Christian Music of the 2010’s: Decade of the Female Vocalist

Christian Music of the 2010’s:  Decade of the Female Vocalist

Although the Christian Radio airwaves were top-heavy with music from the male alto sound over the past 10 years, the decade truly belonged to the women of Christian music.  While collecting my favorite singles of the decade, I realized how lopsided my list was between male and female vocals.  As I collected information to put together some ‘end of decade blogs,” I also realized how the following 10 female vocalists fell into a particular signature year, each year, from 2010 to 2019.  So without further ado, my top picks for signature female vocalists of the 2010’s:  

2010:  JJ Heller

Heller released 4 albums in the previous decade, and came on the radar in 2008 with her surprise radio hit “Your Hands.”  Although Heller has released several stellar albums, her 2010 album “When I’m With You” is arguably her signature album, with enduring hits like “Control” and “Boat Song,” and “What Love Really Means,” a re-release of her 2006 album “Only Love Remains.”  Folky and perky, Heller remains one of my favorite artists of the 2010’s.  

(Favorite Songs:  “You Would Love Me Too,” “Boat Song,” “Control,” “If You Fall”)  

2011:  V Rose

I discovered V Rose music a couple of years later when searching for ‘related content’ while watching Beckah Shae videos.  After watching the music video “Surrender” by Flame, Ft. V Rose, I was an instant fan.  V Rose has the talent of coming up with ‘current’ events, releasing music that talks about selfies, trying to go viral, and of course her faith.  While I’m more a fan of her first half 2010‘s decade music, V Rose has endured for the whole 10 years with 4 albums, and over a dozen collaborations with singles of other artists.  

(Favorite Songs:  “Forever Endeavor,” “Am I Trending?” “King Kong Skyline,” “Bottom to the Top” and “Surrender.”  (Flame)

2012:  Blanca Callahan (Group 1 Crew)

After 2010’s album “Outta Space Love,” Group 1 Crew went from a trio to a brother/sister duo, after Pablo Villatoro bowed out of the band.  Still their 2012 release “Fearless” still produced some solid gems such as “The Difference” and “Freq Dat.”  “He Said” was possibly one of the group’s best singles, and showcased Callahan’s strong soaring vocals; this song enjoyed some radio exposure, but was quickly and unfairly swept under the rug, in favor of formula.  Callahan also left the band shortly after this album, but has gone on to make 2 solo releases of her own.  

(Favorite Songs:  “He Said,”  “Movin’” “Manipulation,” “The Difference”)  




2013:  Brenna Carnuccio (Coastalrise)

“Call of the Sea” was the best music album of the decade.  This 10-song set of near music mastery, alternated vocalists Tim Whiting and Brenna Carnuccio into a journey of pure listening enjoyment.  Carnuccio led in the tunes “Contretemps” and “Baby”, while tag teaming Whiting in “Prime Colors.”  The band broke up a short time later, which was an absolute crying shame.

(Favorite Songs:  “Lovely Avenue,” “Contretemps,” “Beach Bike Bandit”)  

2014:  Moriah Peters 

Like many artists before her, Peters shed her ‘good girl’ image with her sophomore album.  “Brave,” her album and title track, contained an empowering message for women everywhere, and featured a music video with an all-girl backup band.  Peters went on later to form TRALA with two of her friends, and her band continues to release new singles into the 2020’s.  

(Favorite Songs:  “Brave,” “Creature Machine (TRALA)”

2015:  Dawn Michelle (Fireflight)

Dawn’s band Fireflight first made its rocking debut in 2006.  The band’s fifth album “Innova” came out in 2015 to mixed reviews, but its risky departure from their louder previous 4 albums, actually turned out to be their best all around album of their collection.  While no new albums have been released since Innova, Fireflight have released several new singles, and Dawn Michelle has gone on to produce her own solo worship album in 2019.  

(Favorite songs:  “Desperate,” “Escape,” “Keep Fighting”)  

2016:  Lauren Daigle

There’s no denying the impact that Daigle has made on the music industry over the latter half of the current decade.  While her later sophomore album would quickly become her defining commercial breakthrough, it was the year after her (arguably better) debut album “How Can It Be” was released that put Daigle on the map with single after single hitting the airwaves.  

(Favorites songs:  “First” and “Dry Bones” )

2017:  Hollyn

Hollyn rocketed onto the scene in 2015 with her self-titled EP debut, and multiple appearances on Tobymac’s “This is Not a Test” album.  Hollyn was at the top of her game in 2017 with her edgy February album release of “One Way Conversations,” and later collaborations with Capital Kings with the wild “All Good” song and music video.  

(Favorite songs:  “Alone,” “Nothin’ On You,” “All Good (Capital Kings),” “Lights Shine Bright (Tobymac)”

 

2018:  Riley Clemmons

Coming onto the scene in early ’18 with her radio hit “Broken Prayers,” Clemmons went out on release the best Christian pop album to come out in years.  “Drop Everything” may be my favorite single sung by a female since Nicol Sponberg’s “All That I Believe In.”  Clemmons continues to release new quality singles in 2019 and is poised to be one of Christian music’s bright spots heading into the next decade.  

(Favorite Songs:  “Broken Prayers,” “Drop Everything,” “Fighting For Me”) 

2019:  Emily Hamilton (For All Seasons)

I first discovered For All Seasons in 2018 with their “Clarity” EP.  Although the band’s experimentation with one single/music video a month in 2019 ended abruptly in mid-summer, Emily’s smooth vocals and high quality recordings, make this band one of the bigger bright spots in Christian music in 2019.  

(Favorite Songs:  “Higher,” “Speak to Me”)  

20 Music Albums That I Am Thankful For

20 Music Albums That I Am Thankful For

For a change of pace (and to talk about one of my favorite subjects:  music) I thought I’d put together a November top 20 list of Music Albums that I am most thankful for.  While ranked intentionally, this is in not the same as a “Top 20 Favorite Albums of All Time (although some music from that list made this list too).”  I hope you enjoy this list and are able to listen to some of the artists/albums listed.  #Thankful #Godisgood 

20.   Ernie Rettino and Debby Kerner - Friends 1974

This is actually my latest music find, while going through the record bins at St. Vincent De Paul a couple of weeks ago.  I’d heard about Debby Kerner in one of my old Jesus Music books and thought I’d give this record a chance.  

The record is scratched and skips in a couple of spots, but totally worth the find.  This album is exactly what a Jesus Music Folk Music record should sound like.  It is evident through the music that these two singers are genuinely excited in sharing their music and their faith (they eventually went from being friends to falling in love and getting married).  I am thankful for this album because it is just what I needed to hear to encourage me in my walk with God.  In this present time!   

19.  Owl City - Ocean Eyes 2009

The mega-hit “Fireflies” was one of the first son’s my son Asher learned to sing along to.  Along with trying to get my son to get plugged into artists like Owl City, Mat Kearney, Needtobreathe and Third Day, my son also picked up likes for music from Natalie Grant, Skillet and Tobymac. I am thankful for this album, because it helped me connect with my 2-year-old son with the joy of listening to music.  

(Honorable Mention:  Owl City - All Things Bright and Beautiful)

18.  Brooke Fraser - Albertine 2006

My local Christian radio station played “Shadowfeet” on the regular Christian Music Rotation for some time.  However I did not realize what a good album this was, until I found a copy while browsing through the local Half Price Bookstore.  From the Title track “Albertine” (about someone she met while visiting Rwanda) to “CS Lewis Song” to “Deciphering Me,” I am thankful for this album because it reflects an artist willing to break through the industry standards in efforts to minister through music outside of our set comfort zones.

17.  Call of the Sea - Coastalrise 2013

I came across one of Coastalrise’s publicity shots while browsing through New Release Today’s website.  I was immediately hooked when I saw the Oz themed “Lovely Avenue” music video, and the whole album is amazing, with its horns, catching vocals and infectious lyrics.  Although the band has since broken up, I am thankful for this album because it is unique, musically engaging, joyful, and may be in the running for my favorite album of the 2010’s. 

16.  Honeytree - Evergreen 1975

I first heard about Honeytree when my Christian music station began to showcase ‘oldie’ Christian artists/bands (this was in the 90’s; Honeytree’s music was mostly from the 70’s).  “Rattle Me, Shake Me,”  arguably Honeytree’s signature song, is on this one, along with some of my other fav’s such as ‘Searchlight.”  Phil Keaggy offered a lot of his guitar skills to this album.  I am thankful for this album because it showcases one of Christian Music’s most prolific female vocalist from the Jesus Music era, one who paved the way for many of the Christian Music vocalists of today.

  (Honorable Mention:  Honeytree- Me and My Old Guitar)

15.  Matt Redman - The Father’s Song 2000

One of my favorite worship albums, Matt Redman’s music is humble, but he makes such an impact on people’s lives for his passion for Christ.  And he does it so effortlessly it seems on this album.  “O Sacred King” is probably my favorite all time Matt Redman song.  I am thankful for this album because of Matt Redman’s faithfulness to spread the Gospel with his music, and for the countless songs he has penned to encourage and strengthen the listener’s walk with God. 

14.  "Dream Big" - The Martins 1998

Honestly, I’m not sure what compelled me to first pick up this Southern Gospel album.  Maybe because one of their singles (Come On In) cracked the Christian top 20, and their reputation was beginning to show as one of the top vocal groups of any Christian genre.  The title track was also one of Kristin’s first motivational songs in the home based business she was part of at the time.  I am thankful for this album because it was my first true ‘road trip’ album, and it also connected me with an appreciation for Southern Gospel Music.  

(Honorable Mention:  The Martins - New Day)

13.   Glassbyrd - Open Wide This Window 2003

Another “road trip” album, I was immediately drawn to married couple Christine Glass and Mark Byrd’s contrasting, but beautifully blended voices in this, their only album as Glassbyrd.  This is a praise album along the lines of the “City on a Hill” worship albums (“God of Wonders,” of which a version of that song appears on this album, was co-written buy Byrd).  I am thankful for this album because it is worshipful and it is inviting to the listener. 

12.  Randy Stonehill - Welcome to Paradise 1976

I took Asher to his first concert in 2015:  Randy Stonehill and Buck Storm.  Randy was one of Larry Norman’s (considered the father of Jesus Music) prodigies and another important member of the Jesus Music era.  This album kept pace with its mainstream rock contemporaries at the time, filled with great rock hits and quirky lyrics.  I am thankful for this album because of the artist’s passion to continue spreading the Gospel to whomever will listen, now in his 5th decade of music. 

11.  Jars of Clay - Jars of Clay 1995

As a new Christian, I initially found it difficult to find much music on my local Christian radio stations that I connected with.  Then “Flood” began to play and my initial response was “Who is this group?”  The self-titled album later went double-platinum and ushered in what is now arguably Christian music’s Golden Age.  I am thankful for this album, because it showcased the amazing talents and music of four Christians who were not afraid to break new boundaries.  

(Honorable Mention:  Jars of Clay - Who We Are Instead and The Long Fall Back to Earth)  

10.  Michelle Tumes - Listen 1998

“Listen” came out on a Christian up-and-coming mix CD almost a year and a half before.  When I heard it, I went look for the album, only to find noone who knew about this artist.  So when “Please Come Back” first aired on Christian radio, I immediately recognized the same artist from two summers prior that had reemerged.  I am thankful for this album because it once again celebrates what is good in Christian Music and debuts an amazing singer and songwriter in the process.  

(Honorable Mention:  Michelle Tumes - Center of My Universe) 

9.  Mat Kearney - City of Black and White 2009

I place this album in my top ten, because it was my go to album with my brand new son Asher, born 11/12/2009, exactly nine years ago.  From his 11 days in the NICU, to his first several weeks at home, this was the album, along with its title track, of the type of music I wanted young Asher to appreciate as he got older.  I am thankful for this album because it reminds me of those first days with my second son, and the joy God gave me for my little miracle.  

(Honorable Mention:  Mat Kearney - Nothing Left to Lose, Mat Kearney - Young Love)  

8.  The Waiting - The Waiting 1997

This album never really got the recognition it deserved, but quite frankly, it borders on mastery.  Both lyrically and musically, the Waiting builds on the momentum of their previous album Blue Belly Sky with a sound so unique, yet so poignant it is a shame to be lost in the archives of Christian music past.  I am thankful for this album, because it reflects the heart and soul of a music album put together with love. intention and passion.  

(Honorable Mention:  The Waiting - Blue Belly Sky)

7.  Fernando Ortega - The Breaking of the Dawn 1997

I  demo’d “Lord of Eternity” and it almost made me cry right there in the store. Honestly, both This Bright Hour and Breaking of the Dawn are nearly neck and neck on my Fernando faves; I connect just a bit more with Breaking and it’s calming and inspiring tracks.  I am thankful for this album for all the times it brought me peace in tumultuous times in my early walk with Christ.  

(Honorable Mention:  Fernando Ortega - This Bright Hour) 

6.  Bebo Norman - Myself When I am Real 2002

2002 was a challenging faith year for me.  The latter half introduced Bebo’s third (and my favorite) album.  “Great Light of the World” was up for Dove Song of the Year, but my personal fave “Falling Down” spoke even more to my situation.  The whole album stands the test of time.  I am thankful for this album for the great songwriting, its feeling of cooperation and togetherness, and for helping me through a dry season in my life.  

5.  Third Day - Come Together 2001

his album also helped me through 2002 with songs like “Show Me Your Glory” and “Nothing Compares.”  This is my favorite Third Day album of all time. The members just seemed to really enjoy each other’s company on this one, and you can tell by the sound and the music offered up.  I am thankful for this album because it has stood the test of time, and is effective in both times of joy and times of despair.  

(Honorable Mention:  Third Day - Time; Third Day - Offerings I; Third Day - Wire; Third Day - Third Day)  

4.  Needtobreathe - The Heat 2007

This album contains “Signature of Divine,” one of the songs I dedicated to my first son Nels Robert Campbell who only lived one short hour on this earth before going to Heaven.  I listened to this album before and after his birth, on the streets, on the bus and in my car.  I am thankful for this album for helping me through was is undisputedly the biggest trial of our family’s life and for bringing me comfort during that time.  

(Honorable Mention:  Needtobreathe - Rivers in the Wasteland; Needtobreathe - Hardlove)  

3.  The Folly - Until the Road Ends 2007

This is one of my all time favorite albums; I must have listened to it over 100 times straight through.  I was blessed to be invited to the CD release party up in Seattle’s Queen Anne district by the Folly’s lead singer Kurt Dyrhsen on a Rainy April night 2007.  It’s just one of those albums that just never gets old and hits all the right notes.  I am thankful for this album because it shows beyond the shadow of a doubt what great indie music can sound like, and still be done to the glory of God.  

2.  Newsboys - Not Ashamed 1992

Kristin supported me when I purchased this, my very first Christian music album.  It was actually introduced to me first by my friend Ben Radcliffe while walking around my old high school in 1993 and it didn’t sound like anything I expected to hear from ‘church music.’  Since I wasn’t a Christian yet, Kristin was more than willing in indulge my curiousity by buying me the cassette a short time later.  I am thankful for this album for showing me the much bigger world of Christian music that was out there, and of good quality.  

1.  David Meece - Once in a Lifetime

I make this my #1 thankful album, my coming to Jesus album.  I was saved at a David Meece Concert in September 1994; I have gone to at least 2 other David Meece concerts over the years.  He is a piano virtuoso, he has a great sense of humor, and he can sing vocally over 3 octaves.  And David is a great witness and testimony for Jesus, all of which prompted me to accept Jesus into my life.  This was one of my main album rotations (soon to follow by all of David’s other nearly 13 albums) in late 1994.  I am thankful for this album because it encouraged me as a brand new follower of Christ and delivered the message of the Gospel that made it clear to me what a life in Jesus is all about.  

Top 5 CCM Goodbye Songs of All Time

     The church I am attending, Hope Covenant in Lake Stevens WA, currently meets in a middle school cafeteria.  That all is about to change however when the congregation moves to Everett in a few weeks into an established church building and combines with the members of Sanctuary Covenant.  As we were talking about this in our pre-church prayer time last Sunday a thought occurred to me about what would be the best CCM "Goodbye Songs."  I put together a list; obviously these songs are much more somber than your standard fair 'upbeat' praise and worship CCM.  However, they also have some of the best lyrical content of any CCM hits as well, including some profound "one-line zingers."  So without further ado, here are your top 5 CCM Goodbye songs of all time as compiled by......me:


Number 5:

"Bye Bye Babylon" - Whiteheart

Whiteheart's "Freedom" album was arguably released at the pinnacle of the band's career; this opening track set the stage for music that rivaled the mainstreams rock and roll efforts of the same year.  (Best Lyric:  "Rocket ride through time and space/It's 2088/They're diggin' around in the dust of what we've done/Now people study me/I'm a part of history/Oh, did we leave them another Babylon")


Number 4:

"Move to Bremerton" - MXPX

More of a "Hello" song than a "Goodbye" song, the song suggests nevertheless that one 'drop out of school, run away and quit their job,' because Bremerton (Washington) 'is a good place to reside.' That type of resolve would still no doubt be stressful for anyone who is leaving their former settings behind.  (Best Lyric:  "Drop out of school and run away/Quit your job, you got a place to stay/Pack your bags and hitch a ride/Bremerton's a good place to reside")

Number 3:

"So Long Self" - Mercyme

"Stop right there because I know what you're thinking/But no we can't be friends (Best Lyric)";  Mercyme's "controversial" offering of the mid 2000's is still probably one of their most catchiest and wittiest offering of their collection.  It's believe it's also the only CCM song I've ever heard played in a Las Vegas casino.

Number 2:

“Friends” - Michael W. Smith

At first this song wasn’t going to make the list.  But after reconsidering, it should not only be on the list but toward the top.   This was the last song of the last concert before high school graduation, the three years I was in A Capella choir, the one that made everyones’ faces tear up with emotion.  This is the quintessential high school/college goodbye song, the song you pull out, like Christmas music, once a year. (Best Lyric:  Packing up the dreams God planted/In the fertile soil of you/Can't believe the hopes He's granted/Means a chapter in your life is through)

And the Number 1 CCM Goodbye Song of all Time:

"Goodbye" - Plankeye

"I never took the time/To stop and realize/That death takes many forms/Even while alive (Best Lyric)"; this lyric is not just the best CCM Goodbye Song lyric, it's probably in the top ten best lyrics of any CCM song ever.  At least I think so.  This song is symbolic of the band itself, having had their lead singer drop out, yet still producing a solid rock album called "Relocation" in 1999.  The shock of the remaining members of Plankeye after losing their lead singer is evident on this music video, shot 95% in a hospital elevator.  Don't think a music video in a hospital elevator will hold your attention?  Think again.



Honorable Mentions:  Barlowgirl “Beautiful Ending”; Michelle Tumes - "Missing You"; Third Day - "Don't Say Goodbye"; Jars of Clay - "I'll Fly Away"; Group 1 Crew - "Not the End of Me"; Hocus Pick - "Bye Bye Bye"; DC Talk - "My Friend - So Long"; PFR - "Life Goes On"; Mat Kearney - "Runaway"; Nicol Smith - "When I Most Miss You"; Michael W Smith “Pray for Me"

Wild at Heart - John Eldridge; An evaluation

I read “Wild at Heart” by John Eldridge this week for the very first time.  I’d prefer to refer to this blog as an evaluation rather than a book review because it’s difficult for me to write a book review.
It’s often hard to admit when one’s wrong, but I admit that I was wrong.  This book originally came out in 2001 and I avoided reading it for 17 years based on what I had heard from other people based on a stereotype that I was determined that I would never pigeonhole myself into.   Hearing statements that Mr. Eldridge disliked Mr. Rogers and other nice people closed my ears into even giving Mr. Eldridge a fair opportunity to share the thoughts in this book with me.  Pridefully living as what I considered to be a ‘nice guy’ most of my life (even that moniker has been made known false to me and has been revealed to me as simply selfish pride) I didn’t feel that I would relate to Mr. Eldridge and his teachings.
Now at 43 years of age, I am at a crossroads of sorts as far as masculinity goes and, to be quite frank, needed this book.  Mr. Eldridge is not the egotistical male stereotype that I had envisioned him to be. He spoke on subjects that I was yearning to read about, but never came close to finding in my local Christian bookstore.  I believe that he truly cares about his readers; in this book he rightly identifies the core issues that men are going through, and is one of the scant few authors I know to have the guts to come out and say them.  All I can say, my 141blogger friends, is that you would have to read this book in its entirety to know what I mean.
It is not my goal of this blog  to put this man on a pedestal; it is Creator God/Jesus/Counselor Which is the Holy Ghost who deserves all our praise and adoration for His love, grace and mercy.  But I do believe that I owe Mr. Eldridge an apology.  I wish that I had not closed my heart to this book for all those years  without first giving him and it a chance.  I was wrong.
With all the other books and vast links on Mr. Eldridge’s ministry page I see I have a lot of catching up to do.  I have downloaded his app, and would like to know more.  I pray that God will continue to soften my heart as I choose to pursue the narrow road He has beckoned me to take.

Double Down

     Several years ago I went to KFC and ordered one of their Double Down chicken sandwiches.  For those of you who do not know what that is, it is a sandwich which uses two fried chicken breast patties as buns, with the other ingredients in between:  mayo, cheese, lettuce, tomato, etc.  This sandwich came at at time when one of the nation's major health kicks was underway, and KFC received a lot of scrutiny for being one of the most unhealthy fast food sandwiches that had ever been created, despite it being especially tasty.
     Double down, originally used as a blackjack term, has been used especially more frequently as a term given when someone presents a falsehood, then when confronted by people with evidence to the contrary, not only continues in that falsehood, but with even more fervor than before.  Jeremiah 44 came to mind recently.  After the cities in Israel and Judah were ransacked and the inhabitants of those cities taken from their homes, Jeremiah addressed a remnant of Jews living in the land of Egypt who had been assimilated into Egyptian society, worshiping false gods and burning incense to them.  There must have been such sadness when Jeremiah, the man of the true God, spoke to them:

     "Why are you destroying yourselves?  For not one of you shall live - not a man woman or child among you who has come here from Judah, not even the babies in arms.  For you are arousing my anger with the idols you have made and worshiped here in Egypt, burning incense to them causing me to destroy you completely and to make you a curse and a stench in the nostrils of all the nations of the earth.  Have you forgotten the sins of your fathers and the sins of the kings and queens of Judah and your own sins and the sins of your wives in Judah and Jerusalem?  And even until this very hour there has been no apology; no one has wanted to return to me or follow the laws I gave you and your fathers before you (Jeremiah 44:7-10)"  

     Again remember, that the cities of the Jewish homeland had already been destroyed, the inhabitants carried away.  Jeremiah was giving this remnant a chance to return to the Lord God and be set free.  Yet the Bible reports that not one individual came forward to repent, ask for forgiveness or even offer up an apology.  Instead the people 'doubled down' in one accord to the man of God:

     "We will not listen to your false messages from God!  We will do whatever we want to.  We will burn incense to the 'Queen of Heaven' and sacrifice to her just as much as we like - just as we and our fathers before us, and our kings and princes have always done in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; for in those days we had plenty to eat and we were well off and happy!  But ever since we quite burning incense to the 'Queen of Heaven' and stopped worshiping her we have been in great trouble and have been destroyed by sword and famine. (Jeremiah 44:16-18)"  

     They equated their prosperity to the worship of a false god and their misery to not worshiping her!  There were so many false and misleading statements in their response, yet they proclaimed it boldly and rejected the words of the prophet of God.  They exchanged the truth for a lie and continued to worship the false gods that were causing God's anger to increase.

     Is there anytime where you have 'doubled down' in your life?  Is it happening now?  Is there anything that has crept into you life that you know is wrong, is a stench in the nostrils of God, yet you still justify?  Is there any actions you knew you shouldn't take, even actions that God warned you not to take, yet you still took them?  Even if no one else knows about it, God does. Just like the Double Down sandwich is tasty at the time, yet bad for the body, so is a man who's actions may feel good and pleasurable at the time, but whose long-term effects can be devastating.
   

I am 141st - Music (and Entertainment) Highlights of 2017

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.

February 2017 [Artist/Album] Hollyn "One-Way Conversations"

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

Who's on 141st: Week of 11/5/17

Who's on 141st - Week of 11/5/17

     I want to start a 'sub-section' of the 141st Blog:  regular posts (starting with a few times a month), as long or as short as they may be, into new discoveries, intrigues, music...good things.  Surely each week  there is at least gone good thing, one inspirational thing, one "think on these things" thing.  And each week someone or something good comes to the forefront.

Family.

What better way to start off this sub-section of thought than with the blessing of Kristin, Nels, and Asher.  Kristin my beautiful, smart and loving Proverbs 31 woman.  Nels, my strong fighting warrior.  Asher, my smart, joyful and happy Bub.  Without these blessings in my life I don't know where I would be.













Baptism into God's family

On 11/5/17, what would have been Nels' 9th Birthday, Asher made a decision to be baptized into God's family.  I am so grateful for his decision and so proud of him.  I know Nels is rejoicing in Heaven over Asher's new life.












New Music discovery - TRALA

Former solo artist Moriah Peters formed a new CCM trio in August, adding new lyrical depth and a unique sound to an otherwise predictable genre.  Although it doesn't mention social media by name "Creature Machine," in my interpretation, is the 'anti-assimilation' message that the music industry, especially the CCM genre, needs to hear.

Creature Machine - TRALA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eJC4_QQY5w

Thank you Veterans, for your service and dedication to our country and our freedom!  #Veteransday #iam141st