Christian Music

Posted by Shane Werlinger

When I first heard that Kutless was going to be touring playing thier songs acoustically, I was very skeptical. They are a pretty rockin' band and I wasn't sure how their sound would translate to an acoustic show. I was pleasantly suprised.

The guys in Kutless did echnically play acoustic guitars, but they were enough grit there to be a rock show. The drums kicked and everything sounded wonderful. If you were thinking of going, don't let the acoustic thing fool you. These guys know how to put on an excellent show no matter what.

The other reason to go would be to hear the opening acts. First there was Chris Taylor. He played all by his lonesome with a guitar and a pre-recorded backup band. His songs where from the heart and really moving. I was able to tak with him after he played and he's such a sincere, genuine dude. His new CD comes out April 15 and I highly recommend picking it up. Check out his Myspace page and listen some of his tunes.

After Chris played next up was a new band called Esterlynn. They blew me away. They have a unique stage presence in many ways. After their set, they had a very positive crowd reaction and they were mobbed with people. They still took the time to talk to us and I actually felt guitly about talking with Luke, Esterlyn's Lead singer, for so long as others were standing around wanting his autograph. Take a look at their website and Myspace page for more information.

All of the bands appreciated the fans so much and took a lot of time to ake sure everyone knew that. I had a blast as did my friends and everyone else there.

Posted by Shane Werlinger

He may not be selling out arena's across the country and I'm not aware if he has sat down and chatted with the Whose Who of Christianity today (just who those whose are I'm not sure) and he may not be a household name, but Andy Gullahorn is one of the most talented people I have known.

Not that I really "know" him. I mean I did have his cell number saved in my cell phone, but that's because we were calling back and forth when I was trying to interview his equally talented and ever-more beautiful wife, Jill Phillips. I have since deleted his number because I don't really have a reason to call him and it seems weird keeping it. Besides, I don't think he would remember me anyways.

So, what was the point of this? Oh yes, Andy's new CD, Reinventing the Wheel. I must be slipping because I wasn't aware of this until this very day, even though it's been available for pre-order since November 13.

Andy Gullahorn is one of the most underrated musicians out there. I haven't heard every song from Reinventing the Wheel, but what I have heard is better than expected. Andy is funny, thoughtful and an all around talented guy. This is a must have for me.

Posted by Shane Werlinger

The Christmas season is a great time of year. We start out with Thanksgiving, a to eat, spend time with family, thank God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us, and did I say eat? Then the month of December brings us colder temperatures, crowded stores and Christmas concerts.

I have put together some great Christmas shows that I think you will like take a look at them and see if any are coming to a church, arena, or other venue near you. The first one tells you about Andrew Peterson and Point of Grace (not together) and the other lets you in on David Phelps, Third Day and New Song.

Posted by Shane Werlinger

I gave you a preview of the art for Greg Adkins new CD, Chasing the Western Sky, but now it is ready for you to pre-order. He makes it worth your while by packing in the bonuses.

If you pre-order, Greg will send you a link so you can download the CD and listen to it right away. You will get the CD in the mail, but you there's no waiting on hearing Greg's latest genius. Greg is also slipping in a gift for those pre-ordering folks. He put together a "home-made" CD called Thirty-Three and you will get it free if you order Chasing the Western Sky before November 6.

Greg is a super talented musician and songwriter and his latest CD shows his growth as a person and musician. Pick it up to support an independent musician that rocks.

Speaking of super talented, Eric Peters is offering a super deal. A few years back he put out a CD called Miracle of Forgetting. Now he is letting those that may have missed it get it for $3 when they buy it in packs of 5. For the price of one CD, you get 5. Or for the price of 2 CDs you can get 10. I'm sure you can do the math.

Miracle of Forgetting is my favorite CD of Eric's and I am glad he is getting this into the hands of more people.

Posted by Shane Werlinger

It's a good bet that many of you might not have heard of Greg Adkins. He is not packing stadiums, but he's got his fans, myself among them. He has been working on two new CDS, both to be released on November 6.

Chasing the Westeren Sky is the name of his studio offering. The album artwork is beautiful. Take a look and see for yourself.

Greg Adkins is the kind of artist I hope to help get some recognition out there. His music is better than most stuff you will hear on the radio. His songs can be funny or deep, or both. Send me the name and website of three of your favorite indie artists and you might get some free CDs. You can email me at christianmusic@suite101.com.

Posted by Shane Werlinger

For the month of October there will be a contest at the The Christian Music section. The prize will be five CDs from Christian artists that have been reviewed here. The genre will be a good mix.

To enter, all you have to do is send me an email with the name and website address of three of your favorite independent Christian musicians. Please include a sentence or two about each one. Send your email to christianmusic@suite101.com

The winner will be chosen at random. I will post the artists that are sent with their website. Hopefully we can get some exposure to excellent Christian musicians and let their music be heard.

Posted by Shane Werlinger

On September 19, 1997 we lost one of the greats. Rich Mullins was one of the best songwriters of his time and he wasn't a bad musician either. He managed to reach high popularity while keeping a certain realism and honesty to his music.

I wasn't a Christian until after Rich's death, but his music touched me from the beginning. I remember singing "Awesome God" and "Step By Step" in church and then buying Rich's CDs after finding them in the music store. The more I listened to him and the more I read learned about him, the more I came to respect him.

He was so down to earth and didn't let fame get to him. The last years of his life he lived on an Indian reservation with his good friend, Mitch McVicker, and taught music. He had all of his royalties sent to his church and they gave him a small piece of that to live on.

Rich Mullins was not your average rock star. I'd venture to say that as famous as he was, he was not even close to a rock star. He did leave a great legacy and seemed like a cool guy. I wish I was able to meet him.

Posted by Shane Werlinger

I have always been a big supporter of Indie bands. I think they have a lot to say and many times they do a better job than their peers that are signed to a label. One big thing Indie bands have on their side is that they can do what they want with out the Suits telling them what kind of music they want to play. That can also be a bad thing.

Rocketown Records has released a album that is available only through download called Born After Vinyl Vol. 1. The subtitle is Unknown Songs Known. More people need to dig out unknown songs. There's good stuff out there that will probably never be heard on the radio.

I've only heard two of the musicians on here, Andrew Osenga and Jake Smith. If the other people on here are half as good, it will be an album worth owning. The moral of the story? Support your local Indie artist.

Posted by Shane Werlinger

Caedmon's Call new CD, Overdressed was released this Tuesday. It should be in Christian Book and Record stores everywhere, plus you can get it on the internet. I've heard all kinds of things on it that range from excellent to not impressed.

Personally, I love it. It's great to hear Derek Webb sing with these guys and Andrew Osenga's influence make Caedmon's Call even better. Osenga is an accomplished songwriter, producer and musician and brings so much to this record. If anyone is disappointed in Overdressed I'm not sure what they were expecting.

Check out the review I wrote for Overdressed to get a little more detail.

Andrew Peterson also has a new CD out that's worth mentioning. Last year he put out a CD with a lot of bootlegs called Appendix A. Now he has released Appendix M. The M is for Media, Music, and Movies. It's jam packed with videos throughout Peterson's career, computer backgrounds, chord charts from a couple of his CDs, and so much more.

There will be a limited supply so I strongly suggest you pick it up. Andrew Peterson is one of the best songwriters out there and you will not be disappointed if you take a chance with this CD.

Posted by Shane Werlinger

When I Derek Webb's new CD, The Ringing Bell, to review I didn't get the Graphic novel with it. I was definitely interested in taking a look at it, but didn't think too much about it. After I interviewed Derek and we talked about the graphic novel, my interest was piqued once again.

Derek had his media people send me a copy along with a personal note. That Derek Webb sure is a nice guy. So accommodating and pleasant. Anyways, the art work is well done and really does bring things to light in a different way.

How? you ask. I'm a visual person and seeing the lyrics next to these pictures helped to clarify some ideas that I think Derek was trying to get across. For example I knew that the picture of the two guys facing each other had weapons behind their back and had an uneasy truce, but seeing it in a bigger format with more detail brought home of their mistrust.

It's a neat book with excellent art work. It makes a great addition to any collection. You can get it at Derek's website or your Christian music store. Good stuff here.