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• First New U2 Single
• Rock 'n¹ Roll Worship Circus Supports Delirious  on U.K. Tour
• Joan Of Arcadia to play PILLAR!
• The Stellar Awards Nominating Committee Removes Kanye West CD from the 2005 Ballot 

Have You Hear the First U2 single
In case you haven't heard it yet...the first single off of U2's "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb":

 http://freeweb.siol.net/blazomar/vertigo.mp3

Joan Of Arcadia to play PILLAR!
The season premier of Joan Of Arcadia will air on CBS this Friday, September 24 at 7PM Central. Sometime during the show
they will play Pillar's song Rewind. After the show airs please swing by www.joanofarcadia.com and thank them for playing a
Pillar song.

Terl Bryant announces new Psalm Drummers Album 
We are delighted to announce the Oct 22nd release of the first official Psalm Drummers CD and DVD ­ out on UK’s Survivor Records. The exciting double pack recording offers 8 rhythm instrumentals by Psalm Drummers gathered from across the globe plus DVD footage of over 60 drummers at ‘The Call’ England, vision and teaching from Psalm Drummers founder Terl Bryant and bonus material. For more information see:

http://www.rhythmtrade.com/store/Detail.aspx?pid=19

Rock 'n¹ Roll Worship Circus Supports Delirious on U.K. Tour
The Rock ¹n¹ Roll Worship Circus will be embarking on it¹s first tour of the U.K. this October supporting Delirious on the World Service Tour, their largest tour of the U.K. to date.  The 14 city tour launches on October 5th in Portsmouth and travels throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, hitting such major cities as Belfast, Liverpool,  London, and Kent.

Touring with Delirious is a huge dream come true as it is, says Gabriel Wilson, lead singer for the Worship Circus, ³Šbut touring with them in the U.K.?  That¹s just crazy!!  We learned how to lead worship by playing their songs in our church. It¹s an honor to support them on this tour

³The Rock and Roll Worship Circus are more than a band, says Martin Smith, lead singer and songwriter for Delirious. ³They are an amazing bunch of guys who have heart to see people impacted with the love of God.  They also have secular looking haircuts which really appeals to us and fits right in to the next Delirious? British tour. Whether you have a full beard or a comb-over you will love this band and we are proud to have them on the road.

Worship Circus are totally in the pocket with us,  continues Stu G., guitarist for Delirious.  We're both in the same place in terms of what we're trying to do, pushing the boat out and playing great music.

If you live outside of the U.S. or Canada, then look for "The Listening E.P." this fall, available only through Furious? Records/Fierce Distribution!

More information on the Rock 'n¹ Roll Worship Circus can be found at www.worshipcircus.com <http://www.worshipcircus.com/> .

The Stellar Awards Nominating Committee Removes Kanye West CD from the 2005 Ballot 
Chicago, IL Sep 24, 2004 The officials of the Stellar Awards announced today their decision to remove the artist Kanye West CD - The College Drop Out that includes the single Jesus Walks off the 2005 Stellar Awards Ballot in the Rap/Hip Hop CD of the Year category. 

The reason for removing the CD from the ballot is that some of the songs on the CD contain explicit lyrics and the CD carries an explicit language warning symbol on its cover, therefore it did not meet the Stellar Awards criteria.

Officials of the Nominating Committee had originally considered the CD because of the gospel song on the CD entitled "Jesus Walks." The Stellar Awards certainly encourage the many facets of gospel music; however, after being made aware of the explicit lyrics in the other songs from the CD, the Stellar Awards nominating committee felt the CD lyrical selections were not in the best interest and spirit of gospel music. Therefore, the Kanye West CD was immediately removed from the Hip Hop CD of the Year category and the entire ballot.

An addendum to the initial ballot which eliminated the Kanye West CD -The College Drop Out from the ballot was prepared and will be sent out to the entire Stellar Awards Voting Body on September 17, 2004.

The Stellar Awards' Senior Management and the Nominating Committee certainly did not intend to offend the Gospel Music Community with this glaring oversight. We have implemented corrective actions to make sure that such an error never happens in the future.

Mute Math Releases
Tuesday marks the much anticipated arrival of the debut EP, RESET, from Teleprompt/Word recording artist, MUTE MATH.  The New Orleans-based band first began as a project that frontman, Paul Meany and drummer Darren King were devolping prior to the breakup of Meany's original band, Earthsuit.  Upon that breakup, both King and Meany took the initiative to push out on their own and began devolping a new sound that found them adding friend and guitarist Greg Hill to the mix. 

Their music grew to fluidly combine elements as diverse as jazz, rock and electronica. Their cutting-edge, distinctive sound melds organic instruments (often pulled apart and reassembled in radical new configurations) with electronic elements ultimately creating a distinctive and powerful artistic statement. 

Meany says that if there were a theme to the album it would be:  "Simplify your life - don't overanalyze. Strive to be relevant and optimistic in everything you do. I think a lot of times when we're beat down, we can lose sight of that and obviously that mentality can be shattered when we take our eyes off God. It's generally a consistent message of rebuilding and refocusing to get on that track." 

Their first single, "Control" debuted this week at #27 on R&R's Christian Rock radio.  The single is also in the top-10 at RadioU in Columbus, Ohio. 

New Amy Grant Project
Amy Grant’s 19th project, due out October 12th, is a collection of her greatest, most loved hits from albums since The Collection (released in 1986). Amy Grant’s greatest hits collection contains songs encompassing both Christian and mainstream pop hits that explore our faith in God as well as our relationships with one another. This greatest hits follow-up is a long-awaited milestone marking almost 20 years worth of music-making excellence from Amy Grant. 

Word Records News
Salvador - The band is finishing up the recording of their new project, entitled So Natural.  The album includes a cover of the Los Lonely Boys hit song, "Heaven." 
In Studio -  Ted & Sheri, Salvador, Randy Travis, and Jaci Velasquez 
Upcoming Releases
MUTE MATH - RESET EP - September 28, 2004 Point Of Grace - I Choose You - October 12, 2004 Ted & Sheri - Celebrate - October 12, 2004 Amy Grant - Greatest Hits (1986 - 2004) - October 12, 2004  Sixpence - The Best of Sixpence None The Richer  - October 26, 2004 Salvador - So Natural - November 9, 2004 Randy Travis - Passing Through - November 9, 2004

Big Idea's VeggieTales Receives Kudos on TLC's While You Were Out
Nashville, TN (Sept. 27, 2004) – Six-year-old Myles Pope, dubbed “Miracle Myles” for beating the odds of a life threatening disease, declares his favorite “cartoon” as VeggieTales® on TLC’s acclaimed While You Were Out reality show.  The show featuring Myles and his family, titled Nashville: Miracle Myles & The Big Beautiful Basement, runs Sept. 29 at 9:00 p.m. ET and re-runs Sept. 30 at 12:00 a.m. ET.

Following Barry and Shawn Pope’s decision to sell their home to help pay for expensive hospital treatments for son Myles, the family of four moved into a basement living space.  Prompted by Shawn’s sister, Beverly McManus, TLC’s While You Were Out was inspired to complete an ambitious remodeling of the Pope’s entire basement.

Taped earlier this year, the remodeling included a brand new couch won for the Popes by McManus answering a question correctly.  “When they asked me what was Myles’s favorite cartoon, I knew immediately it was VeggieTales,” said McMannus who spontaneously began singing the VeggieTales theme song on camera in a lighthearted moment with show host Evan Farmer.

“We were completely taken off guard by this wonderful thing that has happened to us,” says Shawn Pope.  “We have been not only blessed by Myles’ miraculous recovery, but also with a comfortable living space and even a brand new DVD player, courtesy of TLC’s While You Were Out, for us all to watch the new VeggieTales.”

Passion Subway Series Hits New York City
(Nashville, Tenn.) September 27, 2004 – Following the groundbreaking Passion Experience Tour gathering this past April at the Beacon Theater in New York City, Passion is returning for the Subway Series.  These localized events are designed to connect students in worship and prayer throughout the New York area.  Passion founder Louie Giglio and some combination of lead worshippers Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall and the David Crowder Band will lead each night in partnership with New Hope New York and area campus ministries and churches.

Subtitled "Connecting New York City College Students For His Renown," the Subway Series, kicked off September 16 in the historic St. George Theater on Staten Island, known around NYC as the forgotten borough, but home to at least three colleges/universities.  Seven hundred students gathered for a night of worship and prayer and Louie Giglio addressed them saying:    
 
"This was a huge, a significant first step in our desire to bring the Passion movement to the communities of New York.  It was a massive privilege to partner with the churches of Staten Island tonight, and with our friends at New Hope New York, and it was humbling to be raising the banner of Jesus in a place where few people come.  Staten Island is not forgotten in the economy of God.  He is here, alive and well, and He is going to do great things in the hearts of people on this Island.  Tonight was just the beginning."
 
For the next two months, the every-other-Thursday Subway Series schedule will make stops in Staten Island, Lower Manhattan, Queens, Long Island and Upper Manhattan.  More information, including directions to each gathering and local church listings, can be found at www.collegeconnectionnyc.com.  (You can also click on the above image)
 
Passion often targets major metropolitan areas and conducts special gatherings to strengthen, connect and encourage the local faith community.  Following the Subway Series in the greater NYC area, the next metropolitan area Passion will target is Nashville, TN for Passion ’05, a four-day gathering that seeks to inspire college aged people to live for the glory of God.
 
Uniting Christians from all over the world, Passion ‘05 will be held indoors at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in the heart of Downtown Nashville and is specifically designed for college students between the ages of 18 and 25 years of age.  Passion ‘05 is also providing smaller breakout sessions called Community Groups, Family Groups and Late Nights in various venues throughout the downtown area within walking distance from the arena. The Community and Family groups are designed to allow students to unpack what they learn throughout the week in small group environments and the Late Nights give students a chance to “hang out” after the evening session ends each night.  Various speakers and artist worshippers will join Late Night, Breakout, and Community Group sessions.  
 
Passion '05 is rooted in Isaiah 26:8 and the 268 Declaration, calling students everywhere to discover what it really means to live for the glory of God on their campuses and throughout the world.  
 
More Passion ’05 information, along with detailed schedule and registration information can be found at www.268generation.com.  Discounts for early registration by October 15 are available.  Registration fee includes conference materials and lunch on January 3 and 4.

Christafari News
A whole lot has been going on in the last two months with Christafari and Lion of Zion.   Christafari recently won 3 Urban Gospel Industry (UGI) Awards and 1 Marlin Award for their "Gravity" album.  The band just returned from an extensive month long tour of 7 different European countries where they performed 26 concerts in 26 days.   They have also updated their website (www.christafari.com).   Christafari's label Lion of Zion Entertainment Just released "The Gathering" compilation CD worldwide and we have added some great new titles to the www.lionofzion.com webstore.  

Illect Recordings is proud to announce the uniquely packaged release: Illtripp - Dialog of the Downtrodden
SEATTLE WA -- September 21st, 2004 -- For the love.  For those that have been following Illtripp's prolific work in the hip-hop underground for the past decade (and then some), it's clear that this is the fixation that has driven him and his art. The love, which is first and foremost expressed in his passionate pursuit of God, has left the most indelible mark on his music, which for that reason is known for its creativity, remarkable candor, and bevy of spiritual encouragement.  But Illtripp really doesn't think that much of himself or what he has tirelessly contributed to a relatively small community of devoted fans over the years. Of course, that doesn't stop his supporters from scrambling to pick up every underground tape or short-run, limited edition CD that he's in some way shape or form a part of.

After 8 full-length releases and another handful of ep's over the last decade, DeepSpace5's Illtripp has come to be regarded by many as a creative pillar in the hip-hop underground. He's also no stranger to pillars as the owner of a construction company, which is his day job and primary vocation. The question then really is how he finds time to write and record one classic hip-hop track after another.  Because he somehow makes it work in addition to everything else while being a youth basketball coach, husband, and father to two wonderful daughters.

Illtripp's latest album, releasing on Illect, "Dialog of the Downtrodden" is one of his first complete solo outings in years.  Other than a handful of guest spots from other members of his Deepspace5 crew, it is all ill. The album was entirely produced and mixed by Freddie Bruno, also of Deepspace5 fame and quickly becoming one of the most sought-after producers in rap. One of the most remarkable things about "Dialog of the Downtrodden" is that this is once more another exceptional, substantial release from an artist that has been at this for what seems like a lifetime in hip-hop.  Illtripp has outlasted with lyrics still worth listening to, and snares and kicks that will make you blink!

Our goal at Illect is to have this album heard by as many folks as possible, and that is why we are initially releasing the entire record in a unique, e-album format for download over the web.  We believe that our fans will support the music that they genuinely enjoy, and we're very much about getting that kind of music to them.  "Dialog of the Downtrodden" will also be offered as an mp3 download as well as on CD, as Illtripp merits many extended listens in multiple formats.

To download the e-album visit: http://www.illtripp.com
Hi-Fi download version and limited edition CD version of the release is available at:  http://www.illectdirect.com

For more information on illtripp and/or ILLECT Recordings please visit http://www.illtripp.com and http://www.illect.com

Good Rap Feeling 2004.

Daniel's Window To Release New CD On Cross Driven Records
NASHVILLE, TN – September 16, 2004 – One of Christian music’s hardest working bands returns this fall with a new CD and new record label.  Daniel’s Window has reteamed with producer Billy Smiley for their new CD Strangely Looking Forward, which is scheduled to be released November 2nd from Cross Driven Records.  
 
The Chicago-based group performs over 100 concerts each year, including regular appearances at Youth Encounter, Aquire the Fire and Planet Wisdom youth conferences.  They have also received numerous accolades including being named one of 2002’s “Top 10 New Artists You Should Know About” by Christianity Today following the release of Illuminate (Cul De Sac Records), and taking 1st place in the band competition at Seminar in the Rockies.
 
Cross Driven Records, a division of Here To Him Music Group, LLC is distributed by Provident Distribution.  
 
Please visit the official website at www.danielswindow.com.  

CTN’S “Bridges” Tapes Special Fusebox Episode
NASHVILLE, TENN. – September 16, 2004 -- Elevate Records/Inpop Records group Fusebox taped an episode of Bridges today at the CTN studios in Nashville.  The group performed their hit single Once Again, and lead singer Billy Buchanan sat for a lengthy 20 minute interview about growing up an in abusive home, his music career, and the dramatic conversion that changed his life.
 
With such an inspiring story, producers decided to dedicate an entire episode to Fusebox.  The 30-minute episode will air September 24th on CTN (Christian Television Network) and via satellite on Sky Angel.  Check local listings for air times.
 
The new Fusebox CD, Once Again, is available at Christian book and music stores nationwide from Elevate Records and Inpop Records, and is distributed by EMI Christian Music Distribution.
 

Shaun Groves Announces 30-City Fall ‘Blank Stage Tour 
(Franklin, TN… 09/21/04)  Rocketown recording artist Shaun Groves recently launched a solo, headlining Fall 2004 tour based around the song “Blank Page” from his current album, Twilight. The “Blank Stage Tour” is expected to hit 25-30 college markets in the South and Midwest before wrapping up in late November. 

Groves explains the concept behind the song and the tour is to take his music back to a simpler time, before it was a full-time career. “It's a tour about what drew me to music and this business in the first place: the songs. I know who I am.  I’m the guy with a guitar and a song—I’m no rock star,” says Groves. “It’s just a blank stage with only a microphone and a piano cluttering it up. No lights or screens or band. We're focusing on the heart of what God made me to do: play music and be with people.” 

On this tour Groves will be introducing his new partnership with Campus Crusade for Christ as a means to further reach out to the many college students who attend his concerts. “For years now I've been asking young adults to worship God by doing more than singing.  I've explained every night that worship never means music when used in the Bible—it often means work and service. Hundreds of people have written me and talked with me after shows about how motivated and moved to action they were by that message. The problem has been that many of these people had no church to serve or serve others with. They had no campus ministers or access to a local database of service opportunities. So I've asked Campus Crusade to connect young people without a church to discipleship training, local service opportunities, global missions projects and hopefully to a local church that can care for them in ways that Campus Crusade cannot. The dream is that young adults at every show are sent out from the shows as worshippers who work and serve around the world and at home.  

“Campus Crusade is a reputable worldwide organization founded by Bill Bright that has discipled and sent out thousands of people over the years. I am honored that they have allowed me to be the first artist to represent them in this way and hope that it allows more students and young adults to make God visible around the world by meeting physical and spiritual needs.” 

Dates and cities for the “Blank Stage Tour” are listed below: 

September 4: Rutherfordton, NC 
September 5: Simpsonville, SC 
September 10: Grand Rapids, MI 
September 11: Noblesville, IN 
September 17: Canton, OH 
September 18: Owosso, MI 
September 23: Marion, AL 
September 25: Columbia, SC 
September 30: Indianapolis, IN 
October 9: Corpus Christi, TX 
October 15: Atlanta, GA 
October 16: Decatur, GA 
October 17: Tallahassee, FL 
October 22: Dubuque, IA 
October 23: Green Bay, WI 
October 24: Madison, WI 
November 3: Waco, TX 
November 4: Houston, TX 
November 6: Dallas, TX 
November 7: Sugarland, TX 
November 12: Slidell, LA 
November 13: Blue Mountain, MS 
November 14: Memphis, TN 
November 19: Central, SC 
November 21: Port St. Lucie, FL 

*All dates subject to change. 

Groves, who recently completed a run on Summer Jam, will also be spending December with his labelmates on the Gloria Christmas tour. In between dates, he’s writing songs in preparation for his upcoming third album, due in Spring 2005. “I hope to play songs as I write them on the road,” Groves says. “I've always been quick to share new music with strangers. Their feedback means more than my own opinions and is as important as those of a label so I'll test out the new songs on unsuspecting audiences on this tour just to see what happens.” 

After filling Groves’ fall calendar, The Hummingbird Agency is already booking dates for a Spring 2005 leg of the "Blank Stage Tour." For more information, contact Brian Seay at 615-566-3232 or brian@thehummingbirdagency.com. For more information on Shaun Groves, visit www.rocketownrecords.com or www.shaungroves.com. 

Bebo Norman Headlines Fall 2004 Tour
Nashville, Tenn., August 6, 2004 – Essential Records announces the fall headlining tour for acclaimed folk-pop artist Bebo Norman, kicking off Aug. 21 in Waco, Texas.  The Bebo Norman Fall 2004 Tour will feature special guests Bethany Dillon and Jason Morant while hitting 35 cities from August – November in support of Norman’s highly anticipated fourth national release, Try, streeting Aug. 24. 

The Bebo Norman Fall 2004 Tour marks Norman’s third national headlining tour. 

Norman comments, “I’m super excited about this fall tour.  We’ll play great new songs, and some old ones, too.  Jason and Bethany are phenomenal young songwriters – frankly, I am a little jealous they are so good so young.  It is a privilege to have them out with me.”
 
 

New Concert Dates

Joy Electric
Justin McRoberts