Artist Spotlight: Casting Crowns

By Laura Greenwood

All of the members of Casting Crowns have backgrounds in student ministry. Lead singer, Mark Hall, states “Our songs have always come from our ministry in the church,” and their new album Until the Whole World Hears is no different. On the band’s Web site, Hall talks about how many of the songs came about and how we can see God in all of them.
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Artist Spotlight: Evan Wickham

By Mark Bowyer

With most people thinking of chocolates and falling in love with each other this time of year, one artist takes his music a step further and discusses the ultimate love—that love that is demonstrated by God toward man.  Evan Wickham, worship leader and artist, brings his sensitivity and doctrinal maturity to the music scene in his most recent album, Above the Sky.  With such great songs as “Our Deliverer,” and “He’s Alive,” a certain positive energy and emotional rush can be felt imagining the majesty described in the lyrics.  Singing the tracks could be thought of as his lovely dedication back to God. Read more

Artist Spotlight: ROOTDOWN

By: Brian Johnson

It’s very rare that you’ll find a band formed straight off of MySpace, but that’s what the band, ROOTDOWN did. To add to that fact, they are a Christian band that’s main genre is reggae. You never know what kind of music you’ll hear today, and ROOTDOWN is definitely no exception. The fresh music that is made from ROOTDOWN is an example of the modernization of the music industry.

Now as I said, the band formed straight off the Internet. Zane Fischer, the band’s guitarist/vocalist came across a singer while browsing MySpace one day. The singer sparked his interest, and soon talks began between the two about starting a band. That singer was Paul “Pdub” Wright, and the pair began the recruitment process. Paul discovered a guy by the name, Jesiah, who now plays keys for the band. Of course he was also found on MySpace. Two more guys would be casted for the band, Craig and Jackson. All would meet to begin making music in the college town of Eugene, Oregon. They started off by producing an EP and giving it away for free, to get their name out. Next, they picked up Matt Salinas on guitar, and self-produced the CD, “Summer of Love.” 

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Artist Spotlight: Steven Curtis Chapman

By Laura Greenwood

Steven Curtis Chapman is no stranger to the Christian music industry. His career started over twenty years ago, and since then he has been given Grammies and GMAs. He has provided many inspirational and well-known songs such as, “Dive” and “Magnificent Obsession.” Chapman is also well known as a family man, with a lovely wife and many children. However, in May of 2008 Chapman’s world was rocked to its core. His youngest daughter, Maria, was killed in a tragic accident. At only five years old, Maria was laid to rest in a ceremony filled with love, hope, and inspiration.

Following her death, Chapman released “Beauty Will Rise,” in 2009. This album is filled with songs of hope, sorrow, and remembrance. He states in the liner notes that each songs on the album had a personal influence on him and his family during their grieving process. From the title track Chapman sings, “Out of these ashes, beauty will rise.” One receives such hope out of these lyrics. “Jesus Will Meet You There” is another track, which only furthers our hope that Jesus will be there in difficult times.

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Artist Spotlight: Tim Hughes

By Claire Walden

Numerous artists and hits have emerged out of England, including worship leader Tim Hughes. He is best known for his hit “Here I Am To Worship,” which is arguably one of the most popular, modern worship songs of our time. The hit resulted in two Dove awards, all before the age of 30.

His most recent album, “Holding Nothing Back” is comprised of timeless worship songs. One of the stand out tracks off the album is “God of Justice.” The lyrics outline a call to action; he sings that we must continue “stepping forward, keep us from just singing, move us into action, we must go.” The song continues to summarize what all justice entails, which is one of the major themes in the Bible. Hughes sings about God’s heart for the poor and broken and how it is up to the believers to go out and “live to feed the hungry, stand beside the broken.” Throughout the album, Hughes’ lyrics are inventive and not your average church songs.

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