Red, White and Blue
By Melissa Riddle, Senior Editorial Strategist, GospelMusicChannel.com
Here at GospelMusicChannel.com, we’ve long suspected that the people who entertain and inspire us with their music are, well, just like us. They may spend their days on buses and their nights on stages and their weekends away from home, but when and where it counts, they’re just regular folks like you and me. Upstanding citizens, good neighbors, loyal friends and family members who try to live out their faith day-in, day-out.
So, in anticipation of Independence Day, we wanted to find out for ourselves what 4th of July looks like in their worlds...just to be sure.
Here’s how they finished the sentence: It's just not July 4th in my world until…
“...until my wife and I enjoy our hometown parade, cook burgers on the grill, spend time with friends and neighbors, and end the day with some fireworks, celebrating our independence and also that the world is not flat.” –Barry Graul, MercyMe
“...until July 3rd has ended!” –Robby Shaffer, MercyMe
“...until the Greenville, Texas 4th of July parade begins. Imagine a street lined with lawn chairs and tiny American flags waving as old timey cars, bicycles and riding lawnmowers pass by. And all of this takes play while Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The U.S.A." is blaring from every car parked within a five-mile radius. Now that is what I call a great 4th!” –Bart Millard, MercyMe
MercyMe frontman Bart Millard’s new CD, Hymned Again, releases August 19, but you can hear the first single, “I Stand Amazed” on July 4th, featuring guest vocals by Christy Nockels.
"...until I burn myself with a sparkler." –Jimmy Needham
Jimmy’s newest CD, Not Without Love, releases August 18 on Inpop Records. Jimmy is out performing at camps this summer and will join BarlowGirl for the Million Voices Tour this fall. jimmyneedham.com
“...until I'm with friends or family and boisterously singing a medley of patriotic songs while fireworks explode above our heads, hopefully close enough to have to avoid the falling, burning ashes...Oh and I was fortunate enough to acquire this pair of flag pants that are very important as well.”
–Michael Gungor, Michael Gungor Band
Maybe most well-known for co-writing the massive church anthem, “Friend Of God,” Michael Gungor of The Michael Gungor Band recently joined the Brash Music family of artists and will release their debut project, Ancient Skies, on September 9. Michael and the gang will be one of the featured worship artists at the 2008 Hillsong Conference in Australia this summer, and then will head out this fall with Downhere on the Here I Am tour. michaelgungorband.com
"...I'm sitting under the stars with my girls, eating watermelon, runnin' in the grass, and catching fireflies, thinking about the Lord's provision and protection for us – all the meanwhile waiting on the edge of our seats for a big fireworks show!"
–Jeremy Camp
Jeremy Camp’s fourth studio project, Speaking Louder Than Before, is set to release in late November. For more information visit jeremycamp.com.
"It's just not July 4th in my world until I can spin around with my custom hula-hoop on, spitting watermelon seeds at my daughter, all while getting the most horrific sunburn ever seen by mankind." –Chris Taylor
BEC Recording artist Chris Taylor’s label debut, Take Me Anywhere, released in April.
“...until I’ve watched the movie “Miracle” with my son.”
–Lamont Hiebert, Ten Shekel Shirt
Newly signed to Rounder Records, Ten Shekel Shirt will release its new CD Jubilee on August 19. Not content to simply write songs about the issue or put on benefit concerts, Lamont Hiebert, the lead singer and songwriter of Ten Shekel Shirt, created a way to make an actual impact. Love146 quickly gained recognition for its work, earning the MySpace Impact Award for Social Justice, and being named an “Agent of Change” by GQ magazine. Lamont’s experiences as a modern day abolitionist are at the heart of many of the songs on the new album. For more information visit tenshekelshirt.com or love146.org.
“...until I’m flipping burgers and chicken wings on the grill, laughing with my loved ones, swimming in the pool and thinking about the freedom we have in this country, while thinking about the greater freedom I feel being a part of God’s Kingdom.” –Ashmont Hill
Currently on the “I Give You Worship Tour,” Ashmont Hill’s self-titled debut climbed to #10 on the Billboard Gospel Chart soon after its release. For more information on Ashmont Hill visit www.myspace.com/ashmonthill.
“...until we light firecrackers in the backyard.” –Sandi Patty
INO Records’ five-time GRAMMY award winning recording artist, Sandi Patty was recently honored at the 2008 GRAMMY Salute to Gospel Music® last week at the Lincoln Theater in Washington D.C. alongside other honorees Edwin and Walter Hawkins and the Winans. Her 30th studio album Songs For The Journey released in May 2008. Patti is continuing to inspire women by speaking and performing at Women of Faith Conferences every weekend across the country. For more information visit sandipatty.com.
“...until I am sitting by a pool eating hamburgers with friends. Growing up we always went to my grandmother’s house and grilled out by her pool and had a big party. Sparklers, burgers, little American flags...what’s not to love?”
–Ryan Simmons, Addison Road
Dallas-based INO Records’ artist Addison Road’s self-titled debut released in March of 2008. The band is currently performing for XFUGE and Student Life camps in New Mexico and Oklahoma throughout the summer.
“...until the family gathers at the lake and we eat until we're too heavy to swim"
–Sara Groves
Sara Groves’ CD, Tell Me What You Know, released to much critical acclaim in November of 2007. The video for the single “I Saw What I Saw” went #1 here at Gospel Music Channel.
"It's just not July 4th in my world until my sinuses are ruined by the spring, I've been sunburned at least twice, I've gone swimming in the public utility pond, I've mastered my golf game and can shoot 83 on the local nine hole and until July 3rd has past."
–Matt McFadden, After Edmund
Named after the Edmund character in C.S. Lewis’ bestselling book series The Chronicles of Narnia, After Edmund released their debut album Hello (Slanted Records) in February. afteredmund.com
“...until we have a picnic with all our family out my grandmommy's pool and shoot fireworks. We then come home and watch fireworks in our culdesac and our neighbors usually come out and talk! –Marissa, The Rubyz
“...until we spend three hours with my dad shopping for fireworks, and then it's all over in about 30 minutes! –Cammie, The Rubyz
“...until the whole family has a big 'ol barbecue. Everybody gets together and just hangs out. –Alexis, The Rubyz
As of June 30th, two singles from The Rubyz’ first self-titled CD, "Outrageous" and "Staring at the Sun" made their official Radio Disney debuts. Look for Cammie, Alexis and Marissa this fall as part of the 80-city iShine Tour with another teen-pop act, Mission Six.
"...until we see all our service men come home. The 4th of July is Independence Day. I am so very thankful for America. I love our country, even with the problems we have, we are still the best nation in the world. We went to church today, and worshiped the Lord Jesus. That's freedom, that's what we celebrate, that's what it's all about. This is our country, blessed by God." –Joanne Cash
Joanne Cash, sister of country music legend Johnny Cash, released her latest album Gospel (Acme/Infinity) in 2007, featuring three previously unreleased duets with her famous brother. Cash continues to tour worldwide, and she makes weekly appearances at the Nashville Cowboy Church and Wyndham Resort in Nashville. joannecash.com
"...until I'm sitting under the stars with my wife, friends and family enjoying an incredible fireworks show. The 4th is a BIG DEAL around our house."
–Steven Cooper (aka Lyrycyst)
Lyrycyst recently released his debut album Masquerade: The Face of America (Kikstart/Infinity), which features the hit single "What If I" (featuring Rachael Lampa). The release comes after being introduced to Christian music fans as the Winner of INSP’s reality-show talent competition Christian Artist Talent Search. Lyrycyst signed with Kikstart Records, hit the road on the 2007 Shoutfest Tour and was featured on the recently released Gotee Records compilation Hip Hop Hope 2008. lyrycystmusic.com
"Our Independence Day in this country reminds us of the independence and break from the old person we were before we knew Christ. Our freedom in Him is the greatest all year holiday!" –Mission Six
The debut album Superhero from Radio Disney favorites Mission Six will be in stores July 29th, produced by Kevan Cyka and Dan Needham (Hilary Duff, Lindsay Lohan, Everlife, Jump5). Look for the band this fall on the 80-city iShine Live Tour with The Rubyz.
“...until I hear any version of “America” being played at the finally of our local fireworks display, and if it's the Ray Charles version I cry like a school girl (although I usually say that a bug got in my eye).” –Danny Liston
Danny Liston’s new album, No Other Name, is getting a great start at radio, and Danny is preparing for a tour this fall. He is busy at work doing flood relief with relief organization Service International.
“...until I'm walking down the dusty path at Cornerstone Festival Illinois greeted at every turn by heavy metal riffs and emo anthems on my way to the firework show down by the lake. We've spent the past six years celebrating the 4th at C-Stone. Good times.”
–Jeremy Edwardson, The Myriad
The Myriad’s With Arrows, With Poise recently released on Koch Entertainment. “You Waste Time Like A Grandfather Clock” was added to MTV2 on heavy rotation in June. The video features the band live at the Cascade Theatre in Redding, Calif. during a sold-out performance, and some fun tricks by director Jesse Rosten.
"...until we've all had some homemade ice cream, grilled some steaks, jumped in the pool and we're cuddling our boys while we watch the sky fill with fireworks."
–Lincoln Brewster
Lincoln Brewster’s new CD, Today is the Day, is set to street September 23.
“...until I’m gathered with friends and family for a cookout enjoying grilled dogs, burgers, beans, potato salad and all the accompanying condiments. Kids are scurrying about, playing, swimming and anticipating the evening sky lit up with the brilliant colors from the fireworks display, marking the sky and our hearts and minds with our shared and treasured freedom, independence and God’s blessings on our United States of America.” –Tim Archer, The Archers
The Archers recently performed as part of the taping for The Beginnings Concert DVD, set for widespread distribution in fall 2008. For more information on The Beginnings Concert DVD/CD collection, visit thebeginningsconcert.com.
“...until my dad cooks hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill. Shooting off fireworks off our private mansion, haha, a.k.a. my house. And homemade ice cream (chocolate). And all my family coming up to vist us.” –Jamie Sharpe, Rush Of Fools
"...until all the family is over at my Aunt Jane's house, grilling, swimming and soaking up some rays!” –Wes Willis, Rush Of Fools
"...until I watch my dog Belle bark and yelp at the fire crackers.”
–Kevin Huguley, Rush Of Fools
“...until I have a terrible sun burn.” –J.D. Frazier, Rush Of Fools
Alabama-based progressive worship band Rush Of Fools – awarded ASCAP’s Song of the Year Award for “Undo” in April of 2008 – is preparing for the release of its highly-anticipated project, Wonder Of The World, slated to release on September 16.
