Through RELEVANT I reach a demographic that has strong faith, morals and passion, but disagreements politically. It wouldn’t be wise for me to be seen as picking a political side, when I’ve consistently said both sides are right in some areas and wrong in some areas. (And truth be told, I haven’t yet made up my mind about who I’m going to vote for this November. There are a lot of specifics I’d like to hear the candidates talk about before my decision will be made.)

snip

So I brought that concern up to the DNC, and they graciously understood. They still desired to have someone participate who represented this new generation of Christian voters (which is awesome, by the way), and I thought, who better than Blue Like Jazz author Don Miller? I respect him immensely, and he’s a much better representative of our audience than I am. So, I gave him a ring and he was more than up for it. Likewise, the committee was thrilled to invite him to give the benediction in my place—a move I think will ultimately be much better for the DNC. Don Miller’s famous; I’m not. . . .

Traveling through the Midwest in September? Come to the 8th Kansas International Film Festival that will be held at the 3-screen Glenwood Arts Theater, 95th and Metcalf, Overland Park, Kansas, a southwest suburb of the greater Kansas City area. The Festival, with over 50 films in 7 days, runs September 19-25, 2008. For information and ticket prices see www.Kansasfilm.com or phone 1-913-642-4404.

Films to be debuted at the 2008 Festival include the Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Sundance 2008, “Choke” starring Sam Rockwell and Anjelica Huston. Closing the Festival will be Greg Kinnear in “Flash of Genius.” Highlights among the 50 films are “The Flyboys,” “Freezer Burn,” “La Americana,” “The Shadow Within” and “The World Unseen.” Documentaries include “Alaska Far Away,” “As We Forgive,” “Critical Condition, ” “Life, Support, Music” and “Under Our Skin.”

Fratello Metallo Introduction

Studio 89 welcomes Mike Farris on August 11th at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. The show will be podcast afterward.

Top Twenty as of August 6, 2008, 9 p.m. CDST

1. Don’t Wake Aislin - Label Showcase, Thursday
2. Family Force 5 - Main Stage, Wednesday
3. Skillet - Main Stage, Wednesday
4. As I Lay Dying - Main Stage, Saturday
5. The Almost - Main Stage, Thursday
6. Flyleaf - Main Stage, Wednesday
7. Anberlin - Main Stage, Thursday
8. mewithoutYou (inshallah) - Encore 2, Friday
9. David Crowder Band - Main Stage, Friday
10. Flatfoot 56 - Underground Stage, Wednesday
11. This Fires Embrace - Label Showcase, Thursday
12. Hawk Nelson - Main Stage, Thursday
13. Ilia - Label Showcase, Friday
14. Demon Hunter - Main Stage, Saturday
15. Flatfoot 56 - Main Stage, Friday
16. Disciple - Main Stage, Wednesday
17. Sleeping Giant - Underground Stage, Thursday
18. The Chariot - Encore 1, Thursday
19. The 77s - Gallery Stage, Thursday
20. Resurrection Band - Gallery Stage, Thursday

MUTEMATH Studio Vlog: Piano Parts
For more, go to MuteMath’s YouTube Site.

July 7, 2008–Peoria, IL Festival Director John Herrin estimated Monday attendance was up slightly from last year’s 18,000 figure. While the final figures aren’t yet compiled, he said, “We had more ticket revenue this year.” Full coverage here.

JODI POSPESCHIL/Journal Star
Canadian musician Miranda Stone of Toronto, Canada, prepares tea in the unique tent she and her husband constructed for this year’s Cornerstone Festival near Bushnell. She said Monday the tent and its contents all fit into a passenger van.

Kelly Sherrill of The Sherrill Agency presented a stellar lineup of up-and-coming artists:

Blissed
Don’t Wake Aislin
Perfect Imperfect
Madison Aveune
Motorist Jones
http://www.myspace.com/thesherrillagency

Breaking the Silence opens up at their Cornerstone 2008 Press Conference.

“>Close Your Eyes - Cornerstone 2008’s New Band Showcase Winner Press Conference is now online.

Nevertheless stopped by The Phantom Tollbooth Cornerstone 2008 Press Tent to discuss their influences, touring partners, writing process, new records and much more. Shortly afterwards, they kicked off their radio promotion tour:

NEVERTHELESS IS NOT “SLEEPING IN” DURING ITS CURRENT
RADIO PROMOTIONAL TOUR;
NEW ALBUM, IN THE MAKING…, IN STORES SEPTEMBER 16, 2008

Rock Band Surprising Radio Friends by Camping at Their Station and Making Them Breakfast

(Nashville, Tenn.) July 9, 2008 – Chattanooga, Tenn.-based rock quintet, Nevertheless, who will release its second album, In the Making…, on September 16, 2008, is currently on a radio promo tour in support of its new radio single, “Sleeping In.” However, sleeping in is the last thing the guys are doing on the trip, as they are surprising some of their radio friends around the country, by literally camping on the station grounds, then surprising the radio staff with prepared breakfast when they arrive for work. On Monday, July 7, Nevertheless surprised the staff of RadioU in Columbus, Ohio. The next day (7/8/08), the band journeyed north to Saginaw, Mich., to hang at The Fuse radio station and today, Wednesday, July 9, they visited Shine.FM/WONU in Chicago, Ill. The guys are documenting the trek. Watch the video from day 1 (7/7/08).

In the Making…, the upcoming, 11-track record from Nevertheless, was produced by Rob Hawkins (Fireflight, Jackson Waters), and was recorded in Nashville, Tenn. between March and April of 2008.

While showing heart and expressing hope may not be new to Nevertheless’s lyrics, In The Making… is a different and more accessible approach of expression. “I would say the biggest difference, lyrically, is that we pulled even more from our own experiences on In the Making…,” shares lead singer, Joshua Pearson. “On this record, every single song has at least a few lines that hit very close to home. An example would be ‘Sleeping In,’ which was written from a place of insecurity, which I believe to be one of my ugliest opponents, from time to time.” And by highlighting such personal perspectives, In The Making… reeks of raw honesty and thus is the best tool to express its message.

Accepting that the band is young, yet strongly evolving, is the key inspiration for the album title. Pearson explains. “We titled the record In The Making… for two different reasons. First of all, we believe that every single day we are still in the making of becoming the kind of people that God wants us to be. This record is written from personal experiences that we know many people deal with in their everyday life. Every pain and trial, along with every good thing in our lives, pushes us in that direction, and we hope the lyrics convey that point. Second, Nevertheless, as a band, is still in the making of becoming who we want to be. We are constantly learning who we are musically, and as people. This album is a reflection of this point in our lives.”

“The goal for our music is to provide hope and inspire a desire to experience God’s glory,” says Cheek. “I hope people can learn from our songs that no matter what they are going through, and if they don’t know where to turn, just know that there is always hope through Jesus.”

Pearson adds, “I believe that we are called to write about both the light that shines in the darkness, and about the darkness that does not understand it. I believe that honesty always breaks down walls. Healing begins when we are able to, first of all, be honest before God. Secondly, be honest and vulnerable with one another. I hope that our songs reflect this idea, and that, when people listen to Nevertheless, they get a sense that God loves them, and wants to talk to them.”

In the Making… comprises the following eleven tracks (sequence subject to change): “Sleeping In,” “It’s True,” “Cross My Heart,” “It’s No Secret,” “Rest,” “I Needed This,” “Longshot,” “Augustine,” “Topics,” “When I’m Alone” and “Found My Way Back Again.”

Nevertheless is: Joshua Pearson, lead vocals; AJ Cheek, guitar, piano and vocals; Brad Jones, guitar; Adam Rowe, drums; Adam Wann, bass.

For additional information on Nevertheless, visit www.neverthelessmusic.com.

CREATION FESTIVAL’S 30 YEAR CELEBRATION HONORS THE PAST AND LOOKS TO THE FUTURE WITH EXCLUSIVE TRIBUTES, SPECIAL PERFORMANCES AND CHANGED LIVES

Surprise Guest, Amy Grant, Returns After 15 Year Hiatus, Phil Keaggy Marks Anniversary of The Master And The Musician And Keith Green & Larry Norman Are Remembered, While Newer Artists Lay Groundwork For Another 30 Years

Over 4300 Attendees Visit The Prayer Tent, 238 Baptized And 1400+ Compassion Children Sponsored

Medford, NJ (July 9, 2008) – Creation Festival, the largest Christian Music and teaching Festival in the United States, marked its 30th Anniversary the end of June by honoring the past and looking to the future. The four-day celebration saw special tributes and performances, including a surprise appearance from Amy Grant. The Festival also carried out its mission to impact lives, seeing over 4300 attendees visit the Prayer Tent, 238 get baptized and more than 1400 Compassion Children sponsored.

Throughout the past 30 years all of the top Christian artists have graced the Creation Festival stage, with many careers launched at the event. The Festival took time to pay tribute to some of those artists during this special anniversary. Luminaries Keith Green and Larry Norman were remembered with special video montages chronicling their performances at Creation and their impact on the Christian music industry as a whole and guitar legend Phil Keaggy marked the 30-year anniversary of the release of his album The Master And The Musician with a special performance. The Newsboys presented Pastor Harry Thomas, Festival co-founder, with a special guitar as a thank you for the part Creation has played in the band’s success, while many other artists shared special memories and acknowledgements from stage.

The highlight of the event was a surprise performance from Christian and pop music icon, Amy Grant. Grant has a special place in the history of the Festival, as the beloved Friday night candle lighting began during her performance in 1983. Just as she and her band were about to take the stage, an underground transformer blew and all power was lost. While she led the crowd in singing praise choruses, Pastor Harry remembered some candles that were in storage, so those were distributed to everyone and a tradition began! This year Grant returned to play a short set, featuring an exclusive performance of “One Little Miracle”, a duet she recorded with Hawk Nelson, and also lead candle lighting alongside Paul Baloche.

“It was totally amazing to stand on the stage and see so many candles declaring the light of Christ in the believer. I never get tired of seeing that beauty and the vivid statement that we are a ‘city set on a hill,’” explains Thomas. “Paul and Amy led us in a wonderful time of worship. Even with wax running down your hand to your elbow, you did not want that moment to end. One thing for sure, It was an unforgettable spiritual moment.”

Newer artists like Switchfoot, Chris Tomlin, Kutless, David Crowder Band, Skillet, Jeremy Camp and Flyleaf gave amazing performances, laying the groundwork for the next 30 years of the Creation Festival.

In addition to featuring great music, the Creation Festival is also committed to impacting lives through the event. Creation uses the tagline, “It will be the highlight of your summer, maybe your life” and, as in the past, that rang true for many attendees. Throughout the weekend, the Festival saw over 4300 people come to the prayer tent for salvation and various needs, and on Saturday 238 people were baptized.

Pastor Harry Thomas adds, “Nothing thrills me more than seeing people follow Christ. Our prayer tent was overflowing daily with people making commitments. There had to be 2,000 people gathered to watch the baptisms at the pond - tears of joy and new life in Jesus! We give God all the glory and pray for every person’s decision to be sealed by His Holy Spirit.”

Compassion International, the premier Christian child advocacy ministry, has been a partner with Creation for 25 years, seeing the lives of more than 30,000 children impacted by commitments attendees make at the event. This year alone, more than 1400 Compassion children were sponsored!

“It is always a humbling experience to see the work God is doing in the lives of so many people, and to see new and old faces in Christian music return with such impact!” explains Mark Hanlon, Senior Vice President of Compassion International USA. “Compassion is so blessed to have a quarter century long relationship in an event that truly involves ordinary people in the everyday lives of children affected by poverty. We know that another 25 years of dedicated, successful partnership with Creation will result in saving innumerable numbers of children around the world!”

VideoRocket, the leading faith-based online resource for audio and video content, chronicled many of the happenings at Creation Northeast 2008 and posted video online for all to enjoy. To see exclusive interviews and behind the scenes content as well as the Keith Green and Larry Norman tributes, please visit www.VideoRocket.com.

For more information about the Creation Festivals or to obtain information about attending Creation Northwest July 23-26, go to www.CreationFest.com.

It took a while, but Skillet’s John Cooper finally broke away from the band’s Cornerstone Festival main stage sound check to bring the fans up to date on their new drummer, headlining tour, and new CD.

http://www.skillet.com

To Be Held July 16-19 in Willmar, MN, Festival Also Sees Increase In Group Ticket Sales And Volunteers

WILLMAR, MN (July 10, 2008) – Sonshine Festival, one of Christian music’s premier summer events, readies for record attendance at the upcoming festivities to be held July 16th-19th at the Willmar Civic Center in Willmar, MN. In a time when gas prices are high and many events are seeing a decline in attendance, Sonshine ticket sales are up 12% from the previous record at this time, partly due to an increase in group sales. Festival staff has also seen a significant increase in volunteer applications, well above the needed amount.

“We are happy to see that, despite the rising gas prices, our ticket sales have seen record highs this year, over and above any other year in the past 26,” exclaims Sonshine Festival co-director, Michael Scanland. “We are proud to offer free camping, free parking and free hot showers, as well as the added fourth night of performances. We feel that these things, combined with the promise of a great music lineup, Christian fellowship and changed lives have all contributed to the increase in ticket sales, and we hope to see more yet.”

The schedule for Sonshine Festival 2008 boasts six stages of events, with popular artists such as TobyMac, Flyleaf, Newsboys, David Crowder Band, Hawk Nelson, Thousand Foot Krutch, Pillar, As I Lay Dying and John Reuben. The Wednesday night concert, new for this year, will host Jars of Clay in a free performance open to the general public.

In an effort to be a family friendly event, Sonshine Festival also offers children’s programming at the Big Top Stage, featuring Bob and Larry from Veggie Tales, comedy performances and arts and crafts. Older kids can visit the Sports Arena stage for some high-energy entertainment, including World Impact Wrestling and Chaos on Wheels.

Tickets for Sonshine Festival can be purchased online at www.iTickets.com at a reduced rate of $80 until July 16th. Single day passes and discounted rates for children and groups of 10 or more are also available. Tickets can be purchased at the gates as well.

For more information about the Sonshine Festival and to view the complete program and information on purchasing tickets to the event please visit www.sonshinefestival.com.
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About Sonshine Festival
Launched in 1982 by local Willmar, MN youth pastor, Bob Poe, Sonshine Festival has grown from 1,800 attendees in its first year to 25,000 in 2007. The Willmar Community College Campus played host to the event for the first four years and after outgrowing the venue, Sonshine relocated to the Willmar Civic Center in 1987, where it has remained for the past 22 years, in part to the construction of the Willmar High School facility next door. Throughout its 26-year history, Sonshine has featured nearly every major artist in the Christian music world and remains true to its commitment to deliver the hottest artists as well as encourage young people to become or continue to be a life-long follower of Jesus. Poe and the original steering committee are still organizing and providing leadership for the Music Festival.

Sonshine belongs to the Christian Festival Association, a membership organization representing the premier Christian Music Festivals across the country, collectively hosting more than 1.4 million attendees nationwide.