Craig & Christian Music

It's officially Fall/Autumn which means its time for all the big names in music to put out their latest hit singles. While many have already previewed their upcoming or recently released albums with summer single releases that are continuing to heat up radio waves through the Fall (Natalie Grant, Mandisa, Newsboys, Building 429, etc. are in this category) there are a couple big names releasing albums this season who have just put out new tunes... and plenty of others looking for a follow-up hit! Check out my favorites below: 1. Steven Curtis Chapman- Love Take Me Over It is no secret that I love Steven Curtis Chapman and "Love Take Me Over" is a welcome return to the upbeat from a man who has been through many dark days. "Love Take Me Over" should fit right in with past hits like "Live Out Loud", "Miracle of the Moment", "Do Everything", "Lord of the Dance", "King of the Jungle" and "Th...

Radio Ready: Overcomer, Press On, What Scars Are For, Dear John, The Distance, Joy Unspeakable iPod Picks: Dear John, Joy Unspeakable, At All Times, Press On (Remix), Overcomer, Face 2 Face, What Scars Are For, I Hope You Dance (and the rest of the album if you have space!) About a year ago I wrote a blog about artists that were on the verge of blowing up in a big way in Christian Music. I called them "Artists On The Bubble" . CCM artist Mandisa wrote me back saying she received my advice and would do her best to follow my suggestions. Well ladies and gents, Mandisa has released a new album. She has indeed listened and created an amazing Christian Pop record that is current, catchy and Christ focused! Lyrically, Mandisa is incredibly straightforward about her faith in Jesus Christ. Over and over again she points to Jesus as her hope and the only source of true strength, peace and satisfaction. On songs like "Dear John", "The Distance" and "Ov...

The Dove Awards, "Christian Music's highest honor", were announced last week. In the midst of all the hooplah many people missed a very important omission (three actually). The Gospel Music Association quietly removed three of their most prestigious awards from the nominations list: Male Vocalist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Group of the Year. I've always liked the Doves- even when they got thing ridiculously wrong (Jason Crabb's song of the year win in 2011???) but now that they've removed Male and Female Vocalist and Group of the Year I don't really see the point in paying attention to them. Truthfully those three were the best categories BY FAR and the most well revered along with Song and Artist and New Artist of the Year! There is no good reason to remove such important categories- all the Country, R&B, Bluegrass, and MTV music awards have these categories and they always are some of the most celebrated of the night!  F...

1. DC Talk When it was announced that Kevin Max was joining the newly reformed Audio Adrenaline, small glimmers of hope sprang into the hearts of 90's CCM fans everywhere as they imagined the mother of all tour possibilities: Toby Mac & Diverse City with Michael Tait & Newsboys and Kevin Max & Audio Adrenaline... and since they're all together why not throw in a DC Talk reunion!!! Seriously someone needs to make this happen! NOW! While its more likely for Steven Curtis Chapman and Lecrae to do a duets album at this point than for DC Talk to make a reunion album with the heavy touring and recording schedules TobyMac, Tait & K-Max now have with their new bands, a live reunion to sing old DC Talk hits backed by Newsboys & Audio A (or even Diverse City) would be EPIC BEYOND ALL REASON and, honestly, they need to make this happen, even if its only for one night.  2. Twila Paris It's not so much that Twila Paris has completely...