I really love music (obviously), and with my I am 141st blog I really wanted to put out a more established 'best-of' list of 2017 in hopes that those who are reaching out for encouragement and good CCM music can see the great discoveries that I have made throughout this year. I placed my experiences in chronological order by month, and ended with my 'top ten' music playlist of best singles that defined my existence in this tumultuous but blessed year.
January 2017: [Artist] JJ Heller
Natalie Grant didn't bring her "Dare to Be" conference to Seattle like she did the prior two Januarys. I mentioned to Kristin that one of my favorite artists JJ Heller was coming to Seattle one night and Bellingham another night with a much smaller (but no less impactful) women's seminar in that same month. Kristin agreed to go to the women's seminar in Bellingham, while Asher and I went to go see "Hidden Figures" in the theatre. Kristin really enjoyed it, got to meet the ladies, and got Asher an autographed glossy from JJ.
January 2017 [Favorite Album] Cass - Genesis
I discovered 22-year-old New Zealand producer Cass' "Illuminate" music video and Genesis album in late summer, but her album was released at the beginning of 2017. A very eclectic sound of instruments and rhythms; My favorite new album of 2017.
After her Debut EP in 2015, Hollyn released her first full-length album "One-Way Conversations" in February. Sadly, this was about the time my local Christian Bookstore (Family Christian Stores) started going out of business and stopped carrying new titles; I had to iTune it. Hollyn was recently part of the Hits Deep tour with artists like TobyMac, Building 451 and Capital Kings and is quickly establishing herself as one of CCM's up and coming hit makers.
March 2017 [Artist] Colton Dixon
I entered some cartooning into Facebook, when Colton Dixon invited his fans to put titles from his new 'Identity' album into art. His debut single "All That Matters" helped me through some hard times the first half of 2017.
April 2017 [Worst Of - Family Christian Stores closes :( ]
Not happy. After several years of financial hardships the huge nations Family Christian Stores finally closes its remaining stores. Although the close-out deals were great, and I discovered some new music and musicians (Seth & Nirva, Jordan Feliz, Misty Edwards), it was bittersweet knowing that, other than the small-business Amen store one city north of my house, the nearest brick and mortar store is now an hour away, if the traffic is good.
August 2017 [Artist] Needtobreathe
Needtobreathe is probably my favorite band right now. 2016's "Hard Love" was hotter than a firecracker, and the band 'deluxified' their album with two renditions of their title track along with 4 new tracks that were as equally as impressive as the original tracks from last year. "Cages" was the first song I can recall that shared lead vocals with the other members.
September [Music Video of 2017] - Capital Kings (featuring Hollyn) "All Good"
Capital Kings, which originally only has had two members, recently replaced a member. Although the Capital Kings sound has just seemed a bit off since this change, this single added Hollyn to the mix, as CK turned out a "Matrix" meets "Star Trek holodeck" meets "Butterfly Garden" techno-video. The results was "All Good," hit all the right notes, and make this beautiful video my music video of 2017.
December 2017 [Artist - The New Respects]
I decided to flip through the Dove Aware Nominees and winners of 2017 to see what, if any hidden finds I may have missed. One of the "Short Form Music Video" Nominees was "Trouble" from The New Respects, a band who's lead singer is the daughter of CCM artist Nicole C Mullen. The band has been putting out EP's and singles throughout 2017 and is already making waves with their retro rock and Motown sounds.
[Everybody loves good 'Best of....[current year] lists, so I updated my blog on 12/30/17, closer to the end of 2017, with some of my 'best of' choices' of music and entertainment] My favs are below
My meaningful song playlist of 2017 (various years, recently discovered or rediscovered)
All Good - Capital Kings (Featuring Hollyn)
All That Matters - Colton Dixon
Bottom to the Top - V Rose
Cages- Needtobreathe
Creature Machine - TRALA
Feel Invincible - Skillet
Great Are You Lord - Seth & Nirva
I Didn't Build It for Me - Daniel Amos
Illuminate - Cass
Keep Fighting (Acoustic) - Fireflight
Pretty Lies - Veridia (Featuring Matty Mullins)
The Well - JJ Heller
Your Great Name - Natalie Grant
Top Ten Song Playlist of 2017
Keep Fighting (Acoustic) - Fireflight
Flaming Arrows - Carmen Justice
Can't Live Without - Hollyn
Trouble - The New Respects
Braver Still - JJ Heller
Creature Machine - TRALA
Cages - Needtobreathe
All Good - Capital Kings (Featuring Hollyn)
All That Matters - Colton Dixon
Illuminate - Cass
Best Short Form Music Video - "All Good" - Capital Kings feat: Hollyn
Best Long Form Music Video - "Circuit Rider" - Gaither Gospel Series (2016, but still counting it, since I bought it a the going out of business Family Christian Stores sale this year)
Best New Artist - Cass
Best Male Vocalist - Colton Dixon
Best Female Vocalist (tie) - JJ Heller and Hollyn
Best New Album - Genesis - Cass
Best New EP - Hard Cuts: Songs from the HARDLOVE Sessions - Needtobreathe
Artists of the Decade (Through 2017) - V Rose, JJ Heller, Fireflight
Favorite Vinyl "Discoveries" - Marian Anderson - Spirituals; Daniel Amos - "Doppelganger" and "Horrendous Disc"; (honorable mention) - Jordan Feliz - "The River" (wasn't really a big fan of his 2016 radios hits but his music sounds a lot better on the turntable).
Best Movie Experience - Hidden Figures (Audience applauded twice during the movie, once at the end and once when Kevin Costner tore down the segregated bathroom signs).
Best Sporting Event - Curling Nationals (live) at Everett Comcast Arena
