, the celebrated band revealed their final plans earlier this year before their highly successful “The 7 Tour.” To read the original statement, click

here. Named among the “most thoughtful, progressive and exciting acts in contemporary Christian music” by The New

York Times, the popular yet unconventional David Crowder*Band finishes their career with an epic, triumphant collection of 34 songs that poetically illustrate that in death something new is reborn. The album showcases the band’s unique music style and touches on worship, pop, rock, bluegrass and electronic genres.

“Let Me Feel You Shine” is the first single from the Give Us Rest recording, and was the most added at AC Radio upon its release. About the track, Crowder remarks, “I don’t think I have written as personal of a song as this one (‘Let Me Feel You Shine’). For me, all of the experience of closing this chapter, of looking ahead and trusting, is in this song. I know all of us are in these moments where life twists and turns, and you don’t see what’s coming, but you feel God’s leading and you have to jump out and take the risk and see what it means to be a person of faith.” To hear the full story behind “Let Me Feel You Shine,” click here.

David Crowder*Band’s final “The 7 Tour” was an overwhelming success this past fall with nearly 100% of the concerts selling out. The GRAMMY ® nominees garnered a tremendous response in major markets including Dallas, New York City, Portland, Seattle, Atlanta and Philadelphia. The band will play their final show at the Passion 2012 Conference in January 2012 at the Georgia Dome.

# # #

www.davidcrowderband.com

www.facebook.com/davidcrowderband

www.twitter.com/crowderband

About David Crowder*Band:

Named among the “most thoughtful, progressive and exciting acts in contemporary Christian music” by The New York Times, the popular yet unconventional David Crowder*Band will unveil their final collection of new music on January 10 with the release of Give Us Rest or (a requiem mass in c [the happiest of all keys]). Give Us Rest follows their last GRAMMY ® nominated studio project Church Music which debuted at No. 1 on the Christian retail chart scanning over 35,000 units. This gave David Crowder*Band their largest street week to date ranking in at No. 11 on the Billboard Top 200. David Crowder*Band’s latest music video for “SMS (Shine)” nabbed coverage on NBC’s The Today Show, Fox & Friends, USA Today, Billboard and Paste Magazine online as well as a GMA Dove Award win for “Short Form Video of the Year.” The video was also recognized at the LA Film Festival in 2011. Along with the group’s 9 GMA Dove Awards and 22 nominations, the band was the first Christian artist to be named MSN.com’s Artist of the Year in 2006. The band is part of the Passion Movement, participating in university student gatherings in the US and around the world. The group’s leader David Crowder is further an acclaimed author, having penned two books, including his acclaimed, highly personal, Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, But Nobody Wants to Die: Or (The Eschatology of Bluegrass). David Crowder*Band debuted their first Christmas album, Oh For Joy, in October of this year.

About sixstepsrecords:

Founded in 2000 by Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords is a worship label and a division of Passion Conferences. sixstepsrecords’ artists include Chris Tomlin (How Great Is Our God: The Essential Collection) David Crowder*Band (Give Us Rest), Charlie Hall (The Rising), Matt Redman (10,000 Reasons), Christy Nockels (Life Light Up), Kristian Stanfill (Mountains Move), and Passion (Passion: Here For You). The label partners with Sparrow Records/EMI CMG Label Group for A&R, marketing, sales and distribution operations.

About EMI CMG Label Group:

DCB 7 Tour going over well

Doug Van Pelt — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:39:56 +0000

David Crowder*Band’s “The 7 Tour” Is An Overwhelming Success,

Over 75% of the Shows Sold Out Before Tour Wraps

First Single from Final Record

Give Us Rest of (a requiem mass in c [the happiest of all keys]),

“Let Me Feel You Shine,” Available Today on iTunes ®

The final tour for GRAMMY ® nominated talent David Crowder*Band has garnered a tremendous response from fans with 26 of the 33 shows selling out, including major markets such as Dallas, New York City, Portland, Seattle, Atlanta and Philadelphia. Gungor, Chris August and John Mark McMillan joined David Crowder*Band in clubs and theaters across the nation this fall. The routing of shows will wrap on November 13 with a sold out crowd in Jackson, Miss.

Additionally, the band’s first radio and digital single from their final record Give Us Rest of (a requiem mass in c [the happiest of all keys]) is available on iTunes ® today, Oct. 24. David Crowder*Band will release their seventh studio album on January 10. Their first ever Christmas record, Oh For Joy, is also debuting this holiday season with a unique, nutcracker themed cover.

David Crowder*Band and the 7 Tour has been excited to take ONE on the road, and support the important work of Project 7 as they work to change the score by raising funds to build water wells in Sub Saharan Africa. ONE, the anti-poverty advocacy group co-founded by U2’s Bono, has been on the road with the David Crowder*Band to recruit fans to use their voices in the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease. Volunteers are signing up ONE members and educating concert-goers about America’s vital work that has saved more than 15 million kids lives and put more than 46 million kids in school over the last decade. Project 7 makes everyday products for good and is dedicated to creating positive change through their purchase—giving back to assist real needs throughout the world. By purchasing Project gum, mints, water and coffee, people are making a conscious decision to do good, give back and support organizations positively impacting one of seven areas of need – HEAL the Sick, SAVE the Earth, HOUSE the Homeless, FEED the Hungry, TEACH them Well, HOPE for Peace, and QUENCH the Thirsty.

“We’re excited to team up with the David Crowder*Band and ‘The 7 Tour’ to help raise funds for our ‘7 Wells Project.’ It’s wonderful to see the band use its tour as a platform to help others by partnering with us to provide clean drinking water for those in need through the building of water wells,” said Tyler Merrick, founder and CEO of Project 7. “Our goal through this partnership is to spread awareness of the fact that more than one billion people worldwide lack a basic supply of clean water, and to make it easy for concert goers to donate to this important cause by rewarding them with a canister of our Quench the Thirsty™ 7 Blend Coffee.”

# # #

www.davidcrowderband.com

www.myspace.com/davidcrowderband

www.twitter.com/crowderband

About David Crowder*Band:

Named among the “most thoughtful, progressive and exciting acts in contemporary Christian music” by The New York Times, the popular yet unconventional David Crowder*Band released their last GRAMMY ® nominated album Church Music in the fall which debuted at No. 1 on the Christian retail chart scanning over 35,000 units. This gave David Crowder*Band their largest street week to date ranking in at No. 11 on the Billboard Top 200. David Crowder*Band’s latest music video for “SMS (Shine)” nabbed coverage on NBC’s The Today Show, Fox & Friends, USA Today, Billboard and Paste Magazine online as well as a GMA Dove Award win for “Short Form Video of the Year.” The video was also recognized at the LA Film Festival in 2011. Along with the group’s 9 GMA Dove Awards and 22 nominations, the band was the first Christian artist to b=e named MSN.com’s Artist of the Year in 2006. The band is also part of the Passion Movement, participating in university student gatherings in the US and around the world. The group’s leader David Crowder is further an acclaimed author, having penned two books, including his acclaimed, highly personal, Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, But Nobody Wants to Die: Or (The Eschatology of Bluegrass). David Crowder*Band debuted their first Christmas album, Oh For Joy, in October of this year.

About ONE:

ONE is an advocacy organization dedicated to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease around the world, particularly in Africa. Backed by more than 2.5 million members, we work with government leaders in both parties to support proven, cost-effective solutions to save lives and build sustainable futures.

About Project 7®:

Founded in 2008 by Tyler Merrick, Project 7® makes everyday products for good and is committed to ‘changing the score’ by making a significant, measurable difference in the lives of people all over the world through the purchase of its everyday products including sugar-free gum and mints, organic fair trade coffee, bio-bottled water, eco-T-shirts and branded apparel. For every purchase of a Project 7 product, the company makes charitable contributions to organizations dedicated to serving seven areas of need in the world – Feed the Hungry™, Heal the Sick™, Hope for Peace™, House the Homeless™, Quench the Thirsty™, Teach them Well™ and Save the Earth™.

Project 7 encourages consumers to help make a tangible difference by purchasing Project 7 products, volunteering their time and educating others. To learn more about Project 7 or to purchase Project 7 merchandise, visit www.project7.com. You can also become a fan of Project 7 on Facebook and follow @Project7 on Twitter.

David Crowder talks about Christmas album

Doug Van Pelt — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:16:45 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/user/sparrowrecords#p/a/u/2/GJ3pkKcGVQo

Also, be sure to read the DCB concert review at hmmag.com.

DCB/John Mark McMillan Concert Review

Doug Van Pelt — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:33:46 +0000

John Mark McMillan strolled onto the stage with little to no fanfare. Many recognized him and cheered, but once he and his band plugged in he had at least mild attention from the audience. Of course, there were many that came to see him and his working man’s heart-on-sleeve worship. He delivered. “I though I lived where it’s hot,” he said. When he played “Skeleton Bones” (about the fourth song in) it felt more like a show than an opening act. After about half an hour, though, it was over and Chris August came strolling out. This worked really well for a seamless transition, since he played an acoustic and the stagehands could work quietly behind him as the gear from McMillan’s set and the next band (Gungor) was moved around.

“I came from a broken home,” August explained. “God can take something broken and make something special.” In a slightly unusual move, his short set wasn’t his last appearance.

Gungor came on with their eclectic blend of acoustic and world music. Their lovely acoustic set ended with Michael Gungor’s wife, Lisa, on xylophone and then an accordion-like instrument, and Michael with their cello player. They concluded with the melodic “Beautiful Things” and whole crowd clapping percussion.

August came out again and played a radio hit. Then David Crowder and his band came out to adjust and line-check their gear for what would be the first stop on their final tour as a band. Early on they played “There is No One Like You,” with the accompanying call and response. He always does a good job of egging the crowd on, acting like a producer and pulling a louder and more passionate take from the audience. A great tune, a great melody line and the few thousand in attendance did not flub it up.

The entire stage at time seemed like a visual and sonic entity, with crashing, atmospheric sounds and subdued lights adding perfect effect and mood. While this band is known for its worship, they could equally be known for their coolness.

The bridge during “You Are My Joy” bridge with Michael Hogan’s violin and the audience bringing the “la-la’s” sounded awesome.

When the two “main guitarists” (about everyone in this band is multi-instrumental, and talented at that), Jack Parker and Mark Waldrop were jamming, they were trading some serious riffs.

By the time the band rocked into “Here is Our King,” it was apparent that it wasn’t just the band on stage singing anymore. The sold-out outdoor venue (Stubb’s) was packed with enthusiasm and on-key worship. This is what many who came expected to see and it was everywhere. When Crowder sang lines like, “Be Quiet Now … and Wait,” all 3,000+ were in unison. By the time they’d hit the chorus, celebrating King Jesus, some people had to bounce up and down, because the energy was plentiful.

For “I Saw the Light,” of course, the guitarists ditched their axes for mandolin, acoustic and banjo. And then they swung into “I’ll Fly Away.”

For grand finale, John Mark McMillan came out for you-know-what song, “How He Loves.” Hands were raised from the front of the stage barricade, from side to side and all the way up the hill to the back of the outdoor venue. It was awesome. Followed by “Oh, Praise Him.” Even with the special feature of having McMillan and other artists onstage with the band for this number, the audience had become the star of the show. And what’s ironic about this is that no one was really noticing themselves. It was a unified concert with the focus on the object of our collective worship – Jesus. This added a supernatural element that was truly joyous.

It was hard not to smile on the way home from this event. It was that good.

DCB’s The 7 Tour started

Doug Van Pelt — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:41:40 +0000

GRAMMY ® Nominated David Crowder*Band To Begin “The 7 Tour” Tonight with Nearly Half of the Tour Dates Already Sold Out

ONE Campaign Announced as Partners of Band’s Final Tour

** Highly anticipated, “The 7 Tour” will begin this evening in David Crowder*Band’s home state of Texas in front of a sold out crowd. Nearly half of the shows sold out months before the tour began. Spanning September through November, “The 7 Tour” will hit over 30 clubs and theaters across the U.S. including key markets such as: Dallas, Texas, Los Angeles, Calif., Portland, Ore., Seattle, Wash., Chicago, Ill., New York, N.Y., Atlanta, Ga. and Orlando, Fla. Joined by Gungor, Chris August and John Mark McMillan, “The 7 Tour” will mark the final nationwide tour for David Crowder*Band. Visit http://www.davidcrowderband.com for the most up to date information.

** ONE, the anti-poverty advocacy group co-founded by U2’s Bono, will also be on the road with the David Crowder*Band to recruit fans to use their voices in the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease. Volunteers will be signing up ONE members and educating concert-goers about America’s vital work that has saved more than 15 million kids lives and put more than 46 million kids in school over the last decade.

** David Crowder*Band has announced that they will release their first ever Christmas record on Oct. 4, just months before the GRAMMY ® nominated band will debut their final album. Oh For Joy will include eight Christmas classics such as “Joy To The World,” “O Holy Night,” “Silent Night” and more, presented with the band’s distinct sound and a unique, nutcracker-themed album cover.

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www.davidcrowderband.com

www.myspace.com/davidcrowderband

www.twitter.com/crowderband

About David Crowder*Band:

Named among the “most thoughtful, progressive and exciting acts in contemporary Christian music” by The New York Times, the popular yet unconventional David Crowder*Band released their last GRAMMY ® nominated album Church Music in the fall which debuted at No. 1 on the Christian retail chart scanning over 35,000 units. This gave David Crowder*Band their largest street week to date ranking in at No. 11 on the Billboard Top 200. David Crowder*Band’s latest music video for “SMS (Shine)” nabbed coverage on NBC’s The Today Show, Fox & Friends, USA Today, Billboard and Paste Magazine online as well as a GMA Dove Award win for “Short Form Video of the Year.” The video was also recognized at the LA Film Festival in 2011. Along with the group’s 9 GMA Dove Awards and 22 nominations, the band was the first Christian artist to be named MSN.com’s Artist of the Year in 2006. The band is also part of the Passion Movement, participating in university student gatherings in the US and around the world. The group’s leader David Crowder is further an acclaimed author, having penned two books, including his acclaimed, highly personal, Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, But Nobody Wants to Die: Or (The Eschatology of Bluegrass).

About ONE:

Relient K, Switchfoot, Anberlin to rock Orlando

Doug Van Pelt — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:29:57 +0000

WHAT: This weekend, Rock the Universe 2011 – Florida’s biggest Christian music festival – kicks off at Universal Orlando Resort. Guests can rock out to seventeen of the biggest names in Christian rock – including Switchfoot, Casting Crowns, and Relient K and enjoy access to an all-new fan zone, inspiring guest speakers, nightly candlelighting ceremonies, some of the world’s best theme park attractions and more.

The full artist lineup can be viewed below.

ROCK THE UNIVERSE 2011 LINEUP
Friday, September 9 4 p.m. – 1 a.m.	Saturday, September 10 4 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Switchfoot	Casting Crowns
David Crowder Band	Third Day
anberlin	Relient K
Grits	RED
Family Force 5	Tenth Avenue North
Rhema Soul	Brandon Heath
Hyland	Live Fish

** Names in bold indicate headlining acts.

Along with live concerts by top-name talent, guests can experience an all-new fan zone, featuring autograph sessions with performing acts, band merchandise, and a first-ever New Artists’ Stage where three emerging artists will perform live, including former American Idol contestant Jason Castro. Guests can also enjoy the thrilling attractions found only at Universal Studios, including Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit – where they can rock out to hidden tracks by some of this year’s performing talent.

For more details about Rock the Universe 2011 and to purchase tickets, visit www.RocktheUniverse.com or call 1-866-RTU-INFO (1-866-788-4636).

WHEN: Friday, September 9 and Saturday, September 10

4 p.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the event

WHERE: Universal Studios Florida

MORE Media Site: http://media.universalorlando.com

INFORMATION: Rock the Universe Site: www.RocktheUniverse.com