It's good to be back! Many people have asked me if I stopped writing my column for the Louisville Music News. NO ... I'm BAAAAACK! I've missed sharing all the news from the world of Christian music.
As many of you probably know by now, Michael English, who recently received six Dove Awards, announced he would be leaving Christian music because of some moral failures. English also said that he would return his Dove Awards. At the time of his announcement, English's label, Warner Alliance, said they would terminate all promotion, marketing and sales of his product. It was recently learned that Michael English is seeking counseling and trying to rebuild his family after the crisis.
Word on the street in Nashville is that Curb Records, which represents Wynonna, Sawyer Brown and Hank Williams Jr., is seeking Michael English to sign a deal for the general public. Meanwhile, Curb is also planning on getting into the Christian marketplace. Curb has recently signed White Heart and some other Christian artists.
Summer will be sizzlin' for Amy Grant fans, pop and Christian. The title of Amy's album has been changed from Whatever It Takes to House of Love. The first single to pop is "The Lucky One," which ships the end of this month. Amy will be touring this fall with her husband Gary Chapman. Speaking of Gary, he was in the WJIE studios with me June 6 as part of a promo tour for his new album, The Light Inside. At press time Gary's first single, "Sweet Glow of Mercy," was number two on the contemporary Christian music charts.
If you get the Inspirational Network, be watching July 29 as they broadcast Youth for Christ's DC/LA '94 "True Love Waits" National Celebration. The telecast will come live from the Mall in Washington, D.C., from 6-9:30 p.m. Steven Curtis Chapman, Petra and DeGarmo & Key are scheduled to perform.
Last year you may have caught some of the Inspirational Network's coverage of Disney's Night of Joy. This year the Walt Disney Resort will be the site of Contemporary Christian Music Week, September 9-18. There will be Youth Rally services, a celebrity golf tournament and America's Christian Music Awards hosted by Michael W. Smith and D.C. Talk.
Fans of the founding fathers of contemporary Christian music will be glad to know that the group Love Song is back in the studio working on a project titled Welcome Back. Love Song is Tommy Coomes, Chuck Girard and Jay Truax with special guest Phil Keaggy.
Also in the studio, Charlie Peacock is working on his new project, Ten Favorite Anythings. Peacock's Sparrow release is scheduled for a fall release. Sandi Patti is also in the studio with Greg Nelson working on her new project, also due out in the fall.
New signings include Glad to a contract with Light Records. Glad's first project will be a full band- followed by an a cappella album. Meanwhile Glad's former label, Benson, has signed Nouveaux for a rock release this fall. Finally, Word has signed John Elefante and John Schlitt of Petra to solo contracts. Schlitt will continue as lead singer of Petra and also tour as a solo artist.
Thanks for your patience with me and I'll be sure to bring you the latest music news again next month. In the meantime, stay cool in the pool!
If I Know Out of the Grey
Heaven In the Real World Steven Curtis Chapman
My Life Is In Your Hands Kathy Troccoli
How Long Greg Long
Here I Am Rebecca St. James
Summer Solstice Susan Ashton
I Call Your Name Clay Crosse
Hero of the Faith Newsong
Every Little Step David Meece
Teach Me to Love Steve Green & Larnelle Harris