BEC RECORDINGS’ ARTIST JESSA ANDERSON SET TO RELEASE LABEL DEBUT,
NOT MYSELF ANYMORE ON SEPTEMBER 13


Seattle, WA...August 05, 2011...Earlier this year BEC Recordings’ announced the signing of female singer/songwriter Jessa Anderson. Her label debut, Not Myself Anymore, will release on September 13. The new single, “Fireflies” was co-written by Phillip LaRue and Pete Kipley and is going for adds at radio August 19. Fans can hear the new song as well as listen to Jessa talk about the meaning behind the song here. The label debut album is produced by Brandon Perdue and Kevin Bruchert as well as Pete Kipley on two tracks.

A 20-something Michigan native, Jessa, met her singer/songwriter husband, Jordan, while touring with Cedarville University. Shortly after she transferred to Belmont University and they married, the couple decided to pursue music full-time. With no back-up plan, they struck out on their own recording albums independently and booking their own shows. Jordan plays guitar for his wife, and he and their young daughter (Lorelei, of course inspired by “Gilmore Girls”) continue to travel with Jessa full-time. Her goal in songwriting and being an artist includes honesty and a genuineness that can be found in her music and life.

“We have a real life, and part of that is our relationship with God and praising Him, but other than that you’re taking your kids to school or you’re going to work or whatever you have to do that day. So to focus only on that one little sliver in your songwriting feels like cheating people out of what really happens,” shares Anderson, who believes talking about real-life issues makes her music accessible to Christians and non-Christians alike. “If all I say is ‘I love God,’ then [non-believers are] wondering, ‘OK, what if I don’t?’ I think everyone can relate on some level whether you have the same religious beliefs or not. Hopefully, I can connect with people and then share what God’s done in my life.”

Jessa will be taking this genuine approach on the road, as she will be touring with label-mate The Museum for the second leg of the Not For Sale Tour. It is through the Not For Sale tour that the artists hope to help people, regardless of their age or life stage, realize everyone has a roll to play to fight trafficking. She will also be traveling for dates in October overseas in Germany.

Make your move

My favorite band, Third Day, released a new CD called Move. And so that's what I did! I know it had nothing to do with Third Day and more to do with my mother being sick again. I've known for years that there were storms coming that can't be prayed away. So in this we will stand...and having done all~stand. But what happens when the ground your standing on shakes beneath your feet, and the life is sucked out of the air that you breath? You stand. You stand until the day comes that you no longer stand here but stand before the God that you've believed in, that you've trusted in, who is your beginning and your end. I walked through death with my daddy, and while I'm not ready to go there with my mom, I am willing to stand, and trust in Jesus, my only hope. Leaning on friends doesn't mean that your not standing on your own...it just means your standing along side those who've chosen to stand with you. Ideally you'll be standing so close that you wont notice that your leaning... So forget that song by the Police, Don't Stand So Close To Me...I want, and need, all the friends who are not afraid to walk through the valley to stand again on the mountain of God with me! There will be dark days ahead, but there will be memories made that can't be taken away. Treasure your health. Treat it better than your wealth. And having done all...stand.

Houston...We've had a problem

I have been writing most of my life. As a child, maybe just the requirements, but as I moved into High School I expanded my creative process. I wrote for the school news paper. I wrote for the city news paper. I secured a job writing commercials for the local radio station. I wrote songs for my yet-to-be-formed rock band, Fluid Vision. I wrote.
In December of 2008 my father died. For 2009 I slowed down in my writing. Forcing myself to complete a couple of assignments and attending my usual events, (like the Doves.) In 2010 I stopped writing. I don’t know if it can completely be blamed on depression over my fathers death, or on technology overload, heaven knows I put enough “tweets” and “Facebook status updates” out there. I had a really great friend tell me that I had moved my “line” in the sand. That I was allowing things to flow out of me that she hadn’t seen or heard before. I dismissed her comments (and quite frankly her) for a brief time.
In August of 2008 I had moved away from Jacksonville, FL, my home and my home church. I have been faithfully attending churches in Houston, but not really “feeling” any of them. I think I attended out of guilt. Not wanting to walk away “from” God but not exactly walking “toward” Him either. We’ve all read the scripture about your first love (Rev 2:4) It has played in my head for a year. Another scripture also plagued me over the past year is James 3:10-11. I have begun a new journey with a church here in Houston that I finally feel at home in. There, I have begun a new study…on James. Its funny how God can take simple words on a page and make them hit you where your hurting, yet use that hurting to heal you!
My first loves were simple: writing and music. While I’ve dreamed the lofty dreams of writing the song that touches the emotions of all who hear it, I’ve yet to hear one of my songs sung. But I have written the reviews, done the interviews, and seen my work in print (my own byline both in digital and actual print).
Houston, yes, we’ve had a problem. But I am praying that 2011 moves me back into God’s will for my life. I believe that it is writing, until He shows me something else, I will once again… write.

41st Annual GMA Dove Award Nominees: Here are my predictions!

Here are my predictions in bold!! (and wishes in italic !)!

Artist of the Year:
Casting Crowns
Jars of Clay



New Artist of the Year:
Revive

Group of the Year
Casting Crowns
NEEDTOBREATHE OR
Jars of Clay I'd be happy with either...


Female Vocalist of the Year
Natalie Grant



Male Vocalist of the Year
Brandon Heath
Bebo Norman


Song of the Year
“I Will Rise” by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio
“Revelation Song” by Jennie Lee Riddle or
“Two Hands” by Jars of Clay


Producer of the Year
Ed Cash


Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year
“End of My Rope,” KJ-52, by Jonah Sorrentino, Aaron Sprinkle
“Movin',” Group 1 Crew, by Jeremy James, Byron Chambers, Christopher Stevens


Rock Recorded Song of the Year
"Mess of Me,” Switchfoot, by Jonathan Foreman, Tim Foreman


Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
“How He Loves,” David Crowder*Band, by John Mark McMillan
“Lay 'Em Down,” NEEDTOBREATHE, by Bear Rinehart and Bo Rinehart


Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
“City On Our Knees,” TobyMac, by Toby McKeehan, Jamie Moore, Cary Barlowe
“Until The Whole World Hears,” Casting Crowns, by Mark Hall, Bernie Herms, Jason McArthur, Roger Glidewell

Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year
“Since the World Began,” Matt Maher, Amy Grant, Ed Cash, Mac Powell, by Mac Powell and Trevor Morgan


Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
“Because He Lives,” Gaither Vocal Band, by William J. Gaither and Gloria Gaither
“Live With Jesus,” Oak Ridge Boys, by Paul Kennerley

Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year
“This World Is Not My Home,” Ricky Skaggs, by Albert Brumley


Country Recorded Song of the Year
“God Is There,” Diamond Rio, by Marty Roe, Jimmy Olander and Bernie Herms
“King of the World,” Point of Grace, by Cindy Morgan



Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
“The Power of One,” Israel Houghton, by Israel Houghton and Ricardo Sanchez


Worship Song of the Year
“I Will Rise” Chris Tomlin, by Louie Giglio, Chris Tomlin, Matt Maher and Jesse Reeves
“Revelation Song,” by Jennie Lee Riddle

Dove Awards in album categories are given to the artist and producer, if other than the artist.


Rock Album of the Year
Awake, Skillet, Howard Benson


Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year
The Outsiders, NEEDTOBREATHE; Rick Beato, NEEDTOBREATHE, Jim Scott and John Alagia

Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year
Speaking Louder Than Before, Jeremy Camp; Brown Bannister and Jeremy Camp
The Long Fall Back to Earth, Jars of Clay; Jars of Clay, Ron Aniello


Inspirational Album of the Year
A Grand New Day, Women of Faith Worship Team; Chance Scoggins
Fearless, Phillips, Craig & Dean; Bernie Herms



Traditional Gospel Album of the Year
Shout! Live, Mike Farris & The Roseland Rhythm Revue; Mike Farris and Joe McMahan



Special Event Album of the Year
Glory Revealed II: The Word of God In Worship, Mac Powell, Shane Everett, Jonathan Shelton, Brian Littrell, Trevor Morgan, Mark Hall, Jason Crabb, Bear Rinehart, Matt Maher, Amy Grant, Ed Cash, Geoff Moore, Natalie Grant, Laura Story, Brandon Heath, Mike Donehey, Aaron Shust, Shawn Lewis, Sara Evans, Bethany Dicks Olds, Shane & Shane, Bethany Dillon, Kari Jobe; Mac Powell, David Nassar
Oh Happy Day, Jonny Lang, Fisk Jubilee Singers, 3 Doors Down, Robert Randolph, Clark Sisters, Jon Bon Jovi, Al Green, Heather Headley, Mavis Staples, Patty Griffin, Michael McDonald, Angelique Kidjo, Aaron Neville, Queen Latifah, Joss Stone, Buick Audra; Ken Levitan, Bill Hearn, Jack Rouner, Ken Pennell, Cedric Thompson I know right? NOT VOTING FOR MAC POWELL?? but its JON BON JOVI!!!

Christmas Album of the Year
Glory In the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship, Chris Tomlin; Ed Cash
The Family Force 5 Christmas Pageant, Family Force 5; Joe Baldridge
I think if FF5 wins this...it will be one of my highlights of the year!!

Praise & Worship Album of the Year
Church Music, David Crowder*Band; David Crowder*Band



Recorded Music Packaging
Long Fall Back to Earth, Jars of Clay; Tim Parker, Jars of Clay; Tim Parker; Kharyn Hill

Short Form Video of the Year
"Lose My Soul," TobyMac featuring Kirk Franklin and Mandisa; Danny Yourd; Danny Yourd and Steve Hoover
"Wait and See," Brandon Heath; Eric Welch; Tameron Hedge


Long Form Music Video of the Year
"Live Revelations," Third Day; Andy and Jon Erwin; Dan Atchison, Jonathan Erwin and Andrew Erwin

Hello Huricaine!

In 2008 in the wake of hurricane Ike, Houston struggled to put the pieces back together again. As the Music Builds tour rolled across America they had lost their venue in Houston to hurricane Ike, so they renamed themselves the Music Re-builds tour... and Swithfoot was there. Through natures providence and Gods grace, Houston did not see another hurricane again...until Switchfoot was there.

On a rainy night fans lined the outside of the Wirehouse Live to catch Switchfoots Hello Hurricane tour that is literally taking the nation by storm. In a new approach Switchfoot is playing their new CD from start to finish in the CD track order, rounding out their show with fan favorites. It is a bold move to say the least but it also accentuates the flow of the CD that the band meticulously arranged. It also signifies the bands belief in their new songs, they know that you will love Hello Hurricane and are willing to prove it. The show works. The show flows. This is one of the best concert experiences of the year.

Even if you are not a “die-hard” Switchfoot fan you will enjoy this concert. The band uses a complete stage of showmanship mixed with their talent to capture and hold your interest and expectation. Judging from the “chatter” of those exiting the concert there were not disappointment mixed in the emotions of the evening.

As the band continues to take control of the forces of nature and ride their storm known as the Hurricane Tour allow yourself to get caught up in the whirlwind, if only for one night. The band is enjoying sold out shows across the country so don’t wait until the last minute to get your ticket.

When Heaven Meets Earth…

Last week during my church’s worship service the words to the song How He Loves were transcribed and projected as, “When heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss” when the lyrics are written as, “When heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss.” It, at first, made me smile/blush~ then giggle. It reminds me of that blog post I did a while back about who is hearing what. It amplifies to me that we can all be hearing the same heavens song yet interpret differently the word, sometimes without altering the meaning of the message. I can only speculate that in that audience on that day someone needed a sloppy wet kiss from God… As for me, I think all of my future kisses are unforeseen!

**See Dan's comments...apparently it was written as sloppy wet kiss!

NeedToBreathe's The Outsiders

We have all felt like the Outsider, either as the only Christian in a group of non-believers, or at a small group meeting having not studied the weekly lesion. Somewhere inside of each of us there is a rejected thread of life leading us to feel the sting of being an outsider.

"I've been wondering if we start sinking could we sand our ground? After everything we've learned we've finally come to terms…we are the outsiders" NeedToBreathe has done what to most would be impossible. They not only avoided the "sophomore slump" with their second CD, The Heat. They have came back with a third CD that will forever solidify them as one of the best bands recording CD's today, in any genre. If CCM were looking for new "darlings" to represent the Christian market in a secular arena NeedToBreathe would be their best bet. According to their fan site, The Breathers, NeedToBreathe will be the supporting band for Kings of Leon on a portion of their fall tour in addition to headlining their own tour. Very busy band for sure.

Every song on The Outsiders is a stand alone radio hit. There is not one that stands out or lags behind the rest, making it hard for a critic to single out highlights for a review. Lay `Em Down is the first radio offering that the band laid on the turn table. Opening with heavy drum/stomp track that reminds you of an 80's fist pumping arena rock song, Lay `Em Down "makes good on a promise" of a great CD.


If you think that you've heard These Hard Times before even though its your fist time hearing the CD, you are probably correct. The song is currently being used as the intro on NBC's fall show Mercy. If the secular market is confused as to whether these guys are truly a Christian band the words to These Hard Times, "Give me something sacred, something worth fighting for. Its clear enough to me the ugliness I see is evidence of who I need… give me the faith to believe in these hard times" should help clarify things.

For those in the Christian market who are confused as to whether these guys are truly a Christian band the words to Garden, "Let the songs I sing bring joy to you. Let the words I say profess my love, let the notes I chose be your favorite tune, Father let my heart be after you" should help to clarify things for them! Rarely, if ever, has there been a band that can write a CD of such diverse offerings that would honestly appeal to both Christian and secular music fans. I believe it is because this CD is full of GREAT music… no matter what genre you support you can appreciate that.

There are a couple of tracks on The Outsiders that I am looking forward to see if they translate well into a live show. One being Let Us Love, again for the arena-anthem- rock style of the song, the other is Stones Under Rushing Water, a slower love song. A couple of fun sing along songs round out the CD, each deserving a spotlight of their own.

This CD is simply "Something Beautiful." If you have the opportunity to play music at work, where not everyone scribes to CCM, The Outsiders is the CD you need to bring along. "I can't figure out just how much air I will need to breathe, when your wave crashes over me." Let NeedToBreathe' s The Outsiders crash over you and become an Outsider. It will soon become a favorite in your play list.