The latest and greatest from the CCM Universe coming at you!
Christian Music/Entertainment News (8)
1. Gospel legend Andrae Crouch has been hospitalized for a few weeks, now, but according to a social media post from his sister, things appear to be going in a positive direction. Sandra Crouch said Andrae has had an encouraging response to treatment following his heart attack last month, but perhaps even more encouraging to the family has been the "many thousands" of people who have been praying on Andrae's behalf. Keep praying for him as he tries to recover!
2. While we still don't yet know who's going to be in the Super Bowl next month, we do know who will be at the 16th Annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration! The faith-friendly, NFL sanctioned event, which takes place at Arizona State University on February 1st, will feature Natalie Grant, Israel Houghton, Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond and Phoenix native Mali Music. The NFL Players Choir--featuring current and former NFL players--will make its much anticipated 8th annual appearance, directed by Donnie McClurkin. Stay tuned to find out when and where it'll be rebroadcast in February.
3. It's Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and Tenth Avenue North's Mike Donehey and Jeff Owen found themselves talking about the issue and the movement to end it with Kelly Wright of Fox News Channel yesterday, according to an Instagram photo they posted with the anchor.
4. Speaking of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Remedy Drive has partnered withNewReleaseTuesday.com for a series of five exclusive "living room" performances, where they play special versions of songs from their latest album, Commodity, and share stories and rallying cries to end human trafficking. Check them out at NewReleaseTuesday.com.
5. We'd like to wish a very happy birthday to both Rachael Lampa and Elvis Presley--who's still alive and probably will release a new record with Rachael Lampa... on their birthday. OK, maybe not.
6. It looks like Trevor McNevan is experiencing a massive creative tornado, as he has hinted this week that he's working on the follow-up to Thousand Foot Krutch's OXYGEN: INHALE album, to be titled OXYGEN: EXHALE. And beyond that, it looks like FM Static fans can rejoice as he's planning some new tunes with that side project, as well as a possible solo rap record, too! It's all in preliminary stages right now, but man, that's some excitement! What's next… another baby?
7. Skillet has taken the opportunity of collaborating with its various tour-mates on Winter Jam. First, front man John Cooper joined for KING & COUNTRY on stage; next, the band has teamed up with NewSong for a rendition of the Hillsong UNITED smash hit song, "Oceans." Look it up online. Talk about unlikely pairings… but it works!
8. Beckah Shae has released a new music video for her song "Heartbeat." Beckah said the song's tribal feel was inspired by her discovery of having some Native American roots in her genealogy. In the music video, she plays a pretty sweet looking tribal drum that has the Lion of Judah drawn on it with some Hebrew writing--a perfect combination of her Messianic beliefs and her Native roots.
1. "Hibernation should be a thing for people too, not just animals." - Emily of Shine Bright Baby
2. "There are now or never moments that take decisive action! The trick is to recognize them and move ASAP! You'll get better at it as you grow!" - Duncan Phillips of Newsboys
3. "Make your time matter. Minutes and hours and days and weeks can blow away like dead leaves, with nothing to show but the time you spent not quite ever doing things, or time you spent waiting to begin." - Artifex Pereo
