by Anna McClure | Aug 30, 2015 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Staying true to yourself and your values can be difficult for anyone — a fact addressed at “Live Original LIVE,” hosted by Duck Dynasty’s Sadie Robertson. The event, based around themes of Robertson’s book “Live Original,” was held in Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena on Saturday, Aug. 29 and included inspirational speeches, skits and music performances. “What Live Original is all about, that is what we’re doing tonight, teaching you to go outside of your comfort zone,” Robertson said. “Don’t be afraid, be confident in your schools, through your trials, in the community, in the world, and in your relationships.” Speakers included Robertson’s brother John Luke and sister-in-law Mary Kate, boyfriend Blake Coward, The Bachelor couple Sean and Catherine Lowe, Max and Bonnie Kate Zoghbi, with musical performances by for KING & COUNTRY and Reed Robertson. Amidst the excitement and entertainment were serious and meaningful discussions, such as the Zoghbi’s speaking out about the 2012 Aurora Colorado shooting, which Bonnie Kate was a victim of. “I’m telling you guys this story just to tell of God’s faithfulness and how He’s so good and uses even the darkest things to grow us and shape us,” said Zoghbi, as she spoke of the events of the shooting and the ways in which she has grown afterward. Zoghbi’s filmaker husband Max, who received a lot of attention for his elaborate wedding proposal, spoke about the importance of perspective in living originally in trials and suffering. “For us that looks like finding perspective in your story through suffering because everyone suffers,” he said. “It looks like finding that perspective and relying on God to give you joy...
by Erin Turner | Aug 13, 2015 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Christian music artists, fans and community members will return to Music City this fall to unite for the 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards show, “Better Together.” “Since 1969, the GMA Dove Awards has honored the outstanding achievement and excellence of our music community,” GMA executive director Jackie Patillo said in a press release. “We hope to bring much more light to our mission with this year’s ‘Better Together’ theme as we focus on unity, diversity and creativity and come together during this exciting time in our industry.” The awards show will be held under Lipscomb’s roof in Allen Arena for the third consecutive year on Tuesday, Oct. 13. The Gospel Music Association now calls Lipscomb home after holding the awards show in Atlanta. Most may know Nashville as home of country music, but it is now a hub for the Christian music industry as well. On Wednesday, Aug. 12, a press conference was held at which award nominations were announced and Mayor Karl Dean spoke about the importance of music in Nashville’s community. “Not only do we get to celebrate the diversity of the music in Nashville, but we also get to celebrate the fact that hundreds of music fans will be traveling here in October and they will get to see our city firsthand,” Dean said. “Music is one of the top econmic drivers we have. It is the city’s DNA and it is who we are.” Dean described the music industry as Nashville’s “econmic engine,” with 215 million people listening to Christian and Gospel music each month, for example. “Lipscomb, along with other campuses, is a huge part of the boom we’re...
by Jesica Parsley | Oct 14, 2013 | Opinion
New Artist of the Year is one of the top awards to be given away at the Dove Awards. The 2013 nominees include Capital Kings, Colton Dixon, for King & Country, Rhett Walker Band and Tasha Cobbs. Capital Kings is a Christian pop band of Gotee Records. Their debut album was released in January 2013 and entered the Billboard Christian Albums Chart Top 5. Colton Dixon is from Murfreesboro and with Sparrow Records. His debut single, “You Are”, was released in October 2012. A Messenger, his second album, was released in January 2013 and hit number one on the U.S. Christian and Gospel Charts. For King & Country is a Christian rock band composed of Australian-born brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone. The band is signed with Fervent label. The band’s debut album, Crave, was released in February 2012, and it hit number four on Billboard’s Christian Albums Chart. The Rhett Walker Band is a Christian rock band from Nashville and signed with Essential Records. The band’s debut album,Come to the River, was released in July 2012. The band’s debut single, “When Mercy Found Me,” was Grammy nominated. Tasha Cobbs is from Atlanta signed with EMI Gospel. Her major-label debut album, Grace, was released in February 2013. Colton Dixon is the favorite to win New Artist of the Year, but Tasha Cobbs’ career is finally taking off since signing with EMI after starting her career...
by Janice Ng | Oct 14, 2013 | Opinion
The 44th annual Dove Awards is happening Tuesday night in Allen Arena. To prepare you for the evening’s festivities, here are some of the nominees for Song of the Year category, awarded to songwriters and publishers. “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord),” artist Matt Redman, writer Jonas Myrin This seems to be a church favorite. I don’t think there has been one church I have gone to this year that hasn’t used this song during worship. “The Proof of your Love,” artist For King & Country, writers Ben Glover, Jonathan Lee Australian-born, Nashville-based brothers Luke and Joel were named by Billboard as one of the “New Artists to Watch” for 2012. “Take me to the King,” artist Tamela Mann, writer Kirk Franklin Mann is a recipient of the 2011 Dove Award for Traditional Gospel album of the year. Her song “Take me to the King” topped U.S. Billboard Gospel Song charts for weeks straight. It was also nominated for a Grammy. “Whom Shall I Fear,” artist Chris Tomlin, writer Ed Cash Tomlin is a multiple Dove Award recipient. “One Thing Remains,” artist Kristian Stanfill, writer Brian Johnson I visited a church in Atlanta across the span of several months. This song was the staple worship song. I didn’t complain. Stanfill won Special Event Album of the Year at the 2011 Dove Awards. “What the Blood is for,” artist Jason Crabb, writer Ronnie Freeman Crabb won Male Vocalist of the Year and Artist of the Year at the 2012 Dove Awards. Other nominees include: “Live Like That,” artist Sidewalk Prophets, writer Dave Frey “Forgiveness,” artist and writer Matthew West “Redeemed,” artist Big...
by Monaih Sam | Oct 10, 2013 | Opinion
I like to call Christian rap “lyrical theology.” So much music in today’s world rely on catchy hooks and a beat you can bounce to, but they lack sustenance or meaning. For many years, Christian rap was the total opposite. Artists’ produced songs with meaningful messages, but the production and quality failed to reach the ears of the hip-hop nation. This year’s crop of Christian hip-hop and rap artists have finally put it all together. Here are the nominees for this year’s Dove Awards for Rap/Hip-Hop album and song of the year: Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year Manafest – Fighter Fighter is the Canadian rapper’s sixth full-length album. If you like rap or hard rock, you will enjoy Fighter. I wasn’t really impressed with this album, but it is very encouraging and loud album for when you need a “wake me up.” The album is more rock then rap, laced with screaming, guitar and electronic sounds. Rap rock isn’t represented well in Christian music, so mad props to Manafest on this album. KJ-52 – Dangerous KJ-52 has been in the game for a long time and is arguably the most polarizing figure in Christian rap. Dangerous is a mixture of different styles and techniques from rock-rap to electro-pop and traditional hip-hop sounds. KJ-52 uses his quirky and self-deprecating sense of humor, combining his personality with his particular style of evangelism in Dangerous, which is sure to please hip-hop fans alike. Andy Mineo – Heroes For Sale This is one of my favorite album titles, and the album goes along with it. Mineo is a rapper who embraces many genres without...
